It’s Me

lillian

I like my positive attitude
my hazel-green eyes
my dad’s white-streaked wave in my hair
the Vionic shoes I wear to support my feet
so I can dance when the mood strikes.

I love that I married my best friend
that Face Time allows me to see our son
that our daughter still laughs with us
and our children still think
our thoughts are important.

I love that I’m in my seventh decade
and whenever anyone complains
about growing old,
I always say,
“and aren’t we glad we are!”

In this age of Covid, I am blessed
to be a recluse with the man I love
to walk along the Charles River
to be healthy and safe.
I am humbled by my privilege.

Written for Poetics Tuesday at dVerse, the virtual pub for global poets. Today Sarah asks us to write a self-portrait poem.
Last week , we walked along the Charles and then through Boston’s Public Garden, where this photo is taken. Since we do not own a car and avoid public transportation during this age of Covid, we explore and walk within a perimeter that our feet will take us. Can you tell we’re smiling for this selfie?

52 thoughts on “It’s Me”

  1. sarahsouthwest September 8, 2020 / 3:04 pm

    Oh, Lillian – your poem is full of such joy and vibrancy! You make lockdown sound like fun. I’m glad your children realise how wonderful you are.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • lillian September 8, 2020 / 3:15 pm

      You are too sweet! My daughter calls me a Pollyanna….and I guess I am 😉

      Like

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    • lillian September 8, 2020 / 3:17 pm

      Sarah: your link on Mr Linky goes to an “oops” — with no post. Perhaps delete that one and try to repost?

      Like

      Reply
      • sarahsouthwest September 8, 2020 / 3:38 pm

        I think I scheduled for 8pm EST! The new WordPress format keeps bowling me little googlies. All sorted now.

        Like

  2. Björn Rudberg (brudberg) September 8, 2020 / 3:10 pm

    I think our ability to adopt to the restriction we put on ourselves (or are forced to take)… this time is a lesson for everyone.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • lillian September 8, 2020 / 3:16 pm

      I so agree. Sometimes, depending on circumstances, it’s just harder to find them….but I do believe they are there 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  4. kim881 September 8, 2020 / 3:20 pm

    It’s great that you can find plenty of different walks in your neighbourhood, Lill, and that Boston has so much to offer. I can see the smile in your hazel-green eyes, and very friendly they are too. 😉 I have an image in my head of you dancing along the Charles embankment, like Ginger Rogers, in your Vionic shoes.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  5. msjadeli September 8, 2020 / 4:01 pm

    You chose your dwelling well, Lillian. It’s proven itself time and again. Nice to see a snapshot of you and your hub out and about.

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  6. Ron. September 8, 2020 / 5:02 pm

    Yeah, the company makes all the difference. Wonderfully written, Lillian. I esp liked that you crowed about the glories of Decade #7. It IS the BEST, right? Right?
    So far, so good, thanks to My Beloved Sandra

    Liked by 1 person

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    • lillian September 10, 2020 / 11:19 am

      Oh yes…..loving the 7th decade indeed! 🙂

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      Reply
  7. sanaarizvi September 8, 2020 / 5:04 pm

    Your positive energy is delightfully contagious, Lillian! 😀 Love this 💝💝

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • lillian September 10, 2020 / 11:19 am

      So glad you enjoyed! 🙂

      Like

      Reply
  8. Lucy September 8, 2020 / 5:40 pm

    I love your positivity in this poem, especially. This is such a beautiful poem from beginning to end with all that you list that you are thankful and grateful for. Honestly, I do not see poems like this that much! I think there should be more pieces of writing that look to the brighter side of things (and this, as you might know, is coming from a “brooding” poetry writer–the hypocrisy! Ha). Very visceral expressions delineated in this piece. It’s so heartfelt. ❤ ❤

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • lillian September 10, 2020 / 11:20 am

      So glad you enjoyed it. Lucy! I must say….I am probably 99% a positive person….it keeps me going and smiling 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  9. Nancy Jahnke September 8, 2020 / 6:07 pm

    I know I’m glad we have all entered our seventh decade together!

    Sent from my iPhone

    >

    Liked by 1 person

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    • lillian September 10, 2020 / 11:21 am

      Amen to that! 🙂 And I am so so grateful to be a member of the Hallberg family!!!

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  10. Beverly Crawford September 8, 2020 / 6:37 pm

    And aren’t we all lucky to still enjoy life and our affinity for words, and to still have our wits about us …. mostly! Beautiful poem. It’s wonderful you still have each other. I lost my other half over 40 years ago.

    Liked by 1 person

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    • lillian September 10, 2020 / 11:22 am

      Oh I am so sorry your love is no longer with you. I almost lost my spouse 7 years ago this October….it was a frightening ordeal and I am so glad he is still here. I hope your memories bring you comfort.
      I’m so glad you enjoyed the poem.

      Like

      Reply
  11. Finely Spun September 8, 2020 / 7:26 pm

    If you’re a Pollyana, you’re a pedestrian one. I like the detail of not owning a car. That speaks volumes.

    Liked by 1 person

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  12. robtkistner September 8, 2020 / 7:38 pm

    Aren’t we all more blessed than at times we recall. Love the picture of, I assume, you and your husband.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • lillian September 10, 2020 / 11:24 am

      Thank you, Christine. It is amazing all of the people we get to know, from around the globe, here at dVerse. Each poem, not just these selfies, tell something about the writer. It’s truly a special space!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  14. Helen Dehner September 9, 2020 / 12:22 am

    This is beautiful .. I love your descriptions of family and the world we find ourselves navigating. Love the photo too!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • lillian September 10, 2020 / 11:24 am

      Thank you, Helen! So glad you enjoyed!

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  15. areadingwriter September 9, 2020 / 1:03 am

    Lillian, this is a shining emblem of your vibrant heart. This line: “I love that I married my best friend” almost teared me up. Bless you. ❤

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • lillian September 10, 2020 / 11:30 am

      So glad you enjoyed. I do think, in especially these days, that it’s critical to have a positive attitude.

      Like

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  16. Ingrid September 9, 2020 / 3:17 am

    Your positivity and gratitude shine from the page here! It sounds like you have much to be thankful for, not least a joyful heart and a gift for sharing that joy through your writing.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • lillian September 10, 2020 / 11:28 am

      So so glad I married my best friend! 🙂 And oh yes….attitude is so very important….especially these days.

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  20. rothpoetry September 9, 2020 / 6:13 pm

    Yes, I can see the smile in your eyes! I love the laid back flow you have given us of you and your life with the man you love! That is a real gift! One day at a time is all we have… enjoy it to the max!
    Dwight

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • lillian September 10, 2020 / 11:25 am

      I do believe we need to hang on to the positives! 🙂

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  23. calmkate September 10, 2020 / 6:20 pm

    your eyes are definitely smiling … what a joyful wondrous couple you are! Your children are truly blessed

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  24. adda September 12, 2020 / 5:57 pm

    Amen! We have so much to be grateful for!!!

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