Shadows of a Pretty River

By Dianne G. Poppert

Dianne Poppert has learned to trust that there is something greater in life—something that encourages unconditional love, illustrates the wonder of God’s grace, and sustains the natural world. In her debut collection of poems, Poppert invites others to join her in witnessing the beauty within every day. Poppert reflects on a wide variety of themes that include the day she discovered where the dragonfly sleeps; the moments she watched magenta light introduce the evening and the sunset splash mysterious artistry across the sky; and the indescribable joy she embraced as her granddaughters entered the world. Through graceful wordplay and vivid imagery, Poppert teaches all of us to look for the good, find the courage to just be, and practice gratitude for the simple gifts that life often brings. Shadows of a Pretty River offers a poignant glimpse into one woman’s life as she leads others down a lyrical path into her heart and soul.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu Publishing Services
• Release date: Mar 21, 2017
• ISBN: 9781483465791

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Poppert

Copyright © 2017 Dianne G. Poppert.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored, or transmitted by any means—whether auditory, graphic, mechanical, or electronic—without written permission of both publisher and author, except in the case of brief excerpts used in critical articles and reviews. Unauthorized reproduction of any part of this work is illegal and is punishable by law.

Identities of people or situations used in the creation of this work were hidden. Any mistakes are my own.

ISBN: 978-1-4834-6580-7 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4834-6579-1 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2017902320

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

Lulu Publishing Services rev. date: 03/03/2017

Contents

The Plot

Raindrops

A Walk in the Park

The Turning of the Page

The Message

It’s Not Me

A Wonder

A Garden Bench

Watchers

Work; Werk; and Wirk

What? What Did You Say?

Singing Purple

Unfinished Song

Eventide

The Green Hat

Door Keep

Catch a Dream

Gloves

Portals

They Danced

Needs

Shards

A Bunch of Orange

Motes

Dreaming Lateness

Hope

Waiting

Wishing

Tiny Dragon

Reginald Cray

Maybe

The Jane

Leaves

Crazy

Because It Is

Measuring Up

Motorcycle through Death Valley

Song Birds

They

The Window

The Violin

Horses

Sins of Youth

The Touch of the Band-Aid

The Abyss

Meanness

Traveling Man

Healing

Winter

This Old World

The Kill

That Olden Flute

This Year I Hope To …

The Ancient

Dizzy on Down

Turning the Corner

Those Cats

The Journey

Geese

Holly Making

Barker

Shame and Gain

Twelve Trees

Ode to Those Shoes

Speeding the Track

Errors Forgiven

Correct Action

The Deep

Abundance

Dreaming Straits

Ancient Mother

Dark Shadows

Disappointment Defeated

The Unborn Girl

Soul Needs

Eyes of a Child

Lumpy

Feathers

Dead Relatives

Alone?

Night-Lights

Droves of Light

Electric Blue

Flickering Flame

Foggy Days

One Like Me

Gratitude

Grounded

Freedom

Guiding Star

The Half Bath

The Boy of the Womb

Candy-Apple Red

He Who Waits

Run

The Girl

Hell Doesn’t Want Me, and Neither Does the Night

Praise

He Brought Roses

Camping with the Girls

Change the Locks!

Hidden Palace

Kindness

Leaving

Loss

Lost on the Sea

Mists

Miracle

Rug Rats

Night Watch

Sacred Hours

One Love

Peach Blossom

Shadows on the Pretty River

Snowflake Dance

Teach

They Said Yes …

The Dharma Wheel

She Who Is Mother

Bright

The Business

Cup Collection

Sixteen Hills

Sacred Heart

Ring of Fire Day

White Heron

The Daddy

That Ole Easter Bunny

This book is

dedicated to my children, Sandy and Richie, who have stuck with me through thick and thin. Also to my grandchildren, who enrich my life with many smiles and oodles of joy. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

The Plot

From the deepest dark

And into the light,

Long have I missed you …

Long have I waited.

Into the third watch—

And yesterday, there you came.

Safe in spite of the storms.

Sound in spite of the floods.

Your tiny form

Fully formed and perfect.

Soft and warm as a newborn should be.

Arriving just a little late,

Forty-one years—but who is counting?

So trusting of me

That you fall asleep in my arms.

And smile.

And I hear your heart beat

For the first time.

Thump—

Thump—

Thump—

Welcome.

Welcome today!

Raindrops

Wandering minstrels are travelling to

The next little stop with a drop or two,

Leaving a message for me and thee.

It is time for a drop from that old tree.

Wispy winds wail as they travel too …

Along with the raindrops,

Falling so few.

We need more drops, the girl, said she.

Looking up at the