When We Were Four

When We Were Four

Our family –
mother, father, son, daughter.
For more than 17 years
we were four.
So much love -
betwixt and between,
through the joys and challenges
of growing up,
living life.
But one spring day,
in an instant,
we became three.
Everything we knew felt askew,
 yet onward we went
each rearranging our pieces
in our own ways,
in our own time.
Emotions surface and show,
or get bundled up and put away
for another time.
Neither right, nor wrong
we’ve done the best we can
along the way
as we readjust and reorient,
uncover the radiance in change.
Though we did
suddenly become three
on that day so long ago,
there's a curative, bountiful power

in remembering the love
that we shared
when we were four.

Sarah Carlson

June 24, 2019

Lesson From a Southern Snake

Eno River State Park, North Carolina (photo by Jake Risch)

Lesson From a Southern Snake

Fear is something that is precise, concrete.
It’s there for a distinct reason –
that being protection.
A snake on a trail
in an unfamiliar place produces fear,
at least in me. 
I knew to be wary as we walked along.
Warm climate, wet conditions
had my well-learned hyper vigilance activated.
And there it was
right in the trail,
though deeply disguised.
I may have sensed it before seeing it
as I called out in alarm.
My fellow hiker turned back
and once we realized we were safe,
that the snake showed no inkling to strike,
fear shifted to awe.
It was actually quite beautiful as it
slowly slithered into a pile of detritus
left behind by the previous night’s rain.
There were clear boundaries
as we respected its space,
and it ours.

Then there are shapeless things that
cause anxiety.
Relationships that do not have
understandable borders.
Erroneous beliefs
 imposed by outside forces
during tender life phases.
Those who have no desire to
explore, discover, change.
As one heals, it becomes more clear
the difference between anxiety and fear.
Fear can serve an important purpose
in the right conditions.
Anxiety, though nebulous,
 can be acknowledged
and released
as one assimilates, brightens,
trusts the pure and benign
power of Love.

Sarah Carlson

June 21, 2019

Regard, Reflect, and Receive

Regard, Reflect, and Receive

Somber clouds surround.
Intrepid traveler ponders, wonders,
but does not worry.
She trusts that she is heading
in the right direction,
though darkness is present.
Her body slowly relaxes and
she notices a golden glimmer ahead.
Wonder slips into awe as
she transitions into the glow.
She glances left to the setting sun,
then right to the arch of a rainbow
that straddles the horizon.
Contemplating recent releases,
she smiles at the timely message from
the omnipresent sky.
Over and over and over again
sky talk makes sense.
Dark, light, shades of gray,
silver linings, radiance.
Constant motion combined
 with peace and quiet.
All there for the eye to behold

once time is taken to notice.
And, if one is troubled,
unsure, or weary
it is vital to
regard, reflect,
and receive.

Sarah Carlson

June 21, 2019