My Love Reaches Across the Country

We've mused about sitting on a porch
Decades from now
Laughing at all our crazy fun
And when it had all begun.

Funny things happen when we get together
And when one is sad--we both are
Our musing of future reflections
Brings us closer, takes us far

Far from whatever frustration
Is wearing on us
But we never imagined
It would happen just
Like this...

You get to come 'home'
Nearer to me
But, Oh what pain and sorrow
Brought it to be

Your source of aggravation
And joy
Over and over you called him
"My little boy..."

Left your arms, your life,... and his
We grieved and screamed...
Why did it have to happen like this?

Many a time I defended his view
Somehow his words just didn't get through
But I knew that you needed to hear him
And I knew that your place was still near him

A happy time was spent
Just hours before he went away
Im sure he didn't want to leave you
But his body said, "I can't stay"

Now we get to be together
Not as close or as often
As you and he
But for us -- you and me

Any time we can share is enough
We take turns
Being funny -- now its time
To be tough.

I spread my arms across this land
And offer my shoulder, and my hand
The distance to my mind is painful
But my heart finds it easy to span

Come...

Gifted Harbinger

The biography of Ludvig von Beethoven depicts him in many contradictory terms. Various historians, musicologists, musicians masters of an array of instruments, chimed in with their view of the man.

He was generous, kind, empathic, tempermental, controlling, a bully, self-centered...I began to think I was watching Roshosmon.

And yet, he believed in God, gave God credit for the beauty and mysteries of this world and perhaps for his own gift.

After he became totally deaf, God had his full and complete attention. The message Beethoven was to set forth, the fanfare for God's Messenger on this planet and inspired him to write the Ninth.

That peice has everything. It is dark, it has pathos, it has brightness, and of course it has joy. But, if you ever find the original lyrics--study them well. It's all about God's desire for mankind to recognize their oneness.

Fire! Fire! Everywhere...hardly time to think!

The season started early with plenty of fuel on hand.
The rains, the heavy, wet snows we had drenched
The rocks, trees, dirt and sand.

Our very short spring (a blessing in disguise)
Brought forth bouquets of wildflowers- a delight to our eyes

Now the fire-bugs abound
Poor, sick brothers
Born that way
I have found
Undetectable by others

First it was luscious fields, mountainsides of loam
Yesterday--it was an occupied home.

Neighbors came to comfort the residents of the abode
Gathering the friends in their arms to help them cope
All was lost inside that house and out
Lost too -- was hope.

All memories of happy times
All life -- the fish -- the dogs
Were in the house, the yard, where they piled the logs.

Fire out...holy water drained from ragged eaves
Carrying ashes to the soggy ground

The scene burned into the core of those looking on
Their hope completely broken
So they couldn't even remember what it used to be

Then something moved, within the smoke
A form emerged slowly!

More than one memory--he carried thousands with him-
A life! From the rubbley, smouldering ashes

Its Buddy! He's alive!- No burns! No gashes!

The old dog that grew up here
Hobbled out of the destruction
Licked his owners hand
And sat without instruction.

His demeanor at the hubbub
That greeted his appearance
Was true to his character
Of kindliness and patience.

Buddy walked through the amorphous wall of smoke
Bringing joy, relief, and yes...previously expired--
Hope.

The very sight of him lifted hearts and spirits
When the embodiment of hope appeared...
Everyone wanted to be near it.

Fires will continue.
There is no reason to doubt.
Vigilance will increase.
Now, we all who live here are scouts.

Buddy will enjoy his remaining days
Being the source of happy memories
That could have died in the haze
Of smoke and flame
Of guilt and blame

But he brought relief, healing
And praise --
After the painful, destructive
Blaze.

Thank you Buddy!
For just being alive!

Identity Crisis -Who Are We--Really?

Those of us with too much time on our hands, may be tempted to reflect on and inspect every aspect of our being. We can get caught up in the miasma of 'me' and mystified by the myth of self. If we are unbalanced to begin with--such a never-ending search does not help. I venture to add--most of us are less than perfectly balanced beings.

When we see this vortex taking over our thoughts and deeds, it is time to get out and mingle. People watch, bird watch, take a hike, a Sunday drive and find someone who needs company to visit with.

Knowing ourselves is only important when faced with critical decisions. The rest of the time we should let ourselves be. If we take ourselves into account each day for a few mintues before going to sleep, so we can improve our actions, reactions and interactions, that is the best way to know who we are. That way we are laying the foundations and building a structure of 'self' that we are in touch with and guiding the growth of.

Pardon the preaching...I am basically talking to my....self.

How Many Ways to Say One Thing

Words from the heart seem to have only one meaning. Truth penetrates all layers of emotional expression. But getting there--for some of us is nearly impossible. The response to those Truths (if memory serves) is a humbling, overwhelming feeling to fall to one's knees or curl up into a fetal ball.
As I search for ways to express those words and attempt to find them, it occurs that the most powerful ones don't belong to me. They come from an outside source--as a lovely surprise--tapping into the hidden recesses of my heart. The keys that open it and cause trapped feelings of love to gush forth, do what overused words can never accomplish.

Feel Me...

Leave your concerns on the floor in a heap.
Bring me unspoken words for my heart to keep.

Take me into your confidence.
Trust that I will never leave.

Hide your eyes if you are not he...
The One I am asking to

Feel
Me.

Touch Me...

I am waiting.