page 20
THE BLESSING OF SIN
Eve and Adam - that's where it all began,
they messed up God's beautiful plan.
Before them lay a life of ease, heaven;
but why not instead of two, twenty-seven?
Let us stop and think - why just two,
they'd share the Earth and sky of blue,
God would have given unto them
all their wants every single whim.
All but that wish - which we call a tree,
really tho' - it's something called family.
So that sin they performed, first two then three,
and so it has gone throughout all history.
Here I sit writing this pungent poem,
thanking Eve and Adam for my home.
I was going to write on the blessings of sin,
when I started to write, when I first begin.
I was going to say that on this Earth,
if it wasn't for sin there'd be no birth.
That means no Bible, Rome, Egypt or Christ,
no murders, kidnappings or mailtruck heist;
No Cain, Neros or men dying on the cross,
to think that all this would be a loss,
If it wasn't for sin; God gave all a free will,
and at the beginning it started downhill.
It is easier you must agree to go down than up,
we drink empty, not full, a cup.
Sin will go on forever as will eternity,
God will forgive us, yes, with serenity.
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page 19
Crickets played
in symphony with the
wind amongst the grass
near river's edge
The Missouri lay deep
in its bed
awaiting dawn's light
Not so the owl
which flew near
catching sight
in a moonless
cloudless night
Dove and flew
amongst a trillion
billion stars
stars . . .
amongst the stars
and there I saw
infinity
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page 18
Lie I awake at night
listening
to a drummer's beat and roll
as acorns tap, tap on my roof
and a midnight wind
does stroll
Begin may we, to feast
on our summer's toil
as nature rains its colors
on the soil,
breath air fresh with
mornings frost and chill,
measure our summers worth
by our harvest's fill
Where the there that was then,
the when that could have been,
the were that was sure to be,
but wasn't, and now we're not we.
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page 12
How tightly we close our eyes
against the light of dawn
as we lay
warm
in the bed of night
drawing over head
its coverings
anticipating
what dawn brings
How early we retired
to its comfort
in the wintry
days
when
the sun leaves us
Do we not find then alone
day to be but an interlude,
Do we forget, dividing our sleeping
the bed shall yet
remain
awaiting
our return
when day
has exhausted
us to sleep
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page 11
It was south of Berlin
where we called home;
not that the beauty was
any more or less there,
settling came before we
reached so far north.
It was the snow in Berlin,
already, and while yet
cold, none had fallen
upon the lakes here
south of Berlin, then
Soon enough though it did!
So every year, about this time,
we look to the mountains
where it lies and
remember the snow
that fell then, and that here
south of Berlin, it too shall.
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page 10
S h o e s
I found something new,
which I alone can view,
From my cellar's tiny window,
I secretly watch, here below,
The passing of many feet,
between my window and the street.
Some are polished and very bright,
others seem to have been in a fight.
Some are gay and a happy red,
others are black as if they're dead.
Some are small and very little,
others seem to fit a fiddle.
Some go by very, very fast,
others are slow as they pass.
Maybe I can also someday,
with shoes, pass along this way.
And when that day I can,
they will not be red, black or tan.
Mine shall be of a pure white,
laced with the blackness of night.
I shall walk proudly in my shoes,
past people, doors and other's views,
Knowing that I have a place to go,
and no one else but I will know.
That I was once haggard and poor,
and walked bare footed on the floor.
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page 9
SOFTLY
Time is as the flow of a river
The water is what carries the flow
The river bed is where we are
The banks the bounds of it
The immediate surroundings
Of drainage
The realm of one
Rivers are met
Thus become is more
Till an ocean is
The source met
There intermingling
Ferment
Death
And Birth
Become and rise to heights
Within all this - man
Cries out -- "Destiny"
And the rippling waters
Laugh softly
As the rain falls
Again
On the mountain top.
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page 8
We saw in that time ago,
so little; not even the largest of dreams
could have begun to fill today.
Might we though today, dream
those smaller dreams; which, realized:
bonded thanks with sincerity.
Through the windows
of our rooms
enters the light
of the world
Might we care for them
as the years go by
tend to our panes
paint and putty
Through our windows
in the night our
light
might let others see
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pages 5 - 6 - 7
Loneliness V-VI
My steps had taken me deep into the
wooded hills having followed trails,
Trails used not by man but the runs
of various rudiments and predators.
And when it was a long bend did come,
skirting foliage dense and deep, I
Found myself impelled therein to go
though I saw no ready way there in.
So I bent and crawled 'neath thicket,
catching, tearing both cloth and flesh.
I assured myself it was a must price
and laughed at a scampering rabbit.
Shortly though the bush did thin and
I could stand though yet crowdedly.
My boots a blessing against underbrush,
I had nothing though to fend branches.
They snapped in quick blows and further
tore and shredded my remaining wear.
Small drops of blood mingled and ran
with sweat stinging minor wounds.
At this point I paused both in rest
and thought, wondering at my actions.
But started soon enough, knowing I would
but pay twice the price for nothing.
For what I sought or thought to find
I had absolutely no idea whatsoever.
Knowing the fool I was, I sought no
answer but gave over to the urge.
My thoughts lending to what surrounded me,
at it, its density and variety; reason.
About was every sort of bush and berry,
here and there a fern or mushroom grew.
Well robbed of sun and light by trees,
of pine, cotton, birch, maple and oaks.
All seeking their place and more room,
in some unknown contest or pitting game.
As I continued inward, it did appear
their struggle somewhat slackened, but
Nay, perceived was a change about them in
that they stood less bent and twisted.
Tall and strong, their circumference of
increasing size; bush, fir and fern
page 6
Even mushrooms grew expandedly now and
I sought rest there near a larger tree.
Picked berries from a near bush that my
thirst; and hunger as well, be quenched.
I must have dozed for a short time, for
I awoke in a start from something.
Again a flash, 'twas a high noon sun...
breaking the heavy canopy high above.
Standing, somewhat rested now, I set
out once more now less encumbered.
Tho' no hope was in the vegetation,
as I reached deeper into the woods.
For shortly after starting out from
the stout trees and brush, I found
Those beyond to be in various stages
of dying or stunted in growth, life.
As if denied some source of life force,
or crowded by those I'd just left.
I saw no reason; though seldom I had
ever, for what I saw, tho - sometimes -
So I journeyed on thinking an end or
perhaps even a path would be near.
Such hope is seldom filled immediately,
no surprise came at further encumbrance.
Branch and twig lay dead, felled in no
certain order upon the wasted ground.
I found myself having to clamber over
trees, somehow felled with yet green.
Facing no less of the same far ahead,
slipping at times, once incurring a gash.
Which I swiftly wrapped stopping blood
but not the anguish shooting now within.
My body began to numb; I found myself
wanting to stop but somehow went on.
At last sight was caught of a clearing,
and strength returned to aid me on.
Soon enough the dead and dying began
to clear; my way now was hastened.
What trees there were were all stunted,
brush was twisted upon stony ground.
Less larger branches and more twigs lay,
and few were any of the smaller shrub.
Wiping salty sweat from my eyes I saw,
saw something I thought a dream, illusion.
page 7
So haste was made over the forest floor
toward what was the apparent center.
Caught in sight was a titan of a tree,
its size that twice of any redwood known.
Its branches seemed horizontal trees
themselves stretching far and heavily.
That one tree in its whole commanded
half the clearing; near six acres...
That one tree in its height only surmised,
stood possessing the heart, the center.
Daring any to challenge its held claim,
stopping, downing all who even so dared.
'Twas then I knew the why of the density
of the woods I'd just managed through.
All the daring and young crowded, surged,
to reach, meet its test; their fanaticism.
And more knowing ones stood their ground
attempting to hold back all others.
Sending their spawn to challenge, best,
or die trying, so the last encountered.
Under its immensity I stood now bared
and bloodied, weakened and paining.
No thought of else but the knowing came,
came and went in slow tripping measures.
I then turned to leave, to find again
the trail which coursed clearly on.
Which heard the song of birds, shared
the hoof, paw and fleet little feet.
The trail which ambled yet bound all
the woods, even the secreted meadows.
To there I sought my way, knowing it
offered balms and cooling waters...
There I could share in the harmony and
flow, never driven, never stopped.
For though one might grow broad or high
it lays no jealous hold or testing.
But catches the winds and heavy storms
that the lesser might thrive and grow.
That is its power and it's shared by the
sprouting pine, the birds and flowers.
I've cast my boots aside and loosened
my belt as I knowingly amble along.
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page 4
The tree stands tall
oak hard and branching
shading, catching
wind and rain
and tiny feet
Your arms stretch wide
fingers pressed
you hold that leaf
to your heart
your eyes seeing but the tree
Upon the forest's bed
knowing the warmth of thy womb
in my napping
standing tall catching wind
and rain
and storms tearing
the cool of air
the warmth of day
and life
Know me thus
and in all ways
never close your
eyes
or fail to hear
as I stand near,
near the warmth
of thy soul.
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page 3
Reason
that
at days end
full bloom
be
...And don't forget
the weep hole
in your retaining wall
or it'll fall
come rain
or cold
long before you're old.
Everything isn't always
Though nothing ceases to be,
for what it was is what it is
whatever it is we see.
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page 2
A leaf budding
upon a tree leaved full
is heard not
nor is it seen
or known
to none
'cept perhaps the tree
yet
you saw and heard
me
as I passed aside of you
The air alone
does feel the
falling
of
a
leaf
and perhaps the earth upon
which it does alight
so, too, I know
you felt the love yet
remaining within and
as clouds which passed
that day
you touched it
No softer bed than the forest
floor
and I did sleep
upon the pillow of your lap
softly nestled against thy womb
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page 1
Called
are hands
to shapeless
clay
spinning
timely
upon
the wheel
where
foot
pumps
so vigorously
Called
and though
the two
are of one
The guiding
of the hands
The gentler
more cautious
As
formed is
shapeless
clay
and
a vase
becomes.
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Table of Contents
Called... 1
A leaf budding... 2
Reason 3
And don't forget... 3
Everything isn't always... 3
The tree stands tall... 4
Loneliness V-VI 5-7
We saw in that time ago... 8
Through the windows... 8
Softly 9
Shoes 10
It was south of Berlin... 11
How tightly we close our eyes... 12
Peace came... 13
The Wall 14
January 15
Ledge 16
Unchanged 16
A Need to Be Needed 17
Our Future 17
Lie I awake at night... 18
Begin may we, to feast... 18
Where the there that was then... 18
Crickets played 19
The Blessing of Sin 20
A candle's light 21
Remembering is at times... 22
Life in a Cup 23
Revolution 24
A wild rose... 24
The old full branched tree 25
Afraid, you say... 26
Arrested Progress 26
Good for Nothing 26
Heard... 27
In the forest there's a tree... 28
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Nature's death
compensated
in renewal.
Mankind must too--
to live
have life
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