Clearing Out the Clutter
 
I am happily putting away childish things.
Things like the jack-in-the-box
Which frightened me so many times,
But that I still kept winding up
To see if it came out the same.   
 
I’m putting away the cat’s cradle string that I
Bound myself to so tightly, I could not let go.
Away goes the ball that I had when I so often said,
‘It’s mine and if you won’t play the
Way I want, I will take it and go home.’ 
 
Out go the toy traumas in boxes, some of
Which are in the original packing material. 
The top that spun me around for years
Has been stopped. 
I’m putting away happy toys too.  A few of them
I’ve never wanted to share, and now they are
Too old to play with. 
 
I’ve saved too many relics from my childhood.
There are fears and hurts and hopes and dreams
Which need to be put into their rightful spot.
It’s time to do so, maybe passed time. 
It’s getting late.
Mom and Dad would be so pleased
That I am finally cleaning up the place. 
 
 
Earlene Grey
11-2011

Is it time for spring cleaning?  Is it time for spring?  We, in Oregon, are not so patiently waiting for the springtime weather.  It will come, and then summer weather. And then we will be whining about the heat.  Such is the human nature. 

But this poem is not about whining or waiting.  It is about taking action. It is about cleaning up the junk in our psyche.  Of course, the whole piece is a metaphor about memories, fears and other such childhood issues.  Sometimes we hang on to those negative impressions far too long.  True, we may have been hurt, even brutalized.  I cannot minimize some trauma.  But at some point, we, as adults, can choose our own direction- away from childhood negatives, big or small.  Spring cleaning. 

The award winning, The Tea House Time Magazine, will begin printing a new column by Susan Patterson.  The column, entitled Tea is Poetry Poured, will make its debut in the May/June 2017 issue.  Each column will feature a poem, of course, and then relevant commentary.  The Tea House Times is available both in print and in digital version.  Publisher, Gail Gastelu, is a leader in the tea industry and her magazine is a must for up to date and accurate tea information and passions.  We invite you to take and look, and oh, yes, read our column.  🤗

Please visit The Tea House Times at www.theteahousetimes.com/

Moments Not Remembered
 
It is the little things we do
That make up a life.
 
Big things create memories,
But daily minutia
Begets quality.
 
It is noticing the weather.
Asking of a friend.
Clearing one’s space,
Caring for the kin.
 
Big things can be life changing.
Little things are life growing.
 
 
Susan Patterson  
03-2011

Here is a little poem that has a punch, in a good way.  We often get so wound up in making a big decision, having a significant impression or leaving a legacy that we forget about the fact that many small impressions might just do the trick in making a lasting impact. 

This poem can be found in the Susan Patterson book, "Unnoticed Moments".  www.earlenegrey.com/

The weather is turning in much of the world.  Might it be a sign that humanity is changing as well?  Hope so.  😊

From Time to Time
There is a Waiting
 
 
I knew I loved you
When we first met.
I also knew I had
Loved you before.
 
But we were busy and
The choice to be
Together was not
Ours to make. 
 
No matter.
There is a patience.
I know we will
Love again, and
In more ways than
I can now count.
In more ways than
This life
Can comprehend. 
 
 
Susan Patterson
02-2017
 
 

Okay, this is the last of my love poems.  You will have to wait for the next book, Passions, to come out to read them again.  Spring arrives next week.  Let's welcome the next season with all the many loves and passions that we have in us. 

How many times do we read of love stories where one person is in love with two people at the same time and has to make a choice.  Or, when one person has a job he or she must keep and has to put off love?  Or how about when one person has children to raise and cannot take time for a new love?  There might be many reasons we have to put off personal or romantic love.  It is not always a bad thing to do.  Usually it is a very difficult thing to do.  Those who do not, or did not have to make the choice, are fortunate, indeed.   I salute those of you who did have to make this onerous choice.     skp

Not Just Survival--Better
 
We cast them out,
Those who are different.
That is how we survive. 
We keep only those who are like us and
Who are fierce and powerful. 
That is how we become stronger.
 
But it is not how we become better.
We make ourselves so
By keeping in our circle,
Those who are of different persuasions,
Who are different handed,
Whose face is tanned,
Whose hair is reddened,
Who do not see,
Who do not understand,
Who cannot walk,
Those who sing and dance
By their own thoughts and music.
 
Those are the ones
Who make us better. 
 
 
Susan Patterson
4-2012
 
 

I had forgotten about this little poem.  Apparently it is not published in any of my books.  That is too bad.  I kind of like this one.  With today's current concerns and social climate, it is interesting to think of how we might all be... together. 

We have just come home from a sojourn to Victoria, British Columbia in Canada.  Usually snow does not fall the first week in March.  However, this view from our window shows how Mother Nature, even in Canada, can be capricious.  We loved every minute of it.  And we certainly appreciated our hot cup of tea.