Unintended Sandwich

 

Bulk Trash Day

Stealthy dog walkers

Slyly comb precarious 

Piles with keen eyes—   

Or flashlights at night.

Secrecy's part of the game,

Not embarrassment.

Taking or leaving,

We pass things round and around

Like kids trade their toys.

How Precious Is a Good Spouse

Always a best friend.

True respected challenger,

Eventually. 

Trainer in patience.

Sharer of discoveries.

One to encourage.

Trusted counselor.

Reader of needs unspoken,

Giver of smiles.

Fat Raccoon

He would be cuter

If he were a porcupine.

Sly, thieving varmint.

Waddles the parkways

Bulk trash eve—his holiday

Of disappointment.

Mountains of garbage

Inedible. No fish scraps,

Not one rotting treat.

Triptych

 

Christopher

 

Once I sensed

in a vision

the crushing

of precious

herbs and spices.

Thick aroma

of deep mystery— 

velvety, golden,

earthy, compelling.

Ancient, pitying,

present, listening,

singular, healing,

perfect Love.

Curiosity

Wood overwhelms me.

Listen—lines whisper language— 

Messages unheard.

Woodcut

I have an old card

to my Uncle Chris from friends,

an encouragement.

Colored woodcut words,

rough pictures of a chalice

and a lamb, and more...

A prized possession

that reminds me of his faith,

which he shared with me.

Feels Like Spring

 

For Example

Flickering light bulb:

useless, annoying, futile.

My kingdom for Light!

Potassium salt,

like an insipid Christian:

Sorry, that was me.

The Men Are Working

Saw blades a-whirring,

stirring up toasty wood smells

in the barn--(garage).

Clang, bang, thud metal

To stud. Big nails, big hammer,

Big hands, big shoulders.

Glistening faces,

showing pride in their eyebrows,

not grinning like boys.

Nala II

Sprawling in the grass,

little white teeth, fangs exposed--

arching chest, paws up.

Black coat, hot and smooth,

ridiculous huge pink tongue

lolls and flops, delighted.

I'm a child! she laughs,

rubs her back in sandy dirt,

sniffs delicious air.

More Thoughts

 

Clouds II

One cloud vanishes,

Never again to return.

Once, always changing.

All clouds drift away.

None can ever stay the same;

None lasts forever.

A cloud may give hope

Of soft rain that never comes,

Even though we thirst.

Clouds, unrelenting,

Sustain the gray of winter--

Though show what light hid. 

Floating cloud calls me

And laughs. It knows I want to

Climb around in it.

The Mayor II

Out walking my dog,

Saw a man--we've met before,

He didn't know me.

I'd had a haircut.

I didn't know him either--

He had grown a beard.

Fearful of Change

Crossing in the dark,

Nightlights sprinkled everywhere,

Like a Christmas walk.

May Days

 

Clouds

One, like a man's hand.

Small, not insignificant--

Watch, wait patiently.

Look up! I saw it,

As with Elijah's servant,

Like a beard in blue.

Hanging out laundry

Next morning, the sky was full,

Packed with tiny clouds.

Little puffs gathered,

Covering like written words

Or illustration.

Kind of

I kind of know how

It might feel under that tree,

Discouraged by men.

Juniper, fig tree,

Gourd... So this is where we rest,

God hears, cares for us.

Answered Prayer

Yesterday I prayed

And God clearly answered me.

This morning I prayed,

"I am sorry, God.

I don't know how to do things,

Other than fight through.

I'm a fighter, Lord,

Teach me to fight the right way."

I am getting bruised.