On Not Freaking Out

Feeling sweet and calm
Letting others own their own
Peace, brother, be well

Wanna Get Away?

There was a load of people one day
who got dropped off by trucks or cars or something
and they inhabited the house in which I was being
for a time.

And during that time, however much I enjoyed
the conversations, I sensed fatigue steal in and curl up,
not in my lap like a cat, but in my brain like a fog.

To become slowly transparent and slip quietly away,
to reside instead with pretend characters in books
or at least on a couch in the semi-darkness
with the sounds at a distance
that would be delightful like morning coffee
wished for since bedtime.

How Siblings Relate

My daughter is keen to annoy

Her brother who's rapt by a toy.

"Your Legos forsake!

For your sister's sake!"

And in bugging she finds her own joy.

Never Gonna Give You Up

Gratitude resides
In everything gone so wrong
And yet before very long
Knowing God abides.

Road Construction

In Iowa east of Sioux City
Is a road that is looking quite gritty.
Where there used to be two,
Another two grew,
And all four lanes are not lookin' pretty.

The Difficulty of Change

When her hypocrisy dawned on her,

So soon after the glory of God’s work,

Everything could have changed.

But then who would she be?

“God works through suffering, no doubt.

I’ll find out.”

Absolute Dreck

Sometimes I'm glad to stay home
Reading a history tome,
But I will admit
I love me some Lit
And even a terrible poem.

A Heartfelt Description of a Prayer

The balding minister lit candles, waiting
To feel the blessed peace of Christ, descending
On a fragile and flawed saint, hoping
For the light to overcome the darkness.

Mary the Mother of Jesus: A Good Friday Sonnet

Oh my son. Oh my son. Oh my son. Oh my beautiful baby boy....

My heart is breaking for you; I'm dying inside; I can't even speak.

I want to die instead of you. But you are so strong; and I am weak.

You are hanging there with nails in your hands. You are in so much pain.

And I can't help but to think of the night you were born... and of the rain
That was falling cool and hard. And of how Joseph was annoyed,

“Surely somebody has some place for a pregnant woman to have her child!”

There was plenty of pain that night. But now it is you, not me, travailing -

Birthing God's promised redemption. It's been a treasure never failing

For me since the angel spoke. But I know that first you must be reviled

...and die. The light has gone out of the sky. This darkness is heavy like lead.

Soon, though you deserve only the very best from us all, you'll be dead.

Oh my son. Oh my son. Oh my son. Oh my beautiful baby boy....

I am dying with you, in front of you. Dear God, my beautiful boy.

Peter: A Good Friday Sonnet

Oh man, why is my mouth so stupidly big?

I failed him. I'm no better than a pig.

To crawl down deep in a hole would be bliss.

But I know that I shouldn't run away.

Didn't I tell myself, “I have to stay”?

But crucifixion? That I'd rather miss.

Oh God, you know how bad I want to flee

Oh God, why did you even fashion me

In my mother's womb? Give me a cold, dark tomb.

I just want to run so far. Don't make me see

Him.... dead. Send me to Ninevah. There's room!

Yeah, send me anywhere at all. Make me pay.

The sin I've committed is heavy like stone.

The best I can do is to sit here and groan.

Pilate: A Good Friday Sonnet

These pompous Jew beggars coming to me before sunrise

As if I was some kind of hit man for hire. Well, surprise!

This Roman isn't too interested in playing that game.

They walk in, filthy and reeking of their food, with proud eyes.

Restraining themselves out of fear, but spitting that one name...

“Jesus: You don't get him dead? You'll be the one who gets blamed.”

Can I ignore them? No, damn it. There's no way to tell

What they might do. They might rebel. But I'd make their lives hell.

Well, here's the thing: I'll see the man and I'll take his measure.

“Bring him unto me, this Jesus. It will be my pleasure.”

I'll ask the questions. I'll make this Jew see the light.

I am Pilate and should be feared,... everyone knows that, right?

“Hello there brave Galilean. What brings you here today?

What, cat got your tongue? Haven't you some begging words to say?

Well?....”

Le Printemps

Chill breeze and warm sun,

Greening, freezing, and hoping,

Spring is in the air.

Three Lines of Eight Syllables

Rain pours down in December.
Sewage rises in my basement.
Bye, bye books in cardboard boxes.