Category: I&M

sons and brothers

sons and brothers
brothers and sons
may you carry well
the love i tried to share with you
magnify any wisdom
you may have seen or heard
please forgive me
when you were young
i was trying to figure it out too
and it still feels like i am beginning
and now you walk together
and can see more
as you share the path
tell each other the story
of your movements through this world
and through my shadows
you may see me
as i hoped to be
as i was
and as i am
know i hold you both
the breadth and length
of you stories
are tucked away in my heart
an endless album
of images and melodies
from the day
the music of your tears
announced your birth
to this moment
as you read these words
i hold you both
in love
in honor
with pride
with joy
my sons
my dear sons
love one another

the in between

still on the journey
through achromatic beauty
everything is okay
no
really
it is
well
sort of
i can’t make sense of a anything
everything will be okay
at least i hope it will
but there is the now
the inbetween
the stumbling
not quite sure
which way to turn
i recognize
this strange
space of uncertainty
and stillness
and i cry
fast forwarding
isn’t fun
i cry
feels like
a lonely drowning
i cry
a jumbled pile
of grief and loss
wading through
shattered hope
and i cry
God
help me to accept
the immovable
reality of now
and rest
inhale
exhale
rest
i
cry

rain rain rain

let me talk about the
rain rain rain
inside my heart
and all those words
i thought would build
just tore us all part
let me talk about the
rain rain rain
inside my mind
and all the shame
and fighting ways
and all this wasted time
let me talk about the
rain rain rain
inside your pain
and all your tears
all my broken tries
we can’t go back again
let me talk about the
rain rain rain
i threw it all away
don’t go
the skies
inside our lives
will clear one day
please stay
and share this rain
between us
darkness now
there must be a way
through all this
muddy ground
a story must be here
let’s look around
and find one
who knows
maybe it will
keep us sheltered
from all this
rain
rain
rain

a sleepy dawn

a sleepy dawn
awakens above
a gentle rippled river

colors dance
with clouds
azure meets crimson
i hush my soul
and listen
listen to
the voices
and the noises
trying to discern
which way to turn
to join this dance of light
and fight
the gravity
in me
so much to do
so i just choose
to be
put the camera down
enter the beauty
of all i don’t see
access doors are open
heart and mind
in loving union
in the losing
life is found
in the losing
life is found

the star maker knows

where is the solace
when life only brings darkness
an achromatic sunrise
unable to chase shadows
a sunset that never leaves

where is the gentle breeze
when life storms around and within
can’t breathe the rain soaked air
while i try to put on a smile
the pulse rate of my soul diminished

where are the hands
cradling a countenance
when the lonely tears
are seeking an embrace
standing in the middle of the universe
i guess the view is nice
but no one is there
to share the stars

i’ve heard it said
there is a place
where melodies and harmonies
take flight
like lullabies that never say goodnight
music you can taste
and hold in hand
or pull towards your heart
music that covers you
with a blanket of love and grace
the softest peace
a delicate abyss of joy

so i run to this place
in the darkness and the storm
i lift up my eyes
when it feels i can’t breathe
i fall into faith
when the tears want to stay
i tell my story
and let the music fill in the gaps
the star maker knows
each page of sorrow
each gaze of wonder
the calming comfort of trust
if i’m in the
pain of the valley
or the delight of the clouds
the star maker
knows
my
name
he knows my now
and my yesterdays
my what is to come

i breathe in timeless hope
i fall into
a vast fissure of love and rest

another valley is near
but
He
is
nearer

in the bleak mid-winter

What can I give Him,
Poor as I am? —
If I were a Shepherd
I would bring a lamb;
If I were a Wise Man
I would do my part, —
Yet what I can I give Him, —
Give my heart. 
- Christina Georgina Rossetti

To my WordPress family: Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! May this season of light and joy be filled with peace for you and yours. May your new year be seasoned with adventure, love and contentment.

mckinley morning

This is a collection of way too many images from a beautiful sunrise this morning. Taken at McKinley Woods, a local Illinois state park. Thanks for stopping by.

a prayer

dear Lord
when i am restless
let the tranquility
of your Spirit
the comfort of your word
the light of your love
be my peace
and still my stirring
when i am anxious
let the power
of your grace
the assurance of your sovereignty
the goodness of your will
warm the frozen fear
i feel inside
release the heart shackles
and settle my thoughts
in the river of your presence
when i am triggered
angry
let your mercy
help me remember
how much is broken in me
let your justice
be the end of my longing
let my heart be open
to you and this world
send me
as your loving healing presence
as i receive your love
and your healing
when i am lost
bring me home
when i am so sad
that light seems a memory
and hope a forgotten song
reorient my mind
reset my spirit
help me see
that the suffering is but a moment
that all i long for
awaits in your house
no more tears
no need of light
or sun
no darkness

thank you
my dear Lord
thank you

a brrrrrreautiful morning….

…hope you have a beautiful day! Thanks for stopping by!

late fall ride

A few pics from what probably will be my last motorcycle ride for a while…. (sigh…..) Thanks for stopping by.