Awareness

Yes, my dear heart, we’re growing old.

You said the force of our son’s pitches sent
you the message he’s growing stronger
and you can catch for him no longer.

I found his growled and grumbled,
“Mom, he’s Rob now” reply
to my greeting of six-foot Robbie
both starling and enlightening.

The tone of our daughter’s voice
when she called her best friend a bitch
frizzled and grayed my hair today.

You said the topper for you was
acknowledging the allure of her increasing
femininity as she bounced out the door
to meet her date for the day.

Yes, love, as our children become bolder,
We’re certainly growing older.

Sylvia Edwards

At the Brink

Watching waves wash
over the beach
reminds me
that they like time,
smooth and soothe
rough and ragged edges.

Seeing sands shift
over the shore
assures me
that they, like time,
mask and cover
wide and varied rifts.

Tracing tear tracks
over your cheek
shows me
that they, like time,
ease and release
deep and buried aches.

Sylvia Edwards

Connections

Does passion always lead to obsession?
Does obsession breed possession?
Does possession dash passion?
Does compulsion fuel passion?
Does confession cancel obsession?
Does revulsion follow compulsion?

What happens when the goal
of obsession (which is possession)
is met and the possession
smothers the passion?

What happens when a simple
confession (which was compulsion)
is made and the obsession
results in revulsion?

Sylvia Edwards