Wisteria The lone purple Violet almost escaped my notice As I tromped along the woodland path. But there she was, Peeping out through the mat of rotted oak and poplar leaves. Tombstones of last year’s Fall, Sheltering this year’s harbinger of Summer. I couldn’t smell her fragrance, For her five tiny petals barely emitted a [...]
Two Mothers, and One More Until she squawked, preened her feathers and skittered away, I didn’t see her, As I jogged around the perimeter of the field On which my children played. I continued running, occassionally turning my head Making sure my little ones were safe And “boo-boo” free. During my second loop around the [...]
“O most Sacred Heart of Jesus, fountain of every blessing, I adore you, I love you….” My baby’s heart stopped beating and I don’t know when. All I know is that on Friday it was fluttering and six days later it was still. One moment: Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh! Then: Beeeeeeeeeeeeeeep…….. My mother’s heart heard [...]
Sanctified Hands Fingers spontaneously unfold, joint by joint Revealing a palm itching to catch: A ray eminating from His Holy Face. A beam of light filling the hole drilled By worldly endeavors. A luminious stream of love flowing Through fingers outstretched, spread apart Attemping to capture infinity In a particular moment in time. Washed clean, [...]
Little Boys and Leaves as Toys (For Luke and Tate) Shrinking Jack o’ Lanterns smile their sunken, crooked smiles At little boys chasing leaves under a cloudy sky. Barefoot, the boys collapse over each other, laughing, As leaves swirl in their tantalizing ritual dance. Across the road and down two houses, Mr Ed rides his [...]
An Early Harvest I hope you and your little winter garden stay safe in this freak fall storm. Have you secured your dented watering cans in the graying wooden shed? The little shed with a patched tin roof. I’ll bet you squeezed the wheelbarrow, Still filled with mulch, Between the push mower and solid, yet [...]
Gold Dust Tonic I think I should feel happy, Because I finally got my way. I can worship my Golden Calf Every night and day. But when I go to milk her On a morning, oh so bright, She somehow turns her head my way, Knowing something’s just not right. For she’s fit for only [...]
Passionate Love: In Memory of C.J. A woman of a thousand smiles and merriment and cheer. Yet infinite tears flow within her heart Unseen Occasionally soaking her pillow Rarely, rarely bathing a friend’s shoulder with the balm of sorrow and love. Heroic Mother, Bravely shouldering the evil of a Moment in Time. Sorrowful Mother drafted [...]
The Gatekeeper Awaits! Open the door of Faith Plunge your praying hands through his wounded chest! O Centurion’s sword! Thank you for a straightened path into his Sacred Heart! Now, pierce his heart with your laser Faith! Beloved One, penetrate his chambers. His heartbeat drowns reason’s fears, transfusing your mind with Truth. Faith illuminates the [...]
First Kiss Shivering, water awaits morning’s first kiss. Mounding, swells reflect dawn’s hopeful glow. Returning, trawlers absorb beams’ warming rays. Longing, shore-bound sojourners anticipate sunrise’s mysterious power. Ah! The first kiss, Love! Lovers glow radiating, radiating… Transfigured: Warmer than a glow More penetrating than a [...]
Holy Face Your hideous face compels me to stare, no gawk, at you As I peruse stalls in Caru-a-ru market. Every week I search out your emotionless countenance Wandering through the crowds. What are you doing here? Can your lopsided eyes see the wares hawked in my direction? Or does your left eye double as [...]
The Star She picked up the zucchini and belted out a ditty About living on a farm and singing a country tune. The girl with the microphone knew about foot long zucchinis and birds that say, “Bawk! Bawk!” as life’s refrain. “Bawk-Bawk! Bawk-Bawk! Bawk-Bawk!” She follows the clucking birds into the woods That invite her [...]
Listening for a Summer Song She peels late June Redhaven peaches on the porch. Juice bursts through tender, fuzzy skin Dripping into the bowl’s hungry mouth. Fruit flies swarm in the sweltering air at the knife’s approach. Another reason to peel outside, in the heat, she muses. She peels and she wonders, Alone but for [...]
Carolina Carolina Blue exists, just not today Today a dusty blue blankets Carolina Carolina wrens still twitter in the woods Woods that welcome those seeking shelter Shelter from the heat or TV TV shows that fail to refresh the senses Senses dulled by overstimulation and heat Heat steaming off porches sprayed with water Water tepid [...]
Miss Kim, For You Miss Kim, Miss Kim my hardy Lilac bush, Fragrant blossoms perfume not my garden this spring. A Southern summer singed your leaves, scorched your roots While acrid smells distracted my senses. Your fragile petals, confetti-like Fluttered to the earth, Butterflies your only lingering audience. Your nectar they miss, this season. The [...]
Behold the Wood of the Cross I am the wood of the cross. A lone, dead cross beam I was chosen to be carried On the scourged back of the Savior of the World Bruising, crushing, burying in the dirt, Once, Twice, Three times The Son of Man Dead wood [...]
Moved by Grace When I was 32 days shy of nine, my parents moved us. Away from the brilliant green waters of Recife Away from Lourdes, who made the spongiest strawberry sponge cake And she could sew aprons and matching dresses too. They moved us away from the vast, tall green stalks of sugarcane fields [...]
Lovers’ Hope! Early spring frost glazes budding Yoshino cherry blossoms. Glittering, glittering in late morning, under a chilly sun. Lovers pause. Mid-afternoon warmth destroys the illusion. Crackling ice tinkles to the ground. Melting, dissolving into the dirt of death. ………….Or life……….. A violent protrusion of crocus greens extrude Soil particles still damp with melted frost. [...]
Walking Trees Superficial sorrow Tears white-washing your sepulchre. Soon, soon enough Dry bones will crumble Into the eternal stone sarcophagus Of a life barely lived. A Walking Tree, bearing no fruit, For, your roots penetrated only The surface of His mantle, Never reaching His core: The consuming fire of love That streams under roots drawing [...]
Living Crib Make a manger of my heart, O Lord! Your skillful carpenter’s hands master Grace’s lathe and plane. Chiseled chips of fallen humanity, flash frustration Fly! Falling upon the soil of my soul, Softening it, creating a bed for beasts of burden to lay. Carve a cradle for yourself, my sweet Baby Savior. The [...]
Animated Pen WRITE the story of your life. Write the STORY of your life. Write the story of YOUR LIFE. Write with crayons gathered off the floor after a long day of Legos, carpools, and snack requests fulfilled. Write on bed sheets changed, and washed, and changed day after wet night, after night. [...]
A Christmas Carole My day is ruined and it’s only ten o’clock! The baby screams and screams! Sick, sad eyes overlook His swollen, drippy nose. The red-faced, screaming baby Refuses Babies, his favorite book. He thrashes out of my attempted cuddles Landing on the floor. I pick him up with intentional gentleness and place Place [...]
A Jubilee Year! You asked: Is Jubilee Duggar’s funeral creepy? Perhaps it’s creepy depending on whether or not it’s your fetus. Is holding the hand of your child creepy? The fact that Jubilee had passed on from Time into Eternity, means she’s a Saint. Is holding the hand of a Saint creepy? But: In a [...]
Wounded Healers Welcome into my wounded-ness please rest awhile! Welcome into the hidden, secret spaces sin burrowed in my soul. Welcome into places Satan’s lies have taken root leaching my self worth. Welcome into my wounded-ness, please anoint me with your healing balm! Anoint my feelings of rejection with acceptance and love. Anoint the pain [...]
