Marshall Writers' Guild | Penelope Athon

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PENELOPE ATHON

First Signs for Ella and Carmen

The crocus are not blooming.
The grass is not green.
The trees have not started to bud.

Snow covers the ground.
The ice continues to crunch
But spring cometh soon, I just know.

So how do I know
When the signs seem so sparse?
It's very simple, you see.

There is hair on my floor
And hair floating in air
As well as the hair on my clothes.

For those in confusion
Who lack understanding,
Let me explain just a bit.

For us ailurophiles
The first sign of spring
Is a shedding that just won't quit.

Penelope Athon -- February 2007

What Irritates Me

Sometimes individuals, usually children or teenagers, try to get my attention by either poking my arm or pulling my clothes. I find this very irritating. Often it is accompanied by the repetition of name. For instance, "poke, poke, Ms Athon, Ms Athon" or "pull, pull, Teacher, Teacher", the latter rendering me nameless.

Correcting this behavior with people is easy. I just say, "please don't poke or pull." That usually works. However, with some students it becomes necessary to repeat loudly, "don't touch the Teacher."

After I retired, I thought I would relax into a fairly poke-pull free life. Not to be. I have two cats. I've always had cats, but these two are very polite. They hardly ever just jump into my lap or join me when I am lying down. I really appreciate my little vibrating heat sources when my back hurts; however, they always approach, put out a paw and go tap, tap, tap; then tap, tap, tap. Problem is they don't understand "please don't do that." After all, it is a cat thing, and they are polite in their demands.

Tap, tap, tap, tap, tap, tap, tap, tap, tap, tap, tap.

Penelope Athon -- August 2006

Christmas Meditation

Hark, the Herald Angels sing.
But are we listening?
Do we really hear?

We talk about such frivolous things.
Do we think it should be a Christmas tree or a Holiday tree?
Do we see enough gifts to give or receive?
Do we enjoy gathering together with friends and family
Or has it become a chore?

So are we listening to the Angels sing?
Do we hear God's voice?
Or a voice we only think is God?

In ages past in the beginning with Abraham,
God says "Hear O Israel!"
Not see, not think, not feel,
But "Hear O Israel!"

So put aside the rest and listen!
Can you hear the Angels sing?

Hark, the Herald Angels are singing.
If you listen carefully, you may hear the
True voice of God.
Then you may find your way to the Christ child.

Penelope Athon -- December 2006

Stuck

Thoughts come. Ideas are formed.

The mind is ready, full, inspired

Pencil poised over paper

And …… the words don't come

They just stick there

Right there

And don't come out.

Emotions grow. Feelings are thoughts.

The heart is ready to deliver.

Fingers poised over keys.

And …… the words don't come.

They just stick there.

Right there

And don't come out

Again

Son's songs come. Music grand.

Soul is glad, feels inspired

Computer ready to accept

And …… the words don't come

They just stick there

Right there

And don't come out

Again

Again.

Penelope Athon -- January 2005

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