Mask of Calm by Kristi Jones

Quionie Gaban

Mask of Calm 

Walking from the gate to the jetway
to the airplane

I put on a mask of calm

Arranging my face to look normal

Trying to look serene

Aiming to fit in with others

Hiding my fear of flying

Behind my mask of calm

I am anything but calm, cool, collected

Adrenaline spikes and fears surface

Fear that the pilot might make a mistake

Fear that the plane might malfunction

Fear that the plane might crash

Calming medication and deep breathing

Soothing mantras and distraction items

Fears still surface

I wonder about other passengers

If any of them wear masks of calm Hiding their fear of flying

© Kristi Jones

Enjoy more posts by Kristi Jones HERE.

Kristi Jones

Kristi Jones is a poet from Madison, Wisconsin. She loves spending time outdoors, whether tending her community garden plot or hiking local trails.  Kristi’s poetry has been published in The Tiny Seed and UAMS Medicine and Meaning.  She holds a BA from St Olaf College.  

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Gardening in Community by Kristi Jones

 

RDNE Stock project

Gardening in Community

A patchwork of garden plots, divided by chicken wire fences

Tomato cages and bean trellises sprout up from the soil

In spring, the gardens boast neat rows of pale green lettuce

In summer huge, prolific zucchini plants abound

In fall, unruly squash vines take over garden plots

Every gardener plants uniquely different crops

Some people grow Big Boy tomatoes and bush beans

Others nurture long Asian squash from their homeland

Microbes flourish in a communal compost pile nearby

Happy pollinators buzz and flit everywhere

Community gardens make space for those without yard space

Sunny, chemical-free space for growing food and flowers

Sacred, holy, joyful space 

Space that welcomes novice gardeners and skilled green thumbs alike Space filled with hope for thriving plants and abundant harvest 

© Kristi Jones

Enjoy more posts by Kristi Jones HERE.

Kristi Jones

Kristi Jones is a poet from Madison, Wisconsin. She loves spending time outdoors, whether tending her community garden plot or hiking local trails.  Kristi’s poetry has been published in The Tiny Seed and UAMS Medicine and Meaning.  She holds a BA from St Olaf College.  

Follow Feed the Holy