Category: encouragement

Transgender

Colorado? Her world tilted when she heard the news. She felt sick. Weeping, she looked out her window. No birds could encourage her this time, no matter how hard they tried.

What should she do? What could she do? Drive out there? Take a bus? People there needed to be held, needed to be seen. By someone that cared.

After washing the tears from her face, she noticed the sun beginning to set behind the apartments across the street. She went for her coat and hat, determined to find some of her fellow transgender friends downtown.

“Dear God…” was all she could say as she walked out the door. She would hold someone tonight, and they would cry together, whispering “I know…. I know….” giving each other just enough,

courage

to make it

another day.

P.S. Hate and violence towards the LGBTQ community is getting worse in our country. Black transgender women are the most murdered group of people in the United States.

I stand against hate, and I stand with the LBGTQ community in Colorado Springs. If you don’t like people that are different from you, including the transgender community, please consider not following.

Much of this hate and violence is from the far right, starting with rhetoric.

For the next couple of weeks I’ll be resharing works of fiction I’ve written about transgender women. And maybe Emma will stop by to protect us, by extending her wings.

Poetry, Narrative and Image © Copyright, 2022 rivers renewed

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The Hue of Purple

I wondered, in this tinge of pink, in this hue of purple

what the poetess would contemplate

in the ocean

seeing, more with the heart

could she hear the music

in the waves?

would whale bones speak to her?

no God would condemn

such a soul that loved the mysteries

the vastness of everything

whose being

was awakened

by the sun.

Note: Dedicated to the memory of the wonderful poetess Mary Oliver.

Mary lived for a time in Massachusetts with her partner Molly Malone Cook. Molly was a photographer and at times took pictures of famous people.

Mary’s poetry speaks to me due to her observations of life and nature, and how she feels about being alive. Currently I’m reading her book Why I Wake Early. It is filled with light, and I always feel lifted when I read her work. I highly recommend it.

Peace.

Poetry, Narrative and Image © Copyright, 2022 rivers renewed

Blogging Update: June 2022

What a beautiful summer this is! Can you feel the excitement in the air? The flowers are blooming, and even the bumble bees have taken their rightful place in this beautiful realm. I hope you are able to get out and enjoy the natural world.

My wife and I have been focusing on being outdoors this summer. The other day we went for a walk in an apple orchard, and today we went walking in a local park. The apples are just beginning to grow, and it looks like there will be a wonderful harvest in a few months.

So, what about the blog? The blog is doing very well, and I could not be happier with your support and wonderful comments! I do apologize for not being here as much as I used to be.

When I first started blogging I was posting twice a day. How did I ever do that?? I have no idea.

Things have changed a lot in the 8 years I’ve been blogging. That seems like a long time. I have changed too, and in a lot of ways I have simply outgrown the site. I recently cut back to just 2 posts a week, but for the next week it will only be on Saturdays. I may expand that for the entire summer.

However do not feel abandoned! I will be visiting your sites. My summer schedule will be a precursor to my retirement schedule.

I love to write but I need more family time. I’m looking forward to more walks in the apple orchard with my beautiful wife! Some of you ask about her and I’m so grateful you check on us that way. She will always be on chemo, because that keeps her body stable. So yeah, time with my honey is important to me!

Thank you so much for reading!

Peace.

Writing and Image © Copyright 2022 rivers renewed

As Night Falls on the Bay

Even the sun surrenders to the night,

as young lovers dream of colors on the water

with boats floating,

and ducks nestled into their feathers,

while frogs take over the serenade.

A clouded sky prepares

for the victory of fireflies

while the bay embraces

the reflection of our souls

and the moon glows,

in those softer lights

during times of our embracing.

 

Poetry and Image © Copyright 2018, 2022 rivers renewed

Thank You!

It has been a long time since I’ve done a thank you post so – thank you so much! You all are an amazing group of people!

I’m always amazed by your poetry, art, articles, reviews, and photography. You should all receive awards and make lots of money!

And I wish I could follow each one of you. Your support for my work is truly a blessing and humbling.

I’d like to make a recommendation for those that are beginning their blogging life here. If you want your blog to do well, please link it to social media. You’ll be glad you did!

The future is not only here now, it was here yesterday.

I’m really happy with where my blog is and my journey here….and you are the reason!

Thank you!

Writing and Image Copyright © 2022 rivers renewed

In the Wind Swept Valleys

She noticed that in the wind swept valleys, poetry was waiting

some recovery words, a healing stream with phrases

even after the darkness fell, wind would pull her

through as light caught her wing, the good one,

she was never surprised really of how good

it was to come into the light again, or stand

on top of the mountain.

Poetry and Image Copyright © 2022 rivers renewed