Tuesday, September 14, 2021

Tourist Trap

 A town of vaporous joy

(on the shoulders of God's canvas)

where every wonder is a ploy-

overpriced and underhanded.


Travelers scurry, anxiously searching

for a relaxing escape.

Parents' hope precariously perching

on the valleyed, kitschy landscape.


Families carry memories

they try to recreate.

Acting out documentaries

of joy, but it won't replicate.


A man that I do not know

tells me he loves this community.

I count him as part of the show,

taking his insincere opportunity.


Vapid connections, conversations-

cacophonous counterfeit depth.

A masquerade of expectations;

I am dancing with the rest.


Surface roots are all some know,

skimming dirt, missing richness.

When deeper truths hum low,

shallow roots miss this.


But souls have grabbed these joy clouds-

elation, excitement, electric smiles.

The "community" is just a crowd

but the man intends no guiles.


In a temporary town,

there's permanence behind Main Street:

Where tents and facades abound,

foundations and structure lay beneath.

Wednesday, August 18, 2021

Emulsifying

I am of two

blending into one -

emulsifying

into something

disgusting.


I am brightness

electric energy,

yet difficult

and abrupt

as a result.


I am darkness -

a closed door.

But easier

to see and hear

when even here.


Poisonous perception

dissolves both of me,

producing grey.

Darker days

lead my way.

Sunday, February 3, 2019

Painted Tree

A tree
picked up her leaves
and painted them green.
I thought of you at the funeral.

The wind blew
and she held on tight,
but I could see
Winter claimed her.

The paint was

unconvincing.

Your smile in all black.

Her grip was

failing.

We all saw
Winter claimed you.

Sunday, December 24, 2017

Advent 2017

Electric red behind me
carried on evergreen aroma
through a nostalgic, melodic sea
in this Christmas corona.

Layered humbly 'neath these songs,
my dear love reads stories to my joy.
My soul settles in, for here it longs
to linger for awhile and enjoy.

What a grace from our Father
in granting me such a family;
Undeserved gift from Master Potter
who pledged love infallibly.

Yet these lights are a shadow
of his fulfillment - the Holy Son.
This peace is a reflection shallow
of what Christ already won.

In this moment I perceive
my need to be rescued from my sin
and the salvific grace I received
from the one and rightful King.

In the giggle of my babe,
I hear the score "the Lord will provide,"
first and foremost in the Son displayed,
hinted at this Advent night.

Friday, December 23, 2016

Advent 2016: Broken; Healing

The world is broken:
I felt it in the hearts of a nation

     who put their hopes in leaders.

Yet we heed people like us:
wicked, prideful, and vain.
Fools - we reject the righteous
for conniving campaigns.

The world is broken:
I heard it in the cries of a family
     lamenting a loss.

They dress in the weight of
emptiness: a massive thing.
Absence ne'er becomes native - 
The world isn't answering.

The world is broken:
I saw it in the eyes of a mother
    who never met her child.

But Spring oft follows death;
The womb can be filled again.
Movement of God's own breath:
Hope of young eyes opened.

The world is healing:
I know it in the hay of a manger,
    cooing at the beasts surrounding.

Born sinless (unlike me),
the Christ-Child come to Earth
to spread good news as ivy:
Through him, there is second birth.

The world is healing:
I know it on the tongues of the Church
     praising their God and King.

We may lose child or friend
and mourn with great comfort,
knowing the King with no end
who, for our sake, suffered.

Thursday, June 23, 2016

Confident They Were Created

Rolling hills -

rolling me home.

The soft curves of land

comforting in their beauty and ease.

I slip through

to my hometown,

eager to settle back down.

Confident they were created

for me.

Or I for them.

The joy of the Creator

rooted in each graceful

peak and valley.

Saturday, March 26, 2016

Suffering for Joy: Easter 2016

Friday's glory realized:
Sunday, the King claims his prize!
The lashes opened doors;
We see what suff'ring's for.

Drew yourself close to vile man,
suffered at his sinning hands,
laid your life down for a short time
but with the strength to rise again.

Guilty mocked your triumphant death
and cheered your releasing breath.
Yet for your joy you endured
that we may praise our sin's Cure.

What glory in your resolve!
The chains of death dissolved
by Savior, Christ. Blood shed for sin -
He'll have the joy set before him!

Christ, you found and perfect me,
part of a world returning.
In your strength and witness,
remove my sin and weakness.