Four footprints
chasing lake’s rim
.
You and me – strolling along
but not quite in stride
.
My quicker cadence
of little feet
and dusty knees
.
Our footprints together
as if we were home
.
You and me – strolling along
but not quite in stride
.
My cadence steadied,
my steps now alone
.
ever aware
the path was never
ours to own
.
You and me
.
Journeying to
a forever home
For Jean – nearly one year since her death. I cherish the things I grew to love and learn because of life with her.
Have you noticed
all the shades of green?
.
“Look there,” she would say
to make green become
more than one color
.
Great pines above,
laced ferns below
.
Look
and feel her smile
.
Do you see the shades
of green?
.
To live in a place
bursting with life
.
The small treasures noticed,
the beauty she shared
.
But the best treasure of all
was not the green
.
It was the reason for it
I hear red.
Vacant words
tunneling deep.
.
I tast red.
Sour truths
lingering still.
.
I see red.
Piercing cuts
remaining raw.
.
Remember red.
Flogs unjust
a silent sky.
.
Remember red.
Freely spilled
the crux of life.
.
Remember red.
Once for all
sting left behind.
In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ.
Ephesians 1:7-9
There is a mark of life
-rooted green-
grown in perfect presence
.
Our tears will soon be gone
.
That defying choice
-dividing flames to death-
this is not our end
.
Our tears will soon be gone
.
A mark of grace
-innocence on a tree-
forever paid our redemption
.
Our tears will soon be gone
.
By this we find
new birth, new longings
for our true country
.
Our tears will soon be gone
.
Look for that dawn
-the finale of our story-
To the rooted green and crystal river
.
Our tears will soon be gone
.
We will enter,
our tear-stained faces
wiped away to bask in His glory
.
Our tears will soon be gone
.
We again will see
the mark of life
Now lined in perfect presence
.
Our tears will be forever gone
.
Flames will never again divide
One life ensured
our perfect peace
.
Beauty and Terror
All that is can error
That which captivates most
May bring terror
Wood wrapped in incandescent flames
Reminiscent of
Your Father’s name
Removed from willful refrain
Yellow may devour
Energy unrestrained
Fire, you’re beauty and terror
All that is can error
That which captivates most
May bring terror
Peaks piercing air
A sight so majestic –
Stirring passion and prayer
The heart-stopping giants
May storm lava and ash
streaming defiant
Mountains, you’re beauty and terror
All that is can error
That which captivates most
May bring terror
A rumbling palette of blue
rousing and soothing
Swells vast, unique – forever renewed
The steady cool may lap violent
Reminding those of their place
Leaving everything silent
Sea, you’re beauty and terror
All that is can error
That which captivates most
May bring terror
All that is will return
to perfect beauty for glory
for this we securely yearn
Someday we’ll witness a land
Teeming of rest
Both lion and lamb
that which captivates most
forever freed from terror
“Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand
and marked off the heavens with a span,
enclosed the dust of the earth in a measure
and weighed the mountains in scales
and the hills in a balance?”-Isaiah 40:12
Reflections of Terror and Beauty 