poetry

Smile

/ Jodi / 38 Comments

smile-perylene-green-watercolor

Smile…

I know that this may sound cliche,
but won’t you give it a try today?

When you see someone whose eyes are dim,
greet them with a wide, happy grin?

Show those dimples and pearly whites,
it may just be their day’s highlight.

A smile is contagious and fun to spread.
Just do it, you’ll see – full speed ahead!

It could be the cure that heals the blues,
maybe even the common cold and flu.

It’s easy, and it is free to give.
it can even be a kind forgive.

A simple smile can spread some light,
and be the way to make a day bright.

It’s a gesture, it’s a gift,
it can be a huge lift.

If everyone tried this once per day,
imagine how lovely… imagine how gay.

You can turn the world on with your smile
You can take a nothing day, and suddenly make it all seem worthwhile.

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

RIP Mary Tyler Moore – Your smile will be remembered

 

Today I will choose to be kind

/ Jodi / 29 Comments

white-rose-bereavement-bouquet

Today I will choose to be kind –
most especially and intentionally to those who are not.

I will remember how precious and fragile life is –
and seek to cherish the moments.

We may not remember days or weeks or months,
but we remember moments.

And life is made up of moments –
ones that bring joy…

And others that bring grief
and sadness and loss.

I will cherish those moments too
and allow myself to feel them.

For a heart that cannot grieve or feel sadness or loss
cannot also feel the fullness of joy and love and hope.

Today, and every day, I will seek to choose to be kind,
and I will also embrace the kindness of others.

For every moment
is what makes up a life.

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

The Day After the Day After

/ Jodi / 23 Comments

day-after-cold

The Day After the Day After

I had planned on being productive
(well maybe that’s a lie)
the day after the day after Christmas,
but the cough persisted and my nose wouldn’t dry.

So after a cold, but sunny stroll with Charlie
(a long time in coming)
and a steamy, dreamy longer-than-normal shower,
I still didn’t feel very becoming.

A makeshift bowl of chicken soup I made
from leftover noodles and carrot sticks chopped,
a tall ginger ale with a straw,
then I plopped.

A few more episodes
of Gilmore Girls sounded just right
for the day after the day after…
a peaceful delight.

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

December Snow

/ Jodi / 32 Comments
front-yard-and-driveway-morning-after-snow-december-2016

Front Yard, Mars, PA December, 2016

December snow
is the brightest snow.

It makes the sky bluer
and tree trunks browner.

December snow cleanses the earth
and also the soul.

It evokes memories
and fills us with anticipation.

December snow…
I love your Christmas spirit.

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

The Clock Ticks

/ Jodi / 33 Comments
pink-sunset

sunset on cranberry twp, pa 11-14-16

The sun sets
The moon rises
The earth turns.

The heart beats
The eyes see
The ears hear.

The clock ticks
The calendar flips
Time flies.

The hands touch
The nose smells
The mouth tastes.

The wind blows
The trees sway
The birds sing.

The soul feels
The brain thinks
The human being loves.

Experience every second
Appreciate every minute
Cherish every moment.

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

Super Moon over Mars (PA)

/ Jodi / 30 Comments
Super Moon over Mars (PA) November 13, 2016

Super Moon over Mars (PA) November 13, 2016

Oh the mysteries of the moon and earth

You never realize how quickly our earth is actually rotating
until you try to pause long enough to capture a photo of the moon.

From afar, I always see a face…
the “man on the moon” I called it as a child.

As I look at this photo I took late Sunday evening,

it almost appears as if the moon is a large mirror
reflecting back the earth it sees.

The beauty of nature

It makes you feel small and insignificant
and large and important

all at once.

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

Golden Sparkle

/ Jodi / 23 Comments

frosty-oak-leaf

The golden morning sunlight
on the frosty fallen oak leaf
sparkles more beautifully
than any diamond I’ve ever seen.

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

Endings and Beginnings

/ Jodi / 32 Comments

autumn-leaf

The wind has picked up a determined strength.
And the cheerful orange leaves are all but lost.

The hours of daylight have grown shorter in length.
The morning’s dew has turned into frost.

Autumn’s time is growing near her blissful end,
And winter is waiting for her turn to shine.

Snowflakes and icicles will soon impend.
and warm crackling fires under woolen fleece blankets will be so divine.

One season’s sad retreat
makes room for the next’s joyful beginning.

Goodbye Autumn – it’s so bittersweet
as we prepare to welcome winter’s first inning.

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

Open your Eyes and look with your Heart

/ Jodi / 39 Comments

autumn-path-in-the-woods

When I look at this photo
I snapped along my walk the other day,
I realize how grateful I am
to have such a place of beauty
so close by
to be able to walk by
every day I can.

There is so much beauty…
so much to be grateful for…
if only we open our eyes
and look with our hearts.

Do you see the possibilities?
Do you wonder about the mystery
that is just a few steps further
along the path
and around the bend?

Open your eyes
and look  with your heart.

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

Spring or Fall? A Seasonal Paradox

/ Jodi / 35 Comments
Red Autumn Leaf on Rusty Spring - Mars, PA

Red Autumn Leaf on Rusty Spring – Mars, PA

Spring or Fall?

The things you find on an Autumn walk
that resonate with your thoughts….

Like the old rusty box spring
that has been sitting for years

against a pile of well seasoned cut and split firewood
on a path I pass frequently on my walk.

It sits there as if its purpose
is purely to create artistic beauty

A paradox…
a contradiction.

Just like a crazy 74 degree November day
in the little town of Mars, PA.

Is it “Spring” or is it Fall?

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi