Buttons

You tried to push my buttons when you meanly said
that I couldn't have some time to think of what's ahead.

When I begged and pleaded, you came back to say
that if I insisted you would give me one more day.

The whole time I responded in a graceful way,
taking your resistance, knowing you like to play.

In the end I think there's a lesson here for you
be kind to those around you, or face the Karmic truth.

                                   Sally

Speechless















    Sally

                                   Kids

How is it that I can go from love so deep and true,
to the opposite emotion, and desire to throw a shoe!

                                   Sally

          Sunset

I wish today
was my Groundhog Day.
I would repeat and repeat
this day so sweet.
Hanging out with a book,
in the kitchen to cook.
Leaving it behind,
dampens my spirit and mind.
If only I could stay,
forever in weekend play.
As this cannot be,
then just a poem I'll leave.
Recalling all the moments,
so in memory I can own it.

Sally

 

                      Picnic

What a great way to spend a Friday,
with 300 kids on a beach did we play!

                       Sally

                             Trust

Terror overtakes me as I question your motives.

Time has strained the bond causing

Total uncertainty to riddle my confidence.

Telltale signs penetrate my denial daily,

Telling me to wake up and smell the coffee.

Tension eclipses my logic while

Tenacity drives my refusal to give up.

                             Sally

        Graduating

  Hang in there my child.
I know things feel chaotic.
    We are here for you!

               Sally

Glimpse

There are
a few
very brief
moments,
every now
and then,
when the
facade
comes
crashing
down,
and I
stay away
from
bridges.

It is
during
these moments,
that the
pendulum
completely
swings
the other
way,
and comes
pummelling
through
the carefully
arranged
display case.
In the seconds
that I watch
the pieces
shatter to
the ground,
I allow myself
to feel.

For an
immeasurable
amount of
time
my guard
is dropped,
and I
succumb
to the
indescribable
wave of
truth
that
envelopes
me like
shrink wrap.

Like the
air released
from a
balloon,
the emotion
spills out
of me,
and I
remember
all that
lies beneath
the surface,
AND I FEEL.

Alone
Unloved
Used
Re-used
Ineffective
Insufficient
Hideous
Useless
Pathetic
Discarded and
Lost.

Then,
with
equally
unmeasurable
swiftness,
the curtains
re-open
with the
perfect
facade
back in
place,
and the
show
goes on...

Sally

Muffins stuffed with berries and wholewheat goodness
On a Monday morning, are perfect for those who
Need the extra incentive to get moving.
Dark, hot and steamy coffee helps and
A bright sunny sky, accompanied by crisp, fresh air,
Yields excellent results for building the week's momentum.

Sally

          Man-Up
  
  Just tell me the truth.
I can handle it, because
     I already know.

            Sally

                         Fantasy Fix

As I lay in my bed, sick again with a cold,
I give myself over to the world of Game of Thrones.

                              Sally

Said the Penny
        to the Twenty

OK,
I know I'm
too round
for my own
good,
but I pull
my weight.
I am shiny,
and assembled
of a fine
material that
transforms
into an
admirable shade
with age.
I am a trusted
companion,
who often
makes an
appearance
when you
need me most.
I increase
the value
of all my
associates,
and I am
very useful
around the
house.
From giving
your stories
a shoulder
to lean on,
to keeping
your tulips
alive.
I state this
as fact,
because it
is true.
So WHY?
Why do you
treat me 
like I'm
obsolete?

Sally

  Weight

Today I felt
the weight.
The immense
encumbrance
that defines
my role
as a parent.

She was
hurt
by hateful
words,
displayed
for everyone
to see,
on the
cowardly
screens
of the
e-world.

He was
exhausted.
Wisely coming
to the
quick
conclusion
that working
sucks
even more
than school.

My baby
cried himself
into a
tizzy,
worrying,
buckling
under the
pressure
to produce.
To live
up to
his own
expectations.

How do I
convince them
that it's worth
the effort,
when it
doesn't
get any
easier?

I told her
those same
fools
will be
pumping gas
into her
Limo
one day.
She
laughed,
and agreed
they weren't
worthy
of her
emotion.

We played
Jurassic 5
really LOUD
on the way
to work,
and agreed that
GREAT music
was just one
of the many things
worth working
your ass off
for.

I kissed him
and told him
that he
wasn't alone.
Together we
coloured his
Campbell's 
soup can,
while he
ate waffles
dipped in
his grandmother's
home-made
blueberry sauce.

Today I felt
the weight.

The immense

encumbrance

that defines

my role

as a parent.

Sally

Astonishment 

I thought my
phone
was ringing
off the hook.
I was sure I
heard my
Ring tone,
"Tweet tweet."
I rolled my
eyes wondering
who wanted me
now?
What did I
have that
someone else
needed?
Did I owe
someone
something?
Did I err?
Or forget
to make a
payment?
"Tweet tweet."
As I
impatiently
yanked
my phone
out of my bag,
I noticed
that I had
no new calls.
When I
continued to
hear the tweeting,
and confirmed
that I was not
dreaming
or losing
my mind...
I realized that
there were
birds chirping
outside my
window.
Not because
they wanted
something,
but because
we happen to
be neighbours
in the
glorious
Forest
of Burnaby
Mountain.
I was
astonished
by the
realization,
and pleased
beyond belief!
"Tweet tweet!"

Sally

  Strep

Like a
mouth full
of needles,
the swallow
begins.
The
Fire Ants
bring up
the rear,
scorching
and shredding
their pathway
as they use
my throat
like a
water slide.
Finally,
the acid
wash
cascades
through
the throbbing
scarlet
tunnels,
leaving a
collection of
brittle
quivering
entrails,
with nothing
but a
pulse
to signify
the
continuance
of life.

Again.

Like a
mouth full
of needles,
the swallow
begins...

Sally

       Cacophony

                Sitting
           in the kitchen
      at five in the morning.
 Listening to the birds singing.
     They share a concerto
           of lovely tunes.
               I smile.
      
                 Sally

                             Cosmopolis

A David Cronenberg film, leaves you with an aftertaste.
Besieging your senses, and harnessing the magnetism of the familiar, 
Cronenberg tells a hell of a story.
Dumbfounded and shuddering with reaction,
Every part of your psyche is saturated and altered by the experience. 

                                   Sally

   Cabin Chores

Single mom-ing it
for the weekend with my gang.
They are mine. ALL MINE!!!

Sally

                         Irate

Critical thinking skills are greatly lacking in Rogers Wireless employees.

Recently having spoken to one, I am convinced that they are robots.

Appalling service bereft of compassion, while pathetically blind to gray area.


Positively mandatory that we sever our relationship. Rogers, I want a divorce!


Sally

                               Applause

Despite your sore throat and tonsils like golf balls,
I was entirely captivated and your performance enthralled!

Sally

                             Alice

Good luck on your opening night, my dear.
May your audience be mesmerized and shower you with cheers!

Sally

Eleven

It sounds like
a big number,
especially when
referring to
cars
skyscrapers
or jet planes.
Eleven dollars
is a fortune
when you're
five,
and eleven
ipods could keep
a whole class
of teenagers
content.
But when I
think of the fact
that you are
eleven
my son,
I see your
adorable face.
I recall your
endless cuddles,
your love for
stories,
and your
seasonal
need for me
to blow on
your cold hands.
I can't shake
the smell of
shampoo on
your freshly
bathed head.
Or your
quivering body
when you
weep after a
spider sighting.
I know
eleven
sounds big,
but in my heart
Yummy*,
you'll always
be small.

Sally

*Liam's nickname

Specialists

I bought
a bottle
of dish soap
today.
Its scent was
New Zealand Springs.
New Zealand Springs.
I wasn't entirely
sure what
that meant,
and I
wondered
what talented
Specialists
were hired
to determine
the authenticity
of the scent.
Did you have
to be from
New Zealand
to qualify?
Regardless,
they did
good work.
I am thankful
to have
the opportunity
to experience a
New Zealand Spring
daily,
as I wash
my dishes.
Thank you
specialists.
Thank you!

Sally

Tasty

He is so
delicious.
His bad boy
look,
mouth watering
physique
and the
effortless
poetic ramblings.
I fight the
compulsion
to hit pause
so that I can
write it all
down.
Mind you...
it's scripted,
all of it.
Right down
to the art
of allure.
The multitude
of carefully
selected talent,
all working
towards
one end.
Attracting
middle aged
married women
to blindly
and religiously
support
their franchise,
and maybe
even write
poetry to
channel
their devoted
passion.
Ha!
Who would be
so gullible to
fall into
that trap!?!?!?!?!

Sally

Birthday Bash

It's a sleepover
to celebrate Liam's day,
turning eleven.

Sally

Insight Anyone?

One hundred
poems from now,
I will have
reached my goal.
A poem a day
for a year.
365 Days of
Poetic Rehab.
Then what?
Will that
make me
rehabilitated?
Or someone
with a
solid plan
for replenishment?
I guess
I have 100 days
to figure it out.

Sally

Is It You?

There are
times
when things
work out
so perfectly,
flawlessly,
with concise
precision,
that I wonder.
I wonder if
there is
someone
out there
watching
over me.
A guardian
or Fairy
Godmother...
The very
entity
that blessed me
with the most
amazing
offspring.
That brings in
a tax return
that spreads
and extends
right to
the limits
of my needs.
The watchful
eyes that point
me in the
right direction,
and protect me
from 'drowning'.
That provides
an ever-present
muse,
and
just enough
energy
to make
everything happen.
Thank you for the
opportunities,
umbrellas
and scaffolding.
For even
the belief
of your
existence,
provides
an irrevocable
comfort.
It's a
win win
for me,
I just hope
that there
is something
in it
for you!

Sally

   Secrets

Magnetically,
it pulls me
to orbit
its concept.
Like life to water,
like an addict to
her crutch.
It has me
lassoed
and wound
tighter than
a $6.00 watch.
Drawn in
and controlled
by its every whim.
Long sleeves,
high collars and
hoodies hide
the shame.
Will freedom
overcome its
clutches?
Certainly never,
as the desire
and allure
far exceeds
any catalyst
for enlightenment.
And therefore,
I shall remain
forever
enveloped
in its
satiable
and palpable
fulfillment.
And so my
weakness
is revealed.
I accept it,
and choose it,
over the
void.

Sally

It Is What It Is

I know I am
on vacation
when I spend
my morning
making a
vegetable stew
while listening
to Sean Paul.
I then devote
my afternoon to
making brownies.
I love doting
on my family.
That's the
Jewish Mamma
in me!

Sally

  No Joke

Twenty-one
years ago today,
we consummated
our relationship.
I find it
auspicious
that two jokesters
should find love
on April Fool's Day.
The proof is
in the
University Degrees
Careers
Three Kids
The Mortgage and
The Cat...
We have
managed to
create quite
a life
together.
In sickness
and in health...
In bliss,
devastation,
and confusion.
Through challenge
and determination,
companionship and
passion,
we have traveled
through the years
writing the story
of Our Life.
The soundtrack
is riddled with
hand-picked
melodies...
Some collected,
some created.
The crescendo
to our Aria
are the
endless tracks of
heartfelt laughter.
Thank you
for an amazing
few Acts.
Just remember,
"The course of
true love never did
run smooth." (Act I, Scene I)
"...do not reprehend:
If you pardon, we will mend.
As, I am an honest Puck,
If we have unearned luck."
(A Midsummer Night's Dream Act V, Scene I)
Here's to the
happy future
of our Comedy.
  
Sallis