A Lament for the Siblings of My “Only” Child © 2004 by Janice Green Joni, So perfect, So right, Such a Joy, Would soon be big sister To a girl or boy. Terry, Grew too slow And then was no more. Emptiness Sadness Then resentment sore Tore at my heartstrings As time went on. Karen seemed right. She tumbled and grew And stretched out my womb. I felt life and promise That someday soon A brother or sister would share Joni’s room. But the movement stopped And hope turned to pain Home from the hospital Empty again. A lifeless baby girl Was left behind. Her father said she looked
Fading Mom by Janice D. Green When Mom was young She cared for me She wiped my tears And fixed my knee And as I grew She was my friend She met my needs And lent her hand. But then I moved So far away And failed to call And share my day. I dreamed of things That we might share Another day When I got there. But years have passed, Shared moments few, With miles between Where loneliness grew. She’s ninety-three Can barely hear; I hold the phone And shed a tear. Before her years Slip away Enjoy your mom Day by day.
grandma_janice_03_My Shadow Share this recording with your children. It will open in a separate window so you can return to this screen and read the text as you listen. MY SHADOW by Robert Louis Stevenson I have a little shadow that goes in and out with me, And what can be the use of him is more than I can see. He is very, very like me, from the heels up to the head; And I see him jump before me, when I jump into
Ode to a Great Horned Owl Eyes wide open Staring down You watch my every move Noble stance Moves so slight I dared to talk to you What to say To Mr. Owl Perched up in the tree? “Whooo Whooo Who are You? What d’you think of me?” He stretched up Wings spread wide He flew straight my way Talons huge I ducked fast Whew! He flew away. Never mess With Mr. Owl Just watch him quietly One majestic Awesome bird So full of dignity. © 2011 by Janice D. Green
Catfishing with Mom Getting dark Moon is full Rods and reels are ready Nightcrawlers Insect spray Snacks and sodas plenty Two lawn chairs Coleman light Loaded on the pier Disconnect Shove on out Drop the anchor here Forget the time Let out your line Enjoy cicada’s din. Catfish bite Line slides slow Then jerk and reel him in. If they bite Or if they don’t It doesn’t really matter Gentle rocking Making ripples Conversation starter Remembering a special time long ago and wishing we had done it more often. The lake was in the back yard and I was in college. I moved to another state