the sea

the sea may come looking for me
the waves lap up inviting
i am not ready now, will I ever be?
i walk inattentive even as it's beckoning

this sand, this shore where we belong
this short sweet life with my hand in yours
the waves make us laugh, the sun we soak
together we built our haven our home

i think this love the force it has
must echo endless in this universe
how can it not blanket my every being
even after it is all ashes and dust

every day i thank my stars above
confess my love, hold my heart to yours
treasures we collected on this life's shore
became our light for ever more

i know some day the sea will come
into the blue i'll just have to go
but until then you'll find me here
every force bows deep to your hold

------------------
love...reena
april 13th 2016

university cafe

i went to that old cafe today
but it was not old from those days before
had been sold for some time i was told
and new lights and shine spoke loudly

it was where you'd like to meet
for anyone who sought you out
for advice and counsel and words to guide
for all who stumbled, got up and walked

never too busy never as much as lesser men
you always had this endless time
never dismissive "i'll let you know ..."
never a procrastinated phone call forgot

how genius generosity and an elder spirit
found home in your authentic self
no one you touched went unmoved about
after you were gone that miserable night

a freakish accident, a stunning blow
for all of us who forget in the now
that something senseless can befall
giants or ants equally erased

no one seemed to mind the new lights
in that place where old smells still lived
now the young faces chattered and talked
for new eras were hiding in the fold of time

the world moves, rotates endlessly hurried
i will remember as many like me must do
each carries memories of your giant spirit
that is all that remains and all that persists...

-reena

thirst

• Desperate for rain, 

• as if it will wash this indelible ink, 

• of voices and messages I can't shut off, 

• of worlds and words that can't be unlooked, 

• so on I go with a myth that pleases but no one, 

• just leaves a thirst so deep, 

• I long for nothing but rain rain rain...

one thirsty moment...

march 01 2016

the graduate

when did you grow up so much
that you can be alumni of any place
and now they have you back
to talk about the places you've been

you are but not yet fifteen
i see the wisdom arriving in your soul
such confusion for this mom's heart
your beatific baby smile is all i recall

your school of nine years, endless memories
it was a drive we've done a million times
moving from back to the front seat
in my car among your many graduations

i miss the days i had to rush like the wind
fight traffic, fight life -- somedays it was war
and there you'd be waiting, yet sometimes hard to be found
holding your own, only letting go in mommy's car

somedays a haven where you'd sit in silence
sometimes a madhouse where i'd have to bite my tongue
some days a confessional where sins were owned
sometimes just a place to hide from the world

and when we drove up to your old school last night
you played that song we used to sing in comical fun
when i laughed and said, what times it brings to mind
you said, "of course mom! i had to play it this ride"

how precious those days and they won't come back
but i know your soul does remember them well
you find treasures of meaning, what grown men can't do
my little sweet soul the world must have a lovely place for you

for my sweet M forever...

love,
Mom

Jan 15th, 2015 the day after "alumni night" at Bowman...

Here and now

an accident of the universe
no more that brought me here
a spark of chance and heat
circumstances

Haiku of Thanks

Despite the rumors,
There is but only one life
So say Thanks daily!


reena
nov 2015

Echoes

So won't you come and sit by me
Let me write a few lines for you
And hold your hand to wipe those hurts
As I softly hum our hearts' tunes
And let me erase the marks in sand
The stories that have kept you back
I'll listen to each and every one
Until all salt washes from your eyes
As all our time will fly away
The moments will be few and far
A single life, shorter than time
Will lay a track deep, indelible
Together a story will be written
Minute details that only our hearts recall
But every echo will live as they always have
For souls that see what others may not...


-Reena


Nov 21 2015