Tag Archives: daughter

Chickadee

Chickadee

The sun rises with crimson and gold flair
with scent of lilacs on the morning breeze.
Sweet chickadee sings and darts through the air,
landing with grace in weeping willow tree.

She is the sunshine that lights up my life,
my reason for being, my heart’s delight.
Sweet chickadee eases my pain and strife,  
her radiant smile, a beautiful sight.

As the sun fades to indigo twilight,
mystical clouds move on horizon far.
Sweet chickadee drifts into velvet night
amidst a sky full of moonlight and stars.

All through the seasons of blooms, sun and snow
Her heart stays with me, wherever she goes.

Colleen Keller Breuning © 2024
May 18, 2024

Hello from Florida! 🙂 Dan and I are down here babysitting the grandkids while Katie and Brenton are on a trip to Europe for a destination wedding. We are having so much fun with them, but boy is it exhausting, haha! (At least when you’re in your 60’s, it is…) They are non-stop fun, energy and relentless negotiators!! We have been playing, swimming, lunch at Chick-Fil-A, a trip to Publix, made spaghetti dinner, played indoor camping, and are about to make some Rice Krispie treats once Posie wakes up from an unplanned nap.

This sonnet just sort of morphed from a nature poem into a love poem. It’s a bit of a tribute to three radiant, beautiful women closest to me in life – my mother Gloria, my daughter Katie and of course, my granddaughter Posie. They are all my reasons for my being, in different ways! So I guess you could call this is a Mother’s Day poem. The chickadee is one of the sweetest birds in the garden that just seems to radiate love. My Mom, Katie and Posie all remind me of their kind spirit. They are beacons of light in my life. Each one of them touches my heart and lifts me up in their own special way. I’ve never referred to any of them as a chickadee, but maybe I’ll start calling Posie my little chickadee — I think she’d love that.

As for memories of my mother, there are far too many wonderful ones to mention. She has always been my rock, my confidante, my prayer warrior, and my friend throughout my entire life. Mom, I can never thank you enough for the support and love you’ve shown me over the years. I would never be the woman I am today with you, and just so you know — I am becoming more like you every day, haha! I LOVE YOU, My Old Chickadee!! (I say that with so much love, as I am now also an old chickadee myself LOL!) Hope you all had a Happy Mother’s Day filled with family and love!

Xoxo, Colleen

Mood: Happy
Inspiration: “Songbird” by Fleetwood Mac

Ecrits Blogophilia Week 46.15 – Wherever She Goes
Hard Bonus: Include a song title that mentions something celestial (“A Sky Full of Stars” by Coldplay)
Easy Bonus: Incorporate a memory of your mother

Washed Out to Sea

Washed Out to Sea

I sit upon the craggy rocks
Fluffy white clouds float by in flocks
The past, a distant memory
As the tide washes out to sea.

My heart feels hollow, left behind
Tears of sorrow render me blind
Whispers to heaven, fervent plea
As the tide washes out to sea.

Take me with you, far and away
To golden fields and jasmine sway
Our haven for eternity
As the tide washes out to sea.

I sit upon the craggy rocks
As the tide washes out to sea.

Colleen Keller Breuning © 2024
February 10, 2024

Hello everyone – hope you are having a great week! This was Writer’s Choice Week in Blogophilia, so I could write as my heart desired.

Next week marks the 21st Anniversary of my father’s passing; he died of lung cancer on February 17, 2003. This poem is dedicated to him. The pain of losing him will never, ever go away. Dad was a “gentle giant” and my protector. He was the strong and silent one who was always looking out for me during my life, even when I didn’t want him to. Everyone loved and gravitated to him, especially babies and children. He was an inspiration for all his five children, and countless grandchildren. I miss his comforting presence, his voice, his hugs, his sense of humor, his hearty laugh, his love for life. I even miss his funny, prolific sneezes (he could sneeze like 15 times in a row)! Dad was a great cook, a bird nerd and a music lover, which I believe all of us kids inherited from him. For some reason, the past few weeks I have found myself thinking of him at the end of the day and releasing a few tears. He died far too young at the age of 68, and we all wish we had more time with him.

That said, I am instead trying to focus on the beautiful memories and the blessings that I have received from Dad throughout my life, which are plentiful. Some of the best memories I have are just of BEING with him…. going to work at the rail yards, playing ball in the backyard, watching the fireworks from our playroom window, summer nights sitting on the front porch, listening to music, watching hockey, driving trips, rocking on hotel porch chairs simply watching and listening to the ocean… He may not have been perfect, as we are all flawed in some way, but he was the perfect Dad for me. I miss you and love you, Daddy!

May you all have a Happy Valentine’s Day – remember to cherish those you love, and always take the opportunity to show them and tell them how much you love them!!! ❤

xoxo,
Colleen

Mood: Sad
Inspiration: “Dear Father” by Neil Diamond – Jonathan Livingston Seagull, Dad’s favorite

Ecrits Blogophilia Week 32.15 – WRITER’S CHOICE – Washed Out
Hard Bonus: WRITER’S CHOICE – Include your favorite flower (jasmine)
Easy Bonus: WRITER’S CHOICE – Incorporate floating clouds