Insights from an Empty Pocket
Penni Livingston
Remembering fondly my lucky locket
watched the moon and the soaring rocket
no little kiddles on the grown up docket
no moon rock in my empty pocket
Oh does life chance to change
as we adventure places strange
experiences teaching at close range
currency in lessons for exchange
Dreadful hard to be so poor
beaten down all the more
no visible means to escape and soar
Then dimly seen a distant door
Focus seals your future fate
Now is favored, head on straight
count on Love’s gracious state
more powerful than human hate
Fear adheres does bitterly bind
to fear’s flame we must not resign
better to commune with a better mind
attaining meaning adeptly refined
As we measure the day’s press
we must make sure to not oppress
the other is here for us to bless
issues observed ours to address
whether away or at your window sill
stressful thoughts will make you ill
stress induced disease can actually kill
best to gain early anti-fragility skill
unbroken by the shucks and jives
when cleared of hell, delight survives
as we expand our gifted lives
engaged and ready made to thrive.
About this POEM: I had a “little kiddle” house and several of the kiddles, Violet, Honeysuckle, Lily, and my favorite, golden brown haired Lucky Locket. I imagine I held her while watching the first moon landing when I was a youngster. This poem came as I thought about what it means to have empty pockets and yet how life unfolds to benefit us if we just wake up. We are not worse for the wear and our pockets do not stay empty as we learn our lessons.
