Spring colors

Surrounded by the colors of Spring, 

The artist’s brush responds 

With a resounding yes.

Rejuvenation

By the time I realize the azaleas are in bloom, 

Their petals are already starting to fall:

There’s nothing I can do to stop the flow of time.

But I trust and remember 

 That the rhodies will be the next to bloom:

I know that nature will rejuvenate.

But how can I trust 

That all these institutions we so carefully created 

Will survive this ruthless pruning?

Peaceful morning

Back at home in my favorite chair, 

Staring out at the morning light 

 Gracing the garden shed 

Framed by the darkening sky, 

The ancient stove, too heavy to move, 

The reflections of the flags, 

Waving in the breeze, 

And the pine cones suspended 

 From the branches of the eagle’s favorite tree,

 I am at peace, 

Ready to begin a new day.

Change is blowing in the wind

A strong wind is blowing, 

The red light is flashing, 

And the machinery for change 

Has been put in motion. 

The gaps are appearing: 

May the truth be made manifest 

 For all who’ve grown addicted 

To the lies and the fear.

Be led by the light

When trapped in fog, follow the light — 

And there will be a light, 

Placed precisely by those who’ve gone before, 

Where there’s the most danger, 

In order to guide you to safety. 

Some days, I think it might be our constitution.

The scents of spring

Someday soon, 

The weather will be dry enough 

For us to mow the lawn, 

But in the meantime we’ll just enjoy 

The gracious plumes of grass, 

The daffodils, the seagull, 

And the gentle scents of spring.

Another perspective

What may look solid, even overwhelming, 

When faced head on 

Might actually prove unsteady and vulnerable 

Viewed from another angle. 

Don’t give up hope:

Try seeking another perspective.

Looking up

I’m so tired of looking and feeling down.

 Let’s look up, even if things aren’t looking up. 

Perhaps in doing so 

We’ll get inspired, and reminded 

That whatever power structures people build, 

Nature can and will surmount them.

Waiting for a ray of hope

This is what we’re looking for, 

Hoping for, waiting for: 

Some ray of light or hope 

 That might illuminate 

And unite enough of us 

That together we’d have the power 

To step back from this dark and shameful path 

We are now being forced to travel.

In bloom again

The cherry trees, in bloom again, 

Announce that Spring’s returned — 

At least to our community. 

But to other souls in other places, 

Winter’s on its way, or has deepened, 

What with war and unemployment 

And the ill effects of climate change. 

So our rejoicing has an edge of concern 

For all those for whom Spring brings only 

Emptiness, cold, and fear.

These divisions

We erect these walls to shield us; 

Surround ourselves with nature and with beauty, 

 Then peer fearfully out at the world beyond 

That we’ve shut out,

 Failing to understand 

That that which shields us 

Also isolates, 

And heightens our sense of vulnerability. 

Perhaps it’s time to venture out 

Beyond these false divisions we’ve created…

Intimidated

Intimidated as we are by the looming power 

Of those who would be king, 

We do our best to stay 

 Grounded, solid, strong in our ethics, 

United in believing in and protecting 

The rights of our fellow humans.

When troubles loom

When troubles loom,

 It helps to step away a bit, 

To gain a fuller perspective. 

Then we begin to see the possibilities; 

The steps we might begin to take 

To overcome the challenges ahead: 

A different route, or perhaps some gift 

We might not have anticipated…

The sun will rise again

Each night the sun goes down, 

Sometimes in flames of glory, 

And other evenings, hidden in the clouds. 

But each time, we leave 

The glory or the clouds behind:

 Time carries us away 

Into a future yet unknown. 

That moment’s gone, 

Yet still, we know and trust 

The sun will rise again.

A new breed of abolitionists

Could it be the time has come 

To step up; to take a stand 

For all who’ve been excluded; 

To become a new breed of abolitionists, 

 In favor of abolishing 

 All forms of cruel discrimination?

A light in the darkness

Beset on all sides by threatening clouds, 

She still shines bright, as should we: 

Like her, we exist; 

 We have agency, 

And are ignited from within 

By the bright light of spirit, 

Which shall not be extinguished.

I wish…

The earth has not stopped turning

 -- Yet --

 And so the sunset colors 

Have begun their annual slide north, 

Past the trees and into view, 

Rewarding us for our patience 

Through this long winter; 

Promising a return of joy 

Despite the current prophesies of doom. 

I wish I could still trust and believe;

 It seems…

 Improbable.

Uneclipsed

Obscured by clouds and falling snow, 

The lunar eclipse might never have happened: 

We certainly couldn’t see it. 

When we peered out a few hours later 

The moon was full and beaming, 

Surrounded by a rainbow halo, 

Proud to have surmounted 

Both the darkness and the storm. 

We, too, I hope, will still be here 

When this troubled time has passed.

Challenges ahead

There’s a long and winding road ahead 

With storms predicted, snakes in the grass, 

And no relief in sight: 

We just need to trust we’ll get through this; 

That we’ll learn what we need to learn 

And end up where we’re meant to be. 

Though it feels like we’re lost and alone, 

The hands of fate still guide us.

Not alone

Though you are safely stowed at harbor, 

The current atmosphere leaves you feeling

 Alone and exposed; vulnerable.

 But look around you; 

Peer through the fog of anxiousness, 

And know you are surrounded,

 In company with others who feel the same. 

We’re not alone, we just have to find a way 

To work together.

Let’s go together

Let’s travel this path together. 

I’m not sure where it will take us — 

We may just go round in circles — 

But it will be lovely to have you with me 

As we explore the possibilities ahead.

The wind is rising

Sunrise, 

Looking across the farm, 

And another day begins, 

With another day’s minor tasks 

Still calling for completion, 

Even as the world beyond’s in turmoil. 

I reset the clocks, feed the cats, 

Wash the dishes, 

Breathe deep, and look again:

 The sun’s already gone, 

Lost behind a cloud, 

And the wind is rising.

Life’s beauty

Life’s beauty, 

 Glimpsed through a netting 

Of branches and reflections, 

Is still clear; 

Our work’s clear, too: 

 To notice, to honor and protect that 

From all who seek only to exploit.

Shine the light

The fog these days is thick, 

And many are feeling far from home 

And far from safe: 

All the more reason 

To shine the light of welcome and encouragement; 

To let the wanderers know 

There is still kindness in the world.

A new path

We cannot know where this path will lead, 

But it seems we have no choice but to take it. 

Take a deep breath, 

Gird your loins, 

Gather a few close friends, 

And take that step into a different future 

Than we could ever have imagined, 

Listening closely for hints of guidance 

 Along the way.

Still bringing love

Like this tree, which, though it’s fallen, 

Still produces apples every year, 

We may be down, but we’re not out: 

 We can still bring into the world 

What we were born to bring: 

Faith, Hope, and Love — 

And the greatest of these is Love.

A renewed sense of purpose

I need community; we need community, 

And, however naive this may sound, 

I believe our community 

Needs voices of hope and faith 

To keep our spirits up 

For the challenging path ahead. 

And so I’ve decided to reduce my exposure 

To the darkness we're all seeing, 

And I pledge to do my best 

To be one of those calm voices. 

Thank you for your patience,

And thank you for listening.

Spring returns despite our fears

As the first wee daisies 

Begin blooming in our lawn 

And the bellies of our does swell with new life, 

We know that spring is on its way again, 

Unhindered by the many worries 

Intruding in our thoughts and fears.

How can we stop this?

Even the plants are lifted in prayer: 

Please, can’t someone do something to stop this? 

And the echo in my heart: 

What can _I_ do to stop this? 

The helplessness is paralyzing.

Even the animals

Even the hawks are watching in horror. 

Perhaps all the money 

That didn’t get spent yesterday 

Needs to go to the Ukraine.