Leaf

Leaf
11/21/14

The leaf, it fell, withered, died;
was blown away by the wind.
Not enough time, not enough spring
to bring it back again.
Its hues of fire, red and gold
no longer flicker and singe.
Years of long and lonesome winter
have stolen the life within.

You, Always

You, Always

9/22/13

Be still, my child

Listen, stop

Pause in this tender stillness. 

Let go of that grip

Release, give 

Surrender to my perfect plan. 

I am with you always

You, always

Take hold of my hand once more. 

Let me write your story

My story

And walk with me freely, forever. 

Common Thread

Common Thread
6/5/13

I look up to the sky,
waiting for words,
waiting for whispers of hope.
My heart is worn,
raging and weeping,
aged with worry and fear.
Yet I look around,
and pain I see;
we're all in a struggle of sorts.
Life's load is dense,
and tears are the common thread
weaving together our heavy hearts.
But onward we march,
and upward we look;
hand in hand we'll fight the fight.
Our stories aren't over,
there's much more to tell;
great joy awaits the victor.

Long is the Path

Long is the Path
5/11/13

Long is the path that I must take
that winds beyond the crystal lake,
where willows rest and sunshine stays,
and lilies sway and buds awake.

Weathered and true is this worn way
where toil and death at its feet lay.
Though painful is the journey's call,
wise is the one who strives to stay.

Beyond the path, suffering falls
and rich are the rewards to all,
and life lasts as the vine grows tall,
and life lasts as the vine grows tall.

Morning Mist

Morning Mist
5/11/13

The morning mist lies thick and full
and night lingers on leaves.
The dense air is crisp and cool
as fog ushers in mystery.

The old hickory is lost and hidden;
its branches barely breathe.
Clarity is clearly forbidden,
as the cloud covering slowly seethes.

Yet the sparrow sees what is veiled
and soars through the depths, dense and dark.
Time ticks, and mere mystery fails
to foster fear or make its mark.

When You Cried with Me

When You Cried with Me
5/6/13

I felt it in the wind today
and deep in my somber soul.
I felt it when the clouds collided and tore the sky apart.
I heard it when the thunder roared
and the livid lightning crashed.
I heard it when the searing sky matched my heavy heart.

I saw it when the once still sky
grew dim, dark, distressed.
I saw it when the sleeping streets flooded like my tears.
I touched it when the storms of heaven
came quickly crashing down.
I touched it when the earth was shaken, along with my faith and fears.

I listened to it when the whistling wind
wailed and howled all night.
I listened to it in the patters of pain on roofs across the city.
I knew it when the branches broke
and dreams were ripped away.
I knew it from your piercing pain and when you cried with me.

As Sure as the Sky is Blue

As Sure as the Sky is Blue
5/4/13

As sure as the sky is blue,
and the clouds travel by,
and the child wonders why,
as sure as the morning dew,

As certain as night is dim,
and tides return to shore,
and lovers lust for more,
as certain as death is grim,

As clear as the newborn's cry,
and the bond of a friend,
and the whisper of wind,
as clear as the desert dry,

As sure as the seed sprouts through,
and the rainbow reminds,
and we lose track of time,
is how sure that I love you.

Seed

Seed
5/4/13

Down in the garden where seeds are sown,
a life is waiting to sprout
upward toward heaven to shout,
"Here am I! From dust and dirt I've grown.
I've become this rare intricate bloom,
tender and tarried and true
with petals of every hue
ready and released to be consumed."
Water, sun, and soil prepare this seed
with thoughtful, faithful caress
to prepare it for life's test.
For soon time will declare, "The journey
has indeed commenced this very hour."
Oh seed, your life begins today.
You humbly debut and say,
"I'm here but not by my own power."

Home

Home
5/2/13

When my heart is heavy,
and my soul is dry,
and my feet can't take another step;
I venture back to the place I know,
the place my roots run deep.
Winding worn paths and fresh green pasture;
my spirit settles and sighs.
Open blue skies painted with puffs of white;
this is my song, my chorus.
Windows rolled down, the brushing breeze soothes
my oh so weary soul.
Embraced by grace and lavished with love,
I've found my way back home.

We're All a Little Broken Inside

We're All a Little Broken Inside
5/1/13

Weeping willows weep,
and rivers do run dry.
Mountains wear and crumble,
while forests fade by fire.
Emperors lose their grip as
the dynasty's dominion falls.
Mortals breathe their last
for their bodies can't bear it all.
Yet we're perfect in our imperfections;
it's in the scars that we unite.
Pride, age, fate, or sorrow;
we're all a little broken inside.

Tiny Tree

Tiny Tree
4/23/13

Tiny tree,
so thin and slender,
you're but one among millions.
Yet your trunk is strong,
deeply rooted,
never to be shaken.
When storms arrive
and threaten to destroy,
your foundation is firm, unwavering.
Although you sink
in the shadows of others
barely visible,
your leaves are life,
your fruit is fresh,
your colors so captivating.
Tiny tree,
so thin and slender,
you're but one in a million.

Before the Town Awakes

Before the Town Awakes
4/23/13

All is still, no stirring yet;
the moon is taking a bow.
The night owl hoots while the rooster prepares
to announce a brand new hour.
Birds awaken and chatter with cheer;
a new day has begun.
Night is over; silence is met
by the voice of the rising sun.
Darkness fades and floats away
carrying yesterday's mistakes.
Light comes forth birthing forgiveness and hope,
all before the town awakes.