Violeta Altmann

Category: Poetry

  • Holding back

    Holding back

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    by

    Violeta
    in , ,

    I have enjoyed the present,the gift of time,the fragrance and the taste of the ProvenceWith butter croissants and ice cream and cheeses We have had a lovely reset and I felt happyI rested my mind while my legs got tired exploring Even my kids who were so well behaved on this tripnoted that I was…

  • Mundane Provence

    Mundane Provence

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    by

    Violeta
    in , ,

    Waking up to a quiet house,Every room full, but still asleep.I step slowly into the sun drenched kitchen,And I make coffee. Legs stretched on the kitchen day bedI sip the coffee and look towards the cypress trees shivering with joyBirds singing, bees dancing.This must be heaven. Women on a retreatHappy. Radiating. This lineup in Provencecould…

  • Reset in Provence

    Reset in Provence

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    by

    Violeta
    in ,

    Postponed joy. Delayed gratificationeventually embracing adventureAnd making buttery memoriesAnd savoring blasting contagious laughter. Livia, the ever generous hostWaiting for us with everything preparedAnticipating every detailAnd spoiling us with stories and croissants There is an intuitive dance in the kitchenWomen, mothers, serving each otherNone waiting to be served. And there is a feast of gratitudeand an…

  • What hurt most

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    by

    Violeta
    in ,

    During my burnoutWas the clear awareness of how ungenerous I becameWith my attentionWith my timeIf I felt that everyone wanted a piece of meI would curl my fingers around the meager resources of sanity and silenceAnd I wound dread any interruption. What hurt most was my greed for restI was not generous anymoreAnd I felt…

  • Words have power

    Words have power

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    by

    Violeta
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    I remembered, I felt how powerful a positive word spoken clearly in my mind can be.When have I stopped doing that? Why? I have lived in a fog. Dense. Sticky with sadness, tiredness. Then after clearing the film of silence off the topI could breath againAnd hearI listened to barely whispered questionsAnd received an answer.Not…

  • lead feet

    lead feet

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    by

    Violeta
    in , ,

    Don’t invite me to go upfrontAnd talkDon’t expect me to say anything brilliant. The well is dryMy mouth is dryMy soul feels dry. I never feared public speakingThere is no sense of terror or panic or embarrassmentBut I have nothing to say these days.Nothing at all. It felt so good to share these with a…

  • Surrounded by takers

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    by

    Violeta
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    When you set yourself up to be a giver.You strive to be a blessing to others, a desirable company,needed and appreciated,And you don’t set some boundariesNot before it’s too late,Not to prove a pointBut to remain engaged and present and fair Lately I don’t feel valuedAs everyone who calls seems to want somethingNeed something. And…

  • The fog has lifted

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    by

    Violeta
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    My own emotionsOut of my control.The emotions are not to be fabricatedBut observed,Processed and embraced.I want to feel brave and kind and generousI want to serve with endless energy But I am a limited human.And that is ok. After a few weeks of unhealthy airThere was a fog of pollutionAnd heavy still airFinally the wind…

  • Pulling a tooth that wasn’t ready

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    by

    Violeta
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    Ivy has a million ideas, daring, dangerous.She tries things even when I tell her not toI explain why notI pleadI set boundariesTo no avail. She sometimes listensMost often she doesn’t Today I couldn’t see where she was when picking her upNadia told me she lost a toothand went to the bathroomThere was blood. She came…

  • Rock-bottom

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    by

    Violeta
    in ,

    We’re slowly sliding into madness, political and international. Trade wars, gun wars, right and wrong are being misinterpreted.  Gambling with lives, just because the rich don’t feel the pinch of poverty and need and loss. But as poor decisions are made, the boat is rocking left to right, a maddening of action and reaction, I…

  • Change of routine

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    by

    Violeta
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    I’ve been too exhausted to plan a rest period. I didn’t know whom to turn to for respite. Home life demands my active involvement in every area. Occasionally I take a step back, but I hold my breath knowing it is only temporary.  I keep going. Like a soldier. Tired to the bone but not…

  • My resting hour

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    by

    Violeta
    in , ,

    A month of finding my balance. A dry grey month. Cold. Sad. Depressing.  I’m so glad February is over. We are a team but so often, every other day, in my quest to serve and provide, I look at my family and wonder if any of it is worth it.  I race to serve to…