Driving toward home, I grieve the loss
of expectations that she can still parent, teach,
and be present for me, her gray-haired child.
I let go the illusion of her recovery
of mind and strength, of wisdom shared.
An ancient pick-up jolts me to awareness,
cutting in front, then braking abruptly.
Its bright orange and white bumper sticker
jumps out at me:
Success is not a destination
but a continuous journey.
Finally home, I see a scrap of yellowed paper
on the floor in the hall. Picking it up, I read
Mother's familiar Palmer Method handwriting.
My heart beats loud in my ears, my attention
riveted by the date, twelve years ago to the day.
She began: Thoughts while waiting in the doctor's office.
It's comfortable here. I like to be observant
of my surroundings. You learn a lot that
way. Hmm. An interesting plaque on the
wall. It says, "Success is not a destingation,
but a continuous journey." So true.
Thanks Mom, for the reminder.
SUSAN
First, you notice the laugh,
free, open, joyous,
then the dark curls, wild and bountiful
as she races her adoring white puppy
through clover and spring grasses.
Scent of peppermint clinging to
the slender, blue-jeaned figure,
and traces of rich black soil
under blunt-cut nails are remnants
of early morning gardening.
A dusting of freckles still decorates
grown-up face, and a deep dimple
marks one sun-blushed cheek
as her smile opens hearts, nourishes souls.
Good karma.
Following are excerpts from a Book Review of Along the Path by Dr. Mary Cimarolli, former professor of English at Richland College. Dr. Cimarolli is a poet, and author of the critically acclaimed memoir, The Bootlegger's Other Daughter.
"The delightful, slender volume is visually appealing, both in layout and photographs. Along the Path contains poems that reflect life's experiences and the myriad of emotions that we all feel. The first short poem, Lost, captures a sense of both our physical and spiritual seeking and sets the tone for the rest of the book....It reflects the author's positive outlook on life and her belief that we can make this journey with sensitivity and grace...Poems such as Non-Verbal Communication and Classically Conditioned show the poet's insight into troubled relationships.
Her themes are not limited to life's troubles, however. Several of her poems, like Writer's Roadblock and Control are examples of the book's quiet humor. And Autumn Loves makes any reader who was once sixteen and in love feel good again.
Themes of synchronicity, the flow of life's changes and challengers, the power of our dreams and the importance of relationships are woven throughout the book. The contrast of the exuberant simplicity of youth with the more complex issues in life that arise in our adult years is reflected in the pattern and organization of the poems. 'We all learn from each other,' Marilyn Stacy assures us on the acknowledgement page, and this book of poems shows us that the sharing can be a joyous and heartwarming experience."
Others' comments about Along the Path include:
"Along the Path is clearly about both the simple and the complex strides we take on life's journey, captured creatively with imagery and metaphor. It is joyful, poignant, observant and healing."
--Shirley Vogler Meister, award winning poet, literary critic and journalist.
"I am delighted with your quiet, deep insight into life as we all experience it. There's a tender grace in the way you approach each experience and I thank you for putting it on paper."
--Gladys Taylor McGarey, M.D., lead physician at Scottsdale Holistic Medical Group, Scottsdale AZ, writer, lecturer
"...a wonderful book...Dreaming the Path, Mountain Pass, Lost, Control and Non-Verbal Communication really stood out for me.
--Cynthia Hamil, San Diego Artist