Oh, the lure of simple answers
To difficult questions!
I could embrace such explanations
Join a tribe that hypes me up
And assures me that I’m right
But I’ll keep listening
To different voices
Even those that make me cringe
Face uncertainty and confusion
Questioning answers – simple or otherwise.
©2015-2024 Becoming Unstuck, detoutetderien2015.wordpress.com
A Double Haiku
The mother–child bond
Strongest one between beings
So l have been told
I was clothed and fed
By a kind stranger called Mom
Who gave all she could
©2015-2024 Becoming Unstuck, detoutetderien2015.wordpress.com
An influencer
Accused of deceit
Targeted
By envious opponents?
The powers that be
Bent on discrediting
The truths he exposes?
Some followers
Rush to defend him
Shaming his accusers
And other slanderers
Standing by the one they trust
Against their oppressors
On the side of justice?
©2015-2024 Becoming Unstuck, detoutetderien2015.wordpress.com
After multiple conversations with Dad, I now had a list of the major events in his life, from his birth to the present day. It made a good table of contents, but not a compelling biography. For that, I needed to find out about his inner life.
“Dad, what were the happiest times in your life?”
“I don’t usually have emotional highs and lows,” he said, frowning slightly.
Except when you’re angry, I thought.
“What about when you and Mom got married?”
He shrugged. “Yeah, it was a happy day.”
I waited for him to elaborate, but he didn’t.
“What about when I was born?”
His face suddenly relaxed, taking on a gentle, nostalgic expression. I squirmed in my seat.
“You were the most beautiful baby I’d ever seen!”
My breath stopped short. It was the first time he’d ever called me beautiful.
“Of course,” he added, “I was biased.”
His poker face was back; so was mine.
©2015-2024 Becoming Unstuck, detoutetderien2015.wordpress.com
light-hearted banter
a language I barely speak
l need more practice
©2015-2024 Becoming Unstuck, detoutetderien2015.wordpress.com
I love you
I hate you
l thank you
I resent you
We’re blessed
We’re cursed
We’re free
We’re trapped
“I am large, I contain multitudes.” – Walt Whitman
“Given the circle of love and strife, the further we push single-mindedly in one direction, the more we achieve it’s opposite.” – Iain McGilchrist
©2015-2024 Becoming Unstuck, detoutetderien2015.wordpress.com
childhood dusted off
long relinquished but reclaimed
a sequel at last
©2015-2023 Becoming Unstuck, detoutetderien2015.wordpress.com
Thanks to my dear friend, Tre, for hosting this challenge!
Before the pandemic, I wasn’t aware that so many people would miss physical contact with others. How could I not have known something so obvious? By not having thought about it before. I have a bad tendency to scoff at people who are touchy-feely. The difference now is that I catch myself sneering and remind myself to be more compassionate. As a child, I needed physical affection to develop into the adult I am now, and I’m grateful to have received it.
Seeing friends online
Makes you somewhat less lonely
But you yearn for hugs
©2015-2022 Becoming Unstuck, detoutetderien2015.wordpress.com
Inseparable we were
Sharing toys and dreams
Until I had to leave
Now I’m back
And you look for me
Where we used to play
Make-believe
But you saunter past me
Did you imagine
Finding someone else?
©2015-2022 Becoming Unstuck, detoutetderien2015.wordpress.com
No way to ask me first
You gave unto me
What was given unto you
An investment? No, a bet
No way to take it back
(But I won’t pass it on)
©2015-2022 Becoming Unstuck, detoutetderien2015.wordpress.com
Becoming Unstuck 
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