Changing of the Guard - Violet Nesdoly

Lately the old mothers
have been slipping from their places
falling, dying
vacating strategic positions
leaving gaps
in the front line

A new generation
of matriarchs is needed
to organize the family dinners
the baby showers and the anniversaries
to send the birthday cheques

There's a call for fresh recruits
a newly commissioned troop
of kneeling warriors
arms raised in petition and praise
blessing the infants and the in-laws
interceding for the prodigals
alert watch women
guarding the walls of the family

© 2007 - V. Nesdoly

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This is for all us daughters who have lately become motherless - especially Glynis, whose mother died a few days ago.

Well girls, we're it now.

This is Summer - Bonnie Way

Hot sun in the sky;
Lawn mower purring by;
Pretty-colored butterfly;
This is summer.

Days without a care;
Cool wind teasing my hair;
Flower fragrance in the air;
This is summer.

Gardens growing green;
Heat a shimmering sheen;
Bugs too tiny to be seen;
This is summer.

White clouds floating past;
Much-needed rain at last;
Weathermen miss the forecast;
This is summer.

Popsicles to freeze;
Fat yellow bumblebees;
Apples growing on the trees;
This is summer.

© Bonnie M. Ross

I wrote this poem years ago, when the scent of freshly-mowed lawn stirred my poetic musings. I wanted to capture the feeling of the summers of my childhood, and I still return to these memories.