"Dog Days Of Summer"

We started with two,
then adopted one more.
A friend needed help,
so we’re now up to four

Our youngest still bites,
the others warn with growl;
Can’t leave them alone—
Makes me just want to howl!

They’ve special diets,
but eat each other’s food;
Hope they won’t vomit—
Please have mercy, fur dudes!

Yellow got nervous
and emptied his bowel—
Cleaned up his pee too
with a fresh washèd towel

“I’ll dig thro’ the trash
while they’re out with that one,”
said and did th’ Brown—
We’ve had it, we’re done!

Lock them in kennels
for just a short time,
‘til butterfly farts,
and they all start to whine

“I know! Let’s all play”—
Should we inside or out?
Weather makes us sweat,
so we opt for the couch

They won’t share the toys,
and they step on my toes;
“OWW!” yell I. They pause,
sixteen legs all 'kimbo

We’ve suffered enough,
let’s just all go to bed;
We’ll rest and then wake
and do this over again

"I Just Washed My Hands"

I just washed my hands—
It doesn’t matter the reason;
I sang about a twinkling star
To ensure I had done my best

I wave at the "eye"
That triggers mechanical dance,
Then wait a whole, entire season
While the paper rolls way too far

End now drags the floor:
It’s gross, and I refuse to dry;
I step across and wave again—
Will it also try such treason?

It whirs—just a tick,
Produces one that’s way too short—
Water’d blot if I could e’en try;
I give up and just use my pants

Putting this to rest,
But I’ve a few more thoughts on it:
I have one more stanza before—
Grr… there is still damp on my thighs!

A one-inch bookmark,
And more sheets for my king-size bed;
I do not need or want these things:
All I want’s a towel…or four.

"Minimum Wage"

Earn a paycheck,
Not God’s grace;
Earn your pillow,
Not salvation

The check we strive for is
Six feet long and six feet deep;
But it was already done,
Already finished

The gift we get,
The love of God
Wrapped in flesh, was
Twelve feet up
And millennia foretold

Learn your Savior,
Who brought God’s grace;
Learn your Lord,
Who gives you rest

"Semiquincentennial"

Go-karts
Pizza
Pizza
Waiting for ice cream
Live music
Waiting for ice cream
Live music
Waiting with i
                      c
                         e

Anyone have a napkin?

Fireworks—
right overhead! 

                              c
                                r
                                  e America!

"Pledge"

I pledge obeisance to the Lord
of the universe and all it contains,
and to the cross on which He hung,
one Kingdom of our God
Who, without partiality,
offers freedom and salvation to all

---

adapted from “The Pledge of Allegiance”
Francis Bellamy, 1892
Public domain

"Where My Heart Is"

I dig for treasure—
It’s hidden
And beyond my grasp.

I don't really want it,
Don’t want the responsibility,
Or the ache in my back.

I know that,
According to the law in this place,
It will end up in a museum.
I’d get my name in the paper,
But what good is that?

It’s not mine to mine,
And not mine to dole out,
And not mine at all.

I quit the search
And surrender my shovel

"Again, So Soon?"

Here we are again at the vet...
While I was locking the shed,
You escaped your kennel bed
And left me a package in shreds.

I called the wife. “Go!” she said,
“For he soon could be dead!”
I know it’s not toxic—I had checked—
But your belly full of a full pound of bread?

On the highway I drove (admittedly sped).
Registered as you’re fetched by a tech.
The doctor gave you some meds.
Soon your snack came back ou—oh, dread!

“It will cost much” said the girl at the desk
—Not at all unexpected—
“It’s worth it,” said I, nodding my head.
“After all, he’s my very best friend.”

"You're The Holy God"

You’re the holy God,
You’re the Ancient of Days
And forever in truth do You reign.

You’re Creator of
All that exists,
You spoke ev’rything in six days.

Ev’ry heart leads false,
But You’ve forgiven us—
In only Your grace can we brag.

So when that ol’ serpent fires his darts,
We put trust in You, holy God!

---

adapted from “You’re A Grand Old Flag”
George M. Cohan, 1906
Public domain

"Turning Every Way"

To rush the gate
is to invite death;
You will not enter,
You shall not pass

But to come with faith?
To kneel? To yield?

Flames burn off every blemish,
Heated blade presses out every wrinkle;
Spirit purifies as it gives light,
Word washes even as He speaks

To kneel,
to yield,
trusting that which pierces heart
and divides the soul?
This is life.

Therefore, choose:
How will you approach?

"Money, Money, Money!"

Money, money, money! Dollar Almighty!
Early in the morning we’ll rise to worship Thee;
Money, money, money! Mammon is our king!
Root of all evil, is our love for Thee.

Money, money, money! ‘Mericans adore Thee,
Spending all our savings earned and only bills paying;
Credit cards and financing, interest compounding,
Which did, and is, will evermore unfree.

Money, money, money! Though our kids are blessings,
Though they will inherit ours, their futures may not be;
Fleeting Thou art, money, there is none for giving—
You sprouted wings and too soon flew: cha-ching!

Money, money, money! Dollar Almighty!
Sinful beings all strive for Thee in morn, and noon, and eve;
Money, money, money! Dollar Almighty!
"god" in whom we trust, yet this oughtn’t be.

---

adapted from "Holy, Holy, Holy! Lord God Almighty"
Lyrics: Reginald Heber, first published 1826
Tune: John Hopkins, 1850
Public Domain

"Light Of The World"

Like blind salamanders, we were all born
Into a world of nothing but darkness:
Going to and fro, stumbling all the more,
Held captive by a tempter most heartless;

To ever grope about, a life of scorn,
Oft falling into dread sarcophagus;
For clothes, it’s rags, already tattered, worn
Thro’ to reveal our shameful nakedness;

How to see, to grow? How to fin’lly shine,
Exit this awful and cavernous maw?
We can’t ever even begin to be;

Our only hope, the only way to thrive,
Rests solely with one who paints every dawn;
Lord Jesus, you are the One, you are He:
Died and buried; then suddenly alive!

"Thirty Silver Coins"

My pocket sags
—the weight of my plan

Jingle, jangle

A mob follows me
I know their intent
—And I agree

After all, he's wasted so much

Can't believe he didn't stop that...
     ...woman!
     That perfume!
     So many could have eaten
He deserves this

He's here, right where I expected
—excellent!
I greet him
—a friendly kiss

"Swords and spears?"
Violence! An ear!
He heals
He submits
We turn, they flee

My pocket sags
—the weight of my plan

Jingle, jangle

In the distance, a rooster crows
A soul moans
Some poor wretch is guilty

Guilty?
What have I done?
"Take it back!"

Clinkle, clangle

My pocket is lighter
My heart bears a millstone

I should have spilled my guts;
Instead, I'll hang my head
—and spill my guts

Dingle. Dangle.

"Poison Ivy"

Puffy,
Oily,
Inflamed
Skin—
Oh,
Nemesis...

Itchy
Vengeance
Yours!

"Boredom"

Bowed
Over,
Repeating
Endless
Doldrums
Of
Midafternoon

"Two Trees"

Two trees, twisted together,
Entwined, envined;
Appreciated, adopted, adored,
Called and caressed,
Held by the Holy;
Mystically, mercifully,
Evermore embraced

Two trees, twisted together,
Only other-focused;
Adorned as a
Beautiful bride
In Immanuel's
Divine dwelling,
Embraced evermore