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Present places
present faces
in the moment here with you
Touching sunlight
touching evening
side by side in all I do
In comings
follow goings
always knowing you have space
Quiet moments
hectic motions
anchored inside grace
Such protection
unseen deflection
learning ever to remain
In the sphere
of your promise
knowing every tear of pain
is treasured
measured
in the palm of your hand
Ensuring
your enduring
present peace before me spanned
Copyright ยฉ2023 Mary Grace van der Kroef


Titles by Mary Grace van der Kroef
Found in simple spaces
when lights have dimmed to ease
weariness of day from shoulders prone.
In the morning beams
where radiance sings
reserving stage for feathered accompaniment notes.
Shimmers in the shadows
like the fuzziness of heat,
but greats in bells that chime with chirping mirth.
Often hid amid
wide open space
blending with a magic you can not trace.
Given to the few
who look beyond circumstance
to find the lines God painted beneath.
Even when awash,
paying untold cost,
finding treasure hid and hold relief.
Copyright ยฉ2023 Mary Grace van der Kroef


Available titles by Mary Grace van der Kroef
Spooled thread
Pulled
Schooled by a needle’s eye
Guided on a waltz
Of piercing lessons
That transform
Until the line is spent
A knot of resistance
Acknowledgement
of an end
Then a slip
Release
Somehow the spool still gives
Fibres hid within the spine
Of structure
Only released when force
Finds forgiveness
When my loves thread ends
He begins
ยฉ2022 Mary Grace van der Kroef


Titles available by Mary Grace van der Kroef
‘Linger’
It once roared loudly
With an abandon that belied the ordinary mouthpiece
It once shone with brilliance
And heat
That even the blind couldn’t doubt
It poured torrential waters across thirsty furrows
To quench loneliness’s deep thirst
Time has changed its face
Its roar is now a purr sounded in quiet corners
Its light has deepened
To a soft amber that heats as slow fed coals
Its waters have slipped deep
Locked within rich earth carpeted with green
It is a love that lingers into the beyond dreams
Infusing every breath with trust
Each morning with assurance
Even tears with hope
As fingers curl around each other
Locked in companionship
And gray hairs sprout to sparkle against tired temples
It is a love that lives
ยฉ2022 Mary Grace van der Kroef
I ask for his hand
He holds on tight
A curve is coming
It might mean a fight
But we stand together
Hand in hand, weโre one
We wonโt be separated
We canโt be undone
ยฉMary Grace van der Kroef 2020
I am privileged
To watch youth fade.
I am blessed,
To count the whispers of gray
That wave.
May I be privileged
To taste the wisdom on temples,
Hold the gentleness
Of fingers,
Love the layers of years
Within you.
ยฉ2022 Mary Grace van der Kroef
Reservoir of tears
aqueduct of word
release an angry flood
meaning becomes blurred
Bursting opened taps
short vessels made of clay
gushing on the floor
encasement to betray
Floorboards soaked expand
no longer toured with ease
watch out for lilting planks
slowing down our speed
Now in laboured love
mop and pail in hand
reserving wasted words
reclaiming tears unplanned
Together, as a pair
working, side by side
we’ll fix the broken pipes
turn off destructive tides
Buckets brimming full
water garden beds
washing grunge from panes
also grimy heads
Still important words
filled with precious tears
one ladle at a time
preserved for drought years
ยฉ2020 Mary Grace van der Kroef
“Reservoir of Tears” originally appeared in Issue II of the Kitchen Sink Magazine.
For healthy development, both emotionally and physically, an infant needs touch. Though many of us hide our longing for intimacy that doesn’t involve sexual contact, adults need touch as well.

A hand to hold. A shoulder to hug. Playful jostling while laughing with friends. These things are important. Give them generously. Receive them gratefully.
ยฉ2022 Mary Grace van der Kroef
Photo sourced from unsplash.com.
Dwelling Literary has again redecorated and on July 1st my piece, Lovers Getaway dropped as part of their BEACH HOUSE Issue.
BEACH HOUSE will continue to be an interactive experience on the home page for the month of July, after which all included pieces will remain in their Archives.
Dwelling literary continues to be a great sight to interact with and write for on a monthly basis. I encourage all of my friends to check out there monthly themes. Thank you!
