grandmother's flute

was grandfather's
wrapped in the symmetry
of bone and skin
weighed sinew and muscle
the length of the throw
an angle of stride
that can only be found
in spruce
straight and true
fitted with music
tuned by the wind
carved by the master's
apprentice

the music
weaves magic
through the night air
pulling tears and joy
forth
from nothing
to something
more

tough

tough
not hard
firm
substantial
steady

stance that says
I'm here
I can be moved
but it won't be easy
I can be forced
but at a price
you may win
but it won't be all

I'm not perfect
determined
I'm not unselfish
but compassionate
I'm not the best
but the best that I know how

eyes that have wavered
and held
heart that has trembled
and stayed
spirit that has leaned into the wind
given and taken

only an ordinary woman
just as ordinary as an extraordinary woman
can be

Odds

Odds are
that I'd never know
you had cancer too

Odds are
that I'll pass you
and smile
and you'll do the same
and we'll never know
each other

Odds are
that the woman
who works
at the end of the building
is just another
anonymous
face

but odds are
that odds aren't
and I'm the richer
for knowing

she giggled
he giggled
bunny jumped
nikki whoofed
suddenly
laughter
erupted from
nowhere
sides aching
guffaws softened
the fall
where we lay
exhausted
until it all started up
again