she

she

as do we all

needed

a place

a room

of her own

a place of peace

of gently flowing stream

a place

she could share

with family/friends

with world citizens

a place to speak

of the minds’ and hearts’

great concerns

a place for tea

for swimming

for picnics

of diversity

for individual

identity

a place

in the woods

a modest wilderness

of quiet

often turned into

grounds of gatherings

for family

for friends

a place

where she

with her considerable

wit and power

convinced others

to join her in

pursuits of justice

works of peace

called

the first lady of the world

and so she was

this woman of

her own mind

who spread her heart

all around the globe

from her place

a dutch colonial cottage

on a creek in new york

she invites us to tea

to play/thrive underneath

her tree of life

to swim in her pool

of healing

to sit in conversation

by her fire

she opens the door

to our dreams

for humanity

the hopes for

our children

grandchildren

her smile is as wide

as the world

come home again

welcome to val-kill

and to the

everlasting life

of eleanor

christie smith stephens

9/22/11