I miss friendships, caress
the playfulness of nudge.
Without my heart is lonely,
dailyness a dragging trudge.
I miss compassions touch,
cupped in empathy.
The knowledge only passed
in arms of sympathy.
I communicate my love
with handshake, hug, and kiss.
When it’s withheld,
I feel myself dismissed.
Even though I know
right now is not the time.
I fear for every heart,
starving, overtime.
©Mary Grace van der Kroef 2020
Too large for the swing?
Be the push that brings on joy
power to employ.
It may be dark inside,
but without it’s strangely light.
As the world lay sleeping,
nature donned a blanket, white
Though the sky is thick,
with heavy clouds of gray.
The early morning darkness,
is lightened by winter’s play.
I sit in my dark room,
watch the lights return.
Black to gray, with blue and white.
the seasons complete a turn.
Off in the distance,
past trees and lake, there’s more.
Under clouds horizon peaks
a glimmer over the far shore.
It was white and bright but brief,
as if the sun is shy.
It’s been a while since winter played
beneath a sun-filled sky.
So she’ll stay behind her clouds,
soften down her light.
This first encounters not the time,
she’ll savour her delight.
©Mary Grace van der Kroef 2019
Grief
When you long
When your strong
Though you’ve lost
Know the cost
When there’s hope
Through grief you cope
When one is gone
Yet life goes on
No
This grief is never wrong
©Mary Grace van der Kroef 2020
Note: Many of the images I draw and add writing to have spelling mistakes. It may be unprofessional to share them, but I don’t care. The raw images hold meaning for me. So I still share them as is. Thank you for understanding and reading despite my mistakes.
Starting with the crowning leaves
it trickles down with slow intent
until all burn with crimson glow
a constant wave, hours, days old
Watch the tree be kissed by fire
red, yellows, lingering greens
ombre waves, a colour tide
how long until it all consumes?
Converts each leaf as colours flirt
and flit, and drip, and turn
not alone, it kisses all
each a different hue
Fire transformed to gold as
light skips from maple to aspen
from sugar to quaking
autumn overtaking
©Mary Grace van der Kroef 2020
Listen to the crowning leaves
Their glory days proceed with ease,
The wind gives to them a voice.
They shout, with shaking leaves, rejoice.
First time snow has run away
Autumn has another day.
Leaves of gold shimmering shine
Their dying days a heaven shrine
They do not weep as down they fall
They lay their royal carpet for all
And all can play in piles of gold
Rich or poor, young or old.
Soon there gold will turn to brown
But in their cries there is no frown
It’s well known they’ve earned their rest
A golden crown marks them as blessed
The first time snow has come and gone
So autumn sings us one last song.
©Mary Grace van der Kroef 2019
Today is Canadien Thanksgiving. I wish you all a safe, peaceful day.
Thank you for the food I eat
Even though I can’t taste it
Thank you for the warmth of home
Even though I’m still chill
Thank you for my loved ones
Even though my heart is lonely
Thank you for the laughter
Even though I don’t join in
Thank you for each breath
Despite this heavy chest
I know I’m only breathing
Because I have life left
So, I am still thankful
I chose to hold that tight
Because each beat, each blink
Is a gift and helps me fight
– Give Thanks
©Mary Grace van der Kroef 2020
The words
Thoughts
Tears
I pray
Finally
See light of day
As they fall
Cascade
Flow
My aching heart
Begins to grow
Grow
Stretch
Tear
Heal
Scars to show
Loves tight seal
Sealed
Held
Treasured
Found
Truth revealed
Lessons profound
Prayers of pain
Relief
Grief
Necessary
Foster belief
Thankfulness
Lined with love
Gifts received
From up above
Painful prayers
Hopes
Dreams
You already know
All my extremes
©Mary Grace van der Kroef 2020
Who you’re with is not your worth
nor is who you’ve lost
Your girth is not your total sum
nor what you make
nor what you become
The thing inside that is alive
whether you’re dead or not
That is the thing that is your worth
it can not be measured
weighed
or bought
©Mary Grace van der Kroef 2020
It’s 5:30 am.
Mr. Moon is peering through my window.
Wearing his harvest glow like a luminous gem.
Pulling the clouds around himself like a soft collar.
Starting to dip beyond the trees top most branches.
Casting limbs and lingering leaves in to dark silhouette.
It’s 6 am.
The tinny child at my side sleeps.
October’s chill shielded by our shared blanket.
Mr. Moon, don’t wake her again.
It’s 6:30 am.
The sky is deepest navy blue.
Mr. Moon, your framing glow is dipping low.
It’s almost time to say goodnight.
My day starts with a sleepy blur.
I can almost hear a murmured purr.
“Goodnight little Mother.”
How can I be upset?
Dressed in his best, yet lonely.
It’s 6:45 am.
Navy turns to dusky blue.
I have almost lost his golden view.
His exit bringing frosty fog that creeps and crawls.
It’s 7 am.
Sky now misty purple.
How I wish he’d come again.
©Mary Grace van der Kroef 2020
