Soak it in

It's your Life!

Soak it in

Like the ground,

Like the river.

Use it up

Like the fire,

Like the tree,

Like the belly.

Pass it by

Like the wind,

Like the night,

Like the falcon.

Hold it close

Like the rock,

Like the mountain,

Like the heart.

I watched the owl watch me

I watched the owl watch me –

I just wanted his picture.

He just wanted to eat my brains,

But we both left, unsatisfied.

Same Side

We’re on the same side of the door,

The same page of the book,

The same mile of the road,

The same turn of the quilt.

The same stir of the cup,

The same bite of the bread,

The same calls to the doc,

The same trips to the bank.

The same cast of the rod,

The same flick of the screen,

The same look at the leaves,

The same climb up the hill.

The same beat of our hearts,

The same walk in the world,

The same Lord of our lives –

We're on the same side.

Plan B

Always good to have a Plan B

for drops from the sky,

for locks on the door,

for traffic, for wind chill, for petty excuses –

for life, as it happens, the certain Plan B.

*Silver (a Haiku)

Purest silver words –

Shiny, solid promises

Spoken by our Lord.

*Psalm 12

Dream

I want the joy of bird calls,

Merry in the morning –

Dewy grass and dawning sun –

Pure, sweet excitement!

I want the hope of farmers

Toiling in the midday –

Turning earth and planting seeds –

Working for the harvest.

I want the peace of pastures

Waiting for the sunset –

Flying bats and fading light –

Healing, restful quiet.

Heiress

I feel like an heiress,

But not because of money –

Things worth more than money,

Like work and dreams and love.

I come from nobility,

Nobility of farmers –

Long days, hard work,

Time spent with family.

Saving money, spending time,

Dreaming of the future –

Dreaming for the next ones,

Dreaming for themselves.

True and simple pleasures,

Loving sacrifice –

Timeless, priceless lessons –

Worthy, noble lives.

The Picture

Fish on the stringer,
Honey in the hive,

Turkey feet in hand –

Smile for the picture.

Banjos, canjos, strumsticks,

Dulcimers from the shop,

Homemade, handmade music –

Smile for the picture.

Skies full of sun,

Skies full of rain,

Pastures full of cattle –

Smile for the picture.

Recliner in the corner,

Swing on the porch,

Seat on the John Deere –

Smile for the picture.

Wife there beside you,

Children and some grand,

Great grandbaby on the way –

Smile for the picture.

Table overflowing,

House bursting, too,

Cake with 82 candles –

Smile for the picture!

(In honor of Daddy's 82nd birthday)

First Tulip (a Haiku)

First tulip of Spring

Surprise!  (and celebration)

Warm wash of color

The Unexpected Counted On

Spring’s first buttercup,

River’s big fish,

Deep snow in April,

Apples on the tree.

Foal in the pasture,

Honey in the hive,

The temporary sweet surprise,

The unexpected counted on.

Circus

I ate a giraffe just now

and a bushy-headed lion,

and even a cute Koala bear

before he knew what hit him.

Elephant, tiger, balancing seal,

two cougars, a garish gorilla,

a circus, for sure, in the ring of my mouth –

Animal Crackers!  Yum!

Pink Lady (a Haiku)

Lovely Pink Lady –

Faithful, beautiful coaster,

Not just any bike.

The Glaring Limited

The road's another world at night,

A land of lights and highlights –

Signs and lines and glimpses,

Never all the picture.

Darkness, shadows, questions,

Tricky sleight of hand –

The harsh, the glaring limited,

Lacking all the detail.

The Rushing Water Calls Me

The rushing water calls me,

(It knows my very name),

All beckoning, bursting force and

Secret, light-laced whispers.

Powerful, peaceful sounds,

Promises proclaimed –

A vocal vow of beauty,

(Outer, Inner, All).

The Moments Noble

The mattress firm,

The quilt warm,

The sleep sound,

The mind easy.

The sun bright,

The pasture green,

The clouds fluffy,

The walk long.

The fish shiny,

The water cool,

The laughter full,

The heart happy.

The flower fresh,

The honey sweet,

The oven hot,

The bread fragrant.

The yarn soft,

The talk fine,

The tea warm,

The book worthy.

The gesture kind,

The manners nice,

The wave friendly,

The smile cheerful.

All, the moments noble.

All, our God gracious.