from the _Hyacinth Bouquet_ series, work in progress
We may learn from the beauty of a single rose, as it displays its splendor in one glorious showing, shall wilt and die, just as all good things must come to an end. --J L Dowd
Remembrance
I think I'll always remember you
in the early morning hours
just before dawn, when sky
is but a velvet drape, melting
colors soft as raindrops;
a time when everything is
lazy clouds, majestic mountains
splashed across the sky in purple
palette, trees cloaked in sensuous
beauty swaying against indigo skies,
stars like diamonds falling at their feet,
thinking, I'll always remember you
in the early morning hours, when
all I feel is the gentleness
of morning about to awaken,
when all I hear is occasional bird in song,
when all I know is peace within my heart, knowing.
Sea Surrounds Me When the moon pushes
the clouds away,
and the waves
glide upon the shore
like silver wings,
I'll want your arms around me
sharing the mystery of the main,
the secret of its soul.
Wrapped around each others thoughts
roving over sand and rock,
searching with a single eye
together we shall find a place,
for our one heart this love creates
to dwell forever in His grace.
When the moon disappears
into morning,
and the sounds of the sea
are distant echoes
in our minds,
I'll want your arms around me
sharing the mystery of His soul,
and dwell forever in this place.
Loving Place
Come, take me in Your arms
I pray, face me, Face to Face -
so Soft the woman in Me - longs
to Linger - in the tenderness
of your Embrace - soft grazing
fingers - your hand well placed -
Hush me, look into My eyes -
and fall into a Loving Place.
Come, Hold me in your heart
I say, Embrace me, Soul to Soul -
a Gift to thee I Give, to Live
Forgotten Dreams in knowing Me -
in loving You - I set thee Free -
and yes, I look into Your eyes
..and know My loving Place.
Dedicated to my husband, "Guy Noir" My One True Love
Inward sunwardThe seeds which are me
shall be scattered
to the winds
that I might be born again,
in tree,
roots and branches reaching
ambidextrous, soil to sun,
in bird,
wings of God-given freedom
perfection of flight,
in man,
mind of wit and reason,
soul enclosed its might.
How like a man..
a bird..
a tree..
my restless soul,
... yearning to be free!
No more ruffled feathersBeing a parent is the hardest job
this planet offers -
it's so hard to let go
when it's their time to fly
and soar -
with wonderment
or turbulence.
Have faith then -
the same Everlasting Father
who protects you
from loving them too much
would not give you more loneliness
than you can bear -
so relax now
in the comfort of His faithful love -
and believe,
He's sent another one of His to you
to say:
I, too, have one who's flown away -
he's my heart
I think about him every day
and I think of God now in a different way -
today I'll talk to Him in prayer
and I'll ask Him - as I always do -
to send me gifts of flowers and friends
to soothe me
when I'm feeling low and oh so blue,
without the presence of My Heart - my son
and pray He does the same for you -
sometimes I wonder -
does God get lonely, too?
Felician Fingers StrumI watch the night settle over me
with the gentleness of a sleeping baby
at its mother's breast,
and wonder where you are
and wonder where you are..
Somewhere on the distant shore -
Felician fingers strum a melody
the waves seem to carry out to Sea,
and wonder where you are.
Don't tell me you've never held the hand
of love - for just one moment -
as love has been your companion
for years untold,
and wonder where you are.
Felician fingers strum our song
of Love and simple Truth -
to ride the winds and search afar,
and wonder where you are -
and wonder where you are..
Cartwheels in mariah
I feel Your Presence well up in me, breathing
over dew-covered grasslands -
shining out from smiling face of daisies!
My DesireWhat I really want to dois reach for his hand -hold it,let him knowhe is not alone,surrounded by nature's beautyhe scans the meadowwith unseeing eyes -reflecting on loves gone by -he does not hear the Rivercall his name..
Heredity's HopeMy son,my son,why must you run -from all that we deem real,why must you know the how and why -we know just how you feel.My son,my son,why must you run -from all that we deem true,why must you question everything -why must truth torture you?My son,my son,why do you run -perhaps it's just for spite?Why do you scoff at what we trust,what's wrong with being right?My son,my son,my duty done,your home is in my heart -I want to pass Life's torch to you -to be in God as One.
Ode to Soul
that light is
the Light
exists apart
from belief
can be seen
without knowledge
it is there
you say
it's not fair
you might not see
the Light
in others
they might not see
yours
both burn bright
you don't need to know the Light to see it.
Dry bones in Minnesota
You'd stand there arms crossed
in front, gathering your waist
with floured hands, a pause
from oven to table, your silhouette
perfectly framed in stained glass,
staring out over potted pansies,
eyes following the sagging line,
a clothesline too close to ground,
bird bath rimmed in chickadees,
dry bones and brittle branches,
skin cracked and peeling -
old birch out back reminds you,
your own sore dusted marrow.
You'd bend to tender roses hand picked
for you and he, now Grandpa's Place,
a place which claims my roots,
in the yard out back among Queen Anne's lace.
Thinking back now -
to earlier days of gathering;
lilies-of-the-valley, Becky, little bells &
cockleshells, kindling, and purple violets
placed within your favorite vase
upon the kitchen window shelf,
with little purpose hands,
where your tender gaze would rest
oh Grandma
how I miss you, and all of Braham's nest.
In Loving Memory of my grandparents Mr. & Mrs. Oscar A. Olson, Sr.
White Roseswhite roses
will never be the same
for. me.
hour upon hour
sitting contently
admiring their beauty
envying quintessence
just. one. rose.
in a vase
haunts me -
motionlessness
regal pose
flaunting purity
innocence -
so last night
it. was. settled.
I ate one!Dedicated to Perry Lee Nelson
Poem collage of Live at Blues Alley/Eva Cassidy
Eva
I heard an angel sing
my silver chord affirms
this; a voice so sweet
so pure, no crystal known
could ring as clear,
nor take the soul so far
from earth, or all the pain upon it
this voice sang through
this voice rang true
country jazz or bluesy blues,
she sang them all
she paid her dues
made strong men cry too
I heard this angel sing,
my silver chord affirms
this; so-tall Georgia trees
abloom sunlit breeze
her bridge too far
for silver birds to fly,
her troubled waters all gone by
I think willows weep now
sway mournfully, whisper
eva eva eva, we grow so high
to shade you so,
if only through the thicket
you would go once more
I heard this angel sing
my silver chord affirms
this; she knew misery
merriness run through
man, yet had no bridge across
troubled waters,
her courage
all women giving birth
we will remember you
you sang us through fields of barley
too,
these falling leaves drift past
my window, I hear you
in every color red green and
gold,
I swear eva if I had
wonderful life to give you
I could never weave one as fine
as you have done,
it takes a journeyman to portray
life's rainbow design - and you -
your heartsong rings through it.In loving memory,Eva Cassidy 1963-1996
Credit for recognizable words of various artists in poem collage: Paul Simon - Bridge Over Troubled Waters, Buffy St. Marie -
Tall Trees in Georgia, Sting - Fields of Gold, Traditional - Golden Thread
UntitledHe drew a cobweb of mist,
hung it six feet above the land; a
running ribbon
chasing
the curve
of Goose Creek
until it ran out of sight
behind Johnson's silo
down the road a piece,mammoth mountain
splays a hip of conifers,
conversing the valley in
bunny hopsbutterfliesbuttercups
how the water quivered
with delight, when
I slipped in
china doll white limbs
into velvet down lake,
you left me
this quiet
trees
earth's long slender fingers
reaching up
touch the face of God,
as you left...
Lotus Unfolds Lotus unfolds in the fourth,
heart expands in Light -
removing remnants of pain,
Memories bled -
and drained.
Light gathers light
dissolving dark lingering emptiness -
leaving sweet fragrance
of Remembrance.
Onward and upward -
stepping out of regret
over obstacles,
some chosen some long-forgotten,
surrendering into Silence.
Unfolding hesitantly,
joyously unto the new day.
I am still now.
I am tranquil.
Light all around me
with Gratitude I wear serenity
gently -
as Dawn steps out of darkness,
awakening God-felt heart
to another day.
Spirit clothed in Joy.
Many MilesWe've walked together many miles
Upon this road - called Life -
And by-the-by I've learned some things
Some good - some not so nice.
Life offers us both Likes and Loves
They're out there - everywhere -
So hush - and look and listen - please
Be still - and step with care.
For God has given everything
From Eyes - to Grand Design -
And puts us on a different Path
With different Peaks to climb.
Together - Rivers wide we crossed
Together - Roads we walked
With every mile - we sang and laughed
And cried - then barely talked.
Rivers - mountains - crossed them all
Now hushed - I step with care
I drank too deeply - then I cried
To learn of life's Despair.
I reawoke - one gracious morn
To see the Dawn - out there -
In subtle Hues - the Darkness left
And - Light - now Everywhere.
Life just is
Life
is what you make of it,
forget the propaganda
and get on with it -
only thing about life don't change
is change,
as sure as the rain falls
we all can catch a wave
Life
it being a force,
a sea of arms, legs, jacking jaws
all moving to the same beat
as breathing,
each its own snowflake
here, by the grace of God
we go
Life
as cruel, walking in mocs
one size too small,
yet expected to grow zen minds,
and walk
in other men's shoes
cool, to contemplate all isms
sidestep useless osophies,
fool, to mess with all things pithy
poetry to piety
lest life's foes convict you phobe -
albeit homo peda theo
Life
too - taken by the horns! or b-a-b-i-e-d
is at peace
with love, strawberry
shortcake, long naps and choices,
determine its course, baby -
have it all!
suck the essence out!
catch that wave,
ride it up!
come down
to life
on water
falls..
Proverbs of Solomon
A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish son grief to his mother.
The wise in heart accept commands, but a chattering fool comes to ruin.
Hatred stirs up dissension, but love covers over all wrongs.
He who heeds discipline shows the way to life, but whoever ignores correction leads others astray.
The blessing of the Lord brings wealth, and he adds no trouble to it.
What the wicked dreads will overtake him, what the righteous desire will be granted.
The fear of the Lord adds length to life, but the years of the wicked are cut short.
When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.
The integrity of the upright guides them, but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity.
Through the blessing of the upright a city is exalted, but by the mouth of the wicked it is destroyed.
For lack of guidance a nation falls, but many advisers make victory sure.
A kindhearted woman gains respect, but ruthless men gain only wealth.
Be sure of this: The wicked will not go unpunished, but those who are righteous will go free.
Like a gold ring in a pig's snout is a beautiful woman who shows no discretion.
He who seeks good finds goodwill, but evil comes to him who searches for it.
He who brings trouble on his family will inherit only wind, and the fool will be servant to the wise.
The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who wins souls is wise.
Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates correction is stupid.
A man is praised according to his wisdom, but men with warped minds are despised.
Better to be a nobody and yet have a servant than pretend to be somebody and have no food.
The way of a fool seems right to him, but a wise man listens to advice.
A fool shows his annoyance at once, but a prudent man overlooks an insult.
Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.
An anxious heart weighs a man down, but a kind word cheers him up.
From the fruit of his lips a man enjoys good things, but the unfaithful have a craving for violence.
He who guards his lips guards his life, but he who speaks rashly will come to ruin.
Every prudent man acts out of knowledge, but a fool exposes his folly.
A wicked messenger falls into trouble, but a trustworthy envoy brings healing.
He who ignores discipline comes to poverty and shame, but whoever heeds correction is honored.
He who walks with the wise grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm.
He who spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is careful to discipline him.
He whose walk is upright fears the Lord, but he whose ways are devious despises him.
A truthful witness does not deceive, but a false witness pours out lies.
Even in laughter the heart may ache, and joy may end in grief.
A simple man believes anything, but a prudent man gives thought to his steps.
A wise man fears the Lord and shuns evil, but a fool is hotheaded and reckless.
A quick-tempered man does foolish things, and a crafty man is hated.
Evil men will bow down in the presence of the good, and the wicked at the gates of the righteous.
The poor are shunned even by their neighbors, but the rich have many friends.
He who despises his neighbor sins, but blessed is he who is kind to the needy.
A patient man has great understanding, but a quick-tempered man displays folly.
A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones.
Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people.
* * *
In God We Trust
I believe Jesus Is the Son of the Living God
Thank you, God, for your plan of Salvation and Your Son, Jesus the Christ, Our Lord and Savior
