Fire and Ice - summer

Anvil shaped and dark,

it delivered sparks

that flew to earth from the hammered peak

in white and yellow streaks.

Invisible fire radiates

from the forge among the spheres

and 'mid the tumult it creates

a paradox appears -

ice and water thrown to the ground

as if they were soothing tears

bouncing and cleansing as they drop down

a balm among the fears;

only a cloud in turmoil

could release both fire and ice,

like when men seek to quarrel -

everyone pays the price.

Permission - spring

I gave myself permission.

How is that? You may ask.

Someone suggested I see the nurse

so I wrote myself a pass.

*

I gave myself permission -

no one else could push me through,

others may have shown the way

but it was mine to do.

*

I gave myself permission -

only then could I be free;

I discovered after years in prison

that I was holding the key.

*

I gave myself permission -

to be loved by God and men;

now I realize evil's cruel lies

and I won't be fooled again.

Coat of Many Colors - spring

God needs people

who gasp in awe -

who grasp and claw

while looking for the presence,

the Holy essence

of Him, who is All.

They ask and believe

that they'll bask

in what's received

and their Father will give them

that coat of many colors

because He sees inside of them

what was missing in all the others.



Waited - spring

God tossed the sun beneath the earth

where it pretended to hide

but I waited up all night for it

'til it came back on the other side!



Tribute to a mother I know - Mother's Day

There are many things you can do for a child -

like invite them into your home
to eat warm cookies off a baking sheet
and treat them like they're your own.
Though it's already very crowded
you can take them on trips in your family car
or put up with silly, countless sleepovers
'cause that's just who you are.
Making memories (along with your kids)
wasn't very hard
with so many happy, carefree hours
playing baseball in your yard.
And when they're grown you let them know
you still care about them
by asking how they're doing,
every now and then.
So all of this is a tribute
to finally let you know
how much you meant to one child's life
and that's why we love you so.