Face the World

photo by David Toboni

Age sprightly

Rejuvenate

Flower to bud

again

I’m only one bottle

of wrinkle repair

away

 

Nightly creams

daily potions

tiny jars

solutions

keep my cells

alive

longer

 

Fearing

free radicals

“cosmeceuticals”

botox needles

surgical knives

I drape all

mirrors

Hide under

my bed

 

Derm doctors

what are you doing?

Creating elasticity

for my face?

This is not

a rubber ball

Makeovers

photo by Barbara Toboni. Along the coast near Jenner

In with the new! New ideas, new projects, and for me, makeovers of the old. Just like clearing out a closet, the files in my computer could use some re-organization. I will either throw out words I can no longer make sense of or reuse them in a new way.

Old poems may have new meanings for me now. Or, more importantly, the oldies can be recycled like this poem from a bit of prose I posted in May of 2015.  

Spring Snapshots

The sun’s embrace

triggers shoulders
to unwind

Spotless windows

gleam
of hard work

Hummingbird plays

in the spray
of sprinklers

Dazzling view

orange lilies
pink frilled azaleas

Tabby scratches
in pebbled dust
of vegetable garden  

A whiff of clean

sheets fresh
from the clothesline

Juicy mangoes

creamy avocados
Dreams of sun-soaked islands  

First drive to coast

first sight of sea
and its magnificence

Are you dreaming of spring? I am.

Spring Snapshots

Photo by Barbara Toboni

The sun’s embrace triggering one’s shoulders to unwind

Windows so clean I can’t tell if I am standing inside or outside

Hummingbird playing in the spray of my sprinklers

Dazzling orange lilies and pink frilled azaleas blooming on my back porch

Tabby cat scratching her back in the pebbled dust of the vegetable garden  

A fragrant fusion of rose, lavender, and jasmine while out for a stroll 

The remembered scent of Grandma’s towels washed in Sweetheart Soap
and hung out on a line to dry

Snacking on a ripe, creamy, avocado

Tasting a ripe mango and dreaming of a sunny locale far away

First drive of the season out to the coast along with the first sighting

of the sea and its magnificence


HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

A Mother's Blessing

Jim and Whitney Toboni

A Mother’s Blessing

Jim and Whitney Toboni, August 20, 2014

 

I have no idea how two people know from the moment they meet

that they will always be together
How did I know when I met David that he was the one?
How did Tim and Dawn know when their eyes locked?
I’m just delighted all of us ended up together
because the result is Jim and Whitney, and they are clearly in love

Theirs is a modern fairytale

Even when the two were far apart
Whitney studying in Bakersfield, Jim working in Napa
There was a bond from iphone to iphone
Did you see their adorable notes on facebook?
Tap, tap, tap, “I love ya foreva”
Tap, tap, tap, “In 13 hours I’ll pick you up
from the train station”─ 3 exclamation points, 4 hearts
Tap, tap, tap, kiss, kiss, kiss
Shoot a picture
Share

Intangible ideas

That’s what I believe in
Fate and magic
There is a will that created this event
A spell swirling in a tropic-scented breeze
Intensified by exotic cocktails
And the gaze of a lover’s eyes
 

Love is a powerful emotion

No matter how sappy and sentimental it looks
I will shed tears by the end of this toast
Jim, I’m so happy for you
Whitney, welcome to our family

Today is August 20th, 2014

I offer this toast with my tears as a blessing
Congratulations! I love you both!

 

(My wedding toast at son, Jim's wedding in Mexico.)

The Other Curse Poem



photo by Jaroslaw Pocztarski


 

Hey all you migraine sufferers out there, let's get even!

Migraine:
Because you have plagued me

All of my life

And my mother before me
I wish you to  
Suffer your own migraine

I wish that your meds

Leave you feeling sappy, stupid, and sleepy
Or cause addiction
Better, I wish you to not take pills

But lie in a dark room sick

For days with a barking dog, a screeching child
And teenagers serenading
you with electric guitars and tambourines 

I wish for nausea

to surge through you and vomit nonstop
until you end up
in the emergency room at midnight

And the lights are too bright

Sirens too blaring
And everyone’s turn
is before yours

I wish you to attend parties that serve only

Red wine and aged cheese
And the hostess is insulted because you
Don’t eat and leave early

Migraine, because you have plagued me all my life

It’s your turn now


 Do you ever suffer from migraines? What therapies have you tried?

New Poems Coming Soon

photo by Chelsea Roberson

My poetry class has been interesting. Sheila Bender is a great teacher, I highly recommend if you're looking. It is so easy online. You never have to be embarrassed when you read out loud because no one can see or hear you!

Sheila's prompts have been educational and fun. We are working on Persona poems right now, which I like because you get to say what you want and write through the eyes of someone or something else. There's one assignment and two weeks of class left. I've produced about 5 poems, some need more revising.

I was planning to post one for my birthday tomorrow, but it needs more work, and I'll have more time to fix it next week. I will post it for you to see. If I keep waking up at 4 a.m. with ideas, I might post it sooner!

The way the class works is we turn in two poems a week and one revision. At first, I was thinking this is too much work. Usually, I don't write poetry that fast, but you'd be surprised what help a deadline can be. Especially if you are paying $$ for the class.

I'm in the class with 3 other students and we critique each other's work too, all gals, all terrific poets. Small class, great teacher, win, win! More next week.

First Friday Fling

I recently went to an art show at Main Street Gallery in Lakeport. My friend, Elaine Lewis, the artist who illustrated my book cover for Water Over Time, invited me. She wanted me to bring a few books that I might sell. I was excited to see Elaine’s paintings and be part of the show. After pinning on a name tag and meeting two of the gallery’s organizers and a few of the artists, I sat down at a table to discuss my books. It was a lovely affair with live music and a wine tasting along with goodies to eat. I’m told they host these art and wine parties the first Friday of every month, called First Friday Fling.  

Elaine and I enjoyed hearing the positive feedback for both her paintings and my book cover. Hopefully you will have a chance to visit this gallery. There is something for everyone, watercolors, oils, pastels, pencil drawings, photography, and jewelry. Also on display: turned wood and metal sculpture. Very cool. And don’t forget to admire my books! They will be featured along with Elaine’s art through the month of January.

Elaine, Barbara, and Elaine's art



Many attendees

Celebrating National Poetry Month

After reading a blog post by Laura McHale Holland, I decided to follow her lead and post a poem to celebrate National Poetry Month. She wrote a poem beginning with this writing prompt: "The Day Is..." She offered the prompt to her readers and asked them to leave comments and poems. This recycled poem seems to fit well with that prompt. It also fits this gorgeous, golden, and warm spring day. Check out Laura's lovely poem too. Laura McHale Holland

 

Spring Patio



The Day Is

Golden warm

before the season remembers its pattern

bright laughter sprinkles like freckles

between our words

The drifting drawn lifting tone

of saxophone settles like satin

against our ears

Crowds and cars like colored marbles

spill before us

In unison

golden warm mingle

circle leaves, long hair, skirts

Suspend the season

  

 

Turn a Corner

Dave and Barb March 20, 1982

Turn a corner. That's how quick your life can change. It happened to us 31 years ago.
Happy Anniversary Dave!

 

 

Turn a Corner

I turn a corner

his kitchen full of

laughing friends

Dark-lashed

merry blue eyes

welcome me

the unexpected guest



“I’m here

to see Laura…

your roommate”

awkwardness

explained

his smile

disarming

Laura appears

“Ready to go?”

“You can stay,”

he says

Laura shrugs

I’m not here

to see him

or am I?

 

Poetry as Art

Our Napa County Poet Laureate, Leonore Wilson, is working on a great project with Arts Council of Napa Valley to create broadsides (framed poetry). I am honored to have one of my poems (read below) included in the show! According to Leonore, the broadsides will be touring businesses around Napa. Hope you have a chance to see my poem displayed and can read it along with others in person now appearing at Alexis Bakery and Cafe, 1517 Third St., Napa, CA.

When We Go to Lunch

We shall all wear hats

And long floral skirts in the garden
We’ll sip lavender tea and sparkling wine
And agree to surrender our burdens 

When we go to lunch we shall trust that our hats

Hold most of our secrets within
We’ll eat all our words from silver spoons
And tighten silk bows at our chins

All of our hats shall have a wide brim

To protect the aging of skin
All of our hats shall shadow raised brows   
From the gossip we revel in

When we go to lunch we shall try other hats

Stylish or garish or sweet
When we go to lunch we shall dare all our hats
To flee when we sit down to eat

Barbara with her broadside.

Traffic Jamming

We call them the Wheeler family

Follow their trailer full of wheeled possessions

Toy trucks, bikes, coolers, and tubs

Back into town

 

Usually we whiz right by here

Now we can see everything

Including the wings on a lady bug

A joke, but it’s true

 

Hot pink poppies

In the golden brush

Signs: Step in

Taste our Zin

DINER, Biscuits and Gravy

CLOSED

 

A rusty garden

Of metal sculptures

A real garden

Trucks, tractors stand

In their oxidized frames

Of another generation

 

At the Vineyard Hotel

Swimming pool

Nobody swims

And the little magnolia tree

Blooms big and white

At it’s center

 

Up ahead

White Suburban

Leaves big gap in line

The nerve

Of some people

 

Cherry stands

Make us hunger for dinner

The Boon Fly Café

Has the best sign

OPEN

A Party in Agat



Our Guam bunker still stands after
weathering many typhoons.

1976

Supertyphoon Pamela

tequilla shots and San Miguel Beer

 

Our beachside home

is common

concrete

bunker-like

built to withstand storms

 

I am not

 

We slug drinks

in shuttered rooms

gawk through

our unguarded door

gray with a mad wind

 

Pamela is merciless

the ocean is coming for us

rain pummeling

 

I am afraid

reduced to a mop

wringing my hands

 

The bathroom toilet

a whirlpool

flushing itself

 

Pamela groans

electricity pops

gathering round the radio

rallies us in the dark

 

Oh lovely tropic ranch

mango papaya banana

plumeria and bougainvillea

my typhoon paradise

 

This is no party

Guam is a mess

 

This poem is a sample from a new chapbook project in the works.  

The Labyrinth



This poem is an affirmation of our love and support
for Anne and her excellent health

WALKING THE LABYRINTH

One foot in front of the other

Experiencing and sharing its beauty

Slowing down

Being in touch with Mother Earth

In great company and energy

The earth beneath my feet

Stirs my inner journey

Prayer is such a simple thing

A gift to send to Anne

She is here

Says the wind

As I train my mind to listen

A little bird cocks its head

At last I notice

Looking up from the path to spy

Rocky curves ahead of me

Throws me into fear of failing

Until I see the path knows

Memorial stones inspire

“Live in the now

It is home”

Moving through circles

My destination being center

This uneven trail like life

I go within

Breathe

I am present

The Labyrinth clears

Answers are profound

Meaningful and beautiful

Notice the shadows intertwined

Among friends and the setting sun

By Barbara Toboni and the following contributing members of Napa Meditation Circle: Jacqueline Eigen, Donna DeWeerd, Marlene Gerosa, Jackie Fisher, Jean Cullinane, Sharyn Fuller, Vivienne Brandi, and Jessie McDermott