Always Hope

Much of my life I have been a trouble-maker . . .
even now. Always seeking to "fix things" in  a
world seen as being filled with greed, hatred,
and suffering. It is easy for me to allow external
bitterness and cynicism to wash over me . . . and
I am the one who suffers. I search an anchor to
help my heart and soul be a place of peace and
integrity.

Always, with hope that I can possess compassion
and allow my suffering and anger to melt away.

My Friend the Woodpecker

I told the woodpecker that
     I was in love with you.
I told the woodpecker that
     I was in love with you.

And then
     my woodpecker
            told me
                  what to do.

She said . . .

     Ooo, eee, ooo, ah ah
             pick puck,
            ick a pucka
             puck puck.

     Ooo, eee, ooo, ah ah
           picka pucka
          pooka pooka
             peck peck.

My 75th Birthday Was Yesterday!

        (May be sung to the tune of "76 Trombones")

Two hundred and six
old bones led
the big parade.

With a couple of
patellar knee caps
out in front.

With a hundred and one
wispy-white hairs, still
blowin' in the wind,

who says that
poetry writing
is done !?

So, bring on the pens,
pencils, paper and the
computer pads -
and be sure to
have them
close at hand.

For, here comes another
poem - just
     right-out-of
           the-blue

with words
      heard louder
            than
                 ever before!

A PRAYER AT NELSON MANDELA'S 2013 FUNERAL

Beyond the absence, there is hope.

Beyond the pain, there is healing.

Beyond the brokenness is wholeness.

Beyond the turmoil there is peace.

Beyond the hurting there is heaven.

Beyond the silence, beyond the silence . . .
    God Speaks:
          Be strong, let your heart take courage,
          All you who hope in God. (Psalm 31)

GMC

As a child
my friends and I
had disagreements galore.
Mostly during the long,
hot summer months.
Look at that Good-Made
Chevrolet someone would
holler, as a bright-red pickup
roared past.
(The truck had the letters GMC
boldly emblazoned on
it's engine hood.)

        I knew it stood for
               General Motors Corporation

A Woodland Lesson

I hold, in my cupped hands,
an Ovenbird. I picked it up
from our backyard deck this
morning. I must have collided
with our glass, sliding door . . .
thinking the reflection was an
opportunity to fly into the
clear blue sky. I will keep it
for a while, then bury it in
the perennial, wildflower
garden.






                   A  Woodland Lesson

        An unregal,
                   diminutive creature
                          bearing a subdued,
                                        orange crown -
                          quietly walks along
                                        on forest carpets.

            And,
                   when ready,
                           incessantly
                   calls forth loudly -
                           to whoever
                                 might give heed,


                             Teacher,

                              Teacher, 

                                         Teacher.

MOURNING DOVE

Do I hear a sound to something
           brushing the air overhead?

Could it be a drone?
      No, they keep their distance . . .
                                usually.

This time I hear two!
      Doves stay in twos.

Forever creating feelings.
      Reminders for one to keep a
            subdued presence.

A certain calmness
      for the soul.

And - for how long?
                                  Forever . . .

      Oh, I do,
               
                   do,
             
                       do.
                                               -Dedicated to my
                                                dearest.