Homecomings and Goings

Homecomings and Goings

©2019 Susan Noyes Anderson

Come home to me, my child; come home.
Dance on the words of a mother's poem...
stepping-stars across the sky,
shining bright to draw you nigh,
spun from gossamer and love,
heart-notes sent to heaven above.

Tiptoe through the rooms that knew you
while I whisper secrets to you.
Brush my soul with velvet fingers...
breathe a sweet goodbye that lingers...
then return, like fallen rain,
to the place from whence you came.

Angel voices call your name.

∞§∞

This is the poem I wrote to my son on Mother's Day, having lost him last year to a prolonged and painful illness. It feels good to share it here, on my trusty old (though neglected) blog, where I know I am among friends. 

Yesterday was Todd's birthday. He would have been 37. We miss him terribly, but (as ee cummings so beautifully suggests) we carry him in our hearts. We always will.

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From the Heart

from the heart

(for ryan)

©2018 susan noyes anderson

city beat

city heat

miles of pavement

pulsing feet

dirty asphalt

ocean breeze

misty mornings

nights to seize

sidewalk sleepers

suited men

money makers

born again

mission district

nob hill flair

sunset, castro

union square

trolley crossings

up-and-downs

beeping, dinging

magic sounds

snaky streets

bridge of gold

arching, soaring

bonny, bold

gritty, graceful

work of art

san francisco

from the start

(bring your dreams

leave your heart)

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Soul Substance

Soul Substance

©2018 Susan Noyes Anderson

The spirit finds home

inside warm flesh and bone,

taking ownership,

giving direction.

Should the formula fail, 

appetite will prevail,

driving action

without due reflection.

More blessings abound

when the nexus is found.

Spirit breathes, and

the body is whole.

Sacredness is defined

as the two are combined

in God's greatest creation:

the soul.

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Christmas Joys

Image by Anita Schiller Terry ©2016

Christmas Joys

©2017 Susan Noyes Anderson

At Christmas, simple things are best:

A family meal, a day of rest,

A sprig of holly on the tree,

A sweet noel, sung joyfully.

A cozy fire, a child at play,

A tale of Santa on his sleigh,

A glowing candle burning bright,

Reminder of the Savior's light.

A hug exchanged, a burden shared,
A broken heart sweetly repaired,
A listening ear, a gentle hand,
A tender heart to understand.

Hold fast to lovely things and true;

Let peace on earth begin with you.
∞§∞

On Christmas Joys:

“He who has not Christmas in his heart will never find Christmas under a tree.” 
–Roy L. Smith

“Gifts of time and love are surely the basic ingredients of a truly merry Christmas.”
–Peg Bracken

“The best of all gifts around any Christmas tree: the presence of a happy family all wrapped up in each other.” –Burton Hillis

Wishing everyone a warm and wonderful holiday season!
=)

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Sweet Reminders

Sweet Reminders

©2016 Susan Noyes Anderson

Of late, I have been much away from home,

not of my own design but others' need.

The mind finds compensation as I roam:

appreciation for the life I lead.

A place and partner of my own are mine,

grounded in years and happy memories...

A cozy nook for solitary time,

dream-space to loose creative energies...

A yard with wise old trees that I adore

and bushes that have laid their roots down deep.

They rarely ask for water any more,

yet bloom in lasting beauty, ours to keep.

Too easy are these gifts to take in stride,

counting their goodness as my daily due.

Once home, the scent of jasmine wafts inside,

and every blessing greets my heart anew.

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Burdens to Blessings

Burdens to Blessings

©2016 Susan Noyes Anderson

When life rears up and strikes me down,

when all the world turns bleak,

I look to God for hope and find

the comfort that I seek.

He may not snatch me from the jaws

of troubles I must bear,

yet He walks with me faithfully.

I feel His presence there.

Sometimes I choose to turn away

when suffering is great.

I rail against His timing, spurn

His help that comes "too late."

My heart does not remember then

what I remember now;

that if I would be as He is,

my life must teach me how.

For strength flows from the spirit

that has exercised its might.

Each violent storm I conquer

brings me closer to His light.

My Father has a plan for me,

a plan I once endorsed.

Each soul must find its way to Him;

no spirit shall be forced.

May I accept with grace all things

that bring me to my knees––

in joy or sorrow, grateful 

for my opportunities.

The world is one small moment

pulled from vast eternity.

Father, I would be mindful 

of thy priceless gifts to me:

Life lessons that I need to learn,

a family filled with love,

a Savior who will lead me home

to dwell with Him above.

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The Stranger

The Stranger

© Susan Noyes Anderson

I remember the cat in better days, strutting
smugly through the soft, gold carpet, master
of his own paw-printed hallways, a silky legacy
on each duvet. I was an observer then, amused,
detached. The house would soon be mine, the cat
a memory; belonging as he did to doting
owners––who loved, it seemed, as only those
whose animals become their children can.

It was a pretty lie; the cat stayed on,
left to the streets and framed in unlit windows.
The shadows own him now, protect him too;
coat him in dark disguises only soap and light
and––oh yes––love could shed. He stalks his past,
slow-moving, locked in dreams; unwilling, still,
to call the night his home. Restless, relentless,
searching for his people. He stares into our eyes;
we do not know him. We do not take him in.

Assignment: Write a poem on the theme of  "cats."

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