Memories of Tomorrow

*A place in my mind where yesterdays memories
lose their will to see the light of another day
No time like the present filled with the thoughts
Which in just a few moments will take their place
Having seen this happen all too often before
And not quite understanding how or why
Those thoughts that will become my future
memories of tomorrow
But that's okay…
Time's not linear anyway…

The spider stopped coming 'round one day
After a rather short-lived affair
It all happened in an innocent way
When he asked me for more spray for his hair.

As I was busy reading a book
I mistakenly grabbed the can of raid
I gave him a squirt, he looked at me with such hurt
And said, "Well played, my love, well played."

Then he slowly turned away from me
And marched stoically out of my sight
I have to admit that I was rather sad
When he didn't come see me that night.

I find it hard to believe that he suspected me
Of having premeditated this plan
He never gave me a chance to explain to him
That in fact I simply grabbed the wrong can.

So another couple of weeks went by
And I got back to my normal routine
Then one fine day, come as it may,
There appeared another spider on my window screen

He came in and sat beside me
Much like the one before
I looked at him, and said, "Oh no! Not again!"
And I got up to head for the door.

He ran after me, screaming "please wait!"
"Please lady, let me explain to you—
The one who came before me was my cousin,
And he wanted you to know his love was true."

I see your discomfort and it saddens me so
I really only wish to be your friend
I promised my cousin I would look after you
And so I shall until the bitter end."

He asked me if I'd like to join him for dinner
And winked at me with three of his seven little eyes
I said "I think that would be interesting, but it really wouldn't work,
Because you don't eat pasta, and I don't eat flies."

Then he motioned to me sayin' watch me now—
He threw his little fuzzy hands up in the air
And as if he heard some music playing on the radio
he began to dance around like he just didn't care!

I watched as he moved to his imaginary beat
And for having eight legs he really danced quite well
So I stood up, and began to feel the rhythm flow
And I danced, and he danced, til upon us morning fell

My spider friend came to visit each night
Before I knew it several weeks had gone by
I found myself really enjoying his companionship
Together we made quite a team, my spider and I.

These ways of this world
And this life as it seems
It gets to be more chaotic by the day

My Mother, she's a strong one
Sometimes it appears as if she
Carries the weight of this world—On her shoulders

Determined to carry on
Even in the face of adversity
I admire the depth of her strength and resolve.

She never really lets it show
But deep down inside I know
She trembles with the fear of uncertainty

Even when things get bad
She keeps moving ahead
In her determination to see the good in the world

I sometimes don't know how she does it
When it seems things are against her
She holds her head up with dignity and pride

So here's to her endless supply of wisdom
And her ageless beauty and grace
To mi Madre'—My undying respect and love.

~ Look Mommy! No Hands! ~*

You came into this world so tiny—So fragile
Indeed broken before you were even fully made
Born twelve weeks too soon and for all appearances sake
Declared dead before being given a chance at life
Doctors speaking at me as they looked right through me
Proclaiming you could never be
They said I should put you in a home and just walk away

But I fought, *and you fought harder— and you showed them
(Look mommy! No hands!)

Then the day came that was never supposed to come
I bundled you up, and took you out to the car, and took you home
I was so frightened I didn't sleep for a week
So terrified that I would wake to find you died in your sleep

But you were a tough one; a warrior really—
(Look Mommy! No hands!)

And every so often through the years, I would glance up
Just in time to hear those four little words that strike terror in the hearts of all moms—
Look Mommy! No Hands!

I should've known after all that you'd fought so hard to get through that you were
Stronger than average, and I should have more faith in you
But when you were all grown, and set out on your own (I grieved tremendously)
Now I'm so proud of you and the man you've become
& your shenanigans no longer shock me—
"Look Mom! No hands!"

As you're running backwards & blind-folded,
over a bed of hot coals,
with rusty scissors,
While drinking from the carton
and leaving the fridge door open…

~Look Mom! No hands!~  

…LOL, son—LOL!    I love you!