Susan Lawrence Poet Free verse

Notes About The Poem

Cat's Cradle

Listening to the whispers of my soul
Allowing my heart to open
A deep inhale through my nose
Cool air surrounds me
A pause
A full exhale, letting my belly expand

Collective grief permeates the air
Multitudes of people crying silent tears
The masses wear cement backpacks
Their footsteps imprinting deep sorrow
Into the wailing land

I send my light out through my heart
I listen to their words
I create an arena of compassion
Allowing them time to tell of their woes

I gently grasp the hand of an old woman
Who graces my presence
I gaze deep into the grooves 
Covering the fabric of 
Her worn skin
Imagining the pathway and breath
Of her life’s journey

Hawks circle above in the white sky
Color feels like an ancient memory
Twisted molten steel haunts the landscape
High above on the uppermost branches 
Crows spy children gathering in the street

Caw   caw   caw   caw

The young ones congregate
A mish mash patchwork weaving together
Giggles, shouts, snickers and cheers
Streams of brightness radiate outward
Illuminating mischievous half smiles

Marbles, string, jacks, rocks and jump ropes
Make their way out as
Hopscotch, Double Dutch and Cat’s Cradle
Become the language shared

I hear escalating laughter
The Elders do as well
We move closer to feel 
The vibration and energy before us

Circles of color, sound and life envelope us
Simple pleasures are revealed
It’s easy - they say
Come join us 
Let us show you how
Let’s play

I take another deep breath
Inhaling gratitude as 
I fall into the embrace of what it means
To live in the moment
Basking in the sunlight

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Timothy Ray August 9, 2026 at 8:45 PM This poem walked me back through the fire devastation in Los Angeles and the cousins who were so devastated. I also have friends in Spokane who met the same fate recently. My nightly prayers are spent praying for them to see the light within recovery. My family left the devastation of the Dust Bowl and moved to California, where they all did well. That is the story in my prayers for them; God will get us through. Thank you for so eloquently expressing that. Susan Lawrence August 20, 2026 at 5:34 PM Dear Timothy, so wonderful to connect with you agin. I think of you and your wonderful poetry. I grew up in S. CA and the Pacific Palisades and Santa Monica fires struck so close to my family home where my parents still live. I prayed everyday that their home (where I grew up) would be spared and miraculously it was. We know so many others though that lost everything. I was just back to witness all of the new homes being built in the area of the devastation. It doesn't erase what happened, although it does offer hope and strength and rebirthing. Sending you and yours all good thoughts and hope during this difficult time. Big hugs to you, Susan :)

Paula Goldsmith July 26, 2025 at 10:44 AM Your "Cat's Cradle" is a wonderful write. I enjoyed reading this one. I wish you would write more. Have a lovely/blessed day writing away............... Susan Lawrence July 29, 2025 at 4:57 PM Thank you dear Paula. Your visit brings a smile. Hugs, Susan :)

Ann Peck May 11, 2025 at 2:17 PM A beautiful, caring poem. there is so much sadness in this world. And yet, people still find a way to laugh among ruins. We are amazing creatures, and you are an amazing poet. love, Ann Susan Lawrence July 29, 2025 at 4:56 PM Dearest Anne, A very belated thank you for your lovely visit and comments. I wrote this after returning to my hometown to witnesess unbleievable devastation after the January fires in Pacific Palisades, CA. Luckily my family home was spared. Big hugs to you. Love, Susan :)

Quoth Theraven May 3, 2025 at 3:24 AM Susan, Yes, hands were made to reach out in arm's length of 'Marbles, string, jacks, rocks and jump ropes'., and the uncommon face that suddenly becomes somehow familiar in this fine write. -Richard Susan Lawrence May 8, 2025 at 11:50 AM Richard, Such a gift to have you visit my poem. I’m grateful for your presence and insightful comments. So many nuances as I travel through space and time. Susan :)

Gary Radice March 25, 2025 at 11:16 PM "Twisted molten steel haunts the landscape.." The devestating LA fires and their aftermath..the twisted strings of a Cat's Cradle and the manipulation of the strings to make other shapes, ..rebuilding..the human resilience and sadness amid the devestation, nature's destruction and its fragile beauty..hope for the future...this reader got lost with his own thoughts inside your wonderful poem Susan. Cheers - Gary Susan Lawrence April 3, 2025 at 7:50 PM Dear Gary, A belated thank you for your introspective and wonderful comments. Yes, I grew up in Pacific Palisades where the fires hit and miraculously my parents home survived. I was there fairly recently and did view the devastation which was beyond words. Thank you for your visit and it was wonderful to read your poem today. It was so beautiful. All the best, Susan

Paul Callus March 4, 2025 at 1:04 PM I enjoyed the 2 contrasting parts of this poem, Susan. The initial sense of loss and grief delivers a painful reminder of what to expect if we fail to change our ways. But not all is lost! Fortunately a better future is on offer thanks to the simplicity and innocence of children. ~ Warm regards & hugs my dear friend // paul Susan Lawrence April 3, 2025 at 7:52 PM Hello dear friend Paul, a belated thank you for your visit and thank you for your wonderful comments. I value your friendship and introspection and as you know, I love your poems. I hope you’re keeping well. All the best to you and yours, Susan :)

Brandy Nicole February 22, 2025 at 7:35 PM ' I take another deep breath inhaling gratitude. ' At the end of the day, counting the blessings is very important. So much is happening around us, indeed. There's so much pain and sadness. Your thoughts touch my heart deeply. While we cannot change what has happened, we can make things better in many different ways. Sending love and light your way, Susan. Hugs, Brandy Susan Lawrence March 4, 2025 at 11:44 AM Hi dear Brandy, thank you so much for your visit. I’m always touched by your words and yes, there is so much love that we can give to those that are suffering. Big big hugs and thank you for your visit. Looking forward to reading more of your poems soon. love, Susan :)

Kim Rodrigues February 22, 2025 at 5:43 PM Life seems to go hand in hand…collective grief, the old woman, the crows, the children…at last the children who live life and generate gratitude. Enjoyed, Susan! Susan Lawrence March 4, 2025 at 11:42 AM Hi dear Kim, thank you so much for your visit - so great to see you here. I appreciate you. Thank you for your comments and looking forward to reading another one of your beautiful poems soon. All the best, Susan :)

Joseph P. DiMino February 22, 2025 at 4:47 PM "I send my light out through my heart I listen to their words I create an arena of compassion" -- A true Light bearer. Blessings. "I gaze deep into the grooves Covering the fabric of Her worn skin Imagining the pathway and breath" -- Wonderful poetic imagery. "I fall into the embrace of what it means To live in the moment Basking in the sunlight" -- Great ending! Wise and enlightening. Susan Lawrence March 4, 2025 at 11:42 AM Hi dear Joe , sorry for the tardy reply to your beautiful comments and message. I so appreciate your visit and thank you for seeing what lies beneath to see the meaning in the words. I appreciate you. Have a wonderful day. Big hugs, Susan :)

Susan Ashley February 22, 2025 at 9:23 AM My dearest, Susan, soulful sister, the emotions and imageries of your meditative poem reach across lifetimes and universes. I was so struck by "Color feels like an ancient memory" - so profound in its feeling of loss. There is heavy sadness "masses wear cement backpacks" but there is bliss to be found in a heart that opens, in reconnection to your child-self in the 'moment of now' where spirits rise to remind you of how to "play" and reconnect with the lost self choosing to embrace joy. My spirit is refreshed reading your splendid poem, my sweet poet friend and time-traveler sister. Thank you for the creative beauty of your heart and verse. Warmest wishes and love sent on the flow of white wings.. ~Susan Susan Lawrence February 23, 2025 at 9:02 AM Hello dear time traveling soul sister and magnificent poetess Susan. Your presence is always a cherished gift . I am so happy you were moved by my poem. I was recently back in my home town, Pacific Palisades, CA where everything burned to the ground. My family home and its neighborhood miraculouly stands however we know so many that have lost all. Each simple pleasure shared is a gift. So happy to be here and read your soulful poetry. Big hugs and love to you arriving on white wings, Susan :)

Andrea Dietrich February 16, 2025 at 11:50 AM This reads like another of your tributes to native Americans, of whom I know you are very fond. Always so joyful how you depict the children. Your experience so deeply impacted you. Susan Lawrence February 22, 2025 at 4:22 PM Hi Andrea, Happy to see you here. This was influenced by my recent trip back to my hometown to see the devastation of the wildfires. My family home still stands miraculously , although we know so many that have lost all. Big hugs, Susan :)

Ann Peck February 15, 2025 at 4:30 PM This is so lovely and full of compassion, Susan. So aware of the sadness that is everywhere. To live in the moment. I guess, would be best for now. And I love your title. Cat's cradle. I haven't heard that for a long time. Very appropriate.Take care, dear friend. Susan Lawrence February 22, 2025 at 4:18 PM Hi dear Ann, Yes there is a lot of sadness these days. I grew up in Pacific Palisades, CA where the recent fires were and my home town is flattened. Miraculously my parents home (my family home) and the surrounding areas were untouched, however we know many who have lost everything. I try to find simple pleasures everyday that make me smile. Big hugs, Susan :)

Victor Buhagiar February 13, 2025 at 10:33 PM I love your poem. There are excellent phrases that dig deep in my soul. I love particularly : I create an arena of compassion Allowing them time to tell of their woes. Depth of emotion is your strength. We are surrounded with woes and have done nothing to create a joy the world needs so much. Your poem is a classic. Susan Lawrence February 22, 2025 at 4:16 PM Hi dear Victor, Such a treat to have you visit and comment. I am so very glad that my words resonated with you. I appreciate your comments. Sending big hugs and all good thoughts. Yes the world needs joy and so much more. Love, Susan :)

Valsa George February 12, 2025 at 10:52 PM There is so much of stress and pain around us. Men and women stagger under the weight of sorrow. What we can do to alleviate their suffering is extending a helping hand, also opening our eyes to the cheerful scenes around. Little children who have no grave concerns about life as elders have, enjoy the random moments that fall before them by playing and enjoying in hilarious gaiety. Like them we too should learn to live in the moment." To live in the moment Basking in the sunlight" Beautiful poem dear Susan. So happy to see you after a long break. Susan Lawrence February 16, 2025 at 8:31 AM Valsa, your words grace my page and I’m always in gratitude. Thank you for your visit to my poem. Sending you big hugs and love and all good thoughts and wishes be well, my friend.