Forces: Poems

WORDS OF STRENGTH, PEACE, AND INSPIRATION FOR MILITARY FAMILIES-AND THE PEOPLE WHO LOVE THEM!

Inspired by great works of visual art, writing, and sculpture-as well as small moments observed alongside her home-schooled daughter and beloved dog Seamus-poet and U. S. Marine Corps spouse Lisa Stice explores the invisible forces and frictions at work in our lives.

"Stice is a master of quiet revelation and connection," says the publisher. "Her words illuminate how to find beauty, wonder, calm, and strength in a world that too often feels filled with ugliness and chaos."

For example, in "Woman Holding a Balance," Stice considers the image of Johannes Vermeer's 1664 painting of the same name, revealing the grounded strength within:

behind her:
a healing grace
the salvation of forgiveness
promise and sacrifice

before her:
value weighed
an equal measure
dignity and decorum

within her:
blood of generations
nurturing warmth
a round-cheeked future

And, in "While Daddy's at Training, Our Daughter Asks Questions"

I don't know how to explain 35,000 feet-
all I can say is it's very high-yes, far above
our house and those trees, but no, not beyond
the moon or the stars-and how far are those?
but I don't know how to explain that either.

When will he be back?-so I count the days,
point to them on the calendar-what is it like
in the sky?-I say I know it's cold and difficult
to breathe, but I don't know how to explain
50 below or the partial pressure of oxygen.

She pretends to be an airplane-can I skydive?-
and I say when you are much older, but I don't
know if I'd want her to-she counts backwards
then jumps her couple inches-and my heart
rises before it falls back into place again.