It Came in a Small Box

The box was much smaller than I expected.
And plainer, no decoration, no sparkling wrapper.
I stared at it as it sat on the table.
That small box surprised me.

Could everything really have fit?
All the memories?
All the love and disappointment and concern?
And yet, I couldn’t deny it.

I ran my hands over the smooth sides.
Should I open it? Could I?
I took a deep breath.
I could do this. I would…

Such a small box
And this is all that was left
of a life so big,
of a story so bold. 

I looked inside
at the plastic bag
at the remains of what had been
and would be no more.

 My mother’s ashes…

In the Mirror

“Mirror, mirror on the wall, who’s the fairest of them all?”

“I believe in Mary Worth. I believe in Mary Worth.”

The crazy things we say to mirrors, maybe even expecting answers.

What is actually in that mirror? Is it just reflected light, or an alternate universe, or maybe a window into our own souls?

Do we see what is really there?
Do we see things as they are?

We see the reverse. Not exactly what someone would see if they were looking back at us. They see left on left and right on right. We see left on right and right on left. So, can we ever know who we really are by looking in a mirror?

Sometimes, when I look, I see wrinkles and bags that can’t be mine. I see a tired smile and lack-luster eyes. I see the little girl I used to be, and the old woman I will become.

I see change in that mirror. And the things in the mirror are a lot closer than they appear.

Under the Magnolia Tree

Its blossoms bloom
to give us joy
under the magnolia tree

Its fragrance floats
to give us peace
under the magnolia tree

It gives us shade
and memories
It guards, and sets us free

And there
we lay our hearts to rest
under the magnolia tree.

(For Shannon, Dan, Pa Rick, and Chester)