fellow feeling

it has taken a decade and more

to begin to reclaim myself

after the years of daily care

for one i loved

if the only thing i’ve begun

to understand is the burdened

ones giving-of-self comes

at enormous cost to their health

lord, please keep me ever aware

and willing to quietly help

choose not to participate

unaware, we miss the snake slithering

away from under our feet

the cougar peering down

from hillock above our heads

doe naked in the middle of the field

but so still we do not notice

skunk cabbage gives our noses warning

but how many lovely flowers blossom

without our ever seeing them

there is so much more to our world

than we quiet ourselves to realize

let alone become a part of

luxuries

haiku

jet set not alone

in comforts, running water

electric fans, hope