Poet’s Corner: Serenity is Gone

Serenity Is Gone

By Bonnie Marie Playle, Soldotna

Going to a meeting on a July Friday night,

both of us happy, not a care in sight.

My husband on his Fat Boy Harley,

me following, circumstances making me tardy.

In Kenai, where it happened, spirits were dampened.

Serenity is gone.

Red salmon season in Alaska, drivers not watching or paying heed

put accidents up for the asking.

I pulled over for an ambulance,

praying, oh God keep that person safe.

The cops directed traffic,

because an SUV hit a Fat Boy Harley.

My mind is in a whirl, and emotions begin to swirl.

Serenity is gone.

The officer said don’t worry your husband is stable.

Let’s get you off the road while you’re still able.

So many things to do, making calls and plans,

but God saw me through.

Family and friends were by my side,

well wishes and prayers were offered, while a friend and I took a long ride.

I tried to stay strong, but my worry and fear I couldn’t hide.

Serenity is gone.

A body badly bruised, few broken bones and two black eyes.

I’m very thankful and blessed, my husband is alive.

The first month, life was tough,

but then healing started, pain was rough.

Serenity is gone.

The accident gave us a scare, leave the outcome to God, do we dare?

God saw us through, our faith most assuredly brand new.

Where we were hard, we both have softened.

Words aren’t filled with contempt and actions are humble.

Nothing is happenstance, so quit living life in a trance.

We’ve been blessed beyond measure,

relationship with God quite a treasure.

Serenity is restored.

More in Life

These savory dumplings are delicious steamed, boiled, deep fried, or pan fried and are excellent in soups or added to a bowl of ramen. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)
Facing the new year one dumpling at a time

I completed another impossibly huge task this weekend and made hundreds of wontons by hand to serve our large family

”Window to the Soul” by Bryan Olds is displayed as part of “Kinetic” at the Kenai Art Center in Kenai, Alaska, on Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Movement on display

Kenai Art Center’s January show, ‘Kinetic,’ opens Friday

Spencer Linderman was a game biologist for the Alaska Department of Fish & Game in 1975 when he and pilot Robin Johnson crashed while flying a goat survey in a glacial valley near upper Tustumena Lake. Neither man survived. (Photo from a eulogy in the Homer News)
The 2 most deadly years — Part 7

The two most deadly years for people on or near Tustumena Lake were 1965 and 1975

tease
Peppermint patties and a Charlie Brown tree

These icy mints are a nostalgic treat perfect for spreading holiday cheer

File
Minister’s Message: The song of the season

There is another song of the season that the Gospel writer Luke records in the first chapter of his book

Keanu Reeves is Shadow the Hedgehog in “Sonic the Hedgehog 3.” (Promotional photo courtesy Paramount Pictures)
On the Screen: ‘Sonic 3’ brings craft, stakes to colorful kid’s movie

When I was a kid, in the early 2000s, Sonic the Hedgehog was a pretty big deal

Paetyn Wimberly performs “The Christmas That I Know” during the 23rd Annual Christmas Lights and Holiday Nights Skating Recital at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex in Soldotna, Alaska, on Saturday, Dec. 21, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Skating in the park with Santa

The Soldotna Parks and Recreation Department will host another holiday open skate on Tuesday, Dec. 31

AnnMarie Rudstrom, dressed as the Ghost of Christmas Present, reads Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” at The Goods in Soldotna, Alaska, on Thursday, Dec. 19, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Reading of ‘A Christmas Carol’ warms a winter night at The Goods

The full text of the book was read live at the store across two weeks

Nick Varney
Unhinged Alaska: The little tree that could

Each year I receive emails requesting a repeat of a piece I wrote years ago about being away from home on Christmas.

The mouth of Indian Creek in the spring, when the water is shallow and clear. By summertime, it runs faster and is more turbid. The hand and trekking pole at lower left belong to Jim Taylor, who provided this photograph.
The 2 most deadly years — Part 6

The two most deadly years for people on or near Tustumena Lake were 1965 and 1975

tease
Baking family history

This recipe is labeled “banana fudge,” but the result is more like fudgy banana brownies

tease
Off the Shelf: Nutcracker novel sets a darker stage

“The Kingdom of Sweets” is available at the Homer Public Library