The River Pt. 1

The soft thundering clouds
creeping across the sky above
a tiny cascade of light, brightening the hills
as the tired young man rises
one boot after another and a splash of cold water

Waking his companion as he straps on the gloves
the grim expression he holds dire
the dirt and blood caked on his face
the very visage of the reaper
with the ache of humanity in his temples

The two men rustle throughout the camp
shaking and moving the items about
stuffing and tossing, eating a bite
a meager breakfast, even for a laborer
but it must suffice for the morning's travel

Like a couple of shambling mounds the two set off
wrapped and bandaged here and there
the gleam of metal shining out atop their heads and across their backs
clank and rattle as their equipment moves about
one boot after another on a cold, desolate morning

The task is great
the journey already long
but still they walk, silent in their stride
alert but foggy
the gripping daze of danger

Minutes to hours and hours to days
they've walked this way
A quest impossible
a hope fragile
Heroes unlikely in a world gone to waste

Who knows the days they have traveled
when at last a sign
peering out from the darkened wood
three grimacing eyes of hatred bright
and sounds enough to unnerve an army

The battle did commence, a horrible sight for a commoner
as steel matched with claws and blood coated the trees
for there amongst the moonlit wood
a beast of the river was slain
tho' not without struggle plain

Clawing and raking
making sounds unheard this side of life
attempting to wound its hunters
it spilt the blood of the young man's companion
and in return lost its head

For a moment the night is silent
all but the heavy breathing of these two forgotten souls
as their hearts beat loudly in their ears
and they look down helplessly
on the terrible scene about

Fumbling and hurting, as the two patch themselves best they can
their bodies can take little more of this pain
for this adventure seems far little like the stuff of legends
to slay the great evil is far more gruesome
it is far more uncomfortable and with far more pain

At last the young man's companion laughs
grabs his friend's shoulder
and they share in a chuckle
a little light in a dark place
the hope is dim but it has not been extinguished

Blood

Raining, soaking
the life giving miracle
spattering and staining
a sight for the strong of heart

Bringer of life
a substance of miracles
tho' often seen in violence
it is given for peace

Spilled in the ages past
and much left to be given
stains your mind
imprints your body

Crimson life given that has saved us
remembered with His body
for as the old hymn sings
power is in the blood

Quiet Christmas Day

The sounds and noise
slowing down
halting and breaking

a rampaging machine
ceasing, slowing to a stop
whilst the people sleep warm in their beds

that early morn
the dim cool light
as the pajama'd masses rise

Such a strange, peaceful quiet
serenity born in a chaotic world
the ease which rings in the ears

A quiet smile on a happy face
no music or noise rampages this scene
the ears may rest for a day

a sunrise on a family
a home and a quiet swing
on a quiet porch amongst quiet snow

No doubt each Christmas is unique
a colorful creature of a one-of-a-kind shade
amongst a world oft of drab greys

But embrace the quiet winter scene
see with your eyes and hear with your mind
the wish for peace on this earth that warms the heart of man

Such a wondrous stillness
such a symphony of quiet
this day, born of an Ultimate Miracle

hug the loves you love close
and frame this picture for life always

Ancestry

Those that came before
setting the stage for those that are
for you and I
the ones who've paved the way

As the trees strip away
and the snow drifts down
take time to remember
those brave few who once were

Flawed and precious
same as us today
many never dreamed of those that would be
people among us today

Mighty mountains of men
shouldering the future without a word
women of indelible courage
marking a path so that what is could be

Cherish those we have today
round the great pine tree
with the presents dashed about
and the holiday crackle about the fireplaces

But remember as well
those who have long gone before
genetics and actions building modern statues
let our chapter be as grand as theirs

Timid Season

The frost may come
and seal the ground

And blow the winds
and desert hounds

The cries out yonder
slowly quieting

The bustle round
going on nightly

The greens and reds
and puffed out sweaters

The familys gather
making things for betters

If not a gift
is passed this year

Then nothing lost
dismissing fear

Tired and sigh
the year that's past

So sing aloud
embrace the last

Wondrous Motivation

Drifting and floating
aimless in a cold, dark sea

Yawning and baiting
with sighs like waves

Stuck here
anxiously looking out the window

The bombs going off
trapped in occupied territory

It's enough to make one lose hope
so seemingly useless a day can be

But there is a hope
which outshines the day

There is a dream
which gets our limbs moving

Though the anxiety of the morrow
smothers and chokes

This hope cannot be stopped
even as one loses sight

For another shall rise
taking the flag upon the hill

The people will look and see
rally their cries together

Strengthen each other!
so easy it is to slip the days by

But The Glory ultimate
will be.

So rise this day and the next
fight for every inch you can

Collapse

The roof caves in
the lights go out
I breathe a heavy sigh

Hands on my head
running my fingers through my hair
I stare with one eye at the problems ahead

Problem-solving is what they educated me for
tasked me with the goal to solve the world
be better than the rest

But I can't always do it
I don't want to

They want to know why me
what can I tell them?

A forlorn look
in my mind's eye
this is often me

Objectivity whispers
despite what I feel
still I struggle in the mire

Tomorrow still has hope of shine
I know what trials breed
the good fruits

Patience, that old prayer
an incredibly powerful trait
earned by blood and tears

Father Christmas

Plump and large
like a red Christmas barge

Of a man cheeks of red
and a grand old sled

A smile so jolly
his halls lined with holly

Off overhead
while warm in our beds

The chimes ringing out
from a distance, the shout

A distant voice in our dream
a green Christmas seam

A laugh and a chuckle
shaking an enormous belt buckle

Wake, to the window and quick
Or you'll miss ol' Nick!

Rush

Pulsing, beating
tapping, thinking
the wild thoughts
rushing, pounding

The brain chaos
the body, shaking
a mess of emotions
a breakdown of sanity

Sugars and chemicals
caffeinated dreams
Hooked and waiting
frantic, searching

The next rush
hopping, skipping
the next thing
quickly, onward

No time to stop
no time to think
no solid thought
keep moving

Liquid, pouring
drinking, slurping
Eyes wide shut
lines, queues

Don't slow
don't stop
worry as you rest
listen as you sleep

Quiet, creepy
eerie, silence
be still, slow it down
faster, slower, and slower still

This terrible race
we've trapped ourselves in
closing the door behind
blocking that long forgotten exit

Rest Easy

Sleep lines beneath my eyes
never going away these days

A permanent fixture
a rapidly moving world

But when the night passes
a great story before

As the cold outside settles
covering the air around

The blankets inside invite
rest beneath their warm embrace

Remember to rest easy
despite the chaos of tomorrow

If never the time is taken
forever it will remain elusive

The Best of Friends

The best of friends
the ones you can count
when the chips are down
and the every day is tough

When hope fills our lives in a moment
and our dreams are crushed in the next
the best of friends will be there
and will not leave till the end

When lost and alone
abandoned on the island of gray
the best of friends will find you
they will drag you home

These best of friends are flawed
mistakes and scars, visible from afar
perhaps rough around the edges
perhaps a little strange to the world

But you will know who they really are
when the sweet and kind ones disappear
as the going gets tough
and the few remain, the real, the brave

So cherish them that stay
and fight by your side
forgive them their flaws
walk arm in arm

We are all so in need
for those that are the best of friends
but I see the secret
real people are imperfect

We will find the best of friends
dancing among the realities
they will love us despite us
as He did it first

Straight Shot

An arrow alight
quick and to the point

straight to its target it flies
determined to make its mark

much left to do
the arrow will get things done

parabolic in motion
singing it hymn of physics

much like the arrow
focused and determined

just a bit left to do
and the marks are being made

the forces, the impact
perhaps I do not see them

but straight as an arrow
plunging deep into the target

one thing, for sure may be said
the arrow will have flown

Chaotic Christmas

The swift, the quick
the engine is running
cars going swiftly by
and jamming steadily into shopping malls

Little time to rest
the season is here
time to get busy and wish
for the new year

The stress and depression
going up with the holidays
merry Christmas to all
but not all find it merry

But wait! Turn off your engine
look outside at the emerging winter scene
slow down your pace and remember to smile
gifts make not the season, but the people around

We all dream of a white Christmas
but for what reason?
It would certainly slow us down
prevent us from shopping

Secretly, we wish to relax
to take it easy and be with the ones we love
but somehow we've swallowed it up
buried it beneath the commercials

Breathe deep and pause, take a moment and look
you can still see it, the true Christmas spirit
hidden beneath the store-bought trinkets
poking it's head out from beyond the tinsel

Little or lots
Christmas is not lost
savor the times and the warmth of the fire
rest your anxious heart and remember to smile

Companion

The crushing, the disappointment
the times when little is left to say
when the jerks of this world rear their heads
to jeer in our face

But a ray of light in a dark place
a warm nudge, a smile, an empathy
an affirming touch
and the dark can do little to stem the tide

I'll walk a thousand terrible pits
face more trouble than these meager nights
with that ray of light
and still walk joyful through the end

I've seen the looks on their faces
as the world caves in around
and the silence rocking the air
the words that won't come

I've felt the stagger
the thought that this is really how it is
the knowledge of a hope dashed
and the numbing sting after

But with that glimpse of dawn
arm in arm on a long road
I think perhaps
I could face a lot worse

Thank YOU

Thank you, though the words aren't enough
being there when I'm uneasy
not leaving when I stumble

Thank you, for keeping me in check
for trusting when I betray
for laughing when the outlook is grim

For listening and pushing
encouraging by prose and by poem
but most of all by deed

This season is a miracle
of laughter and joy, cold and warmth
a time to reflect and see our blessings

And Blessed indeed am I
when the cold outside chills
but the warmth from my companions never fades

So thank you,
little you know the good work done
but grateful I am indeed

Give Thanks

The food, and the people
they gather around
laughing and cheering
embracing their loves

Raise a glass this day
for a day of true thanks
sit not with the vial
of bitter and dark

Given the Joy of a life worth living
for meaning and reason,
for hope everlasting,
for love and adventure!

I'll raise my hands and my spirits
for more than a bit
we've got more than the world
more than a bit

Waste not the day
embrace those around
thankful, yes cheerful
cheer a cheer of happiness

A Thaw

Crunching along, boot into snow
knowing not which is this way that I go
but warmer this day than the last
and more easy to bear the dark of the past

This day it is trouble, not easy to do
and my conflicts are sticky and messy like glue
but I smile a bit in the face of it all
I know it is coming, the cold winter thaw

Unshaven and messy, rugged and sore
bloody and patched, the body is tore
my hands are gripping, aching and strong
feet, they move forward, on a road that is long

The snow drifts down, just a little, late frost
unafraid of a danger of a path that is lost
a stroll in the white, in the green, and the gray
lost of its fury, the late winter's day

A grin and a wink
we're off in a blink
determined to live the best that we can
light to a dark, a desperate, cold land

City on Fire

The glow burns bright
daylight has come
but the clock ticks late
and many still walk in dreams

The flames, red, rising
the sirens off in the distance
watching from the rooftop
the city is burning

Who will save those in danger?
Who will come for their rescue?
For we sleep through the flames
unaware of the danger

Come with me
for The Adventure calls tonight
and though we walk through the flames
the people need help

A tough task to go at alone
the searing heat, the blaring noise
but come along and I think we'll see
that we are called

I can't promise comfort
the flames will burn and sear
but I'll crack a joke from time to time
in the face of the grim and the dark

No tale is too hard
for a laugh and a grin
a love and a step
and the siren is for us

So come to laugh and dance
to seek and to save
to battle the rising tide
they do not know He waits

We will show them our King
for only He can rescue
it may be that we go to our doom
but the Story is worth the chance

Fist Pumping Joy

Let us take a moment
to raise our hands in the air
for that fist pumping joy
for He is good

Dark days we are in
but bright are our companions
they've got our back

Our stories
one day, the most wonderful of stories

Rejoice

Spiritual Rugburn

Night after night
the warriors go to war
morning after morning
their bodies feel the toll

Quietly, the door shuts behind them
they feel the weight of the world
but also the joy
for the Joy is with them

Down to their knees
face to the ground
determined to do what they can
to get through these dark days

Battered and torn
mentally worn
their knees ache
the blood rushes to their head

But still they are unmoved
lost in the conversation
seeking The Wisdom
and feeling the ache inside

Oh! How difficult it is
to fight here in the body
so to our knees we must go
and seek the answers

Far too impossible a typical day
to face it without those worn knees
that have come to be known
with the monks of the past

But let us follow those brave and bold
down to our knees, determined to be
fighting for life and the truth
clutching tight to The Love

First Scent of Christmas

The snow drifts down constantly
the year round as we trudge
forward through the storm
determined to make our way

But this time of the year
the snow falls just a bit lighter
the snowflakes glisten in the moonlight
and our work is not quite as heavy

We are all walking this road
with a different set of companions

some have found love
walking hand in hand in the frost
others walk alone
though He walks beside us all

some walk together
in a chuckling community of hikers
some clutch tightly to their best friends
determined to see the end of this road

But all seem to walk a little bit quicker
with a cheer in their step and a lightness of heart
as the November sun starts to set
and the bells ring out from the distance

Ballad of the Everyday

Soundtrack:
Tisbury Lane by Mae
-------------------------

A song in the heart
worth far more than gold
for the everyday is slow
but the everyday is where the victory is won

We will bicker and fight
sit down in the dark
sad thoughts surrounding
but looking longingly beyond

These trying times give us hope
hope to spread to others
the darkness reveals the light
and the story to tell

Come and chat and smile a little
hear the tale of a good friend
of her triumphs and defeats
and see her adventure

Hear the piano trickle
as it mingles with the scene
for life is all music
even the everyday

One day we'll all be gone
just stories on the wall
a name to tell with a wink and a nudge
and a song to sing

Valued souls, each of us
she, you, I
we play to the tune of the everyday
with hope of day extraordinary

One Step Forward...

One step forward
and two steps backward
the way progress goes
on rainy days like this

One step forward
and one step closer
each step is more
though little we see the progress

One step forward
is the way things start
though many steps are left
and long is the road

One step forward
though the journey's end is uncertain
and our path is blocked
by the fallen rocks

One step forward
hesitant as it may be
as we remain unsure
of this current direction

Yet one step forward
for though I know little of future things
I know that I must keep going
one step after another

A Task Completed

The joy, the freedom
to know a task is done
a trial is passed
a day has begun

Happy are the days
and even the nights
to feel the suns rays
and be free of that weight

The day looks better
and the nights are brighter
for happy is a task completed
to make our burdens lighter

Why do we put off things?
Yes, procrastinate.
Worry is all this brings
instead of a pack light

The Long Road

Incredible this world is,
so full of life and color

What are we that walk this Earth
that He would take favor on us?

Yet there is so much to turn us aside
so much to devour our attention
We stuff our faces with entertainment
and starve from real sustenance

I want His great plan
and little else
but in the moment
the painting is blurred and dripping

Take pity on me!
For I am far from the ideal
staggering and stumbling daily
only to be picked up again

Isaiah knew the things he spoke
for we are of unclean lips
and unclean lives
yet He calls us home again

These filthy rags that are the little good we produce
they do not satisfy
to replace the shining robe
we have been given

Oh Glory above!
Your brilliance,
it is too much to behold
I cannot fathom your mind

Oh God you are my Cause
Strengthen my body and spirit
for the road is long
and the path curves out of sight

My boots are muddy and my sleeves are torn
the dirt has long since caked onto my hands

Yet I feel alive on this road
walking stick tapping with the rhythm of my feet

It is good to be surrounded by the mountains
even knowing the climb that is ahead

As if the World Will Burn

Looking about, taking it all in
they carry on and about as if I am not there
I walk along anyways
attempting a few vague smiles

Do they notice? Do they care?
Some may, most don't surely
they are not looking, they are not speaking
they cannot detect when they are not trying

There will come a day
when I look back on these seasons
with the Great One
and we will laugh and cry together

But that day has not come yet
and no one knows how short or long it is
until then I must love as if the world will burn
the very next day or the next hour

Yet numb is my heart and hard to breathe
when my love goes out and does not return
and I fail and fall, flat on my face
still, He picks me up and tells me to walk again

These days I feel like a marionette
He compels me forward, I am barely able to walk alone
but slowly I am learning
and though there is pain now, He comforts me

I will sacrifice it all if it is His desire
my Maker and my King
but for now he merely asks me to keep walking
and the hurt does not dissipate

There will come a glorious day
when I wake in the morn in my bed
and sleep that night in His embrace
but until then I will keep walking

Grampa

He sits at the edge of the table in my memory
his kind face and smile
they are not quite the same as the photos I see
but I remember him all the same

He was so big and so fun and loving
always there and close

I am sad to think the memories are so fuzzy
but I know he has gone to see the One I serve

My main thought that comes when I think of that man
is the questions I have that I'm sure he could answer
I think of the times he would have spurred me on
the times we would have talked for hours and hours

A great man indeed, a formidable mountain
he taught the Word in a difficult era
and was mocked by the world for his efforts
but I know that God smiles on his name

One day I hope to see him again
not that I know the nature of heaven
The One that I serve knew and knows him
and for that I am thankful

This great man's mentor is my own as well
we serve the same almighty
his time was too quick and a vivid reminder
that my own time may pass before I consider

I'm sure he'd be proud, that is what they say
but secretly I know, there is no doubt

Come Along on this Path

Come and walk the yonder way
Tis better than to waste the day

I've got my mark, I'm headed there
come with me, I'll show you the land

The path is tough, and fraught with danger
And yes indeed, there is none stranger

But I'll ensure your safe from harm
and you will find no better path

I don't always see beyond the next turn
And for my home I sometimes yearn

But in the morning light and break of dawn
I always feel our purpose driving me

So come with me, its quite the life
though indeed, filled with strife

for our journey is an epic
and the end is worth the story

Vivid Dream

My dreams they come and go like dust in wind
but in the morn I wake and find the lie
and sad my heart becomes, yes hard to mend
a dream too good, my God please tell me why

These things I wish were true in truth are not
and sleep I fear for dreams will go ahead
to take me to the place I have not caught
and stir within a hope that kills instead

Forgive me please for if I look adrift
Not I a man to live inside the dream
yet wish do I that this specific rift
were true indeed, alas, the perfect scene

Aha! I'll go and make the best I can
and in the end you cannot say I ran

Encounter

Sit close by and enjoy the sounds
the people, the sights, as they make their rounds
take a sip, sit back, and take it in
for today is a day to make things begin

Your eyes look heavy but bright
sleepy and quaint is this dim light
but there is much left to speak
and you are so close to what you seek

Life, difficult and fleeting
drives you to take this meeting
but comfort yourself now and slow
Here Now, in this ancient glow

Chase not the things which don't last
the people, the objects, even the past
discard your thoughts of being alone
more than a few walk the path you have known

The business, the troubles, you are not here to absolve
perhaps this is more than just a little resolve
forget your agenda, the tasks and the time
the tower is tall, too tough to climb

The moment is enough and will sustain
quiet and listen, the silent refrain
tomorrow will come sure and enough
but it is silly to think that it will be far too tough

So sit and be still, quiet thy heart
you'll soon see the motions and then how to start
but looking ahead in the now will bring cost
so dust off the snow, the flakes, and the frost

Words

Simplicity Sake

Come and take a trip with me
to a world that is now, a world of speciality
Sad to say, the renaissance is long gone to the past
such a shame, it would have been a blast

Age Old Game

What is the life, the true nature of the thing?
This question will haunt us all
till the day we see as our last
or the day which truly is

I will paint you a picture
that will come to life
a wonderful scene
and perhaps it will suit you

The image that comes to my mind
this quiet tyro, I may be
is the picture of a table and some cards
some drinks and laughter

The setting, the room, it is dark, moody
Yet persons at the table are bright
their faces lit merely by the smiles and chuckles
smoke filling the air

These are my people
this is what is like
to live in the now
and live for the greatest cause

Let me introduce you, my friend
for this is the greatest time
you look tired and worn
let us ease your mind

Come, have a seat at our table
we welcome you to learn the game we play
and join us as we jeer and cheer at the cards life has dealt us
for tomorrow could be the final hand

Spades we are dealt for this the fate of life
but we will play with what we have
and learn to find laughter amongst
the dark and the sad

Diamonds too, will show up at times
and together we cheer
for one has overcome
and there is hope for us all

Clubs, too will drift by
to remind us to notice our surroundings
to take life one step at a time
and flee mediocrity with every move

And finally, we have our hearts,
perhaps the most valuable of all
for we will give love and breathe it in
it is our calling, it is worth living for

So take a seat at the table
and play a hand or two
I think you'll find
our game is better

Dust Soldiers

There comes a time
a time at last
when I will come to find
that my time is last

Please don't think that my thoughts are crazy
I'm simply writing those fragments
that come and go like the whisping dust
like a swirl amongst an abandoned room
the wind stirs it and them

I feel there is a fire in my bones
that compels me to speak, to create
that which is unseen to all but myself

Truth is that life has a number of things
that are not particularly pleasant to do
there are quite a few of these ahead just now
and I will move them back even further
into the recesses of time to do another thing
a thing that is perhaps more important
time will testify

The nerves, the body it resists the now
the worry and heaviness, they are chains
but perhaps these chains are useless and already unlocked
we just have yet to throw them off

for we have forgotten the weight of our limbs
when they are unbidden

Why make life about something it is not?
Chasing the things which will fade
such a ridiculous fate
yet we choose it ourselves

Our task is simple
we will make it difficult

yet perhaps in glimpses the truth is revealed
the thing which we are actually here for
and not that made by man
and the glimpse drives us forward
to the do The Great Work
and turn a page in The Great Story

Incredibly broken
these silly toys are
six billion and counting

I feel the crank which should work
but does not
I feel the joints that are rusted
what worth am I

And yet, I am here!
and this statement does cry
that I have yet more to do
and so I will move my next foot
and the one after that
as I have done before

one raindrop after another
and eventually the flood

Heavy Snow

Weighted down neath the falling snow
the white obscures my way to go
I tread a path which soon is gone
my footsteps deleted fore the break of dawn

It is oft difficult to view
that which surrounds
I cut through a savage milieu
for The Love that abounds

With brolly in hand, the flakes slide away
the winter, it chills on the night of this day
my way seems lost, but on I press
on my way out from under this stress

The paths ahead are impossible to choose
but they are my own
and still it seems there is too much to lose
but I am not alone

I can taste the cold, it strikes my bone
but it comforts to know that I am not stone
the light on the porch is just up ahead
my walk and my feet, heavy as lead

Heavy and light, which one is life?
the eternal dialog must go forward
we must learn to live within this strife
yes, walk within the blizzard

I feel the snow, ice touching skin
beneath the wrap of my scarf