Winter Light

Burden Bearer

Burden bearer carry me,
care for me and nurture me.
Burden bearer fill my cup,
quench my thirst, put me first.
Burden bearer laugh for me,
live for me, but let me be
who I am and where I stand;
carry me through barren land.

But

Burden bearer you get tired-
drained and spent and uninspired.
There are days where you feel weak
from walking roads with weary feet.
You have lifted and held fast
the lives of many who have passed.
Your door is open like your arms;
anxious souls your spirit calms.
So burden bearer, please remember,
to yourself you must be tender.
Take time to be a burden too,
so God Himself can carry you.



copyright Jane Grant-Abban Dec 2009

Blue

Wonder why they say ‘feeling blue’
Like it’s something sad or bad
When blue is the color of this wondrous winter sky,
and that magnificent ocean
stretching to the horizon and dreams beyond;
and the summer lake which laps against the sand
and my sockless feet,
and the color of your eyes, child,
which I drown in daily.



copyright Jane Grant-Abban Dec 2009

Crying on the Outside

This day I’m crying on the outside.
There are days where
sadness swells and gently washes on to my
happy beach but
retreats quickly without
knocking over my sandcastle structures
adorned with shells and fancy flags.
On such days
crying on the inside is enough.

But there are other days
where sorrow tsunamis its ways in
obliterating my sandy fort and
leaving nothing but indefinable mounds of wetness
and not a victory flag in sight.
On such days
crying on the inside is simply not enough.


copyright Jane Grant-Abban Dec 2009

Don't Look Back

Don’t look back, friend.
Don’t look back.
The past must not leave you standing in the road
either in longing or dread.
If good lies behind
bundle it up to carry with you- then
turn and walk on in to your tomorrow.
If pain haunts the road behind
stand not still in terror
nor let it travel with you to
chill you in the sunshine ahead.
Stop .
Dig.
Bury
those things
that threaten to kill your hope or
prod and push you
away from brighter places.
Claw the earth.
Tear at it.
Do what must be done to lay them to rest.
Then move forward.
Run.
Walk.
Crawl if needs be
But move forward....... and whatever you do....
Don’t look back, friend.
Don’t look back!

copyright Jane Grant-Abban 2009

Blue Jay

Blue Jay winked at me today
from the bird table-
At least, I think he did.
In fact, I know he did.
He's probably keeping me sweet.
After all, it's me who puts the seeds out



copyright: Jane Grant-Abban 2009

Garden Favorites

Conkers

Take One:

‘Guess what I found on the path!’

You say with a grin whilst holding up two conkers.

‘Ah! ‘ I reply. ‘Conkers’

Take Two:

Those same conkers now sit on damp kitchen paper

In two glasses right in the middle of the window sill.

‘Ugh!’ the tidy-freak me sputters. ‘Conkers!’

Take Three:

I’m struck with the thought that in just a few years

This house will be perfect . . .but you and your conkers will be gone.

‘Oh!’ I declare. ‘What marvelous conkers!’

Copyright Jane Grant-Abban 2009

Friends

Spongebob Squarepants

For two weeks now
Spongebob Squarepants
Has been grinning inanely at me from the mantelpiece.
Grave Digger, dog in a party hat,
The cartoon cucumbers and Herbie
All line up together.
“Happy Birthday”.
The mantle needs dusting.
I should clear away the cards.
But you will never be eleven in this home again.


copyright Jane Grant-Abban2009

Dusty Road