Timothy Ray Poet Free verse

Life Is Full of Treasures

life is full of treasures
sitting looking out at the courtyard
she is not comely
but has the most precious smile
it radiates in the brightest sunny day
her little wave of the hand
acknowledging my existence
as she passes on the walk
in tandem is her cat
i love watching them react to each other
he unfolds upon the lawn
rubbing his stomach
it is easy to see the joy they share
the old couple emerges across the way
he will secure the door upon leaving
hurries to the parking lot
where he attends her door
securing the belt
soon they leave and will return later
age has left her a bit slower
he manages the door and releases the harness
while she is on the way
he pulls the folding shopping cart
from the trunk
empties the bagged groceries into the cart
makes his way to the door
where she is waiting to enter
next door is the woman who is here
to complete her education
it has taken a few years for the R.N. degree
began years ago as a hospital volunteer
from there to nurse's aid to L.P.N.
she earns her living caring for the elderly
at some senior center, pays the bills
there is more but we never go there
in our short sharing conversations
a broken heart and children states away
she is dedicated to her dream
two letters following her name
to my right and two apartments away
is a woman who fought life in the streets
she spends afternoons with her dog
they are a melding of hearts
a life now existing in a sober ambiance
graduate cum laude of a woman's shelter
there are more jewels i have in this courtyard
separating the roaming cats 
from my passion of feeding birds
and they listen, sitting here peace reigns
night they have the bowl i prepare
in case any needs a nightly snack
as mom always said
the real jewels in life
never know a chain or finger
they are captured by the eye
and held forever in memory
where they will serve you well
when life has its' stumbles
they will give you peace
in the worst gale that calls you away
they are life's jewels teaching you
how eagles rise above the storm

   Oregon   10/23

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Suzanne Delaney August 13, 2026 at 6:57 PM Your Mom had lots of wisdom . Loved reading the little life cameos.Beautiful how your ending rises up. Timothy Ray August 13, 2026 at 9:28 PM thank you Suzanne, you and John are two of my favorite treasures

Valsa George August 9, 2026 at 9:13 PM So sweet are the sights that fall in your eyes and the impressions that gather in your mind about your companionable neighbors. The act of feeding cats and watching life flit by are beautifully enumerated. Enjoyed reading your poem, Timothy. Timothy Ray August 13, 2026 at 9:32 PM thank you Valsa, I also count your quill among my treasures

Kelly Deschler November 17, 2023 at 4:10 PM Your dear Mom was a wise woman, Timothy ... And, I can see that she passed such wisdom on to you ... Very, very well written ... Only a true poet can find such simple treasures in our world :) Timothy Ray November 22, 2023 at 7:52 PM as mom always said the real jewels in life never know a chain or finger they are captured by the eye and held forever in memory, moments when Love manifests itself, they will serve you well when life has its' stumbles they will give you peace in the worst gale that calls you away. they are life's jewels teaching you how eagles rise above the storm.....the greatest of them all is Love

Suzanne Delaney November 7, 2023 at 3:10 AM Simple treasures. I loved how your words revealed each one. The smallest things bring me the greatest joy also. Best, SuZ Timothy Ray November 22, 2023 at 7:51 PM exactly....read Paula's response from me

Paula Goldsmith November 1, 2023 at 7:11 AM I enjoyed your write. Life has many treasures if we will look for them. I wish you would write more... Have a blessed day............... Timothy Ray November 22, 2023 at 7:50 PM i am very large on holding that moment when love graces our lives...abandon expectations and you never give resentment a life to become a burr beneath your saddle...Let Go and Let God it is in Grace we discover the core...i began to study the great philosophers and came to the realization, the Stoics made sense and all i needed was to fully grasp was..... 1 Corinthians 13:4–8a (ESV) Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth

Anne E Sangster - K October 21, 2023 at 5:45 AM Indeed, lifes jewels are all around us. This was a delightful read for me this morning. Hugs, Anne :-) Timothy Ray November 22, 2023 at 7:40 PM thank you Anne....But if you call me Anne, please call me Anne with an 'e'. I'm not a bit changed--not really. I'm only just pruned down and branched out. The real ME--back here--is just the same.