Mirror at the Horizon by Pat Grauer

24/05/2026

24/05/2026

SNAKE!

When I arrived in Africa,
I found a seven-foot snake on my bed!
Her eyes were huge and she smiled,
Uh . . . affectionately?

I lay down next to her, cooing.
I named her Serpentina.
She crawled all over the house,
looked out windows,
basked on the piano,
wrapped herself around the neck of my grandson
like uh . . . a boa?

Handknit and stuffed with love,
Serpentina won my heart.
I very much wanted to bring her home,
but she filled half my suitcase.
I sealed her in a vacuum bag
and apologized.
Flattened.
Those eyes looked up in terror.
“I can’t breathe,” they said.

Forty-eight hours later I could release her.
She sprung, joyous, from her prison,
Full-formed, without a customs declaration or visa.

Now there’s a seven-foot snake on my bed!
Serpentina crawls all over the house,
and with that affectionate smile,
hugs my grandchildren at the neck.

23/05/2026

Funeral-crepe clouds
Drape over a surging black sea.
The air is damp with longing,
And electric with potential.
You, suspended between fear and awe,
Feel the ripple at the base of your spine,
the one that accelerates your heart.

Stay. Stay until the fireworks come,
And then run home, so as not to be
split and burnt like kindling.

Stay, for the clouds are but v***r
And the sun always shines.

23/05/2026

Funeral-crepe clouds
Drape over a surging black sea.
The air is damp with longing,
And electric with potential.
You, suspended between fear and awe,
Feel the ripple at the base of your spine,
the one that accelerates your heart.

Stay. Stay until the fireworks come,
And then run home, so as not to be
split and burnt like kindling.

Return, for the clouds are but v***r
And the sun always shines.

22/05/2026

TIME MACHINE

Foolishly, I enter.
I am was will has been would hast be willst will
will am was was ugh milldog ong gurg pluperfect.

Ack!

21/05/2026

Do you like poetry that ranges from the sublime to the ridiculous? If so, here’s a sample from the book “Mirror at the Horizon” that’s definitely at one of those poles! Do you enjoy wordplay too? Share yours with us!

TIME MACHINE

Foolishly, I enter.

I am was will has been would hast be willst will will am was was ugh milldog ong gurg pluperfect.

Ack.

20/05/2026

Carl Sandburg noted that "Poetry is the journal of a sea animal living on land, wanting to fly in the air."

This is our story. At first we listen to the ebb and tide within our mothers' wombs. We are wrenched from that protection, and struggle to find safety and meaning in a turbulent world. As our experience grows by the decade, we, empty, yearn to fly in spiritual manifesation and freedom.

Poetry is the journal of our lives' transformations. It is a diary with no key so we may all write. Please share yours!

19/05/2026

Poetry verbalizes image, and art brings poetry to life visually. Both are steeped in freedom and imagination. This evocative painting is by Charles Nkomo of Zimbabwe, and shows the vibrant flow of energy intermingling sky, water, and shore. It was discovered at Amazwi in Saugatuck, Michigan.

Do you have poetry, photography, music or artwork that expresses life at the horizon? If so, please share!

18/05/2026

Oh, let’s play! What’s a funny surprise that’s happened to you lately?

I’ll share mine. Yesterday i was sitting outside, and on several occasions jumping spiders landed on my head, leaped into my lap, and hid themselves in the folds of my clothing. It was startling, but I stayed put, since I was in a Zoom worship service.

I got curious this morning and researched them, and found that they are intelligent, visionary (eight eyes!), don’t build webs but hunt, and that a lot of human symbolism has been attached to them.

I laughed when I read about the meaning we’ve associated with these extraordinary creatures: intention, action, fulfillment.

I’ll take that as affirmation. I have wanted to publish my poetry for 50 years. I dithered. Ten days ago I couldn’t rest until this work was manifest. And here we are. Just weeks away from a book in my hands!

No matter your age, don’t dither.
No matter your dream, don’t fritter.
You don’t want your best to wither,
Heed this arachnid critter!

So hey, what’s surprised you lately?

The Symbolism and Spiritual Meaning of Jumping Spider often centers on awareness, adaptability, and intentional action.