Revival

at long last rain arrives

three inches deep

reviving nature long dry

fennel is happy

kale stands at attention

leaf buds peek out

spring's promise in every breeze

Wet Feet

an old desk returned to me

an odd faded spot noticed

an errant glass assumed

today the light is just right

and i lean just right

to discover a canine print

left by an excited friend 

with wet paws

The New Five and Dime

so many worlds all in one place
cheap and tawdry, sexy and mysterious
modern and years past, cowboys and spies
soulful and unmoving, inspiring and courageous
all found in the kindle store
our new version of the five and dime

Funeral Pyre

i stare at the starling
shot by a troublesome neighbor
there are tiny crosses fashioned 
of twigs, leaves and acorns
children have built a pyre
the bird is lovingly laid on top
all that is missing is the fire

Black market laundry soap

the 10PM news reports

tide stolen from stores

is sold to laundromat patrons

stores keep less on shelves

to discourage such thefts

and now i wonder if i have heard everything!

A Splash of Orange

the starlings and cowbirds are back

drawn by bread too stale for most

all is black in this little flock

save for a splash of orange flitting about

a lone robin takes what it needs

unconcerned with the others doing the same

Dream world: The woman in white

a woman in a white dress 
stands among gray, leafless trees in green grass
white daisies spattered here and there
she peers beyond the trees
past the line of small orangey sunflowers
curiosity, wonder and excitement intermingle in the air

Damaged

no words can explain

innocence taken, forever lost

trust unraveled, all are suspect

all sense of comfort shattered

no place on earth safe

Fire

come in from the cold
another log on the fire
flames fill the space with feathers of red
welcome warmth from an efficient destroyer

No School!

i take a break to glance out the window 
at the neighbor kids relishing their day off
climbing a tree, a coat hanging from a limb
chasing, laughing, giggling, screaming
their watchful dobies join in
rolling, frolicking, yipping excitedly
delighting in this moment with their people

Different

the morning is different

no birds at the feeders fighting for perch

no squirrels foraging for the morning meal

no frantic barking from the neighboring yards

no local felines walking their beat

my coffee and I venture out

understanding dawns

we have been blessed with a biting cold

one that keeps man and beast 

huddled for warmth in the comfort of home

Mr. Lincoln

i wait in anticipation for Mr. Lincoln's arrival
an expert in electronic games
world's greatest block architect
scooby doo's most ardent fan
we will jump on pillows and throw the ball
play chase outside and drive the baby jeep
we will have a grand saturday to outshine all other saturdays!

Red-bellied woodpecker

Courtesy of http://www.moberly.k12.mo.us/images/matc/web%20design/SiteZA2/birds.html

a splendid black and white red head stands out gaily against the gray bark

he sparkles in the sunlight, he is the main show

gravity is no problem as he skitters up the trunk searching for his bounty

his brief visit is a rare treasure that makes me hope we will see more

a dog snuggled next to me in the warmth of the cocoon

delicate gray gossamer passes to blissful black

new sunshine unnoticed

a day's tasks forgotten

ah...the delicious sensation of sleeping-in

Ode to a Five Year Old

our delightful little bailey with the large personality
expressive artist, animated storyteller
fearless athlete extraordinaire
highly independent, frustrated by adult interference 
the air is charged, the house bounces to life at her arrival
our spaniel is excited for such an enthusiastic play pal
our feline hides, certain her peaceful existence has ended
this is our little bailey who adds such excitement to our lives

The Tabby Tease

Our neighborhood tabby wanders our back yard.

He's in no hurry; he's calm, relaxed,

Exploring here and there, pouncing on the occasional leaf.

A dog barks from behind the fence.

The tabby considers the frantic dog momentarily, 

then chooses this moment to bathe. 

He teases the poor animal into a frenzy, then moves to the next yard as if nothing has happened. 

hearing is muted, head feels heavy
eyes sensitive to the gray morning light
i know i should eat, but my stomach flips at the thought
curtains stay drawn as weapons are gathered
preparing to fight the migraine threatening at my temples

©2012 Dana Norberg

the sky darkens, a storm threatens

the calm warm air of the morning 

gives way to a biting wind in the afternoon

mother nature has been teasing

then reminds me it is January, after all

Birds

An army of black birds glides into the yard.

They are noisy; I hear little besides their chirping and calling.

They peck and pull at the ground; they seem convinced the rain has brought them culinary delights.

My spaniel is confused. Should she give chase? There are so many!

A few minutes later, as if on cue, they rise noisily into the sky only to invade the yard across the street.

Sitting on my patio, my favorite coffee cup in hand.
The early morning air is surprisingly mild for January.
I attempt to focus on the life happening all around me, but my mind is stubborn.
My body quivers with the excitement of a new project, new research, new subject, new challenge.
I smile and think how fortunate I feel at this moment...

Laundry Day

ah...laundry day
the basket overflows with assorted shades of color
browns, reds, greens, grays, oranges, whites
all peak out at me like curious children pressed against a window
i stare at the basket
i wonder how two people can possibly dirty so much in one week

La Tragedia

a family waits to cross a busy road
mother, father and child
father begins to move with the stroller
my mind screams "too soon, too soon, too soon!"
it seems unreal!
the scene unfolds in slow motion
cars screech to a sudden stop
angry horns sound out in long peels
i am sure i will see a tragedy!
then i realize the family has made it safely across
i begin to breath normally, my heart slows to normal
i feel as if i have just witnessed a miracle

Lost Friend

©2012 Dana Norberg

A lost friend has found me!
Lost long ago as life carried us along our separate paths.
Sweet remembrances of smiles, stories, desires, fears exchanged.
I wonder how we could have been lost to each other for so long.
I am reveling in the delight her surprise note has given me.

Mystery Dream

An old man in a darkened house in another country.

Snow. Deep. White. Sparkling in the generous sunlight.

And hot cocoa.

He is talking to a neighbor, only a light jacket to protect against the cold.

A young girl arrives.

She is upset, depressed for some reason unknown to me.

I make hot cocoa for her.

She feels better but does not smile.

And I wonder why I am there, a guest in this man's house, making cocoa for this girl.

Photo courtesy of the Washington Missourian.

Soft chirping draws me to the window. 

The dry, brown basil bush is alive with tiny gray winter birds. 

They cling to the branches reaching for their treasure, 

the seeds left in summer's wake.

Determination...

There has to be a way to do this.

Frustration...

Aaahhhgggg! I will never figure this out!

One mocha break later...

Success!!!

Knowledge found. A skill learned.

***doing the happy dance***

Day 5...Dreams

Photo Copyright Dana Norberg

My dreams are odd lately.

Extraordinary places.

Friends and relatives not seen in ages.

Whacky events and conversation that makes me laugh when I wake. 

And I wonder what it all means...

The Wii island seems warm, sunny, green. Inviting. I look out my window and see brown grass sparkling with frost in the cool early sunlight. I am disappointed, but only for a moment as I remember one world is not real...

Smooth steaming coffee
+
Milk
+
2 Sugars
+ 
a hint of chocolate
=
Break Time Heaven!

Day 2

My neighbor's brown pampas hedge shines like polished brass in the early morning sunlight. The air is crisp. The doves puff up against the cold.

My first effort!

Snow flakes
fluffy
white
like small faeries floating slowly to the earth.