"Let It Rain"

Oh, the feelings inside are frightful
Up and down is not delightful
And since I’ve caused so much pain
Let it rain, let it rain, let it rain

You haven’t shown signs of talking
Changed your number and now blocking
And since my eyes are not drained
Let it rain, let it rain, let it rain

When I finally fall asleep
How I’ll toss, turn thro’ the whole night
But if I ever find my dream
You will be back and all’s right

---

adapted from "Let It Snow"
Vaughn Monroe (1945)

"Unpacking"

New place

Boxes and bags

Bags and boxes

Shrinking space

I find the familiar

I find the forgotten

Each item opening

The gate to Memory Lane

Some steps are precious

But it’s not always a sunny street

There are potholes and puddles,

Also shadows and alleys

I open a door,

See a covered hole in the floor

Is there treasure there?

Or a jumbled, shattered mess?

I step back and breathe,

Lock the gate but keep the key

Too many boxes at once

Take a break for a week

I’ve had time to sort

And lace up my boots

I open a bag

And step forward again

"Every Man A Warrior"

Pen

Fist

Sword

Gun

Gold

Words

Silence

"Hope"

My flame had gone out
but You found an ember

Coaxed it
Blew on it
Shielded it

I am rekindled
The fire shall blaze again

"A Fistful Of Air"

I take aim with my bow

and realize my quiver,

once full,

has been neglected

My arrows are sharp

and wonderfully made

They'd sure fly straight

But I've scattered them,

left them behind

I can pull

until muscles ache

or bow breaks

But no target will I strike,

nor prize will be won,

shooting with a fistful of air

"Therefore I Am"

The Lord's name is called
Everlasting Father
My God loves me
With everlasting love

Nothing shall separate
Daddy's love from me
I am
More than a conqueror

I will be like Daddy
I should abide in Him
I can abide in Him
I will not be ashamed at His coming

I am born of Him so
I can do righteousness
I can do righteousness?
I can do righteousness!


I am beloved


I have hope in my Father;
He has purified me
As He is pure

He was revealed
In Jesus the Christ
Took my sin (away)
There is no sin in Christ
I am in Christ

I am not deceived
I practice righteousness
I am righteous
As He is righteous
Because He is righteous

I have passed from death

to Life

I will not love in word only
Actions speak louder
So I will love in deed
So I will love in truth

God is greater
Than my heart
I have confidence
Toward my great God

Therefore I am

"Bad Breath"

Garlic and onions
Horseradish
Gross and strong
Foulness—phew!
Discomfort
Indigestion
Undone by some gum?
Halitosis

Pride and anger
Hatred, lust
Greed and sloth
Faithless—phew!
Disobedience
Incarnation
Undone by the Son
Hallelujah!

"Breakfast"

Bacon

oRange juice

chEesy eggs

banAna

greeK yogurt

cofFee

toAst

pSalm

Thankful prayer

"Joy"

Wind
Rocks, mud
Bugs in grill
Driver whoops, hollers
Jeep's happiness is off-roading

"Descent Into A Dream"

O sleep! How sweet thy lips' first caress!
O slumber! How warm thy embrace!
Eyelids flutter and finally lower
The veil is raised and I see

I see

Water races away down hill

down rocks and trees
down mountain

Butterfly pirate pursues

threatens
taunts
chases
tears

Brilliant shadows converse

go or stay
left or right
jump or fight

Standing on the verge of indecision

Time to choose
Time to

BEEP BEEP BEEP
BEEP BEEP BEEP

Restless rest arrested
Shall I?
I choose

five more minutes

"The Barrel Angels"

Some carry swords

All praise the Lord

Warriors, messengers,

Ministers all

Others are tasked

With opening casks

And dipping out

Glorious new wine

They splash and toss

But not a drop is lost

Heart laughter and joy ensue

Holy rolling winebibbers

Joy unspeakable

Love receivable

Drunken stupor?

No, filled with light to shine

"On The Shelf"

Behind the books
And old photos
And baubles precious,
Knickknacks sentimental;
Behind the masks
Is hidden a heart
Layered in dust
Does it still beat?
Is there life?

The door opens
In comes a mighty rushing wind
(Or a sweet gentle breeze)
Books, masks tossed aside
Dust blown away
Shelf is clear

“CLEAR!”

Lub-dub, lub-dub
Love did, Love did

"The Seventh Hole"

Two for seeing
Two for hearing
Two for smelling

One function for each pair

But the seventh?
Oh, the seventh!

One hole with two jobs

In goes food
Out come words
The one, harmless enough
But the other?

A sentry for the heart

By it, lovers unite
And by it, nations divide

Small but strong
Tiny but mighty