Green Light

I reach for my daughters' hands

at the crosswalk.

Their miniature fingers orbit mine

in concentric circles,

landing with the force 

of a double sun.

"Look, Papa," the youngest says,

"Our hands are hugging!"

The light turns green.

They break away,

skipping headlong

into the crosswalk.

Traffic descends 

like a meteor shower.

"Wait!"

By the time I catch up,

they're already chasing

the next wonder.

My heart arrives

a few seconds later.

The signal clears.

These are my co-creations

stitching new constellations,

with every fearless step,

pulling us

through space and time.

We are bound together,

like atoms in a molecular waltz,

like light waves captured 

in the event horizon,

like galaxies hurling toward

the void.

**First published in In Parentheses literary magazine

Port Aransas, Texas (2023)

       The girls wanted a beach holiday before returning to school ... I found a cheap motel suite near the ocean in Port Aransas, Texas, rented a motor cart to kick around the island, and off we went for six days of sun, sand, and surf on the Gulf Coast.

       These little ladies are becoming great travel companions:  funny and intelligent, polite and conscientious, playful and observant ... My heart is full!

Eloise Jane 7.0

      Eloise Jane version 7.0 drops today.  This release comes with a host of technology upgrades, including her own apple account (so she can text Mama and Papa from her iPad), a talent for finding and sharing silly online memes, and her very first selfie (see photo below - melt!).  7.0 also comes with an optional animal companion, the Husky dog for which Eloise will not stop begging me to acquire ... I'm opting out of that feature.  

     For her special day, Eloise asked for a party at Urban Air Indoor Park with a few of her friends.  Iyla is not allowed to invite friends, I suspect because Eloise wants to ensure her big sister plays with her 😊.   Later, we are having presents and "cat cake with its claws out" at Mama's house, followed by a swim in Papa's pool and dinner menu of her choosing ... She will likely choose mac and cheese with roasted broccoli -- one of her favorites.

     Happy Birthday, Miss Eloise Jane Lambert.  You make my heart oh so very happy!

Mother's Ilk

Your appearance in the courtyard 

is a pale reflection 

of season's past 

when you illuminated the morning glories 
with your rapturous charm,
and old men at the chess board 

arose in chorus to praise 

your brightly colored ensembles.

Now, some hostile years 

have marched over your allure, 

scarring a landscape

with husband's infidelities,

an ectopic pregnancy, 

Lyme disease,

a breast cancer scare.
  
The hand-woven sweater 

which seasons ago 
adorned a vibrant figure 
struggles to obscure 

a shy, diminished form.
  
Your daughters flutter beside you, 

nimble as a fireflies.

The promise of the day 

is alight in their eyes.

You smile when their eyes meet yours, 

but not often besides.
  
Your husband pulls the water hose 

to his pickup truck, 
eyeing the buxom neighbor 

across the way.  

You were once a splendid bride, 
full of laughter 

and unbounded esteem.  

When we danced on your wedding day

you declared 

you never knew such euphoria.

"He's The One," you said,

and I spied in your lavender-painted eyes

the hypnotic state that bends lovers

toward forever promises.

I blessed you.

I blessed your marriage,

because there is only 

       this

       moment 
before the curtain drops.  

Your daughters wave hello, 
exalted in their matching 

floral-print dresses.

You conceal 

your fractured spirit from them;

yet, when they are old enough 

for shopping malls, 

push-up bras, 

and boy's lusty stares,

when they learn of father's affairs,

will mother's soured milk

already be theirs?

**First published in Suspended Magazine

Child's Song

A child falls
then bleeds,
stumbles and bleeds.

She bleeds and bleeds.

What do we do

when we fall?

"Get back up, Papa!"

A thousand cuts
will follow her
into adulthood.

A child farts

then laughs,
belches and laughs.

She laughs and laughs.

Where do you 

feel it?

"In my belly, Papa!"

She laughs

until

I'm laughing too.

A child mourns

then cries,

questions and cries.

She cries and cries.

Why the ambulance, Papa?

"For the neighbor, Buddy."

Before the siren fades,

she's chasing butterflies

through the yard.

So play the song

that she may sing,

play it 

'til the fingers bleed.

Strike up the band.

She sings and sings.

"Play it again, Papa!"

A child's song
celebrates
the living thing.

Iyla Grace 10.0

     Iyla Grace is double digits!   This release comes with a passion for illustrated books:  The Babysitter's Club (her favorite), Amulet, Primer, Diary of a Sixth-Grade Ninja.  She can't get enough, and it fills my heart with joy to experience her love of the written word. 

     Iyla Grace Productions has three, new feature films set to release in time for Oscar consideration:  Space Dude, Thunder Cloud & The Wolf Clan, and Myth / Haze are all written, directed, and produced by Miss Iyla Grace Lambert.  Look for them this holiday season at a theater near you.

    Happy Birthday, Little Buddy!