A Home in the Roses, Thorns, and Twigs

grape vines ripped out
from the protective cocoon
by human hands that don’t realize
the secret hidden inside
what they prune
mama gently grabs her baby
In her mouth and climbs through
the briar branches – a tunnel
of sweet roses, thorns, and twigs
and scurries and hurries to
find a new home for her little one
she pauses once as the human looks
at her and softly says, “Hello there!”
in awe and wonder and then she
continues on her journey to make
a new nest for her little rat kit
in the roses, thorns, and twigs
-Karen Molenaar Terrell

A Secret Garden

A Peaceful Singing

I sit on the deck
listening to breeze in trees
peaceful sunset song
-Karen Molenaar Terrell

When You Share

When you share
your rainbow photo –
and I share mine –
we are adding
to what we both perceive –
connecting to the divine.
I share my words
and you share your art
and we bring each other
into a bigger part
of the Whole.
If what we are
is beyond our bodies
and includes everything
we perceive –
then sharing our perceptions
with each other
helps us to conceive
something bigger;
helps us leave
the limits of our own
limited points of view –
helps us see a bigger picture
of what is whole and true.
-Karen Molenaar Terrell

(Rainbow over a barn in Bow, WA. Karen Molenaar Terrell.)

Rainbow Over Padilla Bay. Photo by Karen Molenaar Terrell.

Anything That’s Not Like God Is Not Like Me

Anything that’s not like God
is not like me.
-Karen Molenaar Terrell

Heron at sunset in Skagit County, Washington. Photo by Karen Molenaar Terrell.

Barefoot Morning Walk

barefoot morning walk
dewy grass tickles my toes
new day greeting me

-Karen Molenaar Terrell

Dewy grass. Photo by Karen Molenaar Terrell.


I Float in the Current of Love

I float in the current of Love
carried and buoyed above
all doubts and fears
and pain and tears.
God loves me! – and I feel
the presence and power
of Love unfolding healing
in me. Joy abounds!
I arrive and walk
on holy ground.
– Karen Molenaar Terrell

Playing Like a Child Again

Finding magic within the bounds that life gives us
finding magic in the right here, and the right now –
in the sunlight and the rain, a walk around the ‘hood,
in a baby’s smile and a bird’s song and how
a butterfly flits towards the sun.
Creating adventures in the backyard
when life keeps us from the mountains,
bushwhacking through the overgrown garden,
imagining the birdbath is an Italian fountain.
Playing like a child again – simple, organic, free –
without a need to travel far, or for life to bigger be.
-Karen Molenaar Terrell

Everything I Need in Front of Me

What would it be like
To not be weighed down
With the detritus and memories
Of decades and generations ?
Hats and shoes and awards
Artwork and photos and earrings
Scarves and letters and books?
What if I just traveled like a turtle
With my home on my back
And everything I needed
In front of me?
-Karen Molenaar Terrell

Even If

I guess we have to just
keep plugging away
and be kind,
and be wise,
and be honest,
and do the best we can
every day.
Even if.
Because what’s the alternative,
right?

-Karen Molenaar Terrell

Love Has No Choice

Love has no choice but to love
Truth has no choice but to be true
Life has no choice but to live
I have no choice but to do
the will of my Creator
to express Love
reflect Truth
manifest Life
all we are comes from God
all we can be is what God made us to be –
happy, whole, healthy, and free
-Karen Molenaar Terrell

An alpine butterfly flits among the flowers on Table Mountain. Photo by Karen Molenaar Terrell.