trials

i disagree with the plea to

“save us from the times of trial”

because it is through trial

that we grow and earn depth

trials will happen

the sooner we accept that as a fact of life

the less we lose of time and effort

to “why me?”

i pray instead that our lord

please stay with us

to strengthen us through them

capacity sanctuary

a sanctuary filled to capacity

to celebrate the life and laughter

of a man given to caring

eases his widow’s pain of loss

when all we can do to truly tell her

that their lives have touched us

is to be there in his honor

response

your call is important to us

text to us that you fear going to school

not for bullying or humiliation

but for the close sound of gunfire

whimper that you and small siblings

huddle to sleep in your car and have no

access to running water, let alone

shower or clean clothes

cry out in the night that the adults

around you are stoned, drunk

or threatening to desire you

our next available representative

will be with you shortly

your call is important to us

gift of courage

awakening in fear

not of the test itself

but of its implications

awakening to find

a joyous card from my daughter

professing love i know to be

her daily gift to me

despite the years of pain

she has endured

i will borrow

a bit of her courage and take

the test and its results

as they are

true friends at the coast

 the most fun day of this year

was the four of us talking

and laughing on the drive to the coast

relaxing, hanging out at the Blue house to watch the waves from the deck

sharing a meal with dark, molasses

bread so rich a few bites satiate

working on sections of that impossible

jigsaw puzzle, sharing about what

has been happening in our lives

and the pains and joys of family

talking, laughing and talking

even louder all the way home

together bonding, knowing

of a certainty that sorrows are picked up willingly

and now carried by more than one  

Eleanor’s Song

support a friend

in her prolong effort

contribute to her celebration

of well-earned accomplishments

and accolades

enjoy the honor of being with her

as admirers gather to hear her read

from her beautiful new novel

rejoice in creativity and appreciation

outlived

not for discussion

this is what i’ve built

over decades

time, effort, funds

but it’s veered from support

of each other

to ‘what will you give me?’

perhaps it’s outlived

its purpose and needs

to end

self hope

 haiku

 warm laughter’s promise

heals, transmits love, care, support

gives basis of self