One Fine Poem by Lilija Valis

 

CALIFORNIA DECEMBER 

 

In this cool December

sun following me

down narrow streets

of Spanish houses

squeezed snuggly

into stony gardens

anchoring palms and cacti

and pink winter blooms

 

each abode near the other

closing ranks to keep out

predators patrolling

surrounding neighbourhoods

 

the sky is blue as I shop

at the local market

-- always crowded –

for sweet local Fuji apples,

fat pears that elicit

sighs of contentment,

leeks sweet and silky

               when cooked,

daikon, watermelon radish

and mineral-rich greens,

then up to the fish store

and downtown to the herb shop,

backpack and cloth bags

                       laden with items

to prepare healing meals

 

for my sister

lying  in bed

in the studio shed

in the back yard of the house

of a retired Japanese couple

 

he, with the same ailment

that has knocked out

my sister, so strong-willed

fine in face and motion

dreaming her life up

as she was careening down

 

she listens sadly

to her landlord’s story and

words of encouragement

-- she has her doubts --

once a literature major

forever a critic

 

days I shop and cook

and make contacts –

people we thought would help

do not, so we talk to strangers

 

nights I hold her hand

as fears and the sickness

shake her – we pray –

I encircle her thin body

with love and determination

that she survive, not only

her own chemistry

but the doctors’ drugs

 

yes, they saved her

but now the pills

are cutting her down

 

and we are seeking

martial moves of ancient

knowledge and new discoveries

to help us evade what

the doctors say is inevitable

 

nothing is guaranteed

and everything is mysterious

 

we take courage

from the relentless sun,

a new openness unfolds

in her face, her words soften

 

I take heart from the houses

illuminating the night

as they dress for Christmas:

elaborate displays

of red, green, gold,

blue and silver lights,

swirls of cheer and hope,

telling stories

and singing faith.

Lilija Valis has lived on three continents, in some major cities, including Washington, DC, and San Francisco when there was music in the streets and strangers hugged each other, published in book, literary and e-zine magazines, as well as nine international anthologies, and performed in public libraries, parks, old theatres, pubs, among other places. Asked to step side by COVID until it finishes its performance.