The Prize~

The Prize

Dedicated to Brandy Brenna

Three good friends canoe down the Kinni

each with their own bag of thoughts.

They navigate Clapping Waters

following a calmer course

they lean back, gliding the stillness

and hear the air between her wings

before any of them see her.

The fisherman in the rear

only noticed the fish

The artist in the front

only saw the bird

The dreamer in the center

witnessed the marvel of both.

An Eagle great in essence and size

Dove down to the surface of calm

waters, a little ahead of the trio

Grabbing a huge trout in her claws

Hovering over the water

Flapping her powerful wings

Gathering her strength

then flying away with her prize.

                                         ©River Maria Urke 6/10

6/11 rewrite

thanks to google images

Grateful

I begin this post with a reading of the prose Grateful. I feel it is a piece that has to be heard not just read.

 

People ask me if it sucks to have MS. If life is really hard, especially; being a single mom too. What can you say to that? “No! It’s a snap!” or “I barely make it! I have no idea what to do any more.”

Neither of those answers works for me. I don’t want to be too revealing or a drama queen. I want to strive for balance and be more honest with fewer words. Is that possible?

I used to think MS was a burden upon my life. Always taking something away from me and leaving nothing in return. I felt my legs get weaker and my fingers loose feeling. I felt my pride lessen and my confidence dwindle.

Then one day, I realized I had it all wrong. My daughter and I were complaining about how much it sucked that MS interfered with our lives. I needed a relaxing quiet home day and my daughter wanted to spend the day at the beach. We were both disappointed in our own ways in our own corners. Then it dawned on me, it all mattered how you were looking at it. At another angle it could look quit different.

I began to reflect to the day my legs stopped running and I received the gift of a slow pace in all its entirety. I glanced down at my hands and thought of how they used to create works of beads and wood but clumsiness took root in them and now words bounce forth. I pivoted to be face to face with my daughter and remembered how lucky I am to walk with her throughout her day.

It took awhile for my eyes to open and for me to recognize the life teaching lessons that I am acquiring living with MS. It is so much easier to notice what is disappearing from ones life and a great deal harder to see what one is gaining from living with a disability.

I am grateful for receiving such treasures!

©2008

posted for One Shot Wednesday at One Stop Poetry week 23

click on the link there is a lot of good poetry

by many great poets

Death to the Plain

An ancient time, a time of Pharaohs

leisurely wishing for aesthetically pleasing,

eye capturing, breath taking marvels of beauty.

No, peasant bore brown branding by glance

only glory  of color for birthrights by chance...

Death to the plain!   (said the Pharaohs

Rulers ride the line of place and time   

designing cultures of waxen mold

defining beauty as their own

courted talent for privileged eyes

captured musings of a phantoms guise.

Centuries pass, royalties fall      

freedoms of expression for all!

Beauty lies through the artist’s eyes 

sketching their nameless muse

feverishly absorbed in creation

lost within a bliss of elation

truly mastering their formation.

The willing observer deafened by years  

innately knows his growing tears...

Flow centuries long for all people

denied the beauty known now

taste the waters of the lands

walk through expressional sands

feel the magic of an artist’s hands.    

Beckoned by our silent cries

driven by their passions

clutching works of pure devotion

varying forms of aesthetically pleasing

pieces of deep meaning...

Writings of poetry, sculptures of design

paintings of landscape, photos of line

whispered melodies of modern day jazz…

Aesthetical dimensions

freedoms of expression

  Death to the plain!

                                         ©River Maria Urke 11/10

posted for week 20 - One Shoot Wednesday at One Stop Poetry
click on the name and be swept away to a doorway with many links to some great poetry.