Susanne
Bowen
Building Connection & Community
New Poems
Bus Stop
Driving down the road
The sun in my eyes
Feeling a bit irritable
With traffic aside
Then I caught a glimpse
Of a woman torn weary
Waiting for a bus
Three bags in tow
Making note, I turned
Pulling into a
Precision-marked row
I opened my door
And then it came to me
This woman I saw
I’d like to make her day better
To whatever degree
I approached her at a distance
Hello, how are you?
Are you coming or going,
Do you have a moment, please?
I noticed you as I drove by
I thought you might enjoy a rest
From all you do
Would you be my guest?
Across the way, there is a shop
It would be my honor
What do you say?
She looked at me with surprise
And a sparkle in her smile
Are my ears hearing right?
You’re asking me to join you
Bless your heart
Yes, I would
My feet, what a sight
When we entered the shop
I nodded and said
We are together
This is my friend as you see
Then we each took a seat
And waited our turn
To be called back and assigned
Within a few minutes
We would soon learn
They were ready for two
So we settled in our chairs
The technician asked,
How do you do?
A simple polish for me
As for my friend here
Please do as she shares
As our nails were buffed and polished
We exchanged niceties of family and such
How life impacts us all
Being mindful not to trespass
On my guest’s personal space
That she may enjoy as she wishes
And at her own pace
I was soon prompted to pay
Yes, I replied for two
l slipped on my shoes
And slowly moved
Then turning, I smiled
And waved good-by
Thank you for accepting
You have a good day
Rest Assured
I sat upon the bench last night
And watched
My fingers speed across the keys
I thought to myself how can this be?
I practice with such ease
And then a smile came across my face
I knew just then the source
You worked at this and kept the faith
It’s your refuge, your life force
Listen to your heart, that’s where I’ll be
Nurturing you onward, helping you see
You’re never alone
As quiet as it may seem
My love for you runs deep
Without measure, nor degree
I’ve been there when you’ve wept
Uncertain where to go
And walked with you to see you through
When shadows obscured your view
But days are brighter now
Vision, clarity, too
The future is a blank canvas
Let your spirit guide the way
Brunch on Amsterdam
Walking briskly
Down Amsterdam
On Sunday mid-day
He spies the restaurant
I hear good things
What do you say?
We step inside
Have a look around
Can you seat us outside?
It’s an amazing day
Taking our seats
Alongside the street
We soon are greeted
At this idyllic café
My son is my date
My day is complete
On this clear, breezy day
The table is set
Crisp linen, silver too
Life teaming around us
A mosaic of colors
Vibrations and hues
Occasional conversations
Are hard to ignore
We smile and carry on
Mindful of time & chores
Oh if I could just bottle
This moment as it were
To later reflect on
I’d love just a bit more
There is nothing so cherished
Then the time with my child
When I can look in their eyes
See their depth, their style
Memories imprinted
From the past, I explore
Of their triumphs,
And independence
Their happiness
I want nothing more
When Everything Flows
I began the day with energy galore
Writing and editing like never before
I then took a break at the piano, you see
Not only is it a refuge, but it provides therapy
My left hand as it turns out
Is not as nimble as it used to be
Over the years I’ve learned
To rise above, those things that in the past
Brought me down despite love
So I do my exercises to sustain my left hand
And play the piano the best I can
Some days are remarkable
As I look over my shoulder and say
Who is that person gracing the keys?
Captivating others as she plays
I am full of gratitude on those days I fly
Because other days stall
No matter how hard I try
It may start in the evening
When I stay up too late
Pursuing one project or another
To stop mid-through writing, it just seems wrong
But then I realize I’ve missed my window and sigh
For deep sleep will likely be replaced with
A night of toss and turn
My meds have worn off
But it’s too early for the next round
I try and lay calmly
Wishing the tremors would stop
I crave peace
As well as absence of sound
When sleep does arrive
I hold onto it tight
Wishing for nothing more
Then a restful night
To accumulate enough hours
To survive the day
And with the aid of a nap
I hope and pray
As sleep goes, so does my internal clock
I am late on doses
Leading me to struggle as I walk
The feet move slower, the body is no longer still
I must bide my time
Until my brain catches up to my will
By now much of the day has come and gone
I promise myself to do better next time
But life’s idiosyncrasies, they come and go
Leading me to appreciate
Those days
When everything flows.
Victoria
I’ve felt his presence
Over the course of time
Sometimes more pronounced than others
But today it was as clear as the sun doth shine
He chooses different avenues
And people to intervene
He senses commonality
A need, a hope, a common gene
And so it was with Victoria
When she said hello
May I help you find something
Just let me know
With a smile so genuine
It immediately brought me in
And soon, in little time
A trust was built, and so we begin
We exchanged experiences, favorites and more
Acknowledging our meeting
Was not by chance
But instead, was a gift from he
Who heals and restores
Time passed quickly
There was little to spare
We agreed we must continue
At another time
There’s much more to share
We promised to meet
When I return to town
There’s no convincing me
We stand on the most special,
Of common ground
Pietro
An evening like no other
There are no words to describe
The exchange between myself and
My son, the best of my companions
And Pietro, our bartender, our new-found friend
His energy, so positive and engaging
With an awareness of our needs
An energy beyond the three of us
Drew us together in this state of merriment
And goodness, as far as one could see
Perceptive, and a kind soul
And with silent acknowledgment
Created an atmosphere of trust and understanding
Of life in that moment we agreed
“Oh no”, he would say, when I said, “That’s too much”
He continued, and smiled, and said, “But there is more”
As he dropped additional trinkets into my bag
My face lit up and then I went to explore
The kindness and generosity of someone barely known
He made our evening unlike any other
He had ignited new life, and memories we agreed
In offering a toast to the three of us, he remarked
“Oh no, it is you that have made my evening so special”
The energy and the connection between the three of us grew
With one anticipating the needs of another
And the other responding in kind
As on cue
And when two days later
We found ourselves together again
Enjoying wine and conversation
And the opportunity to connect
We agreed,
With the most extraordinary of humankind
12.22.25
Life is precious
We wake in the morning
Pull the sheets over our head
Tired and drowsy
We could’ve gone to bed earlier
instead
The demands we allowed
To accumulate from work
Lead to dissatisfaction and complaining
Like clockwork
So we meet up with friends
At a well-worn pub
Laughing and musing
What’s all of this worth
A couple hours pass and we go our ways
No lessons learned, no insight per se
It really is right in front of our nose
Gratitude for the day, for the earth
For our toes
All it takes
Is unexpected news
That hits from behind
It takes the wind from your sail
Causes your breath to climb
You ask how this can be
All was just well
Take nothing for granted I say to myself
Be positive and helpful
You say day after day
Giving thanks for those inconveniences
That yesterday seemed to prey
Starting the day
A smile on your face
Shoulders back, chest forward
You take your first step out
Once lacking perspective
Life comes into view
Insight becomes more frequent
You embrace the old
And take in the new.
Truth Within
In the dark of the night
During the rise of the morning sun
In the quiet of nature
That’s where truth can be found
The questions have settled
The commentary, hushed
I am left with my oneness
And gut-felt trust
I’ve been through this process
Where I must find my way through
A puzzle to strategize
To navigate, to test too
I’ve done it before
Where there’s a will there’s a way
I list the possibilities, the pitfalls
What could get in my way
I know myself better
Than all others combined
And while their intent is real
My heart knows my mind.
Grateful for what is
It’s Sunday morning
And the sun is shining through
My son is resting at his home
My daughter and her family are away
And then a dear friend I soon learn
Is in great need
And so I pray
I distract myself with music
Rise above the ripples that run through
For soon they will fade into the background
When the gift of time renews
It is then I will write, or garden, or give a lending hand
To those who need assistance
I will help them as I can
Those activities are best carried out
When the ripples relax
And I can confidently go about my day
For soon enough, they will return
They’ll be back for a little stay
Free of restraints, physical and other
I dance to the music, and run my fingers through the soil
I then write a poem, and reluctantly complete a chore
Accepting of my routine
That with hesitation I’ve come to know
When viewed from a positive mindset
There is an emboldened glow.
SJ Bowen, 03.04.25
Making sense of it all
The café bustles
Traffic to and through
Children waving their pastries
Their parents managing the flow
Servers delivering orders
As a businessman takes in the view
Questioning whether he should quickly
Pivot and jump the queue
And I looking for inspiration
A spark to ignite many a thought
That I will weave into
A story, a cadence
A challenge fought
A dinner, an event, or laughter
Of significance, or the mundane
All having value and merit
All that rises and wanes
The sun shines outside
The rain having finally stopped
Pedestrian traffic picks up its clip
A dry morning with the usual drill
One must sail one’s ship
A well of ideas vie for attention
The stories I will tell
In the coming days
Some will lend support
Lend Insight to others
And to me a breath of relief
And comfort
As I share
what I’ve contained.
Friends through the years
You’re a bright star from my past
He said as we had hung up the phone
Having recounted memories of times together
And alone
It seems time passes so quickly
We agreed in an instant
While we shared our gratitude
For all – no matter how close or distant
The years have passed, a friendly connection remains
Built on experiences and respect
For all we have done – our losses our gains
And so it goes, every year or few
Either picks up the phone and asks
Hello, how do you do?
Always welcomed, enthusiastically so
Conversation picks up speed to ensure
We address each item, dated or new
Comfortable and familiar
No beat skipped, drawing deep from our soul
It could’ve been yesterday, so familiar, so quick
We converse, shared our dreams and goals
Events recounted, some embellished
Some authentic, some time-worn
All true
Target: Parkinson’s
journey for truth
I’ve traveled far and wide
Researched and reviewed
Challenged and engaged
In lively conversation too
I’m different I say
They smile and nod
Then I’m labeled as others
Be on your way
Can they not entertain
Nor understand
Subtle differences exist
That may pertain
And while not proven
One should not outright
Exclude them
And then one day, I stumble upon
An alternative perspective
Not yet common
Through years of study
Laboratory and books
A new paradigm emerges
A new outlook
The time has come for a new approach
Change is possible, its true
Not all is broke
With science as a foundation
Advances are made
Lives are improved
Where others mistook
The day arrives
When we meet face-to-face
A glowing countenance before me
Exuding calm and grace
We review the numbers
and then the charts
I find you unique
When did this first start?
The findings we review
Never assessed before
But caught in time now
Before problems set in
I know not how
Life now has new meaning
Relevance and depth
A lightness of being
A renewal of breathe
my spirit dances
My spirit’s alight
The piano plays
I explore, its freeing
What can I do?
Where will I go?
Will it be familiar
Or somewhere unknown
In life we must manage
The antagonist, uncertainty
It’s not always easy
But the alternative
It’s not palatable, for you nor me
So raise up, take a step
The next step is easier yet
Soon you’re on your path
The path that sets you free…
Free of constraints
That say, no, you can’t
That hold you back
When you have roads to travel
And flowers to plant
Chest out, nose in the air
Will and determination take ahold
And with a prayer…
Life plays out
Unpredictable that’s true
As it will be
Diverse as humanity
Deep as the sea
So peer, explore
et your being take flight
Let it explore new avenues
Reach new heights
Grace
When life goes sideways
Distractions are many
You think of home
Where friends and family
Extend a hand
And wink, please join us
Just as you can
The mood is easy
You laugh and applaud
Of feats and accomplishments
Otherwise, awed
No calculation for return
Grace leads the way
Its simple, uncomplicated
Live for the day
A lightness of being
Is felt through the space
Genuine and caring
No motive or race
The world can be rough
So to have such friendship,
Family, and grace
Is a gift beyond all others
In time and place
In the circle of life
Giving back to others with care
Is an understanding, a regard
Of all we can share
To lighten a load
And brighten a path
A simple routine
A heartfelt task
We rejoice in the gestures
Of those we unexpectedly meet
They address you by name
There’s a reason you meet
She lends a hand
You acknowledge her smile
Its Grace that binds
All the while
Hope
It’s when long days
Have a moment
Of unexpected joy
That cause you to pause, reflect
A smile unfolds
And your determination
To never give up
You believe, might just be
A turning of the tide
The opening you seek
For the yoke is heavy
And the question becomes
Will this stress resolve
If I pray harder, give more
Will this puzzle,
Be solved?
One’s burden may be silent
Or present for all to see
No matter, life hurries around us
As we carry on to be
Hope may present as a kind gesture
Or independence, and free
Regardless, a guiding light, a beacon
Through the shadow of night
We see
A landscape, a future
Of all that we can be
