"Saturday in the Swing"

Saturday in the swing    

            serenaded with cicada song     

                        and the chuck-chuck-chuck      

                                    of chiding squirrels    

                                                I float    

                                    aimless—and appreciative    

                                                of quiet moments spent swaying    

My dog calls greeting to our neighbor    

            rolling her Rs like that old Ruffles commercial    

                        she’s a sentry    

                                    sniffing out lizards    

A breeze plays with my writing paper    

            dances the words among the shadows    

                        cast from sun and leaves    

                                    making me dizzy in the Texas heat    

A paw taps my knee   

            accompanied by a whine    

                        I’m abandoned    

                                    for central air    

Moisture collects      

            on the back of my neck    

                        on upper lip      

                                    around my hairline     

                                                behind my knees    

I inhale humidity    

            yet I linger    

                        savoring my Saturday in the swing    

Copyright 2011 Elizabeth Abrams Chapman

 

"Mind Set"

Mind set   

upon happiness   

delighting in summer rain   

a quiet day   

or numbers adding up   

a gooey piece of cheese pizza   

soothing wine   

or a crazy dance of joy   

or following a rainbow   

Mind set   

upon contentment   

a long, lazy nap   

a canopy of green leaves   

or a perfect rose   

starlit nights of lovemaking   

or a song carried on the wind   

the passion of our love   

or a single, simple promise   

Mind set   

Copyright 2012 Elizabeth Abrams Chapman

"Saturday Morning"

            Stretching lazily, I glance at the clock, relishing in the pleasure of the late hour. No alarm jars me awake--just my own internal timer deciding to begin the new day. Shifting my feet, I feel the weight of the dog as she lingers in bed with me. She raises her head, her eyes follow me as I leave the room, but she’s too lazy to follow. I amble into the kitchen, hold the kettle under the faucet for fresh water, and set it on the stove to boil. Dipping my hand into the cookie jar, I pull out a chocolate chip cookie. Smile upon my face, I punch ten seconds onto the microwave because I know it’ll heat the chips to just the right temperature. The cat head bumps my ankle, drawing my attention to the empty water bowl. I run my hand down her sleek body, tip-to-tail, and I do her bidding. By then, the microwave beeps. Warm cookie in hand, I munch as I wait for the water to boil. The Earl Grey and honey line up on the counter once the tea kettle hisses. It only takes a minute to brew the tea deep gold.

            Cup in hand, I meander to the back door and slide it open. The dogs push against my legs as they bound ahead of me, Koi tumbling into Bridget in a fake fight that quickly morphs into a manic chase around the yard and through the bushes. I ignore them as they zip in circles around me for my eyes see only my swing in the tree. I set my mug on the side table as I situate my rump into the seat, shift my weight backwards, and hook my feet through the footrest. The morning coolness lingers under the Live Oak, enticing finches and doves into the tree’s branches. I sit and sip, floating on the moment. Eventually, David saunters out the door and nestles into his own hammock-swing. Our conversation rambles aimlessly from topic to topic. We have the entire day free to do anything—or nothing.

Copyright 2011 Elizabeth Abrams Chapman