“About the Operation” (author’s note: the following story is an adaptation of a short story by Ernest Hemingway entitled “Hills Like White Elephants.”) They sit quietly together in their house. He has a beer; she has nothing. A look passes from man to woman. “I don’t see why you’re upset baby. You seemed fine […]
Dutifully, Catholics go on the hunt each year for the highly coveted, purple and pink candle ensemble vital to any serious Advent Wreath. I’m eighty-seven percent sure that I buy a replacement set after Christmas in anticipation of the following liturgical season, proudly lauding myself for thinking ahead, taking advantage of the sale price, and […]
Of Prophecy and Pregnancy The whole earth groans Like a swollen mother month [after] month [after] month Calendar pages turning a community of hearts yearning Like a young father Paces in a room, aptly called “Waiting” Our hearts flutter, Anticipating. For this, this is the season where prophecy meets pregnancy meets you meets me. Our […]
In the Flesh Tonight is the night of mystery, Mystery of mysteries; In the silence and dark, Light Leaps down to earth; In virgin womb, the Seed is sown. Woman has become a temple, Glory dwells within; A creature carries the Creator, Enfolding the Eternal; Even angels pause and tremble. The kernel of the Christ, […]
“Heaven” has Different Signs—to Me “Heaven” has different Signs—to me— Sometimes, I think that Noon Is but a symbol of the Place— And when again, at Dawn, A mighty look runs round the World And settles in the Hills— An Awe if it should be like that Upon the Ignorance steals— The Orchard, when the […]
Debt of Honor O Jeremiah, they threw you in a pit, The bull’s eye of derision, the target of their wit, Ridiculous foretellings, stupid fuss and feathers, Envy of prosperity and the power of his betters The era of good feeling will go on and on and on With credit from the bankers and the […]
All Winter Long The trees are white instead of green, And warm soft grass I have not seen All winter long The snows fall white, the winds blow cold, And children skate as I am told All winter long In by the fire old men sit, And by the fire women knit, All winter long […]
A Diamond or a Coal? A diamond or a coal? A diamond, if you please: Who cares about a clumsy coal Beneath the summer trees? A diamond or a coal? A coal, sir, if you please: One comes to care about the coal What time the waters freeze. Christina Rossetti
An Excerpt from “Inspired: the Case Book of Will Day” Winter Light “Six billion dollars, Mr. Day,” her words took eerie flight throughout the empty gallery. It was a Sunday morning and just before dawn. From the first floor of The Old Harbor Gallery, I stood listening and watching beyond the elegant silhouette […]
The Canticle Far off I hear the singing of a thrush So far, in some far place, the deepest hush, There rises up a clear sweet sound of faith, Foolish one, to sing a note so brief Foolish one, no soul is there to hear Except the simple spirit of the deer, The heartless trees […]
Cutthroat: A Friendly Game of Words with Friends The letters mock me As they line up In alphabetical order And challenge me to rearrange them In some semblance Of brilliance To disarm my opponent — Or at least Block that triple Dangling its Promise of a high Score — If I can’t have it She […]
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 […]
Julie (Written for my mother) Long ago and far away A child was born one crisp autumn day Not much is known of this child in those days, Seemingly happy, creative and gay. And then came that time, long before “Women’s Lib” That society said, “To your husband you’ll give.” She put down her cap […]
If You Wake Phantasm, phantasma, phantom Where have you been hiding? Inside November rain Curtain of the autumn Cold and dense and straight That will not cease In the rain within the chest Where the grey heart beats I am the terror in the night Behind the rain that sleeps You were unaware That waiting […]
Goodness and Kindness Follow Them In the trenches The foxholes The front lines Of the war for his sheep Eyes of thunder Scan for dangers His shepherd’s crook At the ready Traveling the lanes Through the dark valleys Along restful waters He rescues the fallen He is there for their births Their growing, Laughs at […]
Unharden My Heart Inspired by Heb 3:8 Unharden my heart Unburden my soul Forgive all my faults O Lord, make me whole! The desert is dry Temptation is near I thirst for my Lord My heart fills with fear. My soul is tarnished By the anger within, Worries abounding And many more sins. Your Presence […]
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 […]
Author Janette Oke’s characters come to life again, in Love’s Christmas Journey. I remember that when I found out that my local library had The Love Comes Softly Series, I quickly began reading all of them. They are wonderful books that provide not only enjoyment, but also present people responding to the ups and downs […]
Quiet Wonder The rocking chair’s gentle embrace Held you and me in its slow pace Suspended, in both time and place. As I, in quiet wonder, said a prayer. We laughed. We played. We sometimes clashed, But always loved — Eternal rhythm of our lives. So I, in quiet wonder, said my prayer. How time […]
I believe what I believe I believe what I believe That when in life I do achieve And rise in state and sight of men The truth I mask and myself deceive. I believe what I believe Knowing deep wherein thoughts conceive That if a thousand falls I make Even then would pardon relieve. I […]
Here Comes the Boom is a very worthwhile film. It could even be seen as a definitive “teachers rock,” “save the school kids” film. Interestingly enough, another teacher/school film was just in theaters, Won’t Back Down, that beats the audience over the head with self-righteous, overbearing clichés (the trailer is just one cliché stitched to […]
We are Going Somewhere. We are on Our Way I look in the rearview mirror My young son is thrilled Adrenaline pumped, anticipation heavy I’ve not told him where we’re going Whether a trip to the grocery store Or fabulous Toy place A drive around the block to home Or off to a friend’s house […]
The Washing Machine I complain about the laundry more than my dirty clothes deserve. It’s a matter of functionality to wash clothes. I mean, it’s not like I’m beating anything against a rock in the blazing sun. I just use some detergent that I bought because it was on sale, or I paid a lot […]
