The autumn colors flown from the trees
assaulted by the frigid  breeze
though we were
sheltered in the lea.
As an eagle soared high
in the clear cerulean sky
we lay my father
gently in the ground.
In the sweet earth
on  which he had toiled
for so long.

He was our father
he was our friend,
and with our tears
sprinkled in the golden grass,
we lay the quiet words
and sparkling  eyes’
the laughing voice
and gentle hands,
we lay the heart
that loves us still
gently in the ground.

My father, probably the kindest man I ever met, died on November 13, 2017 at the age of almost 98.  His funeral was held just over a week later, on a clear cold day.  1 Corinthians 13 says that “love never ceases” and I believe that.  He was a good father.   I miss him.

The page was known…
   read and reread,
   underlined, annotated
   illuminated…
   …reread again.
then ribbon lifted
   and hollow formed beneath the page,
a cave of sorts, with life inside.

Slowly the hollow became sky
as the page lifted clear
   and floated
   …to gently settle next
   to what had been.
Ready now to be read
   were these new words
   to this old story,
…enter now, they called to me.

The first not forgotten
…nor unimportant,
but leading the way,
for what is now.
This character that I have entered,
coauthored with a Greater.
These new, fresh words,
shimmer and wait,
as though by my living
…will they be fixed to the page.

A week ago I had an opportunity to retreat.  This is my way of mining and remembering the gift of the weekend.

I stand before this massive tree
waiting for the green to red
…and the red to fall
     …slowly…
leaf…by…leaf

I sit beneath it’s canopy
before it empties
…and lays to bed
its summer’s work

 

Lord let your peace
grow in me.
Let it expand
to places unknown.
Let it fill me
and gather
my fretful self to You.

Peace to my fingers
to the things I hold
Peace to my feet
to the places I go
Peace to my mind
to the thoughts that grow
And Peace to my heart
that Your love might show.

Green grass
Golden leaves
Grace in generous hearts
Goofy grins on children’s faces
Gratitude the gift received
Generosity a giver’s bequest
Gorgeous sunrises-lifting fog
Gentle words a breath from God
Generations growing -gifts of age
Glorious Lord, Creator artist
Grand friendship and gifting Presence

A couple of days ago I was on my way home and saw the most beautiful shelf cloud.  It was so beautiful, white against a gray background.  I was so grateful that I was where I was and able to see it span the river, from one bluff across to another.  I was so grateful for that moment in time.  I still am.