Joan Zaruba

Joan Zaruba 2d

I wear my past like a cape
Superman’s got nothing on me
now that I’m free

All I’ve overcome
widens my stance
straightens my shoulders
I didn’t die
so I raise my chin up high

Shame, regrets, fear
in bullet-shape
bounce right off
my bullet-proof drape

Finally, I truly mean it
when I say, ‘I’m fine’
for I wear it like a cape,
this past of mine

© 2025 Joan Zaruba. All rights reserved.

Can anyone relate to this poem?

#strongernow #resiliency #recovery #therapyworks #truestory

Joan Zaruba May 20

Sacrament of Daybreak

Morning is my mass,
my holy ritual

burnt edges of toast, the incense
yellow yolk of egg, the communion

Standing on cold kitchen tile,
I begin a confessional assessment
of this new day
I forgive my shortcomings,
nod knowingly at my humanness

With solemnity,
I watch the holy procession
of morning rain
sliding down the kitchen window

This communion wine
is dark, caffeinated
cinnamon, the frankincense,
heaped in large scoops
until breathing in the steam
burns like smoke

Too hot to drink,
I swallow anyway
This wouldn’t be a holy ritual
without a little pain,
some sacrifice
of pleasure

© 2025 Joan Zaruba. All rights reserved.

It has been years since I left behind any ties to organized religion, so I was surprised when my Catholic upbringing insisted on playing a key role in my creative analysis of morning rituals.

#secularsacraments #morningrituals #morningtime #morningcommunion

Joan Zaruba May 19

Beneath Pine Trees

Have you rested
on an old blanket
‘neath the big pine trees
feeling a warm breeze
and the ****** and dips
of the needle-laden ground?

Have you eavesdropped on the birds
as they gossip
woo
brag
calling amongst
the sticky pine needles?

Have you spied on the ants
on their no-nonsense march
or counted wispy clouds
that lazily float by
laying on your back
on a scratchy, faded blanket?

Have you ever marveled
at the wide, wide blue
that’s neither near nor far
feeling time pause
under pointy branches
lost in restful ease
‘neath the big pine trees?

© 2025 Joan Zaruba. All rights reserved.

It was a pleasure to revise this poem I wrote more than 25 years ago. It takes me back to the glorious pine trees that I spent time with during my childhood.

#nature #childhoodmemories #pinetrees #natureheals

Joan Zaruba May 10

Three Lines For A City I Love

Hills, trees, rocks, cold waves
A city wrapped in the wild
Duluth, steel and heart

I spent a few days in Duluth, MN and wanted to challenge myself to capture its essence in a simple three 5/7/5 syllable lines.

#northshore #americanhaiku #truestory

Joan Zaruba May 4

Hello/Goodbye

I need truth & light,
not lies & fights.
Emotional security,
not shame & anxiety.
I need love that’s true.
Sometimes ‘Hello Me’
is pronounced ‘Goodbye You.’

Not every promise is golden.
Sometimes, vows need to be broken.
Leaving was brave,
given how you behaved.
Not every ending is unhappy.
Sometimes ‘Goodbye You’
means ‘Hello Me.’

I’d rather be single
than a married martyr.
I’d rather laugh & mingle
than keep on trying harder.
I need something new.
Sometimes ‘Hello Me’
is pronounced ‘Goodbye You.’

I choose my mental health
over double-income wealth
Wellness over weakness,
happiness over secrets,
freedom over familiarity.
Sometimes ‘Goodbye You’
means ‘Hello Me.’

© 2025 Joan Zaruba. All rights reserved.

I played around with the order of these stanzas a lot before finally settling on this order. I also debated the title. At first I called it "Sometimes" but I worried it weakened the declarations of self-discovery within the poem. Does the flow work for you as a reader? How about the title?

#divorce #rebirth #growth #relationshipchoices #truestory

Joan Zaruba May 2

Drought

These lines came to me this morning while grieving the loss of ex-family. Despite the pain of being misunderstood by those who used to call my daughter and sister, I have no regrets about choosing my wellbeing over martyrdom.

#divorce #loss #life #truestory

Joan Zaruba Apr 29

My Tooth

jagged little tooth
protruding from the roof

of my mouth, unseen
by all but me

inside it hangs
a secret fang

hidden by my smiles
my feminine wiles

reminding me
unbeknownst to you
that I can bite
draw blood
if I need to

Do I need to?

© 2025 Joan Zaruba. All rights reserved.

Inspired by reality, improved by metaphor.

#watchoutshebites #hiddenstrength #kindandfierce #truestory