While this pandemic has foiled
A lot of plans this year,
One thing it didn't mess with was
The annual Christmas Tree hunt.
Every year for the last sixteen years,
My family and some family friends have
Wandered into the woods in search of
The perfect Charlie Brown Christmas Tree.
Normally, when we go on this adventure,
My lungs don't do so well.
However, thanks to quarantine and walking so much,
I could walk up and down hills with more ease.
It didn't take too long to find our trees.
Afterwards, we had a picnic in the woods.
We discussed how crazy things are
While breathing in the fresh mountain air.
The moon shines in through my window.
Lighting up a spot on the floor,
Reminds me of an Edward Hopper painting.
I wake from my sleep to let my cat in once more.
My room is a safe space from the visiting dogs
who do not understand why the cat doesn't want to play.
He meows as he walks into my room.
I pick him up and place him on my bed.
He curls up on the old striped towel
And quickly falls asleep.
The neighbors across the street
Have a blue light shining by their door.
I have to sleep on my right side
To not be bothered by it.
While Christmas lights make everything better,
A blue light in the middle of the night isn't it.
I stare at the light on the floor
Before flipping over to face my sleeping cat.
At least someone's content, I think.
The darkness slows down time,
I fall back asleep quicker than I realize.
I started playing Christmas Music in early November.
I listen to it while I write,
I write wherever the music takes me.
I see Christmas lights being put up earlier this year.
We put ours up this weekend,
A reminder of how odd this year has been.
The Christmas spirit brings people comfort.
Comforts have been a necessity when everything
In life remains up in the air.
If you're a polar bear, you see differently.
You see beauty in the ordinary,
Details in the smallest of places,
You visualize instead of problem solve.
You're a poet, writer, artist, painter.
You strive to show your perspective
Through the work you create.
Creating art comes as naturally as breathing.
You can see polar bears around an ice hole.
I am a polar bear.
There were people dancing in the streets
All over the states on Saturday.
A collective sigh of relief was had by those
Who had been filled with anxiety
And fear for the last four years.
Anticipation for normalcy and steadiness,
Instead of divineness and unpredictability
Expanded quickly as music started playing,
And cars started honking.
Crowds gathered with masks on
To cheer for the news that change is coming.
A right to celebrate after a long week
Of staring at screens and refreshing Twitter.
Eagerly waiting for confirmation that indeed
Biden would be our next President.
It's a sign that so many people are ready
For someone who lead for all of us,
Not just those who support him.
The moon shining in through the window,
bright as the sun at noon.
I capture this photo with my phone
that doesn't have night mode.
It looks more like a painting
than an actual photograph.
The colors are muted through the lens
looking into the darkness.
The outline of the room
still appears in tact.
The night sky is lighter,
the mirror is visible.
The line of light on the floor,
a strip of the moon in late October.
The other strip on the wall
above the old-fashioned phone.
A moment of simplicity captured
during a chaotic time in our history.
When snow blankets the earth, life quiets.
Stepping outside feels like the volume
You never notice has been turned down.
The only sound you hear is your steps
Making a path that will melt
When it meets the sun.
The night brings light to the darkness
When the full moon bounces off the snow,
It creates a view that's rarely seen,
Especially by non-night owls.
It's quieter when the stars are out,
The few souls brave enough to
Venture out have said goodnight.
I bite my tongue to not make a remark I will regret.
I taste blood without feeling the pain of the pinch.
It will heal, forming a scar on my tongue I will never see.
Keep the peace. Keep the peace. Keep the peace.
It's the only mantra that keeps me sane.
You confuse respect with aggression.
Look, I don't mean to judge you. I am trying hard not to.
I didn't engage in this conversation for a debate.
The things running through my head that I will never say.
I have no choice but to be the bigger person.
To not engage when I really want to.
Because I know this conversation isn't productive.
Two opposing sides rarely see eye to eye.
One person's wisdom is another person's lie.
You're trying to get me to agree with you,
To see that your way of life is superior to mine.
I don't know who told you that when I am doing just fine.
If this wasn't your intention, to let me know
Your thinking is the only way to think,
I am truly sorry. We just live in two different realities.
It's funny, isn't it? How the definition of respect changes
With every person you talk to?
You've shown me my feelings don't matter to you.
The scar on my tongue will break open
When I bite harder to hold back my feelings.
Autumn crisp
Changing leaves
Drives with no destination
Long walks while listening to audiobooks
Chapters ending on cliffhangers
Episodes ending on cliffhangers
Inclusivity in TV shows
Books I can't put down
Listening to old songs
Discovering new songs
Talking to friends over FaceTime
Writing down my feelings
Meditating without distractions
Beautiful sunsets, rare moons
Stars in a clear sky
Forgetting to check my phone
Turning off the news
Sticking with what I believe in
Voting early by mail
Today is the first day of mail-in voting in CO.
This morning I dropped off my ballot at a drop-off box.
This evening, I got an email saying my ballot was accepted.
Do you have a plan to vote?
Have you voted yet?
Kelly Severseike 