Here’s my response to Rumi’s poem, The Gesthouse:
So many times have I tried to write my pain away
Perhaps I should not be doing that
Perhaps I should accept the pain
And welcome it into my day as an unforeseen guest
A guest bearing gifts
I don’t as yet understand
December 17th, 2018
It’s OK to be a little crazy, I think
People with crazy ideas do more interesting things
It’s OK to be a little crazy
Being normal is generally not fun!
It’s OK to be a little crazy
Then we don’t take ourselves too seriously
It’s OK to be a little crazy
It’s hard to be comfortable around people
Who feel they are perfect
Or at least want to appear so
It’s OK to be a little crazy
Unconventional, silly, outrageous
And out of the box
And anyway, I don’t have a choice
So, it’s definitely OK to be a little crazy sometimes!
September 21st, 2016
Let me tell you about my driving style
Or lack thereof!
And before I do
I should tell you that some things
Are influenced by genes
So, I can’t take responsibility for everything!
As it turns out
I don’t have my dad’s driving genes
He was what we call a smooth driver
One of those in whose car you can sleep!
In my case smooth can’t be used
I pump the gas pedal instead of keeping it steady
I get distracted very easily
When in conversation with someone
Who is sitting next to me
My mind wonders
And I miss my exit
The other complaint I hear from my kids
Is that I use the mirror too much
They feel putting on lip stick can wait
Flossing can wait
As soon as I put down the visor now
A hand reaches over and puts it back up
My daughter used to keep her hand on the steering wheel
just in case I overestimate my multitasking skillS
Can I change my driving style
I don’t know
Can I pay more attention to the road
Perhaps!
Will I ever drive like my dad or husband
I don’t think so!
My driving style
Or lack thereof
Genetically determined or not
Can perhaps be slightly modified
But it can’t be totally overhauled
Tact? What is that?
Is it a powder
Liquid or gas?
Is it something we eat?
Is it a tool?
I must say
I’m confused!
I guess it’s something
Totally new
That I’ve never heard of
Nor know how to use
And how do you find this thing?
Do you buy it?
Is it expensive?
Do you grow it?
Is it big?
Where can I get it?
You must tell me!
Is it a treasure
That must be found
Do I have to travel
To find the mine?
I know people tell me
I don’t have tact
But then they don’t tell me
how I can get some
I’m tired of the search
I want it now!
Lida Berghuis
October 10th, 2003
Lida Berghuis
October 10th, 2003
Natasha, could you please clean your room
Its been messy for a while
But mom, I dont need to
I like my room messy right now!
Tidiness is over rated
I can still find all the things I want
My clothes may be on the floor
But I can still find them and put them on
How was school today, Natasha?
I didnt see any hippos in the hall!
What was your favorite class today?
Gym, then recess and then lunch!
Mommy, please dont talk to me
I am thinking right now
Not, I dont want to tell you what Im thinking about
Can you leave me alone for a while?
What a rough morning this is
You need to do your homework at night
Now, you are asking me to help you
But I have other things on my mind
Mommy, you cant complain
For this, you yourself signed up
No one made you have kids
Dont ask for sympathy, right now
Mommy, can you make me lunch
And make me a good sandwich this time
Im tired of bagel and cheese and ham
Could you find something else this time?
My friends bring these amazing things for lunch
And I get the same thing all the time
Could I please have some variety
Why dont you make your own lunch!?
And so it goes
Each day something new
Children will always surprise you!
But Im happy I signed up for this adventure
I wouldnt have it any other way!
Lida Beghuis
January 28th, 2011
Mommy, do you have lipstick on?
Then no kisses
Just a hug!
If you kiss me with those red lips
I will have to wipe off
The lipstick!
Hugs I will give you gladly
But just one kiss
For me
Please!
But mommy
You have lipstick on
I cant walk around
With a lipstick mark!
You are so yummy
Your hugs so sweet
But a kiss on your cheeks
I cant resist!
Ill wipe off the lipstick
I promise
Now can I have
My little kiss?
Lida Berghuis
June 28th, 2004
Darling, what do you think
Of this poem I wrote?
Silence….
I try to read his body language
Carefully
Is that a blank stare?
Is he overwhelmed?
Is he processing what he’s just heard?
So, what do you think?
I ask again
Silence still!
It can’t be that hard
To say I didn’t like it
Or I did
I wait for the verdict patiently
Hoping that over the years
Something has changed
That he has developed an appreciation
Of poetry
The answer comes suddenly
It takes me by surprise
But, I don’t know why
“Darling, you know poetry is not my thing…”
How can poetry not be his thing?
Poetry touches the heart and soul
How can poetry not be his thing?
I don’t get it
I really don’t!
Lida Berghuis
February 28th, 2012
Nicholas has one sock on
One sock off
Its an odd image
But what stands out
Is the he does not mind!
I see him walking down the hall
One sock on
One sock off
I wonder why he doesnt
Take the other sock off
Or put the first sock on!
Asymmetry
Something odd
It catches my eyes
He is so at ease with himself
Walking one sock on
One sock off!
I ask him
What happened to your sock?
He says, Natasha took it off!
And keeps walking
One sock on
One sock off
I keep staring at him
And wonder why
It bothers me so much
That he has only one sock on!
Lida Berghuis
February 23rd, 2004
lida's musings 