"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!

"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.”

"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?

"A Card For The Boss"

You wear it proudly when they play
(Those gridiron dudes from Green Bay)

No one likes moldy cheese,
So get rid of that oldie, please

Here’s a new one without the fuzz
(JJ will likely think this treasonous)

"At First Sight"

Her eyes were not of only one hue:
Green, with little flecks of gold imbued,
All edged with halos of brightest blue

Her smile revealed warmth, humor, and grace;
Hers was the beauty for which he craved;
This he knew, having studied her face,

Learned the details, hadn’t ever changed,
For this, a truth now penned upon page:
Lady in portrait can never age

He turned the photo this way and that,
Marveled again how her eyes kept track,
Following his: this, he wished was fact

From whence had it come? Let’s take a look:
Picture fell from a library book;
Shelved it quite quick, the story forsook

A lonely heart pierced through by Cupid;
His friends declared that he was stupid
When sought her name, asked if they knew it

Rachel, Leah, or something like that?
“Have you checked, perhaps it’s on the back?”
He flipped it over, hadn’t thought that

Nothing was there, not even a mark
He sulked away and went to the park;
Lost in his thoughts, he heard a sharp bark

A leash dropped upon seeing a squirrel
He caught her and read: dog’s name was Pearl
“Thank you,” he heard—the photographed girl!!

His mouth gaped and his cheeks became red;
Regained composure, said, “Hi, I’m Ned”
She sat, they talked; month later, they wed

Ned’s tale above may seem a bit trite,
But what if it’s real? What if I’m right?
Believe in it: true love at first sight

"Too Many Funerals"

Relatives, celebrities,
and soldiers we lament;
This time, a younger friend has passed
Another wake I choose to attend
Getting ready to go:
flowers bought and sent,
praying, bathing, dressing, and shaving

Mom calls on the phone to chat
We laugh ‘til I share news
She asks a question, one that lasts:
“That funeral, the last you’ll attend…
“are you ready to go?
“Don’t leave them confused,
“for someone else will do your shaving

“Many things to consider:
“money, debts, even heirs?
“Covered with dirt, or ashes cast?”
I’ve not done these, I cannot pretend,
but my soul? Set to go!
Trusting, I declare
that Someone Else did all my saving

"Good Company"

Admirable
Faithful
Strong
Beautiful
Funny
Dedicated
Prayerful

"The Other Path"

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less frosty
And then regretted my choice,
For unlike the difference
His made for him, mine
Led me to terrible snare

You see, I encountered something there,
Brown and fuzzy and cute
As a button; but it liked
Not my scent and let loose a cry
And behind me,
Reared up, roared up unseen mama bear

I could not retreat to make the
Other choice, for fear gripped
My heart, wobbled my knees,
And stole my voice

He called it a yellow wood
Here too because my pee had pooled
Naught else but to utter a prayer:
"O Lord, I've nothing left
And soiled my underwear;
Perhaps an angel could come
And give a bigger scare?"

Time slowed and, rather than life flashing,
I found myself foolishly laughing
It occurred to me then, that were I
The cub, mama's fierce growl
Would invite me to cheer,
Inspire real hope,
Mangle my man-smell fear

She charged at him now
And I thought of her, "Wow!
She's got my back
And there's nothing I lack"
So I curled back up,
Returned to my nap:
Visions of honey
And dreams of fish,
Knowing that Mama
Had granted my wish

"Holes In My Grief"

All thro' this ordeal
You have carried me
Held me tight
Despite my squirming

And now
You have poked holes in my grief
Hope shines and refreshes
But what is that hope?
I thought I had accepted
I thought I had moved on
But now I understand
That I was blind
That I was suffocating
You shine and You breathe into me

Other lights I brought
But they dimmed
I changed the batteries
But again they dimmed

Your light is true
Your light lasts
And needs no recharging

You have poked holes in my grief
Now I can breathe
And I long to see
With great clarity
What lies on the other side

"Morning Noises"

Police and fire sirens blare
An early emergency somewhere

Neighbor’s water squeaking thro’ the pipes
Two cats clawing each other’s stripes

Traffic hums and honks, tires squeal
In such a hurry…what’s the big deal?

Mower of lawns and whacker of weeds
Garbage man missed: in-reverse beeps

Nearby pickup started and revved up loud
I’m not quite used to this urban crowd

Cell phone buzzes, again I slap the snoozer
I wonder: would I prefer a rooster?

"Hungry"

Starving people take desperate actions
They steal
They cheat
They lie
Sell their bodies
Fill their bellies with cheap, fluffy junk
Just to survive
But barely alive

Desperate times, desperate measures
We understand
We’ve been there
Even if it’s just a bellyache
And not malnourishment

One meal a day isn’t enough
But some exist on one each week
          Or less
And we wonder why they do desperate things
And we wonder why we do desperate things

A good diet
          Milk
          Bread
          Meat
          Fruit
Frequent meals
A few snacks
Even a treat once in a while
Or a glass of wine
Signs of a healthy life
Signs of an abundant life
No need for desperate actions
Just gratitude and satisfaction

Did you think I was talking about food?
          Did you?

We don’t live by bread alone

"How Do I Take A Shower?"

Google it
...

Soap and plumbing shopping spree?
Several articles that all disagree

A hot one makes you look old
But few can tolerate the cold

Some “experts” say it’s best at night
Others consider bed-head fright

Don’t overdo it and do take care
Here’s a schedule to condition my hair

Soaps and scrubs all organic
Or just a sudsy bar in a panic

All these rules and regulations!
I don’t even know—what’s exfoliation?

Did my research and still haven’t started
Just...ugh! How do you turn on the water!?

"Every Man A Warrior"

Pen

Fist

Sword

Gun

Gold

Words

Silence

"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

"So I'll Remember"

You come
You go
You fall away

and I forget

I'll find another

and another
and another until

I've run out

I implore you
I beg you
Please, stick around

"Pickles Tickles Nickels"

Pickles
Tickles
Nickels

All result in giggles

"Pie"

I love the way it looks,

Glistening and steaming on the stove

The way it smells,

Giving color to aroma

To taste it?

Oh! Gift from above!

Chocolate, cherry, apple, lime
Love 'em all—if only time

If I see a slice,
I'll want to smell it
When I get the scent,
I'll most assuredly want a bite
And if I taste,

I'll spoil my supper

It would be best for me to keep my nose in a book
And never ever enter the kitchen for a look