7.2.2017 [soul waiting]
squirrels, bullfrogs, an
owl drops by, savoring
the detritus of deep
suburban life
and quiet. more quiet
than we are used to
with the sound turned
off and the phone out of
range.
brother elswyn sat
for hours considering,
opening, breathing in
his being alive and
a soul.
I can hear the water
lapping nearby, and
chirrup chirrips,
a fluttered peck
as something
moves in for seed.
perhaps I am a soul
too. needing to
sit and let see.
———————-
6.21.2017 [longest day]
longest day of the year
so early that the cat
stomps across our
stomachs mewing
RISE RISE
time for feeding me
but we see it as the step
back towards
sanity.
the days get shorter
from here.
====================
6.20.2017 [wrinkly butts]
we all have wrinkled butts now
sags, lines, cleavages
where we lost weight
after our skin tone
stopped bouncing back
a sign of grace though,
that when our butts
were fat and bulgy
we paid attention
and cared for our
hearts.
so I’ll take it to the
bank, wrinkly butt
and all.
============
6.18.2017 [in abstensia]
I didn’t listen to my
dad, angry ashamed
dismissive
I wanted nothing to
do with him
even at the end
with years the distance
lessens now
aware that maybe
he didn’t know how
nor did I
and maybe just maybe
he was part of why I
changed. and my grown
children talk with me.
thank you dad
in abstensia.
==================
6.12.2017 [weeds]
little green shoots that
don’t belong
in the garden we pluck,
pull, cast them out
not what was planted
chosen, hoped for
just existing because they
were born to do that.
—————————–
5.30.2017
I ran from my dream
frightened and denying
the images of
my mortality
body withering
skinnier each day
the muscles outlined
and my lover aware,
that I thought I would
have more time,
twenty more
plenty enough more.
until I realized that
it was a gift from
the One, a reminder.
that each day
is a one time gift
and the count is
not to be known
before it comes
health, wealth
attempts, workings
will all fall away
in that moment.
so to wake each day
take each day
for what it is
and can be
is a step closer
and further
towards the arc
of my soul, and the One.
================
(with a thank you to St. Benedict)
5.25.2017
the owl swoops
a snake in its talons
at the pond geese
train their goslings
to follow in line
families felons
predators prey
all doing what they must
to live another day.
===================
5.23.2017
heads around the table
some believe
others say not
yet all listening
and wrestling
with God Jesus
each other
and themselves
and all stepping up
to try to be
good guys
like Jesus would’ve
wanted.
————–
5.14.2017
dig lift and turn,
let the dirt fall
from our shovels
into the barrow.
the garden
emerges
from our struggle.
————–
5.13.2017
dogwood petals paper
our path
as well as goose poop
underneath
all of it waste product
but some
more welcome.
—————
PoemsPerDay 