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