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Sara Etgen-Baker Poem
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fresh snow
the
multiple
layers
of
silence
Copyright © Sara Etgen-Baker | Year Posted 2024
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Sara Etgen-Baker Poem
“Air becomes wind when it’s agitated.” Lucretius
“Thank you for joining me in the studio today,” Mr. Zephyr.
“Glad to be here, Bob. Thank you for having me.”
“Can you tell the folks in the audience a little bit about yourself?
“Certainly, Bob. I can do that, but I prefer speaking in rhyme, if you don’t mind.”
“A guest that rhymes? That would be mighty fine!”
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“I’m a puff of air through the trees.
I carry stories, old as seas.
In spring’s embrace, I tease
I guard nature’s secrets on the breeze.
I’m a whispering tune, a gentle song,
I’m found in the air; it’s where I belong.
Autumn leaves dance when I’m around
together we make a gentle, rustling sound.
I’m a tender touch, a breath so light,
A flight of calm in a silent night.
I’m a kiss of air, so soft and mild,
I’m wild in my gentleness, a child.
I’m a breeze at dawn, a new day’s birth,
Earth waking up, in grateful mirth.
A gentle start, a placid and peaceful wake,
I offer dalliance to summer days, an idyllic break.
I’m the gale’s roar, a mighty force,
A course of nature, without remorse.
Trees bow in my powerful sweep,
Deep in strength, I take a mighty leap.
I’m the storm’s energy, a raging fury,
A jury of nature, in climatical hurry.
Twisting, turning, a fierce dance,
A chance of power, in storm’s advance.
I’m mountain’s breath, high and clear,
A near touch of heaven, ever so dear.
Sweeping over peaks so high,
A sigh of the earth, a sky nigh.
I’m a sailor’s guide across the vast sea,
Free in my direction, a key.
Sails catching my guiding force,
A course they set with nature’s source.
I’m nighttime whispers upon the air,
Hearing stories told upon a wing and prayer.
Secrets shared with the dark sky,
High in the quiet night, they doth fly.
Suddenly, Mr. Zephyr released a big sigh, sending his breath across the studio with fiery passion. “I guess I should stop now, Bob. Apparently, I’m out of breath.”
“Whew! I can see that, Mr. Zephyr. But one last question for you, if you don’t mind. You’ve piqued my guests’ interest. Should they want to find you and learn more about you, where should they look? A blog or website, perhaps?
“It’s quite simple, you see.
‘Tis easy breezy.
I’m in the moving air.
I’m everywhere.”
Copyright © Sara Etgen-Baker | Year Posted 2024
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Sara Etgen-Baker Poem
Life is not just the passing of the years
but the ripening wisdom of living.
Life is not just a toll taken
but a well of receiving and giving.
Life is not just the people who have come and gone
but the heart’s many faces and forms.
Life is not just the winds of change and chance
but a weathering of stalls and storms.
Life is not just the luck of survival
but the brave conquering of strife.
Life is not just the accumulation of memories
but a gathering of love and life.
Life is not just a series of unharmonized, random events
but faithfully believing life is an orchestrated, melodious song.
Copyright © Sara Etgen-Baker | Year Posted 2024
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Sara Etgen-Baker Poem
When I look into your eyes, I take a journey into your soul discovering that inner being that I love and yearn to know;
When I look into your eyes, I dance with the sparkle that makes me come alive. When your eyes meet mine, they dance together in harmony traveling through our psyches without a disguise and little or no reprise;
When I look into your eyes, we travel the world of dream--to waterfalls gently caressing our bodies and oceans and lands yearning for us to discover and understand;
When I look into your eyes, we soar high into the clouds and land softly on warm beaches, endlessly playing, building sandcastles and whisking the sand between our toes;
When I look into your eyes, we are living in a castle near the mountains; the blue in your eyes reflects the crisp, cool blue sky above as we approach it for the very first time; we open the door and the sparkle in your eyes reflects the purpose and pride of fulfilled hopes, dreams, and desires that you saw and helped us achieve;
When I look into your eyes, we are positive, encouraging, and compassionate to those around us because the security we have in our love allows us to be so without fear or loneliness;
When I look into your eyes, I see the reflection of your love for me and mine for you. We are becoming one in heart, mind, and spirit yet unique and apart at the same time;
When I look into your eyes, I see that God still works miracles every day--for our love is so precious and rare that few can compare;
When I look into your eyes, I see God and his love for you, his precious child, and you are pleasing in his eyes.
When I look into your eyes, I love you. I feel purpose and meaning beyond belief;
When I look into your eyes, I feel soft and tender and will never let you go;
When I look into your eyes, I trust, believe, and understand; I know where you lead I will go--and I am by your side. Although I am not perfect, I will always try....there by your side.
Copyright © Sara Etgen-Baker | Year Posted 2021
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Sara Etgen-Baker Poem
We stand on the edge of a precipice
and most of the time we keep our eyes trained on the horizon where
we can see across
to our loved ones
to moments of joy
happiness
contentment.
Sometimes we lose our energy and our gaze turns downward
into the chasm
of despair
pain and
loneliness.
At those times we have to close our eyes and summon the courage
to go on, to find
the strength within us
to continue and once again lift our eyes
toward hope in the future.
Copyright © Sara Etgen-Baker | Year Posted 2023
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Sara Etgen-Baker Poem
You squealed with six-year old delight as I wriggled from Hilda’s belly.
I was a runt, the first of five pups who, with our eyes closed, all squirmed for lunch at the same.
You screamed with horror as Hilda shoved me away, stepping on my tiny Dachshund tail and breaking it.
You saved me, nursing me with love and feeding me warm milk laced with Karo syrup.
I nestled in your doll’s blanket safe and out of harm’s way knowing you’d always be by my side.
After 14 days I miraculously opened my eyes.
You named me Fritz, a name I rather liked because it means ‘peaceful ruler’ in German.
We grew up together often sitting together on the back porch where I showered you with Doxie kisses.
You indulged me with cookies and snacks from your school knapsack while petting my elongated belly and back.
You nurtured my German heritage, sometimes satisfying my love for sauerkraut and German lager beer.
You taught me German and introduced me to Frieda, the beautiful female Dachshund who lived down the street. Wunderbar! "Ich liebe sie!"
You understood my German ‘wanderlust,’ always finding me but never scolding me when I ventured too far from home.
You confided in me, sharing your deepest thoughts and secrets, occasionally seeking my advice.
Unfortunately I didn’t speak your teenage language. I did my best, though,
Listening intently, tilting my head side-to-side, looking at you with my encouraging eyes, wagging my tail, and barking hoping you’d understand.
For 12 years I peacefully ruled your life, or rather you ruled mine.
When I became old and ill, my days numbered, you stayed by my side like I knew you would.
I miss you and am waiting for you--on the other side.
Written June 4, 2022
Personification Contest Entry
Contest Sponsored by Constance La France
Copyright © Sara Etgen-Baker | Year Posted 2022
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Sara Etgen-Baker Poem
wrinkles and gray hair
aging bones creak and crackle
wisdom in her eyes
Copyright © Sara Etgen-Baker | Year Posted 2023
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Sara Etgen-Baker Poem
When I was a little girl, Granddad and I spent many summer evenings together sipping lemonade and swinging back and forth on his vintage metal porch glider. On one such evening, I sat with him watching the sun sink lower in the Missouri sky.
Then out of nowhere, a mysterious yellow twinkling appeared in the night, quick flickers and crackles of incandescent light moving too fast for the naked eye to see. The soft warm glow of lightning bugs sliced through the darkness, dipping beneath the black walnut trees. I was enchanted, imaging Granddad and I had discovered the lair of a great magician.
“Want to catch some lightning bugs?” he asked, a smile spreading over his face.
“Capture that magic?” My voice quivered with excitement. “Can it be done?”
“Yes!” he said, leaping out of the swing and fetching a Mason jar from his work shed. Using an ice pick, he pierced its lid with tiny holes. He took my hand in his, and together we walked barefoot into the darkness, following the flickering lights. I let go of his hand and ran toward them hoping to capture them, but in my eagerness they escaped. Granddad cupped his hands and lunged.
“Look!” he said, making a peep hole in his hand. With my face pressed against his thumbs, I caught my first close-up glimpse of a firefly.
The jar soon grew full; when Granddad tucked me in that night, he placed it beside my bed. The glow of the lightning bugs mesmerized me; and long after everyone else was asleep, I was still wide awake watching the golden lights flare in the darkness.
Now, so many years later, I’ve forgotten most of the dolls and toys of my childhood. But the night Granddad and I caught lightning bugs and made them into a nightlight is forever imprinted in me. There was so much ordinary magic dancing around Granddad’s backyard.
we stand and stare, awed
watching a field that twinkles
fireflies pulsating
fireflies are special
incandescent messengers
magic in the night
firefly, help me hear
your soft whispers in the night
tell me life's secrets
Copyright © Sara Etgen-Baker | Year Posted 2023
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Sara Etgen-Baker Poem
Even in a rushed day, I find peace between moments.
Moments when two feathers fill me with joy.
Moments when the last rays of the sun gently touch my forehead.
Moments when the morning clouds softly pass overhead.
Moments when the silvery moon quietly ignites my creativity.
Moments when the wind is part of me.
Moments when memories warm my heart and soften my brow.
Moments when unannounced memories arrive like the stray dog that ambled into my life and never left.
Moments when an unexpected visitor crossed my path, leaving behind indelible ink in my heart and soul.
Moments that consumed my heart and mind, like the music from the leaves, birds, wind, rain, sun, and people.
Moments when my husband's silent expression of love calms me.
Moments when time and space disappear allowing me to live effortlessly and creatively.
I am just a poet of a few moments who will one day be gone from this world. Yet, I leave behind words and traces of those beautiful moments for others to read and enjoy.
Copyright © Sara Etgen-Baker | Year Posted 2023
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Sara Etgen-Baker Poem
Just days ago golden grasses waved in the stronger breeze of late summer, a preview of the autumn winds to come. The clover and alfalfa were beginning to bloom, sending a heady scent over the nearby country road and our tiny subdivision just beyond the ridge.
But then the grass became hay--golden and dry--and the strands stirring only when a strong gust accelerated over the newly sawn fields. Today, the baler came and formed the crop into a hundred hay bales or more. Now I gaze across the fields and imagine myself climbing over the five-bar gate and sitting upon one of the bales remembering you and the time we spent together.
I shall miss thy gentle grace,
your soft breezes and tranquil face.
no other season can fill thy place.
you lifted up my spirits with your wonderous blue skies.
you always listened to my silent cries.
you answered me with soft winds and whispering sighs.
you decorated my days with colors galore.
"stay with me a while,” you always implored.
there’s simply no season I do more adore.
you taught me to appreciate the beauty in being enough.
yes, the months between us will be rough.
though I’ll miss you, know I’m no creampuff.
Adieu! Autumn Adieu!
We’ll be together again soon.
Copyright © Sara Etgen-Baker | Year Posted 2023
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