Faith · family · Life

Serenity

From the time I was young, I had trouble waiting
Always-late-people? So irritating!
Delayed planes and buses — very frustrating
I wished I could be easygoing!

Yes, I was impatient — but wanted to change
So I started to pray (does that sound somewhat strange?)
I thought that I knew what God could/would arrange
Truth is — I asked without knowing

Well, God sent me teachers — one at a time
For a total of eight — tiny, helpless, sublime
This slow learner experienced shift paradigm
While all of my children were growing

Sereneness is seeing the blue of the sky
Feeling the sun, watching bees fly
Being in moments ‘stead of letting them by
Not going faster, but slowing

So I learned to slow down from my children eight
Little knowing, indeed, what was my next fate
Aging parents, dementia, at the next gate
No regrets — just love overflowing

For eight I witnessed their very first day
For two I was present as they passed away
Each one a miracle in its own way
Listen — do you hear the wind blowing?


This is my response to this week’s W3 challenge.

Poet of the Week, Nigel Byng, challenged us to “Write a paean about a moment of personal triumph. This can be something from your past, something you are currently experiencing, or something you envision for your future. The moment should feel meaningful—something that changed you, clarified something essential, or marked a quiet or dramatic victory.”

14 thoughts on “Serenity

  1. Sally, I feel how real your journey is from impatience to peace.

    Your line “For eight I witnessed their very first day / For two I was present as they passed away” shows both joy and loss so clearly. You’ve left me thinking about how slowing down helps us notice what truly matters.

    ~David

  2. Sereneness is seeing the blue of the skyFeeling the sun, watching bees fly….

    I loved these lines, and your poem opened my heart to the joys of life. Then you reminded me that it its wholeness, life has moments of sadness.

    “For eight I witnessed their very first dayFor two, I was present as they passed awayEach one a miracle in its own way”

    Everything is a blessing in its divine way. You brought tears to my eyes with this piece. Tear of laughter, of pain, and of personal gratitude. For we learn to give thanks in ALL things.

    Thank you, Sally, for sharing a most beautiful poem.

    Have a blessed day.

  3. Sally,

    Mazal tov! Nigel has selected you as our PoW for this week. I have sent you an email with ‘next steps’, but if you haven’t received it, please email me directly at:

    DVDBGMLNY at GMAIL dot COM

    Much love,
    David

Leave a comment