I like to write with brightly coloured pens

I like to write with

brightly coloured pens

on days like this

when the Universe

smiles in simple ways

when a curly-haired boy

plays the saxophone

and hums under his breath

driving me crazy

in an endearing way

or my honey-eyed daughter

rests on my shoulder

several heads shorter than hers

before running off to catch

one more diamond-bright dream

or a behind-the-scenes team

pulls together

to find answers to questions

and the hope of hugging my sister everyday

actually seems possible

when an almost-forgotten L@S grant

comes through, unexpected

making me whoop in delight

that my students will have what they need

although I have no Godfather anywhere

high above the clouds

the sun continues to shine

somewhere in the world, all day

I remember this universal truth

as I continue to write with

brightly coloured pens.

(c) 14th April 2011