stumbling hopefully

stumbling inside a mist of hurting

and a fog of fatigue where every

little task keeps me too busy

to remember i am upheaving

much of what matters to my life

still, the hope that i can, with help,

cling to some dignity, is what is

driving this change

there will be beautifully happy moments

no matter what and no matter where

there always have been

fellow feeling

it has taken a decade and more

to begin to reclaim myself

after the years of daily care

for one i loved

if the only thing i’ve begun

to understand is the burdened

ones giving-of-self comes

at enormous cost to their health

lord, please keep me ever aware

and willing to quietly help

chilling

another night of silent snow

to laden pine branches with beauty

another morning of soul-reaching chill

to remind us of the plight of wild

creatures who cannot always

protect their offspring

and of the parents of war

who cannot always

protect their children

from leaders willing to sacrifice them

in the name of policy or conviction

service

servitude, bondage, subjugation

a mat to be walked upon

but to serve is something else

to give freely of yourself

to help others

to prepare and serve a meal

to teach so that others may grow fully

to minister to needs so others may heal

to maintain a healthy environment

to protect others, many of whom

would be defenseless without

your giving of yourself

thus to serve is to provide a noble gift

which will not always be seen

for what it is, but will be cherished

by those with insight and understanding

(un)touched

untouched, we know not we are a separate being

touched, we learn our parts and limitations

untouched, we feel no attachment to any other 

touched, we learn empathy and understanding

untouched, we have no investment in compassion

touch

haikus

we need to touch, hand

on shoulder, not to possess

but to say i care

to touch is to connect

to feel, to know a presence

beyond my own world

a gentle, resting touch

to share experience

greater than each self

oregon may 1st

may has arrived

chill, gray, deflowered, hopeful

man will learn to care