goodbye – Colleen Keller Breuning

Misty Eyes

Misty Eyes

Little voices call out so sweet,
Pitter patter of tiny feet.
Smiles that light my indigo skies
As tears of love sting misty eyes.

Finger painted hands, work of art,
Silly giggles that steal my heart.
Moments cherished with each sunrise,
As tears of love sting misty eyes.

I sing their favorite nursery rhyme.
Too soon, I’m running out of time.
Emotions swell with each goodbye,
As tears of love sting misty eyes.

Little voices call out so sweet,
As tears of love sting misty eyes.

Colleen Keller Breuning © 2022
February 10, 2022

This poem is dedicated to my beloved grandchildren Posie and Hatcher, my sweet little Valentines! I sketched out the words to this Kyrielle Sonnet on the trip home from Florida last month, and I finally got around to putting the finishing touches on it today. It’s always so difficult to leave them after each trip, uncertain when I will see them next and knowing how much they will have changed. I dread saying goodbye, and it takes me a while to settle the emotions. For me, the best therapy for sadness is writing.

Dan and I saying goodbye to Posie and Hatcher!

I am also posting this to the Instagram group @hergrowthcollective. The topic for this week is “Love,” and just happened to fit with this poem. Love comes in many forms, but love for family is one of the strongest and enduring of all bonds. Everyone told me how special the relationship between a grandparent and grandchild is…. but until I experienced it, I had no idea! It is the greatest thing. My love for them is eternal, and it grows with each passing day. They fill my heart with the purest joy I have ever known.

Life has been so busy, and I’ve been a bit MIA from social media. A much-needed break, I guess. I worked about 20 hours of overtime the past couple of weeks. Fortunately, our busiest work month has passed, and my schedule should be getting back to normal. Whatever that is, lol!

Happy Valentine’s Day, everyone!
xoxo
Colleen

HEY!!!! Check this out on my new podcast on Spotify – dropping today!!!

Mood: Joyful
Inspiration: “You Are the Sunshine of My Life” by Stevie Wonder

Shadows of My Father ~ The Poem and The Book

somfthumbnail1 — "Shadows of My Father" by Colleen Keller Breuning © 2011

Shadows of My Father

As a child, I walked through the park
hand in hand with my father.
Brimming with energy and innocence,
I played a game of hide and seek,
jumping into his enormous shadow.
My elfin figure was gobbled up
by his lumbering adumbration,
stretching long across the path
illuminated by the springtime sun.

Young and stupid in love,
I felt as if my father’s shadow
was falling over me, somehow
supplanted in my subconscious.
Though I could not see it,
I could feel his image lingering,
cutting through the darkness,
watching me as I made mistakes
from which he could not protect me.

I could sense his shadow slipping
away that New Year’s Day,
battle weary from the fight of his life.
With a weak smile on his face,
my father gazed at me
from his hospital bed.
I knew from the far away look
in his soft hazel eyes
that I was saying goodbye.

Now as I walk alone
with the sun on my back,
my own blackened silhouette
extends before me.
There are no huge hands to hold,
no large shadows to jump into.
But my soul is at peace,
and I smile, knowing that I carry
his shadow inside of mine.

This poem was the one that inspired me to do a tribute book of poetry to my father. Though the book contains many poems about experiences with my father, there are other subjects covered in the work presented within. I want to thank my family, friends and network of fellow writers who have shown great support, not only by purchasing the book, but in giving me such positive feedback throughout this process. I love you all!

Published in “Shadows of My Father”
Available now on Amazon:

https://www.createspace.com/3556166

Ode to Elly

Blogophilia 50.3 Topic: “There is no “I” in Team”

Bonus Points:

(Hard, 2pts): mention a Maya Angelou quote
(Easy, 1pt) : incorporate a unique use for honey

Final date to post: February 12th, 2011 GMT midnight
Final date to post ALL GUESSES: February 15th, 2011 GMT midnight

Ode to Elly

I read the news and sat motionless for hours,
Staring out the window at the sky black as coal.
I searched in vain for solace, words of wisdom…
As pangs of sorrow echoed through my soul.

She painted passionate portraits with her quill,
A songbird’s cry, whispering lovers who part.
Her words are the honey that soothes the sting…
They hold together the broken pieces of our hearts.

Now our heads bow down in silent prayer,
Hot tears melding with the gentle winter rain.
Hear her tender voice wafting in the breeze…
Filling us with warm comfort, easing the pain.

She is an angel in funky boots watching over us all,
Surely as the fading sun sets and distant planets spin.
She sails on in dark skies, ever dancing on moonbeams…
Nothing can dim the light which shines from within.

I was all set to let Tommy take the helm this week and write a funny blog. That was, until I woke up this morning and went through my usual habit of checking the Facebook feed. It was so early I had not even had my first cup of coffee. I was directed over to a Myspace Blog written by my dear friend Lainey, where I read the heartbreaking news that our beloved friend Elly Funky Boots had passed away of lung cancer on Tuesday, February 8. I was, quite simply, stunned…. and deeply saddened.

To all of the writers who knew her on Myspace, Elly Funky Boots was a sweet, compassionate woman with a heart of gold and a very talented pen. More than that, she had a wicked sense of humor and was a real friend to everyone she encountered. She was an integral part of the CPC and Harmony Pub blogs, and she truly was one of those people who believed that there was no “I” in Team. She collaborated with fellow poets, encouraged fledgling writers and even hosted poetic challenges at different venues at Myspace during the blogging heydays.

I had the privilege to get to know Elly a little better in 2009, when she became a featured poet at my e-zine Blue Turtle Crossing. She was very gracious and generous, basically granting me full access to her blogs to pick and choose from the many delightful offerings of her poetry. She was intensely private, preferring to only go by her pen name of Elly. I had prod her a little to allow her to let me publish a photograph of her on the site, as she was a very modest lady who preferred to let her adorable, wild “funky boots” avatars set her apart from all the rest.

I never even knew that her real name was Patty until today. Rest in peace, dearest Patty. You will be missed, my dear friend.

Marvin, the Maya Angelou quote I used is:

“Nothing can dim the light which shines from within.”

Also ~ I will send in my secret bonus points separately this week, as I do not want to detract from the serious nature of this blog.

HUGS and LOVE to all my friends who knew and loved Elly!