What will your life be like in three years?
it’s a date
three years from today
meet me in the hills
I’ll brew us some tea
if we are here still
the future we dreamed
the battles hard won
we’ll tip our warm cups
in the light of the sun
no longer afraid
to be seen or to speak
freedom and justice
restored to the meek
if we have survived
I’ve no doubt we will
we’ll talk about weather
here in the foothills
~kat
well bless your heart
invisible people have privileged gray lives
they never get angry or give in to strife
everything’s rosy, yes, everything’s great
they’re quick to admonish those battered by hate
who dare to feel angry at those who don’t care
dark souls who surrendered to king yellow hair
not enemies, they chide, we’re all the same
treat all with compassion, there’s no one to blame
but I have a feeling that they’ve never known
the sting of oppression, of hate in their home
from people they loved who don’t seem to care
that the vote they cast hurt family somewhere
forgiveness is bitter for those now denied
simple compassion and the right to live life
we don’t want to hear it, your lofty ideals
til you walk in our shoes and know how it feels
when half of the world thinks you shouldn’t exist
the audacious preach virtue in ignorant bliss
~kat
A rant today. I read a well-meaning post on social media that struck me the wrong way. It had a long-winded “why can’t we all just get along” vibe. Heart-felt and a tad naive, its message was also condescending to those of us with bullseyes on our backs. Those of us targeted as other, undesirables who, if the powers that be had their way, would be disappeared from the face of the earth or at least from this country. Condescending…because we’re not allowed to be angry or hold those responsible for this dumpster fire accountable. Admonished to keep the peace. To get along. To forgive and and show compassion to those who would point us out in a heartbeat if it meant finding favor with the powerful in the hopes that they might reap the benefits of the coup they helped fuel. It’s convenient to forgive and forget when you’re not living in a nightmare.
So I wrote a poem…therapy that rescues me from responding directly to such blather. I’ll crawl back under my rock now, and tuck myself in behind the closet door, hoping the monsters don’t find me.
Much love, peace, and glimmers of hope to you. As it happens I was visited today by several mourning doves. Often seen as a symbol of love, hope, peace, and new beginnings, I think mother nature knew I would need some encouragement today. ✨✨✨💚💚💚✨✨✨
~kat
A little love, hope, peace, and the promise of new beginnings…today’s much needed glimmer.
soulless
how damaged must a person be
to spew pure hate with vicious glee
to hoard life’s treasures from the least
they lust for power…what kind of beast
denies humanity to them,
the poor, the weak, while they pretend
to care about the common folk
dismantling the words once wrote
by people seeking liberty
from kings demanding loyalty
clearly they have sold their souls,
to an emperor who has no clothes
the people see now what they’ve done
but it’s too late, the deed is done
when democracy dies, evil has won
~kat
It’s hard to wrap my brain around what is happening. The country I love is dying. There may be a few attempts at life support, but democracy is no longer valued. A government for the people and by the people where every person is valued and promised human rights and the pursuit of life, liberty and happiness. We have become us and them, the haves that want more, and the have-nots who stand to lose everything to feed the beast.
Today is a very dark day in our country.
We celebrate Independence Day this weekend. The irony is stunning.
I am clinging to my commitment to search for glimmers each day. I started this at the beginning of the year precisely because I knew there would be moments like this. A dear friend sent me this mug. It arrived late yesterday and is my glimmer to share with you too. I am going to make some tea in it now. Join me in spirit or even with a cup of your own.
What holds me together is the realization that good still exists in this world. We may be silenced for a season to suffer the cruelty of our leaders, but we are here! There is light to be found in the eyes of those of us who remember compassion, love, and kindness.
Much love, peace, hope and glimmers to you!
~kat ✨✨✨💚💚💚✨✨✨
And one more thing…the turkeys stopped by. Mama hen and chick too! That baby is growing taller, her feathers are filling in and she is a riot, running circles around the hens! Did my heart good to see them thriving. ✨💚✨
today’s glimmers…
a sense of summer
I know the scent and sounds of dawn
its first light’s symphony of song
the earthy scent of dew drenched loam
the sunlit sparkling fields of home
I know the feel of days at noon
sun high and hot in skies of blue
where shadows cast by towering trees
shade earth while dancing in the breeze
I love the subtle shifts at dusk
the rising mist that smells of musk
horizons edge afire en rouge
the setting sun sinks from our view
to sleep, to dream another night
to read, to write by candlelight
under the twinkling moon and stars
connecting all, both near and far
my senses swoon in summertime
I’m feeling green and that’s just fine!
~kat
Our landscaper asked us if we wanted him to fill in that exposed area of red clay and dust on the hill in our back yard area. And then he backtracked and said…never mind…I know you guys. It’s true. How could we sod over an area that gives the local turkeys (and us as their witnesses) so much happiness! I felt so fortunate to catch this dust bath ritual on film!
When people ask us how we could move away from the city and the convenience of shopping close by, to the woods, with horrible WiFi, prone to power outages, sitting on a hill with a long, steep, scary driveway…this is why.
All this happens just feet away from my window. I am so happy here. And so happy too to share this little bit of joy with you.
Much love, peace, and glimmers to you!
~kat ✨✨✨💚💚💚✨✨✨
queer thoughts on what may be the last
Federally recognized Juneteenth
It may come as a shock
but I feel honesty is key
the U-S of A will never truly
be what you desire, diversity-free
a sacred stolen land
by euro refugees and emigrants
displaced the tribes, indigenous
from this you can’t claim innocence
erasing from the history books
denying human rights
will not deny that we exist
the queer folk and those, shades unwhite
deport us, fire us, hide our names
swear by your god, supremacy
it matters not the tactics played
we, others, thrive in all you see
from blood, sweat saturated fields
to roads, buildings and railways
embedded in the soil and air
you cannot wish our souls away
ban holidays, rewrite the books
it’s futile don’t you see?
diversity’s what makes us great
until, we all, not some, no one is free.
~kat
It’s only been a few years since the company I work for has recognized Juneteenth as a paid, day off holiday. As the dividing lines grow into trenches I have found it interesting to note that the maga supporters on staff have refused to show today’s holiday by its true name…some simply referring to the day as “holiday” on their calendars, some not even recognizing that today is a company holiday! ( similarly, this year they marked indigenous peoples day as Columbus Day…and on Martin Luther King, Jr. day many in the south prefer to honor two confederate civil war generals Jackson and Lee.) With maga in total control of our government, the powers that be are doing their best to eradicate undesirable people from ‘merica (as they call it, the abridged, divided version). But whether they are successful or not, the fact of the matter is they are a minority faction and growing smaller. They may ban holidays and books, exclude certain people from the benefits promised in our constitution and even try to rewrite history, but they can’t change reality. They can’t close their eyes and cover their ears and wish the “others”, the ones that don’t pledge allegiance to a their king, and who are not like them, to disappear.
We are many. We are united. And we are here to stay in this country that we love. And goodness, fairness, kindness, and inclusion will happen. Juneteenth has been celebrated since June 19, 1865 (160 years!) by those who appreciate what true freedom means, and will continue to be celebrated whether a corrupt administration recognizes it or not. Happy Juneteenth my friends! Until next year let us continue to dream of, and work toward, equality and justice for all!
On another note…a glimmer…this rascal figured out how to remove the top off the plastic jug we use to store peanuts for him and crows who visit our yard. He’s been rather polite about it actually. I half expected him to dump the whole thing over. But he jumps on the porch and then, on the top of the jar, leans in for a single peanut and hops down from the porch to enjoy his treat in his favorite shady spot under the trees. If he has a hankering for more, he repeats the process. Just goes to show how a little trust (our leaving the lid off – replacing it was futile actually) can lead to a mutually symbiotic and satisfying arrangement between two parties. And…that a little caring kindness can create a bridge!
We call this fellow Harry.
Much love, peace, kindness and simple glimmers to you!
~kat ✨✨✨💚💚💚✨✨✨
like mercury colliding... 