So, I’m a writer. Which means I have a “real job” and I write when I can. Which, for me, is when it’s not peak wedding season.

I have a venue in Northern Michigan. It’s a really great little venue that’s in high demand for couples looking for a fairytale wedding. So, from May until late fall, I am up to my ears in timelines, floor plans, flowers and cake…on the dance floor…in the carpet…in my hair. Don’t ask.

This season, we started adding other events to the calendar during the weekdays; weddings on the weekends. Except recently, when I had to flip the building from a wedding to a chef dinner to a wedding to a private party to a catering job outside the venue and then a wedding again. I should just change my name to Allied Van Lines given the furniture moved around in here. But I am not complaining. I love what I do. And I especially love bringing people together to celebrate whatever they are moved to celebrate.

I’ve always been that person. You know, the one that everybody called to say, “What’s happening this weekend?” And if nothing was happening I would make something happen. Now I get paid to do that.

Love it. Just can’t do any writing while I’m freaking out at midnight wondering if the linen order was right or if it’s going to rain forcing the couple’s ceremony out of the marina park and into the venue two hours earlier.

Weddings are great places to people watch. It’s a smorgasbord of every group and family dynamic you can imagine and a few you really don’t want to imagine. Great hunting grounds for character building for stories.

In October, the 13th to be exact, I have five female authors converging on the venue for Books, Babes & Booze- a cocktail reception/book signing/panel discussion. Can’t wait!

So that’s where the hell I’ve been since May. I’ll be back writing soon. OK. Soonish.

In the meantime, you can follow my flower trail at www.willowbrookmill.com

Poem #29 of 30

That’s Ever Been

When he says
My God, you’re beautiful
Believe it
Believe it
Believe it
Like a radio wave
Continuing out into the universe forever-
So are the moments when
You come to know yourself
Through someone else’s eyes

Believe it
Even when you cannot reconcile
That love flushed observation
With your image in a mirror
Remember that it happened

There is no never in the universe-
Only everything that’s ever been

Poem #28 a Haiku

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Shatter

We all have a story
That we will never share out loud
Or our hearts will shatter

a Ten Word Poem. #27 of 30

War Hammer

Voice
of the people
gathering here.
New weapon forged-
Numbers

Poem #26 of 30

Hop Dream

Soil readied
precious petals planted
Weeks
Before the sun
hugs the ellipse
Up the wire lines
They run
Building verdant necklaces
as they go
Each gem
a magic part
Of drinks for gods
and queens

#25 of 30

Cocoon

Time presses

into itself

until six months is

just a day

Every time I get it right
I have to leave again

Gone-
To that other home where
Parts of me live out

Those same parts that cocoon
over winter

Dream of color and sound

Hidden beneath a cold,

white blanket

And in the moment

of making the most of a home

and its quiet refuge-

it’s time to emerge

and soar

again

somewhere else

How I love the warm nest

I have made

But how I also love the flying

Poem 24 of 30-

Woman’s Best Friend

Most of my life has been spent

in the good company of dogs-

Shoulder bumping my leg as we walk;

reminder that they were still there.

Dangerous tails clearing coffee tables

Missing holiday turkey when left unattended

Drive by face lickings

Peaked ears at strange noises after midnight

From shared warmth

sleeping pup, nuzzled on my neck

to stretched out long against my back

My ear pressed to a sturdy chest

to hear a heartbeat

I could listen to forever.

My dearest creature friends

who gave

all their love

all their loyalty

all their lives-

It’s so quiet now,

except for the river of tears I make

upon their leaving

NaPoWriMo 2019 challenge- 30 poems in 30 days. Poem #23

One Fell Swoop

In one fell swoop, my heart

was lifted off the roadway

where I had

been traveling without

a true destination,

awaiting a sign

from unseen guides;

advisers all my life-

What did I know of

destinies and

agreements made

before this earthly incarnation-

Promises to ferry in

two beings

needing passage

from the ethers-

a contract on my soul to

shelter and nurture

their hunger for knowledge.

Promises fulfilled-

ear to the sky

alert to the arrival

of new instructions

and where

I am needed next.