In May, I participated in an annual reading that is a fundraiser for the Crystal Field Scholarship. This scholarship fund assists creative writing students at the University of Missouri, Kansas City. Each year, a theme is chosen for the reading. This year, the theme was 129.

Some of the poems have been published in a chapbook. Go to rustytruck.wordpress.com to find "The Road to 129." You also will find an explanation of how the theme was chosen. Thanks to Scot Young for editing and publishing the chapbook and for being the source of the theme.

Late last year, some things were happening globally and personally that reminded me how quickly life can change. I wrote the following.

Turns

Life can take a full turn
in an instant.
Fortunes change 360 degrees
with dizzying speed.
Success to failure.
Wealth to destitution.
Glory to gutter.
Life to death.
The change takes place so quickly
that all you are left with is whiplash.

Writers are told that listening is a key to finding new ideas. I would add looking to that because I also find interesting phrases or word combinations when I read. I was reading about Lincoln when I saw the words "accidental instrument". Given the context in which I found these words, I started out trying to write a very serious poem. Once again, I was taken in a different direction and ended up with a lighter piece.

Accidental Instruments

This is for all the accidental instruments of kindess

who pass through my life.

The people who let me in

when I need to change lanes around contruction

or because I'm unfamilar with the route I'm traveling.

The individuals who hold the door

when I'm coming or going with my hands full.

Those who say hello when I'm out for a walk

or give directions when I'm out--lost.

For all the accidental acts of kindness I receive each day,

I want to take the time to say thank you--on purpose.

I volunteer with a grief support group and write poems about grief from time to time. I thought this was an appropriate posting in light of the Memorial Day weekend.

I Keep You with Me

I keep you with me
throughout each day.
I seek your counsel often
and share my thoughts with you.
I hear you in music and laughter
and feel your presence
when I need you the most.
I will always keep you with me
because, unlike people,
love never dies.