My Garden

I made myself a wastrel

 an orphan of my choice

 

And severed all my family ties

 in search of my own voice

 

I left without once looking back

 the present straight ahead

 

The past redundant, future flawed

 to butter my own bread

 

The years have come with decades gone

 old memories buried deep

 

Of times when I was young and hurt

 to dream but not to sleep

 

New breezes blow, fair winds to call

 the children come and go

 

As here I sit with no regrets

  —my garden fully hoed

 

(Villanova Pennsylvania: July, 2018)

Master Of It All

Should God destroy a mountain

  because you’re afraid of heights

 

Should the sun stay fixed forever

  to keep away the night

 

Should the birds all sing in unison

  drowning out the siren’s call

 

Should the questions all have answers

 —with you master of it all

 

(Villanova Pennsylvania: July, 2016)

With Grace Sent

I often walk a mile

  to go just fifteen steps

 

I often write ten pages

  for that line that dries and sets

 

I often talk a blue streak

  hoping for one special word

 

And often love beyond my heart

  —with grace sent from our Lord

 

(Villanova Pennsylvania: June, 2016)

Reasons Mine To Keep

Do I reach for understanding

  or is knowing quite enough

 

Or deem then that important

  if the difference smooth or rough

 

Do I understand a mountain

  or the bear that lives within

 

Or just know that it belongs there

  and the mystery that it brings

 

Do I understand the Ocean

  or the waves that break so high

 

Or just hear its thunder crashing

  and not need to wonder why

 

Do I understand what time is

  its symbols and what they mean

 

Or understand a life laid down

  in battles unforeseen

 

Do I understand a memory

  or just smile whenever it calls

 

Or understand tomorrow

  when today my life befalls

 

Do I understand the anger

  or just control it when it barks

 

Or understand the danger

  sometimes lurking in the dark

 

Do I understand the words I write

  when the Muse shakes me from my sleep

 

Or understand the excuses loaned

   —the reasons mine to keep

 

(Villanova Pennsylvania: June, 2016)