Chrysalis

You flutter and bump,
A lost bird inside me.
My skin moves for you, with you.
You have such power!
To make me love you,
Want you,
Carry you,
Every second of the day.
My worries are of you,
My joys are of you,
My life is become you,
Strong, fragile thing.

Grumpa

I don't think you knew I called you that in my head.
I was never quite brave enough to say it to your face,
But somehow I kind of think you would have liked it.
I miss you.
I'm sad that your great-grandson won't get to meet you,
I'm sad that I won't get to sit and listen to your stories again.
At least, not here in this life.

While you're at work

I miss you when you're gone.
The house is always so still.
I'll be glad when the baby comes,
These quiet hours to fill.
I miss you when you're gone.
My thoughts are away with you,
Waiting for your key in the lock,
Your home-again face in view.
I miss you when you're gone.
Your touch, your smile, your hair.
I ache for your arms around me
When the missing's hard to bear.
I miss you when you're gone.
I wonder what you are at.
I try to imagine your day,
I don't know enough for that.
I miss you when you're gone.
Your day's not twined with mine now
So inseperably like it was
In the weeks and months ago.
I miss you when you're gone.
But that only makes the time
You're here with me that much sweeter
Your bright presence more sublime.

Little L

I nestle close to your father,
He lays his hand where you sleep,
I feel you wake and begin to move
Within your cradle deep.
I see your movements across my skin,
Feel your stretches, rolls, and jerks.
I've yet to meet you little one,
But how I love your quirks!!

My totally amazing excuse.

Okay, so, I have a really good excuse for not writing every day in May. TWO really good excuses actually. The first one, I got fired from my job. (never been fired before, that was interesting....) So I was busy figuring that out. Also, unbeknownst to me, I'd started growing a little baby inside of me! My husband and I are thrilled. :-) So now that everything's settling down, (well, everything but my stomach.....) I'm back and better than ever!

Ho Hum Drum
Twiddly Dum
I've got time
You have none.

I'm writing this by cell-phone light
While my husband sleeps
His arm is around me, and the night
Silence is filled with beeps
As I keep the light going.

From upstairs a melody
As I talk with Him,
Seems as tongues of angels
Singing far and dim.

My husband's leatherman multi-tool
Is a spaceship from Uklor.
He told me so.

Hello beautiful tomato!
I bought you at the farmer's market.
You will taste good later,
On a sandwich or something.
But I am full right now
And content to just admire.

With quirky grin of askance
You watch me write this poem
Hoping I am done soon
So we can go to bed.

I pull my blankets o'er my head
In apprehension's chilling dread
Of the monster under my bed.

My Victorious One

When fleeting doubts,
By shadows sown,
Creep into my mind,
I pull a tome
of memory
from among its kind.
It's cover's worn,
Or it would be,
If it had a form.
Just let us say
'Tis often drawn
To feed Soul, and warm.
In the pages
I see your face,
Your form, your green eyes.
I hear your voice,
'Most feel your touch,
Your breath as it flies.
I hear you say
With confidence,
"It'll all turn out!"
And in my mind
You, conquering,
Vanquish all my doubt.

To the lady in the black power suit wearing the brown mary-janes.

Did you know Frizzy Lady,
Yes, you with the forceful stride,
That despite your "Dress for success" attire
The first thing I see is your shoes?

Every Day in May is BACK!!! (and a day late....sorry....)

Reflections on a favorite picture of a statue of an etruscan couple

The picture has hung on my wall
For half a decade, at least.
A husband and wife reclining
At some invisible ancient feast.
Her face is peaceful and happy,
Her hands are vivid and bright.
The husbands strong arms around her
Seem to proclaim to the world, "She's right!"
I'll never know what they're saying,
Or who she's explaining to,
But I can see love in their faces,
The kind I want for me and for you.
For half a decade this picture
Kept my aspirations high.
Now it hangs in our living room
And I think every time I walk by,
"You and I are alike Lady,
Both of cherished and blessed.
Encircled about be the arms
And the love of him who we love best!"

IT'S HERE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Well friends, it's February, and it's after valentine's day! You know what that means! Time to hit the discount valentine's bins, dust off your mad haiku skillz, and get to work! The annual conversation heart haiku contest is ON! Post your creations as comments here, send them to me on Facebook, or email them to me at julietvanderbilt@yahoo.com by March 19th. (I picked that day 'cause that's the day I'm getting married!!!!!!!)
The winner will receive a totally awesome and wonderful prize. And maybe even some wedding cake!

You are water to me.
A pure, cool spring after a hot summer hike,
Gentle rain on parched leaves.
The awesome power of the ocean waves,
Unceasing and persisent.
The giddy tickle of a wandering raindrop
Trickling down my spine,
The reflective expanse of a serene puddle
Showing me ME as I am.
A laughing, leaping, exhuberant brook
Making me smile in delight.
The soothing, cleansing power of a hot bath
On a tired, sore, dirty soul.
The happy promise of a rainbow sky smile,
That the floods of life shall not overcome.
The easy and carefree support of a swimming pool,
When I, trusting, take my feet off the ground and fly.
The patient, visionary, stalactite building cave drip,
Creating over the years something wonderful.
As varied and necessary water, you are water to me.