Charmed Chaos

That night I remember with vivid clarity you and I in Kauai gazing up at millions of crystal clear stars
so close we felt as if we could touch them.


My mother, rest her soul had died the month before
Our grief was as new as a fresh bloomed rose weeping with dew
Salty tears welled, sliding from our eyes falling
into the soft white sand where we lay.


We held hands as memories washed over us with each lapping wave
and in remembrance we weeped,
feeling so insignificant in this vastness sweeping across our eyes
a shimmering blanket at once blinding and beautiful.


We felt her there, soaring among those stars, looking down on us
a powerful sense of her presence a gift, her voice from beyond
saying—you are right where you should be as am I, don’t cry.
Rather, see my face with each full moon in the star drenched sky
and feel my arms surround you for I am with you always.

©2021 Linda Lee Lyberg

Imaginary Garden With Real Toads: Late Night Conversations with the Muse

I am the copper rose standing strong in the bright morning sun
made by rough weathered hands of the big Viking craftsman,
chiseled and molded with his primitive iron hammer,
stamped and engraved with fine etchings in detail
a symbol of their many years spent together
a testament that they can ever withstand
brutal blows this life may hurl at them
be it with hammer or granite or fire
for their love is a bond everlasting
like blood of this gentle man and
my glowing metal in his hands
as he created perfect petals
bonding us to each other
so did he blend their
two hearts with
each strike he
made them
as one.

©2021 Linda Lee Lyberg

Author’s Note: This poem is about the Copper Rose (pictured above) that my husband made for me in honor of our 22nd anniversary last year.

Imaginary Garden with Real Toads: Tuesday Platform