It’s always the least expected
That spectacularly exceeds expectation
Which come to think of it
Isn’t then a high bar to reach!
Life is always simply what it is
But we lose touch
Hidden under layers of mud
Or veils of our own choosing
Like clouds in an open sky.
But Sun is always there, regardless
It’s the one constant.
And when it breaks through
And warms us or lights the way
Plays with rainbows
Or just holds us firmly in embrace
Then we know our place in the world
Without doubt, without thought,
Until we lose it once again.
(9/3/26)
THE EXPECTED ONE -1860
{painting by Ferdinand Georg Waldmüller}
Walking down the country road
with her scarved head bowed
Clinging to her prayer book
She dare not look
Rosary hanging from her hand
Is this stroll planned?
Is she unaware
of the gentleman hiding there?
holding a large pink rose
waiting to propose?
Eyes closed, she's walking
Is she balking?
Does she know him?
Why is she so grim?
This path of stone
with trees overgrown
holds a surprise
Does she realise?
Is she "the expected one"?
Will her hand be won?
Her dress billowing
in the wind blowing
Her cheeks are glowing
My thoughts are flowing
Maybe she knows
Maybe she will accept the rose
Maybe, that's why she's praying
While he's surveying
Art thought-provoking
With beautiful stroking
Turns my mind
Leaving me in a bind.
We broke.
We broke this man.
He needed time—
he needed a hand.
We pushed.
We pushed this man.
Down roads he shouldn’t have gone—
but profit chose the plan.
More expected.
Always more from this man.
Family falling apart—
but work is what makes the man.
Sixty years.
No more birthdays for this man.
A broken family left
with money
instead of their man.
Stress.
Work stress killed this man.
But it’s not illegal.
Just expected.
There are times that it really hits me
that my life has not been what I expected
in some ways, it is the opposite of what I dreamed of
and in others, it is exactly what I dreamed of
I never imagined my precious and precocious younger son would take his own life
or that my grief would be so big and unmanageable that I can't breathe at times
but I did meet and marry my best friend and build a life with him
and we are still married after 32 years
I never thought that my oldest son would be who he is and do what he does
or that I would be so very proud of that person, despite him putting aside the beliefs of his parents
I never thought I would write poems that I would put out there for others to read
and get them published as often as I can
I never thought I would work in a psychiatric hospital
and love it for the most part
I never imagined I would befriend and encourage people
with the same illness my son had and it would encourage me
and keep me going when I want to curl up in a ball and just cry
I never thought life would be so messy and painful
yet, beautiful and joyful at the same time
Her stunned look of surprise
Not knowing whether to laugh or cry
Just letting things play out
Wordku: 5-7-5 words
AP: Honorable Mention 2025
Let the Hope of Glory rise,
Burning bright within our skies.
That which once was dry shall live,
Breathing in the life He'll give.
The keys of change are now in hand,
Don’t leave your dreams in a distant land.
Hopes and vaults from the past release -
For this new season brings strength and peace.
New strength, new joy, now fill the air,
God's mighty move is everywhere.
Here in this land His Glory waves abide,
Swift and wide, they will not hide.
All the world shall see Him send
His Blood gates flowing without end.
Let it pour where need is great,
In body, soul, and spirit’s state.
Chains will break and hearts revive,
Our gifts and dreams will come alive.
Creativity rise in vibrant glow -
The Lord ignites what once lay low.
Now is the time to seek His face,
Engage and feel His heavenly gaze.
Ask Him to train, equip, and guide,
With faith and vision at your side.
Revelation, direction too,
For days ahead, He talks with you.
Listen close, to His gentle voice which is so near,
To reach our expected end, so true and clear.
Lee’s attitude was forever sanguine
optimism swirled out of her
her rosy joy filled stadiums
she expected everyone’s best
we always gave it to her
living up to her ideals
never wanting to disappoint her
a child's kite
lifted by the breeze
as expected
We oft expect of others,
In most given situations,
What we ourselves would do,
For it's our inclination,
To think that we are all the same,
So we think they would do,
The same as we if we should find,
Ourselves in those same shoes.
So when we suspect another,
Of some skullduggery,
Or we look down on someone,
And think debauchery,
Because they made in innocence,
A picturesque remark,
That we perchance misunderstood,
And we decided to embark,
On a mental journey,
To the land of fantasy,
Imagining the things they did,
And we begin romancing,
Evil thoughts within our minds,
That have no ground at all,
Except within our fertile mind,
Where Satan has a ball.
A new son was coming
Millions of people were praising
God for answering their million prayers
He grew up and became useful to communities
Respectful, peaceful and humble
Ruler who was with more love for people.
April 6 2023
By Alfonso Warally Ngengethe
Mussabwa Chris
"The Expected"
The writing was on the wall
the eraser like a sparkler
annihilated every naysayer
words not required
for such a blind date
He da main player
records kept
for reviewing later
(LadyLabyrinth / 2023)
how quickly life can change
suddenly out of options
out of time
AP: Honorable Mention 2025
I have Already past 60
now it pleases me
bow to wisdom
of those who secure
that it will rain
and that will it deliver me
sweet memories from
the one I loved so much...
are memories
from 30 years ago
when in the green years
I threw myself to love !
I am glad to realize
that the rain turns,
even if she does not come together !
I loved her so much;
I pressed softly
on the button of her heart
and stood patiently
for the gate to the Eden to open wide
but a Hell was inside
Expected to breathe and expected to grow.
Expected to love unconditionally on the one way street flow.
Expected to pay homage for the life you’ve been given.
Expected to succeed but never clearly driven.
Expected to rise but demanded to fall.
Expected to think within the box of someone else’s thoughts or not at all.
Expected to produce life so that they can have it all.
Expected to love but never more than the route from the womb.
Expected to obey even with the decisions of fools.
Expected.
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