... mother ...

anguish and frustration

annoyance and pain

hurt and irritation

threatens to drive you insane

inspiration and expectation

happiness and pleasure

healing and contemplation

offer a joyous balm in sparing measure

lack of conversation

desperation and disrepair

life under usurpation

inmate imposed despair

new life of dedication

hope and serenity

explanations of exploration

wonder of discovery

hurt words and recrimination

drudgery and impotence

undone lists of intimidation

feelings of insignificance

kindness and determination

completion and companionship

acts of love and demonstration

are rewards your discipleship

Ode to my wife and family...

Here is a poem that illustrates the beauty, the struggle and the joy that are to be found in one's family.  Life has its thorns to be sure.  Yet the beauty of it is nonetheless unchanged.  God has given us this life and enabled us to experience joy.  Our families are the key source of that joy.

This poem was selected by poetry.com for inclusion in their Eternal Portraits back in 2004.  I never returned their permission form but it was nonetheless selected.  Enjoy.

Ode to my wife and family...


Life as one we'd never have expected.
Life as one we've happiness expected.
Life has options. We have borne and been dejected.
Life is a whirlwind six children have created.
Life is fine and most beautiful when reflected.

Fire

Orange and Red

Blue and White

Ash and Coal

Spark and Ember

Light and Heat

Life and Death

Creation and Destruction

Refiner and Unmaker

Lives’ the Troll

In the air

Above the ground

Over the lake

Past the waterfall

Under the bridge

Before the ridge

Behind the rock

Beyond the plain

In a hole

- lives the troll

Originally Written: 11/15/1987

Typed: 10/24/2010

Water

I trickle through rocks.

I flow through cracks.

Life is my to give and to take,

Though the choice is your to make.

The Quest for Truth

The quest for truth is a path we travel.

the road it is long and often appears to unravel.

There many intersections between hither and yond;

that leave us with the question, wither we go on.

There are paths that lead us away from the light,

wide and broad the pavement extends into the night.

The voices are loud that peddle their wares;

often the cries are reasoned and fair.

Yet the sidewalk they travel should be feared,

they demand a price that is precious and dear.

The world is willing to casually say,

come and play there is no peril this day.

The life that we have is given with purpose,

yet we may choose the path before us.

Given this day that we may learn,

the path upon which we may return.

The path it is narrow and mocked by the crowd;

they’d lead you away with voices quite loud.

The quest for the truth is never simple

the path it requires you to be rather nimble.

The path it is straight and known to a few,

Christ is our templar and his promise is true.

Life is...

Life is a gift…

…given each day

Life is a present…

…received by day

Love is a treasure…

…rare and true

Love is a bounty…

…I share with you

Life is a journey…

…I travel with you

Life is amazing…

…you by my side

I wrote this for my wife as an insert into her birthday card.