I’ve been a parent for a long time now, and I have heard many, many parents — in real life, in print, and on television — talk about their ultimate hopes for their children: “I just want my child to be happy.” “I want my child to be successful.” “I want my child to have […]
Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4 Prose Introduction to My Poem, Constantine’s Flight to Constantius Diocletian had been governing the Roman Empire since 284, eventually establishing his headquarters at Nicomedia in western Asia Minor. Nine years into his reign, Diocletian set up the First Tetrarchy (293-305), dividing the Empire into four huge […]
Upon a Gloomy Night Dark Night of the Soul I Upon a gloomy night, All cares thrown to love (Oh delightful adventure!) With nobody in sight I went about when all my house was hushed In safety, unseen, I crept up the secret stair (Oh happy undertaking!) Hidden from all other eyes When in my […]
Consider the Lilies of the Field Flowers preach to us if we will hear:– The rose saith in the dewy morn: I am most fair; Yet all my loveliness is born Upon a thorn. The poppy saith amid the corn: Let but my scarlet head appear And I am held in scorn; Yet juice of […]
Jewel – a romance [an excerpt from the book] Chapter One “This is all?” Carter Paxton, technology entrepreneur, frowned at the thin stack of printouts. “Yes, sir.” Kevin Johnston, able-bodied assistant, straightened his shoulders and waited. He knew from experience not to bother explaining until his boss asked. The two men were alike in […]
When our church had its annual fiesta, we stopped by and wandered over to the live entertainment. It was a cowboy with a long mustache and in full get-up doing rope tricks. At one point he asked for a volunteer and chose a boy. My seven-year-old daughter said to me, “I want to go up there.” […]
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 […]
Memorial O dragon, dragon, what tower do you build? A tower built in Babylon at which the worm is skilled, Skulls are of the walls of it, mortar made of bone, Who can know the plan of it? Only I alone War and hunger are my slaves, fire is my heart With which to melt […]
As Kingfishers Catch Fire As king fishers catch fire, dragonflies draw flame; As tumbled over rim in roundy wells Stones ring; like each tucked string tells, each hung bell’s Bow swung finds tongue to fling out broad its name; Each mortal thing does one thing and the same: Deals out that being indoors each one […]
The Wind at My Back I look for a path in the new fallen snow For it is night and not wise to travel Where am I going? I want to know As the wind at my back does show me It howls in the night like a wolf at the moon As it rushes […]
A Dead Astronomer (Father Perry, S.J.) Starry amorist, starward gone, Thou art–what thou didst gaze upon! Passed through thy golden garden’s bars, Thou seest the Gardener of the Stars. She, about whose moon-ed brows Seven stars make seven glows, Seven lights for seven woes; She, like thine own Galaxy, All lustres in one purity:- What […]
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 […]
We had two cubic yards of dirt delivered and dumped next to our driveway. I immediately got to work with a shovel and wheelbarrow, transporting the dirt all the way around to the side of the house where I needed it. It was a hot day and tiring work. My seven and five-year-old daughters were […]
After Shots sonnet broken by real tragedy in the theater Again and again, we shoot strong words of blame, shaming God alone when things go wrong that we have done with little thought of our free will to pray for this sad day to be redeemed of sorrow, fears, and ills that seem unceasing. Yet […]
Gentle Tapping Inspired by 1Kings19:11-13, Mt 26:44 I heard a gentle tapping But maybe I was wrong. Soon I was distracted By a melancholy song. I felt a gentle breeze Mild, warm and meek. But I chose to ignore it And turned the other cheek. I saw a gentle smile On a stranger whom I […]
Times Go By Turns The lopped tree in time may grow again Most naked plants renew both fruit and flower The sorriest weight may find release of pain The driest soil suck in some moistening shower Times go by turns and chances change by course From foul to fair from better happ to worse The […]
And Even Shame They were drinking vodka And I heard one say: Stas, remember The prisoner we held began to plead: Let me die But we refused You will not perish when you wish But when we choose? He spoke and laughed. I saw him yesterday In that new world Where serpent death uncurls Downward […]
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 […]
“I never, ever EVER want to go to school again!” declared Rose Parker dramatically, flopping on to a couch. She had just returned home after an unfortunate day at school. “Oh Rose, it’s not all that bad!” her friend Sarah Rae said, trying to comfort her. Everyone is sure to forget what happened, eventually.” “Eventually?” […]
The Night Shift True account of actual events The night nurse quietly stood Observing the man in her care As he stared up at the ceiling. She wondered what he saw there. “What are you looking at, Larry?” Her penlight lit up the space. “It’s beautiful!” he exclaimed, A smile on his weathered face. Then […]
Truth told, I rarely read fiction. My coffee table is covered by theology books, and when I do need a good “story” I get it the way God intended – the SyFy Channel. When I heard “pro-life novel” however, my interest was piqued. I am thrilled to report that Kari Burke’s The Life I Dreamed […]
I’m Nobody! Who are you? I’m Nobody! Who are you? Are you – Nobody – too? Then there’s a pair of us! Don’t tell! they’d advertise – you know! How dreary – to be – Somebody! How public – like a Frog – To tell one’s name – the livelong June – To an admiring […]
Raging Crimson Waterfall Oh this twisting red river that saturates me Catapults me down in a mire of grime To sordid places I do not aspire to go Yet set out to so willingly Each time I want to do good My corrupted blood denies me[i] How wretched I am Who will rescue me?[ii] […]
By the Fireside I long to sit and write poems Warmed by a crackling fire I long to share With fellow poets, writers, and artists Drinking wine Listening to their readings- I have no fireside, And poets live far away The chores pile up I cook, wash, and sweep Though using a pen when I […]
