In These Times of Darkness

 

source

In These Times of Darkness

In these times of darkness we must find ways to collect light,
open our windows, be sure that trees don't block the sun,
stay away from dark clouds that are so prevalent in our world.

Without light there is no hope.  Without light the darkness rules.
We must hold each others' hands with eyes facing skyward as we chant
hopeful psalms to fend off the dark, but often I wonder if it is enough.

How it is possible to keep faith in God and humanity in these dark days?
Can we find enough light somehow to mend our world?
In these times of darkness, can we find ways to collect light?

For Sherry's prompt "The Dark" at What's Going On?

Such is Life

source

Such is Life

Life is filled with messiness -
even our dreams are now rough
no longer is there a handsome prince
more likely a brutal wind and jagged ice
or stones we can no longer throw.

A specter says drink to the future
bask in the fruits of your labor 
but get your ducks in a row now
while you still can and then
try to forget what you didn't know

For Shay's Word List

Angels

source

Angels

Where are the angels when you need them?
Sometimes when I consider the absurdity of life
I imagine one of them as my protector
and no matter how many rockets he launches
and no matter what his blueprint for evil
I will somehow be safe in my bubble
speaking my own nervous dialect
not ready for an  inscription to be written
on my tombstone quite yet.
Angel, please show yourself!

Written for Shay's Word Garden

 

Light

 

source

Light

If you want light to flood your body you must
open yourself up to all that gives light.
Some days it will be only the sun.

Other times it will be a poem you read
or even a poem you write. Light comes
from outside and from within.

Light washes down and washes away,
Light helps you see what you need to see
even if you don't want to see it,

Light is not judgmental, kind or unkind,
may discover what you have looked for
or what you didn't want to know.

-------

For Susan't prompt "Light" at What's Going On?

Wisconsin Winter

source

Wisconsin Winter

Winter screams across bare ground this year, so different from winters past when snow blanketed everything in pristine and peaceful white. This year we face bitter days where wind cuts sharp and deep, and what little snow falls melts too quickly into earth, becoming only a memory.  The brown-green grass lies visible and fragile, much of it stomped down. (Will it rise again in spring?) The skeletal trees stand watch over their domain along the forest path I often walk. Dark branches seem to be etched against a colorless, cheerless sky. They keep their vigil over the woods-living animals that still make their way through these overcast days  and manage to survive - the stealthy coyote, white-tailed deer, quick rabbits and squirrels, night-roaming raccoons, and others. Though my willing pup pulls at her leash when I walk, I  turn away more often from our familiar forest path, more quickly head for home, a refuge from the world. The unforgiving brown of winter without snow's mercy weighs heavy on my spirit. It has been a brutal winter in so many ways. For so many days.

Bare branches reaching
into pale winter morning—
the wind's bitter song

This was written for Sherry's prompt "Landscapes" at What's Going On?

 

Untitled

source

Untitled

So often they lose their voice
as they move toward the grave
what used to be their story
becomes others' story to tell
they sit bundled with quilts on the sofa
wonder when last they were kissed
lost in songs of the past
life has turned into a bizarre joke
but they will mask their sorrows
as they seek to die with grace.

Written for Shay's Word Garden List

Eve of Destruction

source

Eve of Destruction

The whole country is exploding
Tensions high and fear imploding
Our polarized nation is torn apart
And this is only just a start.

Criminals have control of the land
They claim to be God's right hand
Support the rich, disregard the poor
Threaten land grabs, plan for war.

But you tell me we are not
on the Eve of Destruction.

They don't believe in climate change
Don't want to work across the page
More oil wells is the answer to greed
Electric cars they try to impede.

The richest wants to control the sphere
Make all countries tremble in fear
Their greed respects no sanctity
They want to control all land and sea.

But you tell me we are not
on the Eve of Destruction.

They mock science with damnation
dismiss Covid as pure fabrication
Bird flu is of minimal concern
Vaccinations something to spurn.

They want to keep women under control
First their bodies and then their soul
their voices silenced, freedoms banned
Their rights erased with one command.

But you tell me we are not
on the Eve of Destruction.

Written for my prompt "Eve of Destruction" at What's Going On?

Today As It Is

Today as It Is

I am absent from life today
there is an ominous chill to the air
while I was napping life changed
the shriek of the owl was ominous
I should have paid attention.

I don't know if I will ever return
the slippery slope leads to damnation
perhaps we need a ceremonial salute
or a somber cello tune playing
to signify it is not a dream.

Gone is the golden age I guess
we never thought it would come
my gaze now is a fixed stare
smiles are forced or few
yabber-yabber consumes my day.

For Shay's Word Garden Word List