THERE'S AN ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM.
IT IS LARGE AND SQUATTING,
SO IT IS HARD TO GET AROUND IT.
YET WE SQUEEZE BY WITH,
"HOW ARE YOU?"
AND "I'M FINE,"
AND A THOUSAND OTHER
FORMS OF TRIVIAL CHATTER.
WE TALK ABOUT THE WEATHER.
WE TALK ABOUT WORK.
WE TALK ABOUT EVERYTHING ELSE,
EXCEPT THE ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM.
THERE'S AN ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM.
WE ALL KNOW IT'S THERE.
WE ARE THINKING ABOUT THE ELEPHANT
AS WE TALK TOGETHER.
IT IS CONSTANTLY ON OUR MINDS.
FOR, YOU SEE,
IT IS A VERY LARGE ELEPHANT.
IT HAS HURT US ALL.
BUT WE DON'T TALK ABOUT THE ELEPHANT
IN THE ROOM.
OH, PLEASE SAY HIS (HER) NAME.
OH, PLEASE SAY HIS (HER) NAME AGAIN.
OH, PLEASE,
LET'S TALK ABOUT THE ELEPHANT
IN THE ROOM.
FOR IF WE TALK ABOUT
HIS (HER) DEATH,
PERHAPS WE CAN TALK A
BOUT HIS (HER) LIFE.
CAN I SAY HIS (HER) NAME TO YOU
AND NOT HAVE YOU LOOK AWAY?
FOR IF I CANNOT,
THEN YOU ARE LEAVING ME....
ALONE....
IN A ROOM....
WITH AN ELEPHANT.
Showing posts with label POETRY. Show all posts
Showing posts with label POETRY. Show all posts
Friday, May 08, 2009
THE CREATION
Creation
AND GOD STEPPED OUT ON SPACE,
AND HE LOOKED AROUND AND SAID:
I'M LONELY-I'LL MAKE ME A WORLD.
AND FAR AS THE EYE OF GOD COULD SEE
DARKNESS COVERED EVERYTHING,
BLACKER THAN A HUNDRED MIDNIGHTS
DOWN IN A CYPRESS SWAMP.
THEN GOD SMILED,
AND THE LIGHT BROKE,
AND THE DARKNESS ROLLED UP ON ONE SIDE,
AND THE LIGHT STOOD SHINING ON THE OTHER,
AND GOD SAID: THAT'S GOOD!
THEN GOD REACHED OUT
AND TOOK THE LIGHT IN HIS HANDS,
AND GOD ROLLED THE LIGHT AROUND IN HIS HANDS
UNTIL HE MADE THE SUN;
AND HE SET THAT SUN A- BLAZING IN THE HEAVENS.
AND THE LIGHT THAT WAS LEFT FROM MAKING THE SUN
GOD GATHERED UP IN A SHINING BALL
AND FLUNG AGAINST THE DARKNESS,
SPANGLING THE NIGHT WITH THE MOON AND STARS.
THEN DOWN BETWEEN
THE DARKNESS AND THE LIGHT
HE HURLED THE WORLD; AND GOD SAID: THAT'S GOOD!
THEN GOD HIMSELF STEPPED DOWN--
AND THE SUN WAS ON HIS RIGHT HAND,
AND THE MOON WAS ON HIS LEFT,
THE STARS WERE CLUSTERED ABOUT HIS HEAD,
AND THE EARTH WAS UNDER HIS FEET.
AND GOD WALKED, AND WHERE HE TROD
HIS FOOTSTEPS HOLLOWED THE VALLEYS OUT
AND BULGED THE MOUNTAINS UP.
THEN HE STOPPED AND LOOKED AND SAW
THAT THE EARTH WAS HOT AND BARREN.
SO GOD STEPPED OVER TO THE EDGE OF THE WORLD
AND HE SPAT OUT THE SEVEN SEAS--
HE BATTED HIS EYES, AND THE LIGHTNINGS FLASHED--
HE CLAPPED HIS HANDS, AND THE THUNDERS ROLLED--
AND THE WATERS ABOVE THE EARTH CAME DOWN,
THE COOLING WATERS CAME DOWN.
THEN THE GREEN GRASS SPROUTED,
AND THE LITTLE RED FLOWERS BLOSSOMED,
THE PINE TREE POINTED HIS FINGER TO THE SKY,
AND THE OAK SPREAD OUT HIS ARMS,
THE LAKES CUDDLED DOWN
IN THE HOLLOWS OF THE GROUND,
AND THE RIVERS RAN DOWN TO THE SEA;
AND GOD SMILED AGAIN,
AND THE RAINBOW APPEARED,
AND CURLED ITSELF AROUND HIS SHOULDER.
THEN GOD RAISED HIS ARM AND HE WAVED HIS HAND
OVER THE SEA AND OVER THE LAND,
AND HE SAID: BRING FORTH! BRING FORTH!
AND QUICKER THAN GOD COULD DROP HIS HAND,
FISHES AND FOWLS
AND BEASTS AND BIRDS
SWAM THE RIVERS AND THE SEAS,
ROAMED THE FORESTS AND THE WOODS,
AND SPLIT THE AIR WITH THEIR WINGS.
AND GOD SAID: THAT'S GOOD
THEN GOD WALKED AROUND,
AND GOD LOOKED AROUND
ON ALL THAT HE HAD MADE.
HE LOOKED ON HIS WORLD
WITH ALL ITS LIVING THINGS
AND GOD SAD: I'M LONELY STILL.
THEN GOD SAT DOWN-
ON THE SIDE OF A HILL WHERE HE COULD THINK;
BY A DEEP, WIDE RIVER HE SAT DOWN;
WITH HIS HEAD IN HIS HANDS,
GOD THOUGHT AND THOUGHT,
TILL HE THOUGHT: I'LL MAKE ME A MAN!
UP FROM THE BED OF THE RIVER
GOD SCOOPED THE CLAY;
AND BY THE BANK OF THE RIVER
HE KNEELED HIM DOWN;
AND THERE THE GREAT GOD ALMIGHTY
WHO LIT THE SUN AND FIXED IT IN THE SKY
WHO FLUNG THE STARS
TO THE MOST FAR CORNER OF THE NIGHT,
WHO ROUNDED THE EARTH I
N THE MIDDLE OF HIS HAND,
THIS GREAT GOD,
LIKE A MAMMY BENDING OVER HER BABY, I
KNEELED DOWN IN THE DUST
TOILING OVER A LUMP OF CLAY
TILL HE SHAPED IT IN HIS OWN IMAGE;
THEN INTO IT HE BLEW THE BREATH OF LIFE,
AND MAN BECAME A LIVING SOUL.
AMEN. AMEN.
JAMES WELDON JOHNSON
AND GOD STEPPED OUT ON SPACE,
AND HE LOOKED AROUND AND SAID:
I'M LONELY-I'LL MAKE ME A WORLD.
AND FAR AS THE EYE OF GOD COULD SEE
DARKNESS COVERED EVERYTHING,
BLACKER THAN A HUNDRED MIDNIGHTS
DOWN IN A CYPRESS SWAMP.
THEN GOD SMILED,
AND THE LIGHT BROKE,
AND THE DARKNESS ROLLED UP ON ONE SIDE,
AND THE LIGHT STOOD SHINING ON THE OTHER,
AND GOD SAID: THAT'S GOOD!
THEN GOD REACHED OUT
AND TOOK THE LIGHT IN HIS HANDS,
AND GOD ROLLED THE LIGHT AROUND IN HIS HANDS
UNTIL HE MADE THE SUN;
AND HE SET THAT SUN A- BLAZING IN THE HEAVENS.
AND THE LIGHT THAT WAS LEFT FROM MAKING THE SUN
GOD GATHERED UP IN A SHINING BALL
AND FLUNG AGAINST THE DARKNESS,
SPANGLING THE NIGHT WITH THE MOON AND STARS.
THEN DOWN BETWEEN
THE DARKNESS AND THE LIGHT
HE HURLED THE WORLD; AND GOD SAID: THAT'S GOOD!
THEN GOD HIMSELF STEPPED DOWN--
AND THE SUN WAS ON HIS RIGHT HAND,
AND THE MOON WAS ON HIS LEFT,
THE STARS WERE CLUSTERED ABOUT HIS HEAD,
AND THE EARTH WAS UNDER HIS FEET.
AND GOD WALKED, AND WHERE HE TROD
HIS FOOTSTEPS HOLLOWED THE VALLEYS OUT
AND BULGED THE MOUNTAINS UP.
THEN HE STOPPED AND LOOKED AND SAW
THAT THE EARTH WAS HOT AND BARREN.
SO GOD STEPPED OVER TO THE EDGE OF THE WORLD
AND HE SPAT OUT THE SEVEN SEAS--
HE BATTED HIS EYES, AND THE LIGHTNINGS FLASHED--
HE CLAPPED HIS HANDS, AND THE THUNDERS ROLLED--
AND THE WATERS ABOVE THE EARTH CAME DOWN,
THE COOLING WATERS CAME DOWN.
THEN THE GREEN GRASS SPROUTED,
AND THE LITTLE RED FLOWERS BLOSSOMED,
THE PINE TREE POINTED HIS FINGER TO THE SKY,
AND THE OAK SPREAD OUT HIS ARMS,
THE LAKES CUDDLED DOWN
IN THE HOLLOWS OF THE GROUND,
AND THE RIVERS RAN DOWN TO THE SEA;
AND GOD SMILED AGAIN,
AND THE RAINBOW APPEARED,
AND CURLED ITSELF AROUND HIS SHOULDER.
THEN GOD RAISED HIS ARM AND HE WAVED HIS HAND
OVER THE SEA AND OVER THE LAND,
AND HE SAID: BRING FORTH! BRING FORTH!
AND QUICKER THAN GOD COULD DROP HIS HAND,
FISHES AND FOWLS
AND BEASTS AND BIRDS
SWAM THE RIVERS AND THE SEAS,
ROAMED THE FORESTS AND THE WOODS,
AND SPLIT THE AIR WITH THEIR WINGS.
AND GOD SAID: THAT'S GOOD
THEN GOD WALKED AROUND,
AND GOD LOOKED AROUND
ON ALL THAT HE HAD MADE.
HE LOOKED ON HIS WORLD
WITH ALL ITS LIVING THINGS
AND GOD SAD: I'M LONELY STILL.
THEN GOD SAT DOWN-
ON THE SIDE OF A HILL WHERE HE COULD THINK;
BY A DEEP, WIDE RIVER HE SAT DOWN;
WITH HIS HEAD IN HIS HANDS,
GOD THOUGHT AND THOUGHT,
TILL HE THOUGHT: I'LL MAKE ME A MAN!
UP FROM THE BED OF THE RIVER
GOD SCOOPED THE CLAY;
AND BY THE BANK OF THE RIVER
HE KNEELED HIM DOWN;
AND THERE THE GREAT GOD ALMIGHTY
WHO LIT THE SUN AND FIXED IT IN THE SKY
WHO FLUNG THE STARS
TO THE MOST FAR CORNER OF THE NIGHT,
WHO ROUNDED THE EARTH I
N THE MIDDLE OF HIS HAND,
THIS GREAT GOD,
LIKE A MAMMY BENDING OVER HER BABY, I
KNEELED DOWN IN THE DUST
TOILING OVER A LUMP OF CLAY
TILL HE SHAPED IT IN HIS OWN IMAGE;
THEN INTO IT HE BLEW THE BREATH OF LIFE,
AND MAN BECAME A LIVING SOUL.
AMEN. AMEN.
JAMES WELDON JOHNSON
Sunday, April 13, 2008
MOTHER'S AGAINST THE WAR
He will leave again.
Again, I'll be broken, a relic
of that young woman I was when
I stood over his bassinet and
hoped his rash would heal
if I changed to cloth.
……………………………………………………………………………………
He left it out
of sight, as if recalling
my refusal,
when he was a boy,
to buy him one.
The only evidence
it existed, a small
brown square of paper,
slightly buckled,
three holes shot
through at the heart,
lying on the table
by his will.
…………………………………………………………………………….
His head was freshly shaved.
A blue square bandage
on his shoulder covered
the small pox shot they all get
before they ship out to Iraq.
In days he'd be cargo on some army plane,
and I'd be in New York City listening
to his message on my machine.
I save all his messages.
………………………………………………………………………………………….
Last Mother's Day,
when he was incommunicado,
nothing came.
Three days later, a message
in my box; a package,
the mail room closed.
I went out into the lobby,
banged my fist against
the desk. When they
gave it to me, I clutched it
to my chest, sobbing
like an animal.
I spoke to no one,
did not apologize.
I didn't care about the gift.
It was the note I wanted,
the salt from his hand,
the words.
……………………………………………………………………..
Frances Richey
....................................................
Again, I'll be broken, a relic
of that young woman I was when
I stood over his bassinet and
hoped his rash would heal
if I changed to cloth.
……………………………………………………………………………………
He left it out
of sight, as if recalling
my refusal,
when he was a boy,
to buy him one.
The only evidence
it existed, a small
brown square of paper,
slightly buckled,
three holes shot
through at the heart,
lying on the table
by his will.
…………………………………………………………………………….
His head was freshly shaved.
A blue square bandage
on his shoulder covered
the small pox shot they all get
before they ship out to Iraq.
In days he'd be cargo on some army plane,
and I'd be in New York City listening
to his message on my machine.
I save all his messages.
………………………………………………………………………………………….
Last Mother's Day,
when he was incommunicado,
nothing came.
Three days later, a message
in my box; a package,
the mail room closed.
I went out into the lobby,
banged my fist against
the desk. When they
gave it to me, I clutched it
to my chest, sobbing
like an animal.
I spoke to no one,
did not apologize.
I didn't care about the gift.
It was the note I wanted,
the salt from his hand,
the words.
……………………………………………………………………..
Frances Richey
....................................................
Friday, January 12, 2007
CEREMONY FOR REMEMBERING
A CEREMONY FOR REMEMBERING
PROLOGUE
LET US SUMMON TO MIND OUR DEAD
BE THEY PARENTS CHILDREN LOVED ONES OR DREAMS
BUT WHEN WE ARE DONE
LET US GENTLY CLOSE THE DOOR
AND LET THEM SLEEP
EMMAUS
THERE WAS SOMETHING ABOUT HIS EYES
LIKE A SOLDIER OFF TO WAR
SAYING GOODBYE TO LOVED ONES
OR A SAILOR FOR A LONG LONG TRIP
WE'D WALKED THAT ROAD MANY TIMES
MY FRIEND AND I
IT HAD BECOME A BIT OF A TASK
WITH NOTHING NEW
TO BE DONE WITH SWIFTLY
AND DONE WITH
WITH PLEASURE AT EITHER END
BUT NOTHING IN THE JOURNEY
UNTIL THE STRANGER CAME TO WALK WITH US
THIS STRANGER
WITH RELUCTANT EYES
HE'D SIGHT A TREE AND CALL IT OUT BY NAME
A FLOWER
BIRD
OR SOME CREEPING THING
THE WAY THE SUN TOOK A CLOUD
AND LIT IT UP WITHIN
OR CAST LONG SHADOWS
LIKE THE SHADOWS
THAT SAT UPON OUR HEARTS
THAT DAY
WHY ARE YOU SO SAD
HE ASKED
AFTER A WHILE
WE'D LET HIM TALK FIRST
OUT OF COURTESY
HE SEEMED TO NEED TO TALK
WHY ARE YOU SO SAD
AND SO TO THIS MAN
WHO SEEMED SO EAGER FOR LIVING THINGS
WE TOLD HIM OF A DEATH
OF OUR FRIEND JESUS
WHO HAD DIED
AND TO USE HIS IMAGERY
PLUCKED LIKE A FLOWER
THAT WAS THROWN AWAY
PICKED WITHOUT PURPOSE
OF A MAN
WHO WHEN HE SPOKE
BOTH TESTED US AND JOYED US
OF THIS JOURNEY
THAT WE TOOK
WHICH WAS DOUBLY LONG
FOR WE CARRIED SADNESS TO EMMAUS
THERE WOULD BE NO PLEASURE THERE
THE BODY WAS GONE
OH THE WOMEN HYSTERICAL
HAD SAID HE WAS RISEN
BUT THE BODY WAS GONE
WHY SHOULD HE DIE
WE BELIEVED HIM CHOSEN OF GOD
WHY SHOULD HE DIE
PERHAPS BECAUSE WE WERE TOO NUMB TO SPEAK
HE TOOK OVER THE CONVERSATION
WHEN DID YOU LEARN TO LOVE YOUR FATHER HE SAID
WHEN I BECAME THE AGE HE WAS
WHEN I DISLIKED HIM
IT SOMEHOW MADE HIM DIFFERENT THEN
AND UNDERSTANDABLE
SO JESUS CAME HE SAID
TO BE THAT PARENT
TO BE THE ONE WHO WENT BEFORE
TO BE THE ONE WHO LIVED AND DIED
AND TO BE TRULY RISEN
AS THE WOMEN SAID
TO BE THE PARENT
WHO HAD GONE BEFORE
SO YOU COULD LEARN
TO LOVE HIM AS YOU GREW
AND THROUGH HIM
THE FATHER TOO
PERHAPS IT WAS THE CADENCE OF HIS VOICE
OR THE WORDS OR THE MAN HIMSELF
BUT WE FELT CALM
WE INVITED HIM TO SUP WITH US
IN OUR GARDEN IN THE EVENING COOL
FOR THE DAY HAD RUN AWAY
AND WE KNEW HIM IN THE BREAKING BREAD
AND THE WINE
THAT TOOK THE JOURNEY'S DUST AWAY
THE SHAWL
THE SHAWL IS FINISHED
I HAVE WOVEN THE WOOL WITH TEARS
I HAVE HURT MY FINGERS
AND SUCKED SORROW
BUT I AM DONE WITH WEEPING NOW
IT WAS FITTING HE SHOULD DIE IN FALL
OR EARLY WINTER REALLY
WHEN GRAYNESS COMES UPON THE LAND
WOULD I CALL HIM BACK
TO RE-SUFFER ALL HIS PAINS
TO ELIMINATE MY OWN
DID I NOT LOVE HIM TO THE POINT I COULD LET HIM GO
IF GOING WERE THE BETTER CHOICE
BUT I AM DONE WITH WEEPING
THE SHAWL IS FINISHED
I SHALL FIND OTHER THINGS TO DO
BRING OUT YOUR DEAD
BRING OUT YOUR DEAD THE WATCHMAN CRIED
IN THE CITY WHERE HE WAS RIDING
ON A CART PILED HIGH WITH LAST YEARS DREAMS
AND LONG REMEMBERED ANGERS
BRING OUT YOUR DEAD
THIS CITY THAT WAS ONCE SO FAIR
WHOSE WALLS WERE WHITE AND RIVERS CLEAR
WHERE MEN WALKED OUT ALONE AND UNAFRAID
HAS BECOME A STINK HOUSE OF REMEMBERED PAIN
AND PENT UP SORROW
BRING OUT YOUR DEAD
LET WINDOWS ONCE MORE OPEN TO THE BREEZE
AND PIPERS PLAY NO MORE THE FUNERAL MARCH BUT GAY
BRING OUT YOUR DEAD
THAT MEN MAY SAY ON PASSING BY
A FAIR CITY THERE PLEASING TO THE EYE
AND HEAR
THE LAUGHTER RINGING IN THE AIR
BRING OUT YOUR DEAD
STARS
HE LIKED TO WATCH THE STARS
THEIR SENSE OF ORDER AND HIS FILIAL PRIDE
BOTH GAVE HIM WARMTH
HE LIKED THE LEGENDS THAT MEN TOLD
ABOUT THESE LANTERNS IN THE SKY
HE LIKED THE WAY THEY LED A SHIP
OR CARAVAN TO FIND A HOME
HE SOMETIMES THOUGHT HE HEARD THE SOUND OF SILVER BELLS
WHEN THE WIND WAS IN THE TREES
AND NIGHT CLOUDS CAME SCUDDING ACROSS THE MOON
WHEN WILD DOGS BARKED
AND SHEEP BELLS RANG CLEARLY IN THE DARK
HE THOUGHT HE HEARD THE STARS SING
PERHAPS THAT'S WHY HIS FATHER
MADE THE SKY GO DARK
BEFORE HE DIED
THE OLD HOUSE
WE FOUND IT DEEP IN THE WOODS
FAR FROM THE PATH
THE RUINS OF THE HOUSE
AND THE OLD STONE FENCE
YOU COULD TELL THE GARDEN
IN THE DIFFERENCE IN TREES
AND BUSHES GONE WILD
THE MOUNTAINEER'S CABIN
HARD BY A STREAM
YOU COULD MARK OFF HIS FIELDS
BY FOLLOWING HIS FENCE
EACH STONE HAND CARRIED TO BUILD IT
AS HE FOUND THEM
ON A SLOOP SO STEEP
YOU COULD PICTURE THEIR SAYING
IF YOU DON'T HOLD ONTO THE PLOW
YOU'LL FALL OUT OF THE FIELD
YOU WONDER WHEN HE BUILT THE HOUSE AND FENCE AND PLOWED
DID HE THINK IT WOULD COME TO THIS
OR DID HE SEE A LINE OF SONS COMING AFTER
LOVING THE LAND AS HE DID
IT DOESN'T REALLY MATTER I SUPPOSE
WHAT COUNTS IS
HE HAD A DREAM
AND TRIED TO MAKE IT REAL
ABSALOM DAVID'S SON
HE COULD REMEMBER HIS SWINGING ON TREES
WATCHING HIM NOW
HANGING FROM THE TREE BY HIS HAIR
HE WISHED HIS FACE WAS LESS CONTORTED
HIS FACE LINES LAUGHTER CAUSED
WHEN THEY TOLD HIM HOW HE DIED
HOW HE SWUNG FROM THE TREE BY HIS HAIR
THE SOLDIERS SPEARS IMPALING
HE ONLY ASKED
DID HE CALL MY NAME
I WOULD NOT WANT HIM DEAD IN ANGER
THIS CHILD OF MINE
WHO TREE CLIMBED OFTEN IN HIS YOUTH
WHO TREE CLIMBED OFTEN AND WOULD CALL
FIND ME IF YOU CAN
WHAT HAPPENED AS HE GREW THAT I LOST MY CHILD
WHAT HAPPENED AS WE GREW THAT I LOST MY CHILD
WHEN DID HE CLIMB DOWN UNHEEDED
AND WENT HIS WAY
DID HE TIRE OF HIDE AND SEEK
WHEN I WOULD NOT PLAY
WHERE DID I LOSE MY SON
WHEN DID THE SILENCE GO TO ANGER
AND THE NEED TO HURT
SO MANY CALLS UPON ME
SO MANY PLACES TO BE
OH ABSALOM
ABSALOM
TREE CLIMBER
MY CHILD
STRANGE FRUIT ON THE TREE
STIFF IN DEATH
AS YOU WERE IN LIFE
I KISS YOUR STILL UNFEELING LIPS
WOULD TO GOD I HAD DIED
WOULD TO GOD I HAD DIED
THAN BE HERE TO WATCH
THE SUN GO DOWN
ON YOUR ANGER
AND YOUR DEATH
METAL FENCE
METAL FENCE WITH GATE DOOR OPEN
STANDING IN A FIELD BEFORE A HOUSE LONG GONE
THE GARDEN OVERGROWN
AND GONE TO SEED IN WINTER
WHAT POSSESSED ME I DO NOT KNOW
TO LEAVE THE ROAD
AND GO AND CLOSE THE GATE
WHOSE GHOSTS DID I WANT TO RESTRAIN
THEIRS OR MINE
WHAT VISIONS OF PARENTHOOD
HOPES
DREAMS
STILL DWELL IN THE GARDEN
STAY CLOSED GATE
I HAVE GHOSTS ENOUGH
OF MY OWN TO KEEP
JOSEPH'S DEATH
IT WAS SUMMER AND THE WINDOWS WERE OPEN
THROUGH THEM HE COULD HEAR THE SOUND OF HOUSEWORK BEING DONE
THE SNATCH OF A SONG THE RUNNING OF WATER
THE SOUND OF A BROOM
IT WAS HOT BUT HE COULDN'T FEEL IT
HIS SHAWL WAS ABOUT HIS SHOULDERS
BUT HIS COLD WASN'T IN THE WEATHER
THE SOUND OF THE BROOM RAN ALL HIS DAYS TOGETHER
SO THAT HE THOUGHT HIMSELF ONCE MORE YOUNG
AND COMING TO CALL FLOWERS FRESHLY PICKED
UPON HIS YOUNG SWEET LOVE
HIS MARY
BUT THEN HIS MEMORY DARKENED
AND HIS BLOOD IN SPITE OF YEARS RAN HOT
ANGER POUNDED IN HIS BRAIN
I AM WITH CHILD
NO A THOUSAND RAVENS CRIED
NO A THOUSAND CROWS REPLIED
PANDEMONIUM OF THUNDER
LIGHTNING FLASH
AND DRIVING RAIN
NO HE CRIED TO NO ONE LISTENING
RACING FROM THE SUMMER STORM
RACING LOSING AND WAS CAUGHT
DRENCHED
THE RAIN RUNNING DOWN HIS FACE MIXING WITH HIS TEARS
NO HE WHISPERED TO THE EARTH
FACE PRESSED DOWN IN SOGGY GRASS
WHY HE SOBBED OH GOD WHY..
BUT NO ANSWER CAME THEN SOMETHING CAME
THE MEMORY OF HER WORDS
REMEMBER I LOVE YOU
HOW QUICK THE STORM
HOW SUDDEN THE SUN'S RETURN
SO THAT THE OLD MAN FELT ONCE MORE ITS HEAT
HE STRUGGLED TO FORM THE WORDS
FROM IN THE HOUSE THE QUESTION
DID YOU CALL
I LOVE YOU
DID YOU CALL
I LOVE YOU
DID YOU CALL
THEN JOSEPH DIED
ON THE DEATH OF A FATHER OF MY FRIEND
I MOURN YOU
THOUGH I NEVER KNEW YOU
I NEVER BOUGHT YOU A BEER
LAUGHED AT YOUR JOKES
OR SHARED YOUR VIEWS
YET I MOURN YOU STILL
FOR YOUR DEATH IS A LOSS TO ONE I LOVE
AND I AM DIMINISHED BY IT
AND SO I MOURN YOU
BUT MORE
FOR YOU SHAPED AND BROUGHT INTO BEING
MY FRIEND
SOMEWHERE IN YOU THEN WAS A GIFT OF BEAUTY
AND THAT MUCH BEAUTY IS NOW GONE
AND I MOURN YOU
NOW YOU SLEEP OUT IN THE RAIN
ALL YOUR ELEMENTS GOING BACK TO GOD
NOW THE SENSE OF LOSS GIVES MY FRIEND PAIN
BUT IN THE SPRING
WHEN CROCUS BUDS PEEK THROUGH THE SNOW
COME BACK
WITH MEMORIES WARM
ALL HARSH THOUGHTS FORGOTTEN
COME BACK WITH MEMORIES OF LAUGHTER
AND MAKE MY HEART-FRIEND
SMILE
THE ULTIMATE IS SILENCE
I THINK PERHAPS THE ULTIMATE IS SILENCE
WHEN ALL LOVE COMES HOME TO GOD TO REST
WHEN WORDS
WHICH DO NOT TELL THE HEART
ARE OVER
I THINK PERHAPS WE SHALL REVERT TO THE BEGINNING
AND WITH A SIGH BREATHE OUT OUR SOULS TO REST
WHEN SPIRIT OF GOD AND LOVE ARE REUNITED
AND SAFELY DWELL FOREVER IN GOD'S BREAST
FRANK A VOLLMER
PROLOGUE
LET US SUMMON TO MIND OUR DEAD
BE THEY PARENTS CHILDREN LOVED ONES OR DREAMS
BUT WHEN WE ARE DONE
LET US GENTLY CLOSE THE DOOR
AND LET THEM SLEEP
EMMAUS
THERE WAS SOMETHING ABOUT HIS EYES
LIKE A SOLDIER OFF TO WAR
SAYING GOODBYE TO LOVED ONES
OR A SAILOR FOR A LONG LONG TRIP
WE'D WALKED THAT ROAD MANY TIMES
MY FRIEND AND I
IT HAD BECOME A BIT OF A TASK
WITH NOTHING NEW
TO BE DONE WITH SWIFTLY
AND DONE WITH
WITH PLEASURE AT EITHER END
BUT NOTHING IN THE JOURNEY
UNTIL THE STRANGER CAME TO WALK WITH US
THIS STRANGER
WITH RELUCTANT EYES
HE'D SIGHT A TREE AND CALL IT OUT BY NAME
A FLOWER
BIRD
OR SOME CREEPING THING
THE WAY THE SUN TOOK A CLOUD
AND LIT IT UP WITHIN
OR CAST LONG SHADOWS
LIKE THE SHADOWS
THAT SAT UPON OUR HEARTS
THAT DAY
WHY ARE YOU SO SAD
HE ASKED
AFTER A WHILE
WE'D LET HIM TALK FIRST
OUT OF COURTESY
HE SEEMED TO NEED TO TALK
WHY ARE YOU SO SAD
AND SO TO THIS MAN
WHO SEEMED SO EAGER FOR LIVING THINGS
WE TOLD HIM OF A DEATH
OF OUR FRIEND JESUS
WHO HAD DIED
AND TO USE HIS IMAGERY
PLUCKED LIKE A FLOWER
THAT WAS THROWN AWAY
PICKED WITHOUT PURPOSE
OF A MAN
WHO WHEN HE SPOKE
BOTH TESTED US AND JOYED US
OF THIS JOURNEY
THAT WE TOOK
WHICH WAS DOUBLY LONG
FOR WE CARRIED SADNESS TO EMMAUS
THERE WOULD BE NO PLEASURE THERE
THE BODY WAS GONE
OH THE WOMEN HYSTERICAL
HAD SAID HE WAS RISEN
BUT THE BODY WAS GONE
WHY SHOULD HE DIE
WE BELIEVED HIM CHOSEN OF GOD
WHY SHOULD HE DIE
PERHAPS BECAUSE WE WERE TOO NUMB TO SPEAK
HE TOOK OVER THE CONVERSATION
WHEN DID YOU LEARN TO LOVE YOUR FATHER HE SAID
WHEN I BECAME THE AGE HE WAS
WHEN I DISLIKED HIM
IT SOMEHOW MADE HIM DIFFERENT THEN
AND UNDERSTANDABLE
SO JESUS CAME HE SAID
TO BE THAT PARENT
TO BE THE ONE WHO WENT BEFORE
TO BE THE ONE WHO LIVED AND DIED
AND TO BE TRULY RISEN
AS THE WOMEN SAID
TO BE THE PARENT
WHO HAD GONE BEFORE
SO YOU COULD LEARN
TO LOVE HIM AS YOU GREW
AND THROUGH HIM
THE FATHER TOO
PERHAPS IT WAS THE CADENCE OF HIS VOICE
OR THE WORDS OR THE MAN HIMSELF
BUT WE FELT CALM
WE INVITED HIM TO SUP WITH US
IN OUR GARDEN IN THE EVENING COOL
FOR THE DAY HAD RUN AWAY
AND WE KNEW HIM IN THE BREAKING BREAD
AND THE WINE
THAT TOOK THE JOURNEY'S DUST AWAY
THE SHAWL
THE SHAWL IS FINISHED
I HAVE WOVEN THE WOOL WITH TEARS
I HAVE HURT MY FINGERS
AND SUCKED SORROW
BUT I AM DONE WITH WEEPING NOW
IT WAS FITTING HE SHOULD DIE IN FALL
OR EARLY WINTER REALLY
WHEN GRAYNESS COMES UPON THE LAND
WOULD I CALL HIM BACK
TO RE-SUFFER ALL HIS PAINS
TO ELIMINATE MY OWN
DID I NOT LOVE HIM TO THE POINT I COULD LET HIM GO
IF GOING WERE THE BETTER CHOICE
BUT I AM DONE WITH WEEPING
THE SHAWL IS FINISHED
I SHALL FIND OTHER THINGS TO DO
BRING OUT YOUR DEAD
BRING OUT YOUR DEAD THE WATCHMAN CRIED
IN THE CITY WHERE HE WAS RIDING
ON A CART PILED HIGH WITH LAST YEARS DREAMS
AND LONG REMEMBERED ANGERS
BRING OUT YOUR DEAD
THIS CITY THAT WAS ONCE SO FAIR
WHOSE WALLS WERE WHITE AND RIVERS CLEAR
WHERE MEN WALKED OUT ALONE AND UNAFRAID
HAS BECOME A STINK HOUSE OF REMEMBERED PAIN
AND PENT UP SORROW
BRING OUT YOUR DEAD
LET WINDOWS ONCE MORE OPEN TO THE BREEZE
AND PIPERS PLAY NO MORE THE FUNERAL MARCH BUT GAY
BRING OUT YOUR DEAD
THAT MEN MAY SAY ON PASSING BY
A FAIR CITY THERE PLEASING TO THE EYE
AND HEAR
THE LAUGHTER RINGING IN THE AIR
BRING OUT YOUR DEAD
STARS
HE LIKED TO WATCH THE STARS
THEIR SENSE OF ORDER AND HIS FILIAL PRIDE
BOTH GAVE HIM WARMTH
HE LIKED THE LEGENDS THAT MEN TOLD
ABOUT THESE LANTERNS IN THE SKY
HE LIKED THE WAY THEY LED A SHIP
OR CARAVAN TO FIND A HOME
HE SOMETIMES THOUGHT HE HEARD THE SOUND OF SILVER BELLS
WHEN THE WIND WAS IN THE TREES
AND NIGHT CLOUDS CAME SCUDDING ACROSS THE MOON
WHEN WILD DOGS BARKED
AND SHEEP BELLS RANG CLEARLY IN THE DARK
HE THOUGHT HE HEARD THE STARS SING
PERHAPS THAT'S WHY HIS FATHER
MADE THE SKY GO DARK
BEFORE HE DIED
THE OLD HOUSE
WE FOUND IT DEEP IN THE WOODS
FAR FROM THE PATH
THE RUINS OF THE HOUSE
AND THE OLD STONE FENCE
YOU COULD TELL THE GARDEN
IN THE DIFFERENCE IN TREES
AND BUSHES GONE WILD
THE MOUNTAINEER'S CABIN
HARD BY A STREAM
YOU COULD MARK OFF HIS FIELDS
BY FOLLOWING HIS FENCE
EACH STONE HAND CARRIED TO BUILD IT
AS HE FOUND THEM
ON A SLOOP SO STEEP
YOU COULD PICTURE THEIR SAYING
IF YOU DON'T HOLD ONTO THE PLOW
YOU'LL FALL OUT OF THE FIELD
YOU WONDER WHEN HE BUILT THE HOUSE AND FENCE AND PLOWED
DID HE THINK IT WOULD COME TO THIS
OR DID HE SEE A LINE OF SONS COMING AFTER
LOVING THE LAND AS HE DID
IT DOESN'T REALLY MATTER I SUPPOSE
WHAT COUNTS IS
HE HAD A DREAM
AND TRIED TO MAKE IT REAL
ABSALOM DAVID'S SON
HE COULD REMEMBER HIS SWINGING ON TREES
WATCHING HIM NOW
HANGING FROM THE TREE BY HIS HAIR
HE WISHED HIS FACE WAS LESS CONTORTED
HIS FACE LINES LAUGHTER CAUSED
WHEN THEY TOLD HIM HOW HE DIED
HOW HE SWUNG FROM THE TREE BY HIS HAIR
THE SOLDIERS SPEARS IMPALING
HE ONLY ASKED
DID HE CALL MY NAME
I WOULD NOT WANT HIM DEAD IN ANGER
THIS CHILD OF MINE
WHO TREE CLIMBED OFTEN IN HIS YOUTH
WHO TREE CLIMBED OFTEN AND WOULD CALL
FIND ME IF YOU CAN
WHAT HAPPENED AS HE GREW THAT I LOST MY CHILD
WHAT HAPPENED AS WE GREW THAT I LOST MY CHILD
WHEN DID HE CLIMB DOWN UNHEEDED
AND WENT HIS WAY
DID HE TIRE OF HIDE AND SEEK
WHEN I WOULD NOT PLAY
WHERE DID I LOSE MY SON
WHEN DID THE SILENCE GO TO ANGER
AND THE NEED TO HURT
SO MANY CALLS UPON ME
SO MANY PLACES TO BE
OH ABSALOM
ABSALOM
TREE CLIMBER
MY CHILD
STRANGE FRUIT ON THE TREE
STIFF IN DEATH
AS YOU WERE IN LIFE
I KISS YOUR STILL UNFEELING LIPS
WOULD TO GOD I HAD DIED
WOULD TO GOD I HAD DIED
THAN BE HERE TO WATCH
THE SUN GO DOWN
ON YOUR ANGER
AND YOUR DEATH
METAL FENCE
METAL FENCE WITH GATE DOOR OPEN
STANDING IN A FIELD BEFORE A HOUSE LONG GONE
THE GARDEN OVERGROWN
AND GONE TO SEED IN WINTER
WHAT POSSESSED ME I DO NOT KNOW
TO LEAVE THE ROAD
AND GO AND CLOSE THE GATE
WHOSE GHOSTS DID I WANT TO RESTRAIN
THEIRS OR MINE
WHAT VISIONS OF PARENTHOOD
HOPES
DREAMS
STILL DWELL IN THE GARDEN
STAY CLOSED GATE
I HAVE GHOSTS ENOUGH
OF MY OWN TO KEEP
JOSEPH'S DEATH
IT WAS SUMMER AND THE WINDOWS WERE OPEN
THROUGH THEM HE COULD HEAR THE SOUND OF HOUSEWORK BEING DONE
THE SNATCH OF A SONG THE RUNNING OF WATER
THE SOUND OF A BROOM
IT WAS HOT BUT HE COULDN'T FEEL IT
HIS SHAWL WAS ABOUT HIS SHOULDERS
BUT HIS COLD WASN'T IN THE WEATHER
THE SOUND OF THE BROOM RAN ALL HIS DAYS TOGETHER
SO THAT HE THOUGHT HIMSELF ONCE MORE YOUNG
AND COMING TO CALL FLOWERS FRESHLY PICKED
UPON HIS YOUNG SWEET LOVE
HIS MARY
BUT THEN HIS MEMORY DARKENED
AND HIS BLOOD IN SPITE OF YEARS RAN HOT
ANGER POUNDED IN HIS BRAIN
I AM WITH CHILD
NO A THOUSAND RAVENS CRIED
NO A THOUSAND CROWS REPLIED
PANDEMONIUM OF THUNDER
LIGHTNING FLASH
AND DRIVING RAIN
NO HE CRIED TO NO ONE LISTENING
RACING FROM THE SUMMER STORM
RACING LOSING AND WAS CAUGHT
DRENCHED
THE RAIN RUNNING DOWN HIS FACE MIXING WITH HIS TEARS
NO HE WHISPERED TO THE EARTH
FACE PRESSED DOWN IN SOGGY GRASS
WHY HE SOBBED OH GOD WHY..
BUT NO ANSWER CAME THEN SOMETHING CAME
THE MEMORY OF HER WORDS
REMEMBER I LOVE YOU
HOW QUICK THE STORM
HOW SUDDEN THE SUN'S RETURN
SO THAT THE OLD MAN FELT ONCE MORE ITS HEAT
HE STRUGGLED TO FORM THE WORDS
FROM IN THE HOUSE THE QUESTION
DID YOU CALL
I LOVE YOU
DID YOU CALL
I LOVE YOU
DID YOU CALL
THEN JOSEPH DIED
ON THE DEATH OF A FATHER OF MY FRIEND
I MOURN YOU
THOUGH I NEVER KNEW YOU
I NEVER BOUGHT YOU A BEER
LAUGHED AT YOUR JOKES
OR SHARED YOUR VIEWS
YET I MOURN YOU STILL
FOR YOUR DEATH IS A LOSS TO ONE I LOVE
AND I AM DIMINISHED BY IT
AND SO I MOURN YOU
BUT MORE
FOR YOU SHAPED AND BROUGHT INTO BEING
MY FRIEND
SOMEWHERE IN YOU THEN WAS A GIFT OF BEAUTY
AND THAT MUCH BEAUTY IS NOW GONE
AND I MOURN YOU
NOW YOU SLEEP OUT IN THE RAIN
ALL YOUR ELEMENTS GOING BACK TO GOD
NOW THE SENSE OF LOSS GIVES MY FRIEND PAIN
BUT IN THE SPRING
WHEN CROCUS BUDS PEEK THROUGH THE SNOW
COME BACK
WITH MEMORIES WARM
ALL HARSH THOUGHTS FORGOTTEN
COME BACK WITH MEMORIES OF LAUGHTER
AND MAKE MY HEART-FRIEND
SMILE
THE ULTIMATE IS SILENCE
I THINK PERHAPS THE ULTIMATE IS SILENCE
WHEN ALL LOVE COMES HOME TO GOD TO REST
WHEN WORDS
WHICH DO NOT TELL THE HEART
ARE OVER
I THINK PERHAPS WE SHALL REVERT TO THE BEGINNING
AND WITH A SIGH BREATHE OUT OUR SOULS TO REST
WHEN SPIRIT OF GOD AND LOVE ARE REUNITED
AND SAFELY DWELL FOREVER IN GOD'S BREAST
FRANK A VOLLMER
Tuesday, December 26, 2006
IMMIGRANT
The alien who resides with you shall be to you as the citizen among you; you shall love the alien as yourself, for you were aliens in the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God” (Leviticus 19:34).
“I was a stranger and you welcomed me” (Matthew 25:35)..
IMMIGRANT
SO QUICK HAD THEY LEFT
THE ANGEL HAD GIVEN THEM NO TIME
HEROD WOULD DIM HIS SMILE
FOREVER
QUICK
BE GONE
WHERE SHALL I FIND WORK
TO FEED AND CLOTHE
AND SHELTER MY FAMILY
I
A STRANGER
IN A STRANGE LAND
WHOSE WAYS ARE DIFFERENT FROM MINE
WHOSE GODS ARE DIFFERENT FROM MINE
WHOSE SPEECH IS DIFFERENT FROM MINE
I HAVE SKILLS
IF THEY’LL LET ME USE THEM
PERHAPS THE SHIPYARDS ON THE SUEZ
WILL HAVE WORK
BUT WHATEVER WORK IS THERE
I’LL DO
WILL PEOPLE LOOK ASKANCE AT OUR CLOTHES
WE DIDN’T HAVE TIME TO PACK
WHAT WE’RE WEARING
IS WHAT WE HAVE
WE ARE TOLD TO WELCOME THE STRANGER
IN OUR MIDST
A RULE THAT TRANSCENDS ALL RELIGIONS
MAY GOD BE WITH ME IN THE NEW LAND
IF THINGS WE’RE BETTER AT HOME
I WOULD NEVER HAVE LEFT
BUT THE CHOICE IS NOT MINE
IF THE CHILD SHOULD LIVE
AND BRING HIS SMILE
TO THE WORLD
FRANK A VOLLMER
“I was a stranger and you welcomed me” (Matthew 25:35)..
IMMIGRANT
SO QUICK HAD THEY LEFT
THE ANGEL HAD GIVEN THEM NO TIME
HEROD WOULD DIM HIS SMILE
FOREVER
QUICK
BE GONE
WHERE SHALL I FIND WORK
TO FEED AND CLOTHE
AND SHELTER MY FAMILY
I
A STRANGER
IN A STRANGE LAND
WHOSE WAYS ARE DIFFERENT FROM MINE
WHOSE GODS ARE DIFFERENT FROM MINE
WHOSE SPEECH IS DIFFERENT FROM MINE
I HAVE SKILLS
IF THEY’LL LET ME USE THEM
PERHAPS THE SHIPYARDS ON THE SUEZ
WILL HAVE WORK
BUT WHATEVER WORK IS THERE
I’LL DO
WILL PEOPLE LOOK ASKANCE AT OUR CLOTHES
WE DIDN’T HAVE TIME TO PACK
WHAT WE’RE WEARING
IS WHAT WE HAVE
WE ARE TOLD TO WELCOME THE STRANGER
IN OUR MIDST
A RULE THAT TRANSCENDS ALL RELIGIONS
MAY GOD BE WITH ME IN THE NEW LAND
IF THINGS WE’RE BETTER AT HOME
I WOULD NEVER HAVE LEFT
BUT THE CHOICE IS NOT MINE
IF THE CHILD SHOULD LIVE
AND BRING HIS SMILE
TO THE WORLD
FRANK A VOLLMER
Tuesday, December 12, 2006
REQUIEM FOR A DAD
ON THE DEATH OF A FATHER OF MY FRIEND
I MOURN YOU
THOUGH I NEVER KNEW YOU
I NEVER BOUGHT YOU A BEER
LAUGHED AT YOUR JOKES
OR SHARED YOUR VIEWS
YET I MOURN YOU STILL
FOR YOUR DEATH IS A LOSS TO ONE I LOVE
AND I AM DIMINISHED BY IT
AND SO I MOURN YOU
BUT MORE
FOR YOU SHAPED AND BROUGHT INTO BEING
MY FRIEND
SOMEWHERE IN YOU THEN WAS A GIFT OF BEAUTY
AND THAT MUCH BEAUTY IS NOW GONE
AND I MOURN YOU
NOW YOU SLEEP OUT IN THE RAIN
ALL YOUR ELEMENTS GOING BACK TO GOD
NOW THE SENSE OF LOSS GIVES MY FRIEND PAIN
BUT IN THE SPRING
WHEN CROCUS BUDS PEEK THROUGH THE SNOW
COME BACK
WITH MEMORIES WARM
ALL HARSH THOUGHTS FORGOTTEN
COME BACK WITH MEMORIES OF LAUGHTER
AND MAKE MY HEART-FRIEND
SMILE
JOURNEY'S END
STANDING BY MY WINDOW
WATCHING THE SUNSET GO
FROM MULTI-HUED TO LUMINESCENT PEARL
WATCHING A BIRD FLY
LONELY
ACROSS THE SKY
AND WONDER ING
WHY IS HE NOT HOME
AS I AM
WARM AND SHELTERED
AND WITH THE ONE I LOVE
WHY DOES HE FLY ACROSS THE SKY
THE LEGEND GOES
THAT 0N THE ANNIVERSARY OF THEIR DEATH
THE SOULS OF THOSE WHO HAVE DIED THAT DAY
COME BACK TO VISIT FOR AWHILE
THEN FLY BACK TOWARD THE SUN
I WATCH THE SOUL OF THIS ONE FLY AND WONDER
WHY THERE IS SADNESS IN MY SOUL
FOR HE HAS GONE ON THAT LAST JOURNEY
ON WHICH WE ALL SHALL GO
AND HAS FOUND PEACE
AND LEFT ME CRYING
WITH A PIECE OF ME TORN OUT
AND FLYING TOWARD THE SUN
SHALL I LAUGH WITH TEARS
OR CRY WITH LAUGHTER
OR WISH YOU WELL ON YOUR JOURNEY
TO DREAMS FOR YOU
TO SORROW FOR US
AND TO THE CONSOLING THOUGHT
THAT IT IS GOD'S HAND AWAITING THE BIRD OF YOUR SOUL
TO GIVE IT SHELTER
TO GIVE IT A HOME
A PLACE OF WARMTH
OF LOVE
AND AN END TO THE JOURNEY
THE SHAWL
THE SHAWL IS FINISHED
I HAVE WOVEN THE WOOL WITH TEARS
I HAVE HURT MY FINGERS
AND SUCKED SORROW
BUT I AM DONE WITH WEEPING NOW
IT WAS FITTING HE SHOULD DIE IN FALL
OR EARLY WINTER REALLY
WHEN GRAYNESS COMES UPON THE LAND
WOULD I CALL HIM BACK
TO RE-SUFFER ALL HIS PAINS
TO ELIMINATE MY OWN
DID I NOT LOVE HIM TO THE POINT I COULD LET HIM GO
IF GOING WERE THE BETTER CHOICE
BUT I AM DONE WITH WEEPING
THE SHAWL IS FINISHED
I SHALL FIND OTHER THINGS TO DO
TO MY FATHER
I DID NOT ALWAYS LOVE YOU
THERE WERE TIMES WHEN YOUR PARENTAL CARE
CHAFED ACROSS MY FREEDOM DREAMS
LIKE A CAGED SPARROW I BEAT AGAINST THE BARS
NOT KNOWING I WAS TOO YOUNG TO FLY
BUT THEN I WAS MARRIED
AND THEN I GREW UP
AND MY CHILDREN HEARD IN MY VOICE THE ECHO OF YOURS
I SAW THE SAME BIRD BEATING IN THEIR EYES
I FELT THE SAME SAD BEWILDERMENT OF A FATHER
WITH HIS CHILD
AND I LEARNED TO LOVE YOU
IT IS PROBABLY IN THE NATURE OF THINGS
THAT A PERSON SHOULD ONLY KNOW HIS FATHER AS HE AGES
AS HE HIMSELF BECOMES FATHER TO THE CHILD
IF IT WILL COMFORT
KNOW THAT I LOVE YOU
AND I REGRET
IT TOOK SO LONG
WHY
WHY
OF ALL THE LEAVES THAT FELL IN AUTUMN
THAT ONE TOOK MY EYE
PERHAPS IT WAS THE WAY IT FELL
RELUCTANT TO COME DOWN
SOARING HIGHER THAN THE TREE IT LEFT
WHIRLING AND WHIRLING UNTIL WITH ONE LONG GLIDE
IT SETTLED ON THE POND
MOVING ON THE WATER WITH THE BREEZE
THEY WILL NOT COME
THEY CANNOT COME
NOT EVEN IF WE CAME FOR THEM
THEY ARE SICK AT CHRISTMAS
AND CANNOT COME
MY PARENTS TO THE HOMECOMING
THE GATHERING OF THE CLAN
MY HOUSE THE LARGEST
THEY CANNOT COME
SOMEDAY I KNOW THE UMBILICAL CORD OF WHERE I CAME FROM
MUST BE CUT
AND I AM CHRISTIAN BORN AND BRED
AND DO BELIEVE
THAT LIFE FLOWS ON PAST DEATH
BUT THERE IS THAT PART OF ME THAT CRIES OUT STOP
STOP CLOCKS AND TIDES AND SEASONS ROLL
LET IT ALWAYS BE SPRING
OR AT LEAST AUTUMN
FOR AUTUMN IS WHERE THEY ARE
LATE AUTUMN
BUT DO I REALLY WISH THIS FOR MY FATHER
HE WHOM I FEARED THEN LOVED THEN WORRIED OVER LIKE A BABY
SHALL I KEEP HIM LATE IN AUTUMN
AND MY MOTHER GENTLE WITCH
DRUID PRIESTESS FROM ANOTHER TIME
PROTECTOR OF LIFE TEACHER OF ROBINS TO FLY
MAKER OF WHO I AM
SHOULD SHE STAY IN AUTUMN
DOES SHE NOT YEARN ONCE MORE TO BE JOINED TO MOTHER EARTH
TO CHANGE TO TRANSMUTE HER LIFE
TO BECOME TREES AND FLOWERS AND FLOWING GRASS
MY MOTHER EVER YOUNG
SHOULD SHE STAY IN AUTUMN
I THINK WHAT FRIGHTENS ME MOST
IS THAT WHEN THEY'RE GONE
I SHALL HAVE NO HISTORY
OR IS IT THAT I SHALL BE PROMOTED TO THEIR PLACE
AS ELDEST OF THE LINE
I'M SURE THIS CHRISTMAS WILL BE WARM
THE CLAN GATHERING LIKE MANY CANDLES
COMING TO MAKE A FIRE
THAT WE WILL CALL MY PARENTS ON CHRISTMAS EVE
AND WISH THEM WELL
MAKE PLANS FOR OUR VISIT
BUT KNOWING ME
THERE WILL BE A TIME ON CHRISTMAS EVE
WHEN I SHALL DRAW THE CURTAINS ON THE HOUSE
SIT BY THE FIRE
AND TRY TO GET WARM
ON THE EVENING OF THE DAY HE DIED
ON THE EVENING OF THE DAY HE DIED
THROUGH THE WINDOW WHERE WE SAT
WAITING ON THE WORD
A RISING SUN AND QUARTER MOON
WERE VISIBLE IN THE SKY
BUSY BIRDS IN MORNING FLIGHT
AND ICICLES NOT YET WARMED BY DAY
ALPHA AND OMEGA
BEGINNING AND ENDING
BEGINNING
MY FATHER'S DEAD
I TOOK HIS FACE INTO MY HANDS
AND CALLED TO HIM PAST HIS UNCONSCIOUSNESS
GO TO SLEEP DAD
WE'RE ALL HERE
MOM IS WITH US AND WE ARE SAFE
THEN HE DIED
I HAD WISHED HIM DEAD
I HAD TOLD THE DOCTORS
THAT I WISHED HIM DEAD
NOT A BODY BREATHING
BUT HE WOULD NOT GO
TILL LIKE IN YOUNGER DAYS
HE WOULD NOT SLEEP TILL WE WERE HOME
TILL I COULD SAY
SLEEP WELL DAD
WE ARE HOME AND WE ARE SAFE
IN THE EVENING OF THAT DAY HE SLIPPED AWAY
MY MOTHER STOOD BY HIS BED AND SAID
YOU'RE STILL A HANDSOME MAN
I COULD NOT CRY
THE SHELL
IS IT JUST HIS DEATH THAT WE REMEMBER
IN THIS GIVING OF THIS CUP
THIS SHELL THIS BAPTISMAL DEVICE
THAT SCOOPS UP WATER FROM THE FONT
AND TRICKLES IT DOWN OUR HEAD
AND CALL US TO BE CHRISTIAN
DO WE JUST REMEMBER HIS DEATH
OR MORE FOR IS NOT THE CUP A SYMBOL POOR
OF SOME GREAT WAVE THAT OVERWHELMS US
SPILLING US FROM OUR FEET
PLUNGING US INTO A VIOLENT SEA
BEATING PUMMELING CHOKING BRUISING
UNTIL WE STRUGGLE TO OUR FEET
GASPING AIR AS SOMETHING PRECIOUS
WILLING TO LIVE
A BETTER SYMBOL PERHAPS OF THAT TIME
WHEN ALL THAT WAS MY FATHER CEASED
AND ALL HE WANTED TO BE BECAME
A GOING AWAY AND COMING BACK
A SAYING OF HELLO GOODBYE
TO CALL MY FATHER A SAINT
WOULD BE TO NOT REMEMBER HIM
BUT TO CALL HIM A MAN
WHO LAUGHED AND LONGED YEARNED AND DREAMED
WHO CRIED OUT OFTEN IN THE DARKNESS OF HIS BEING
WHO WAS OFTEN ANGRY HURT OR IN SOME PAIN
WHO LOVED WITH BOTH A LARGE AND NARROW HEART
WHO WANTED LOVE APPLAUSE AND OTHER MAN'S ESTEEM
WHO SAW DREAMS CRUMBLE IN HIS ALL THUMBS HAND
WHO CRIED OH GOD TELL ME WHO I AM
THIS PICTURE OF A MAN WHO AS I GROW
BECOMES SURPRISINGLY JUST LIKE ME
THIS CUP IN WHOSE HOLLOW I CAN HEAR THE OCEAN'S ROAR
THIS SYMBOL OF AN OCEAN POOR
THIS GOING DOWN TO DEATH
TO BE CALLED BACK BY WATER RUNNING LIKE RAINDROPS ON THE FACE
LIKE MY TEARS FALLING AS MY FATHER WENT
FOR REBIRTH
AND THE BEGINNING OF DREAMS
FRANK A VOLLMER
I MOURN YOU
THOUGH I NEVER KNEW YOU
I NEVER BOUGHT YOU A BEER
LAUGHED AT YOUR JOKES
OR SHARED YOUR VIEWS
YET I MOURN YOU STILL
FOR YOUR DEATH IS A LOSS TO ONE I LOVE
AND I AM DIMINISHED BY IT
AND SO I MOURN YOU
BUT MORE
FOR YOU SHAPED AND BROUGHT INTO BEING
MY FRIEND
SOMEWHERE IN YOU THEN WAS A GIFT OF BEAUTY
AND THAT MUCH BEAUTY IS NOW GONE
AND I MOURN YOU
NOW YOU SLEEP OUT IN THE RAIN
ALL YOUR ELEMENTS GOING BACK TO GOD
NOW THE SENSE OF LOSS GIVES MY FRIEND PAIN
BUT IN THE SPRING
WHEN CROCUS BUDS PEEK THROUGH THE SNOW
COME BACK
WITH MEMORIES WARM
ALL HARSH THOUGHTS FORGOTTEN
COME BACK WITH MEMORIES OF LAUGHTER
AND MAKE MY HEART-FRIEND
SMILE
JOURNEY'S END
STANDING BY MY WINDOW
WATCHING THE SUNSET GO
FROM MULTI-HUED TO LUMINESCENT PEARL
WATCHING A BIRD FLY
LONELY
ACROSS THE SKY
AND WONDER ING
WHY IS HE NOT HOME
AS I AM
WARM AND SHELTERED
AND WITH THE ONE I LOVE
WHY DOES HE FLY ACROSS THE SKY
THE LEGEND GOES
THAT 0N THE ANNIVERSARY OF THEIR DEATH
THE SOULS OF THOSE WHO HAVE DIED THAT DAY
COME BACK TO VISIT FOR AWHILE
THEN FLY BACK TOWARD THE SUN
I WATCH THE SOUL OF THIS ONE FLY AND WONDER
WHY THERE IS SADNESS IN MY SOUL
FOR HE HAS GONE ON THAT LAST JOURNEY
ON WHICH WE ALL SHALL GO
AND HAS FOUND PEACE
AND LEFT ME CRYING
WITH A PIECE OF ME TORN OUT
AND FLYING TOWARD THE SUN
SHALL I LAUGH WITH TEARS
OR CRY WITH LAUGHTER
OR WISH YOU WELL ON YOUR JOURNEY
TO DREAMS FOR YOU
TO SORROW FOR US
AND TO THE CONSOLING THOUGHT
THAT IT IS GOD'S HAND AWAITING THE BIRD OF YOUR SOUL
TO GIVE IT SHELTER
TO GIVE IT A HOME
A PLACE OF WARMTH
OF LOVE
AND AN END TO THE JOURNEY
THE SHAWL
THE SHAWL IS FINISHED
I HAVE WOVEN THE WOOL WITH TEARS
I HAVE HURT MY FINGERS
AND SUCKED SORROW
BUT I AM DONE WITH WEEPING NOW
IT WAS FITTING HE SHOULD DIE IN FALL
OR EARLY WINTER REALLY
WHEN GRAYNESS COMES UPON THE LAND
WOULD I CALL HIM BACK
TO RE-SUFFER ALL HIS PAINS
TO ELIMINATE MY OWN
DID I NOT LOVE HIM TO THE POINT I COULD LET HIM GO
IF GOING WERE THE BETTER CHOICE
BUT I AM DONE WITH WEEPING
THE SHAWL IS FINISHED
I SHALL FIND OTHER THINGS TO DO
TO MY FATHER
I DID NOT ALWAYS LOVE YOU
THERE WERE TIMES WHEN YOUR PARENTAL CARE
CHAFED ACROSS MY FREEDOM DREAMS
LIKE A CAGED SPARROW I BEAT AGAINST THE BARS
NOT KNOWING I WAS TOO YOUNG TO FLY
BUT THEN I WAS MARRIED
AND THEN I GREW UP
AND MY CHILDREN HEARD IN MY VOICE THE ECHO OF YOURS
I SAW THE SAME BIRD BEATING IN THEIR EYES
I FELT THE SAME SAD BEWILDERMENT OF A FATHER
WITH HIS CHILD
AND I LEARNED TO LOVE YOU
IT IS PROBABLY IN THE NATURE OF THINGS
THAT A PERSON SHOULD ONLY KNOW HIS FATHER AS HE AGES
AS HE HIMSELF BECOMES FATHER TO THE CHILD
IF IT WILL COMFORT
KNOW THAT I LOVE YOU
AND I REGRET
IT TOOK SO LONG
WHY
WHY
OF ALL THE LEAVES THAT FELL IN AUTUMN
THAT ONE TOOK MY EYE
PERHAPS IT WAS THE WAY IT FELL
RELUCTANT TO COME DOWN
SOARING HIGHER THAN THE TREE IT LEFT
WHIRLING AND WHIRLING UNTIL WITH ONE LONG GLIDE
IT SETTLED ON THE POND
MOVING ON THE WATER WITH THE BREEZE
THEY WILL NOT COME
THEY CANNOT COME
NOT EVEN IF WE CAME FOR THEM
THEY ARE SICK AT CHRISTMAS
AND CANNOT COME
MY PARENTS TO THE HOMECOMING
THE GATHERING OF THE CLAN
MY HOUSE THE LARGEST
THEY CANNOT COME
SOMEDAY I KNOW THE UMBILICAL CORD OF WHERE I CAME FROM
MUST BE CUT
AND I AM CHRISTIAN BORN AND BRED
AND DO BELIEVE
THAT LIFE FLOWS ON PAST DEATH
BUT THERE IS THAT PART OF ME THAT CRIES OUT STOP
STOP CLOCKS AND TIDES AND SEASONS ROLL
LET IT ALWAYS BE SPRING
OR AT LEAST AUTUMN
FOR AUTUMN IS WHERE THEY ARE
LATE AUTUMN
BUT DO I REALLY WISH THIS FOR MY FATHER
HE WHOM I FEARED THEN LOVED THEN WORRIED OVER LIKE A BABY
SHALL I KEEP HIM LATE IN AUTUMN
AND MY MOTHER GENTLE WITCH
DRUID PRIESTESS FROM ANOTHER TIME
PROTECTOR OF LIFE TEACHER OF ROBINS TO FLY
MAKER OF WHO I AM
SHOULD SHE STAY IN AUTUMN
DOES SHE NOT YEARN ONCE MORE TO BE JOINED TO MOTHER EARTH
TO CHANGE TO TRANSMUTE HER LIFE
TO BECOME TREES AND FLOWERS AND FLOWING GRASS
MY MOTHER EVER YOUNG
SHOULD SHE STAY IN AUTUMN
I THINK WHAT FRIGHTENS ME MOST
IS THAT WHEN THEY'RE GONE
I SHALL HAVE NO HISTORY
OR IS IT THAT I SHALL BE PROMOTED TO THEIR PLACE
AS ELDEST OF THE LINE
I'M SURE THIS CHRISTMAS WILL BE WARM
THE CLAN GATHERING LIKE MANY CANDLES
COMING TO MAKE A FIRE
THAT WE WILL CALL MY PARENTS ON CHRISTMAS EVE
AND WISH THEM WELL
MAKE PLANS FOR OUR VISIT
BUT KNOWING ME
THERE WILL BE A TIME ON CHRISTMAS EVE
WHEN I SHALL DRAW THE CURTAINS ON THE HOUSE
SIT BY THE FIRE
AND TRY TO GET WARM
ON THE EVENING OF THE DAY HE DIED
ON THE EVENING OF THE DAY HE DIED
THROUGH THE WINDOW WHERE WE SAT
WAITING ON THE WORD
A RISING SUN AND QUARTER MOON
WERE VISIBLE IN THE SKY
BUSY BIRDS IN MORNING FLIGHT
AND ICICLES NOT YET WARMED BY DAY
ALPHA AND OMEGA
BEGINNING AND ENDING
BEGINNING
MY FATHER'S DEAD
I TOOK HIS FACE INTO MY HANDS
AND CALLED TO HIM PAST HIS UNCONSCIOUSNESS
GO TO SLEEP DAD
WE'RE ALL HERE
MOM IS WITH US AND WE ARE SAFE
THEN HE DIED
I HAD WISHED HIM DEAD
I HAD TOLD THE DOCTORS
THAT I WISHED HIM DEAD
NOT A BODY BREATHING
BUT HE WOULD NOT GO
TILL LIKE IN YOUNGER DAYS
HE WOULD NOT SLEEP TILL WE WERE HOME
TILL I COULD SAY
SLEEP WELL DAD
WE ARE HOME AND WE ARE SAFE
IN THE EVENING OF THAT DAY HE SLIPPED AWAY
MY MOTHER STOOD BY HIS BED AND SAID
YOU'RE STILL A HANDSOME MAN
I COULD NOT CRY
THE SHELL
IS IT JUST HIS DEATH THAT WE REMEMBER
IN THIS GIVING OF THIS CUP
THIS SHELL THIS BAPTISMAL DEVICE
THAT SCOOPS UP WATER FROM THE FONT
AND TRICKLES IT DOWN OUR HEAD
AND CALL US TO BE CHRISTIAN
DO WE JUST REMEMBER HIS DEATH
OR MORE FOR IS NOT THE CUP A SYMBOL POOR
OF SOME GREAT WAVE THAT OVERWHELMS US
SPILLING US FROM OUR FEET
PLUNGING US INTO A VIOLENT SEA
BEATING PUMMELING CHOKING BRUISING
UNTIL WE STRUGGLE TO OUR FEET
GASPING AIR AS SOMETHING PRECIOUS
WILLING TO LIVE
A BETTER SYMBOL PERHAPS OF THAT TIME
WHEN ALL THAT WAS MY FATHER CEASED
AND ALL HE WANTED TO BE BECAME
A GOING AWAY AND COMING BACK
A SAYING OF HELLO GOODBYE
TO CALL MY FATHER A SAINT
WOULD BE TO NOT REMEMBER HIM
BUT TO CALL HIM A MAN
WHO LAUGHED AND LONGED YEARNED AND DREAMED
WHO CRIED OUT OFTEN IN THE DARKNESS OF HIS BEING
WHO WAS OFTEN ANGRY HURT OR IN SOME PAIN
WHO LOVED WITH BOTH A LARGE AND NARROW HEART
WHO WANTED LOVE APPLAUSE AND OTHER MAN'S ESTEEM
WHO SAW DREAMS CRUMBLE IN HIS ALL THUMBS HAND
WHO CRIED OH GOD TELL ME WHO I AM
THIS PICTURE OF A MAN WHO AS I GROW
BECOMES SURPRISINGLY JUST LIKE ME
THIS CUP IN WHOSE HOLLOW I CAN HEAR THE OCEAN'S ROAR
THIS SYMBOL OF AN OCEAN POOR
THIS GOING DOWN TO DEATH
TO BE CALLED BACK BY WATER RUNNING LIKE RAINDROPS ON THE FACE
LIKE MY TEARS FALLING AS MY FATHER WENT
FOR REBIRTH
AND THE BEGINNING OF DREAMS
FRANK A VOLLMER
Sunday, December 10, 2006
LYMPHOMANIA - THE MUSICAL
LYMPHOMANIA
THE MUSICAL
BY
FRANK A VOLLMER
BEING A REFLECTION
ON HIS CANCER
AND SUBSEQUENT ILL HEALTH
AUTUMN NOW
ON LEARNING HE HAD LYMPHOMA
I AM MORE IN TUNE WITH AUTUMN NOW
I HAVE FELT WINTER'S FIRST CHILL
AND COULD NOT GET WARM
BUT I AM MORE IN TUNE WITH AUTUMN NOW
I HAVE WONDERED AT THE MARVEL OF THE LEAVES
AT THE BEAUTY OF THEIR PASSING
AND THEIR RELUCTANCE TO LET GO
RELUCTANT TO LEAVE THOSE THEY CARE ABOUT
BECAUSE I LOVE
AND AM LOVED
THEREBY SHARING IN THE DIVINITY
AND IN FACING THE DIVINITY
KNOW
THAT NOT EVERY DAY WAS PERFECT
EVERY DAY
WEEK
MONTH
YEAR
EVERY PAGE
CHAPTER
BOOK
EVERY I NOT DOTTED
EVERY T NOT CROSSED
AND WHEN DONE
NOT DONE WELL
WINTER THOUGHTS
WINTER THOUGHTS
BUT I AM IN TUNE WITH AUTUMN NOW
I ASK THE PAST FOR FORGIVENESS
TO LET ME LAY MY BURDEN DOWN
KNOWING THAT FORGIVENESS
IS ALSO REQUIRED OF ME
IF I WOULD LAY MY BURDEN DOWN
BUT THE DAYS OF AUTUMN ARE NOT OVER
OH THAT I COULD MAKE MY AUTUMN BEAUTIFUL
TO CLING TENACIOUSLY TO THE TREE
NEITHER WILLING DEPARTURE
IN MIND OR BODY
OR THE LEAVING OF LOVED ONES
UNTIL CALLED BY THAT GREAT SUMMONS
TO BEGIN
THAT PEACEFUL
NOSTALGIC
ACCEPTING
JOURNEY HOME
BUT
AS FOR NOW
I AM MORE IN TUNE WITH AUTUMN NOW
AND THERE IS SERENITY IN MY SOUL
THE NAMING OF PILLS
TODAY WE HAD THE NAMING OF PILLS
BUT FIRST WE HAD THE DISMISSAL OF PILLS
THE MULTI VITAMIN AND THE E
GONE
AS IF IN DISGRACE
THEY HAD NOT PREVENTED THE CONDITION
A BIT OF WHIMSY THERE
ACTUALLY THE WERE NOT COMPATIBLE
WITH THE NEW
ONE TO KEEP THE BLOOD FLOWING
ONE FOR NAUSEA
IF I NEED IT
ONE TO KEEP MY SYSTEM HEALTHY
ONE TO ATTACK THE TUMOR
BUT THIS ONE WE NUMBER AMONG THE PILLS
THE PILLS ARE LOWLY SERVANTS
INFERIOR TO THE INFUSIONS
WHICH HAVE A BETTER PRESS
BUT ALL IN ALL A TOXIC COCKTAIL
BOTTOMS UP
AND HAIR LOSS TOO
HOW COULD I BE SO LUCKY
THE JOURNEY STARTS
A HESITANT STEP
THE DRINKS ARE SERVED
TO YOUR HEALTH GOOD SIR
I'LL DRINK TO THAT
THAT WORD
WHEN THE DOCTOR FIRST SAID THAT WORD
IT WAS AS IF THE WORLD HAD STOPPED
A CLICHÉ MOST TIMES
EXCEPT WHEN IT HAPPENS TO YOU
BUT IT ONLY HAPPENS TO YOU
ALL AROUND YOU
EVERYONE ELSE
WAS GOING ON
WITH THEIR JOURNEYS
ONE OF WHICH WAS THE DOCTOR'S TASK
OF TELLING ME
WHAT WAS WRONG WITH ME
AND AS HE SPOKE
A DIFFERENT DIRECTION
WAS GIVEN TO MY JOURNEY
NO TRAVELING
IT WOULD BE INAPPROPRIATE
AT THIS TIME
WE NEED THE FOLLOWING TESTS
DONE IMMEDIATELY
TILL A WEEK OF TESTS
HAD GONE BY
WHICH WHEN READ
REQUIRED MORE TESTS
A BIOPSY
AND A SHUNT INSTALLED
IT'S ALL DONE NOW
AND I SIT NOW
AS IF BEFORE A MAGIC CUP
CHALICE
GRAIL
A MAGIC CUP OF HEALING POISON
IT REMINDS ME OF GRACE
DESTROYING SIN
BUT NOT THE SINNER
DESTROYING A PART OF ME
TO LEAVE ME WHOLE
THIS IS NOT THE CUP
THAT I WOULD CHOOSE TO DRINK
BUT THIS CUP IS A NECESSARY ONE
THAT I MUST DRINK
I FEEL LIKE PETER
WHEN JESUS SAID
SOMEONE ELSE WILL DRESS
AND LEAD YOU
SHELTER ME AS I DRINK THIS POTION
SURELY YOUR GOODNESS
AND KINDNESS
HAVE ALWAYS BEEN WITH ME
AND I REST IN THE PALM OF YOUR HAND
LIKE BABY BIRD
BEING FED BY ITS MOTHER
THE C WORD
WHEN PILATE
FIRST SAID THE C WORD
TO YOU JESUS
DID YOU STEP BACK
BLINK
PRAY FOR COURAGE
DID THE WORLD GO AWAY FOR AN INSTANT
SAYING YES LORD JESUS
ENDEARS YOU TO MY HEART
IN OUR MUTUAL PASSIONS
I FIND MUCH THAT IS SIMILAR
STRUGGLING UP YOUR HILL
YOU FELL OFTEN
STRUGGLING UP MY HILL
I FIND MANY WEAK TIMES
YOU HAD SIMON
I HAVE THE DOCTOR
YOU HAD THE WOMEN OF JERUSALEM
I HAVE THE NURSES
WHO HAVE PUT AWAY THEIR WAILING RAGS
AND BECOME TRUE PROFESSIONALS
A TRIBUTE TO YOU
WHO RAISED THE STATUS OF WOMEN
BY BEING BORN
AND THEREBY SAYING
THAT ALL CREATION IS BEAUTIFUL
AND THEREFORE EQUAL
AND ON THE HILLTOP
YOU DESTROYED THE CANCER OF…
THERE I'VE SAID THE WORD
YOU DESTROYED THE CANCER OF MY SIN
YOU SET ME FREE
TO LIVE A HOLY AND A WHOLLY LIFE
AND ON MY HILLTOP
LET ME SAY WITH YOU
FATHER IT IS FINISHED
CURED OR AT LEAST IN REMISSION
AND WE SHALL WALK
OUR EASTER MORNINGS
SIDE BY SIDE
FRIENDS AS ALWAYS
WE HAVE WALKED
THROUGH THE DARK PORTAL
AND FOUND SUN SHINE
BUT FIRST
WHEN PILATE SAID THE C WORD TO YOU JESUS
DID YOU STEP BACK
BLINK
PRAY FOR COURAGE
DID THE WORLD GO AWAY FOR AN INSTANT
SAYING YES LORD JESUS
ENDEARS YOU TO MY HEART
BECAUSE SO DID I
HOSPITAL GOWN
MY FRONT BEING PROPERLY HIDDEN
I SHALL NOT MENTION IT
BUT IN THE REAR
MY DERRIERE
PROVOKES LAUGHTER
AND AMUSEMENT
I DO NOT SHARE
MODESTY IS OUT THE WINDOW
ALAS ALACK ALAY
ANY ONE HAVE A SAFETY PIN
IT WOULD REALLY SAVE THE DAY
HOLDING CANE
AND CATHETER
I DO NOT HAVE A HAND
TO HIDE
MY
(FOR OTHERS)
AMUSING BUTT
AND SO I STAND A GAPING
FOR ALL THE WORLD TOO SEE
BUT SEE NO ONE’S LOOKING
AT MY
HEINIE
OR ME
DRUID ROCKS - THE TREATMENT ROOM
WE WERE SITTING ROUND THE WALLS
LIKE DRUID ROCKS
WAITING FOR THE SOLSTICE
ONE CHAIR MISSING
THROUGH WHICH THE PRIESTESS CAME
DISPENSING THE MAGIC FLUID
THE EYE OF THE NEWT
THE TAIL OF A DRAGON
THE HEALING POISON
AND WE SIT IN A RING
AROUND THE ROOM
LIKE DRUID ROCKS
WAITING FOR THE SOLSTICE
LIKE DRUIDS SITTING IN A RING
PRAYING TO THE GODS
THAT THE DAYLIGHT WOULD STAY
OR THAT THE DAYLIGHT WOULD COME BACK
DRUIDS SITTING IN A RING
TRYING TO PLACATE AN ANGRY GOD
DRUIDS SITTING IN A RING
WHILE THE PRIESTESS
CHECKS OUR PULSE
OUR BLOOD PRESSURE
AND OUR TEMPERATURE
WHETHER WE ARE THIRSTY
OR ANY OTHER NEED
DRUIDS SITTING IN A RING
I AM PART OF THAT RING
BUT MY GOD IS NOT ANGRY
WHERE TWO OR THREE…
FOR WE ARE GATHERED IN HIS NAME
EVEN THOUGH SOME OF US MAY NOT KNOW IT
DRUIDS SITTING IN A RING
LOOKING PAST THE WITCH'S BREW
KNOWING THAT NO MATTER HOW DARK THE DAY
THE SUN IS SHINING
AND WILL NOT GO AWAY
PS 121/TAPS/ NIGHT PRAYER
ALL IS WELL
SAFELY REST
GOD IS NIGH
HE DOES NOT SLEEP OR SLUMBER
WATCHING ALL THE NIGHT
HE IS MY GUIDE AND PATHFINDER
MY FOOT SHALL NOT SLIP
THE BREEZE COMES DOWN THE MOUNTAIN
COOLING THE VALLEY AND DESERT BELOW
HE GUARDS ME FROM THE NIGHT DEMONS
AND THE EFFECTS OF THE MOON
HE NEITHER SLUMBERS NOR SLEEPS
HE WATCHES OVER ME
MY GOING IN AND GOING OUT
HE IS MY SHADE IN THE SUN
AND MY SHAWL FOR THE NIGHT CHILL
HE NEITHER SLUMBERS NOR SLEEPS
ALL IS WELL
SAFELY REST
GOD IS NIGH
AND NEVER SLEEPS
WHO.....
WHERE HAVE I BEEN
WHERE HAVE I BEEN WANDERING
IN THE DESERT
IN THE WARRENS OF CHEMO
WHERE WORDS DO NOT MAKE SENSE
AND SENTENCES DO NOT CONNECT
BUT WHO HAS PRAYED FOR ME
WHEN I WAS ELSEWHERE
AND KNOW THE ANSWER IN THE QUESTION
BANDS OF ANGELS HOVERING
ALL THE SAINTS ARE GATHERED
BEHOLD WHO YOU ARE
THE BODY OF CHRIST
NOT GUARANTEED SAFE JOURNEY
BIT JOINED WITH THAT GREAT COMPANY
GUARANTEED SAFE DELIVERY
WE ARE STILL IN TREATMENT
THE DOCTOR CLINGS TO ME
LIKE A LOVER HE WILL NOT LET GO
NEW TREATMENTS ARE TO FOLLOW
A LOW POINT THERE
I THOUGHT I WAS DONE
TILL I WAS TOLD
REST AWHILE
THEN WE START AGAIN
DOWN A DIFFERENT PATH
DOWN WHICH I WILL GO
JOYFULLY BURDENED
BY ALL WHO HOLD ME IN THEIR HEART
AND PRAYER
WHO PRAYS FOR YOU
WHEN YOU CANNOT PRAY
GOD DOES
AND ALL HIS FRIENDS
BEHOLD WHO YOU ARE
THE BODY OF CHRIST
AND ALL THE ASSEMBLY SINGS
HOLY
HOLY
HOLY
A SOUND THAT RESONATES
WHEN ALL OTHER SOUNDS HAVE FADED
AMONG THE STONES
I AM DOWN AMONG THE STONES
AMONG THE ROCKS THAT LITTER THE SHORE
AMONG THE POOLS THE OCEAN HAS LEFT
LITTLE TREASURE TROVES OF SEA LIFE
I AM DOWN AMONG THE STONES
IT IS PEACEFUL HERE
THE OCEAN IS A SIBILANT IN THE DISTANCE
I AM BETWEEN THE TIDES
I AM BETWEEN INFUSIONS
THE POURING IN OF MEDICINES
TO MAKE ME WELL
ODD WORD FOR ME
IT HAS ALWAYS MEANT
THE POURING IN OF THE SPIRIT
HIS INDWELLING IN ME
HIS WORKING LIKE THE MEDICINES
DRIVING OUT THE BAD
THE MEDICINE
IS GIVEN TO ME
WHEN I AM AT MY BEST
BETWEEN THESE TIMES
THERE COMES THE POINT
WHEN I AM AT MY WORST
PHYSICALLY
EMOTIONALLY
THEY CALL IT THE NADIR
I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN TROUBLED
AND UNSURE
ABOUT HOW TO HANDLE
PAIN AND SORROW
SHOULD I BE ANGRY AT MY FATE
SHOULD I ACCEPT IT
AND MAKE IT WORK
OR WILL I BE OVERWHELMED BY IT
IN TRUTH I OFTEN HAVE DONE ALL THREE
SOMETIMES SIMULTANEOUSLY
THE BEST SEEMS TO BE
TAKE IT AND MAKE IT WORK
TO TRY TO BE AT PEACE
SO I AM DOWN
AMONG THE STONES
AMONG THE ROCKS
QUIET AND PEACEFUL IN THIS PLACE
BETWEEN THE TIDES
BETWEEN INFUSIONS
I AM OPEN
TO THE WHISPERINGS OF THE SPIRIT
WHICH STRANGELY SOUND
LIKE THE SIBILANT SOUNDS OF THE SEA
GOOD MORNING BROTHER ASS
ST FRANCIS OF ASSISI DIED AT THE AGE OF 44 AFTER INCREASING ILL HEALTH, DUE IN PART TO THE WAY HE MISTREATED BROTHER ASS, AS HE CALLED HIS BODY.
GOOD MORNING BROTHER ASS
HOW ARE YOU THIS MORNING
BROTHER MULE IF YOU DON'T MIND
AH WE'RE INTO PROPRIETY TODAY ARE WE
ONLY FITTING
AFTER THE INDIGNITIES YOU PUT ME THROUGH
I'M ONLY DOING WHAT'S BEST FOR YOU
AND ME
WELL ANYWAY
I'D RATHER BE KNOWN AS BROTHER MULE TODAY
TODAY AND EVERYDAY IF YOU SO DESIRE
OH DON'T BE SO POMPOUS
SOMETIMES YOU ACT LIKE AN ASS
BROTHER ASS IF YOU DON'T MIND
THIS SOUNDS LIKE A CONVERSATION
RUNNING AROUND IN A CIRCLE
SHALL WE BEGIN AGAIN
GOOD MORNING BROTHER MULE
GOOD MORNING BROTHER SOUL
SHALL WE BEGIN BY TAKING OUR PILLS
AS A SIGN OF PROMISE FOR THE DAY
YOU SEEM DOWN BROTHER MULE
I HAVE A QUESTION
ASK AWAY
YOU WILL NOT LEAVE ME WILLY-NILLY
AS IF YOU DIDN'T CARE
YOU HAVE MY WORD
WE WILL NOT PART BY CHOICE
SHALL WE BEGIN OUR DAY
MISTY LAND
IN THIS MISTY LAND IN WHICH I DWELL
PRODUCT OF FATIGUE AND CHEMICALS
THE CAROLS COME
THE CAROLS GO
ECHOES NOT QUITE RIGHTLY HEARD
EXCEPT THE ONES
THAT TALK OF SIMPLER THINGS
A MAN
A WOMAN
AND A BABY
WORKING AGAINST THE ODDS
WITH HELP FROM GOOD HEARTED PEOPLE
THE CHRISTMAS STORY REDUCED
TO A WOMAN
HOLDING HER BABY
USING HER BODY TO KEEP IT WARM
WHILE THE HUSBAND TENDS THE FIRE
AND FEEDS HIS WIFE
THEIR MEAGER MEAL
BUT IN THE JOY OF THE BABY
THEY KNOW NO PRIVATION
I WANTED TO SAY
THAT MARY'S HANDLING OF THE ANGEL'S MESSAGE
WHAT YOU WANT OF ME GOD
DO
WHAT IS WITHIN ME
MAY IT BEAR FRUIT
WHAT I WANTED TO SAY
IS THAT
MY OWN ACCEPTANCE IS SIMILAR
BUT IT IS TOO BIG A STRETCH
INSTEAD I WANT TO SAY
YES TO GOD
NOT AS A SLAVE
BUT AS A LOVED ONE
YES TO GOD
THAT I WILL DILIGENTLY FOLLOW
WHERE I AM LED
AND WILLINGLY ACCEPT
THE OUTCOME
SO FROM THIS MISTY LAND
WHERE NOW I DWELL
WHERE I FEEL LIKE THE BABY
WARMED BY ALL THE LOVE AROUND ME
WHILE I WAIT FOR THE MIST TO CLEAR
I WISH YOU ALL OF YOU
THAT ARE HOLDING ME
CLOSE TO YOUR HEART
I WISH FOR YOU
THE BABY'S BLESSINGS
AND ASK
THAT HIS TINY HANDS
BEGRIME YOUR SOUL
WITH MARKS OF LOVE
PEACE
JOY AND UNDERSTANDING
ABC……
THE PROBLEM IS
THAT WHEN THE MEDICINE
IS WORKING
IT CLOUDS THE MIND
AND PRAYING BECOMES DIFFICULT
AND SOMETIMES INCOHERENT
THE LEGEND IS
THAT THE JEWISH SHEPHERD
COMING HOME FROM THE HILLS
TO SPEND SABBATH WITH HIS FAMILY
COUNTED HIS SHEEP AND FOUND ONE MISSING
SENDING HIS SON AHEAD WITH THE FLOCK
HE RETURNED TO THE HILL
RACING THE STAR
THAT TOLD THE BEGINNING OF SABBATH
HE FOUND THE SHEEP
AND LOST THE RACE
AND TRUE TO HIS FAITH
SPENT SABBATH ON THE HILLSIDE
WITH HIS SHEEP
ON COMING HOME
HIS WIFE ASKED
HOW ARE YOU HUSBAND
WELL HE SAID
IT WAS AN INTERESTING
DISQUIETING TIME
HOW SHE SAID
I WAS ANXIOUS TO FIND MY SHEEP
I WAS HURRYING AND SWEATING
THEN THE SWEAT WENT COLD
AND THE SHEEP AND I HUDDLED BY THE FIRE
NEVER SEEMING TO GET WARM
I SAW IN THE FLAME
YOUR BEAUTIFUL SABBATH MEAL
I WANTED TO BE HOME SO MUCH
IN THE WARMTH OF MY HOME AND FAMILY
I WANTED TO PRAY
BUT THE WORDS SPILLED OUT
IN AN INCOMPREHENSIBLE KALEIDOSCOPE
OF FEELING
OF WANTING
OF DISAPPOINTMENT
SO WHAT DID YOU DO MY HUSBAND
I SAID THE ALPHABET
FIGURING GOD COULD MAKE THE WORDS
THE PROBLEM IS
THE MEDICINE MAKES THE MIND GROW DIM
A
B
C
D…
AMEN
WERE THERE NOT TEN HEALED…
FORGIVE ME LORD
I HAVE BEEN GUILTY OF POOR THINKING
WHEN I RECOVERED
AT LEAST TO EXTENT
I CAN RECOVER
DID I SAY THANK YOU
I WISH I COULD SAY YES
BUT LIKE A MAN
WHOSE VACATION
IS MARRED BY RAIN
AND FEELS HIS VACATION RUINED
FORGETS THE BEAUTIFUL DAYS HE DID HAVE
THEY MIGHT AS WELL NOT HAVE EXISTED
SO I THANK YOU LORD
FOR LIMITED RECOVERY
AND NO MIRACLES
EXCEPT THE DAILY BEAUTY OF EACH DAY
FORGIVE ME LORD
I HAVE NOT BEEN A GOOD SERVANT
BUT UNGRATEFUL
AND MAY BE AGAIN
BUT FOR NOW
THANK YOU LORD
WERE THERE NOT TEN HEALED…
THE MUSICAL
BY
FRANK A VOLLMER
BEING A REFLECTION
ON HIS CANCER
AND SUBSEQUENT ILL HEALTH
AUTUMN NOW
ON LEARNING HE HAD LYMPHOMA
I AM MORE IN TUNE WITH AUTUMN NOW
I HAVE FELT WINTER'S FIRST CHILL
AND COULD NOT GET WARM
BUT I AM MORE IN TUNE WITH AUTUMN NOW
I HAVE WONDERED AT THE MARVEL OF THE LEAVES
AT THE BEAUTY OF THEIR PASSING
AND THEIR RELUCTANCE TO LET GO
RELUCTANT TO LEAVE THOSE THEY CARE ABOUT
BECAUSE I LOVE
AND AM LOVED
THEREBY SHARING IN THE DIVINITY
AND IN FACING THE DIVINITY
KNOW
THAT NOT EVERY DAY WAS PERFECT
EVERY DAY
WEEK
MONTH
YEAR
EVERY PAGE
CHAPTER
BOOK
EVERY I NOT DOTTED
EVERY T NOT CROSSED
AND WHEN DONE
NOT DONE WELL
WINTER THOUGHTS
WINTER THOUGHTS
BUT I AM IN TUNE WITH AUTUMN NOW
I ASK THE PAST FOR FORGIVENESS
TO LET ME LAY MY BURDEN DOWN
KNOWING THAT FORGIVENESS
IS ALSO REQUIRED OF ME
IF I WOULD LAY MY BURDEN DOWN
BUT THE DAYS OF AUTUMN ARE NOT OVER
OH THAT I COULD MAKE MY AUTUMN BEAUTIFUL
TO CLING TENACIOUSLY TO THE TREE
NEITHER WILLING DEPARTURE
IN MIND OR BODY
OR THE LEAVING OF LOVED ONES
UNTIL CALLED BY THAT GREAT SUMMONS
TO BEGIN
THAT PEACEFUL
NOSTALGIC
ACCEPTING
JOURNEY HOME
BUT
AS FOR NOW
I AM MORE IN TUNE WITH AUTUMN NOW
AND THERE IS SERENITY IN MY SOUL
THE NAMING OF PILLS
TODAY WE HAD THE NAMING OF PILLS
BUT FIRST WE HAD THE DISMISSAL OF PILLS
THE MULTI VITAMIN AND THE E
GONE
AS IF IN DISGRACE
THEY HAD NOT PREVENTED THE CONDITION
A BIT OF WHIMSY THERE
ACTUALLY THE WERE NOT COMPATIBLE
WITH THE NEW
ONE TO KEEP THE BLOOD FLOWING
ONE FOR NAUSEA
IF I NEED IT
ONE TO KEEP MY SYSTEM HEALTHY
ONE TO ATTACK THE TUMOR
BUT THIS ONE WE NUMBER AMONG THE PILLS
THE PILLS ARE LOWLY SERVANTS
INFERIOR TO THE INFUSIONS
WHICH HAVE A BETTER PRESS
BUT ALL IN ALL A TOXIC COCKTAIL
BOTTOMS UP
AND HAIR LOSS TOO
HOW COULD I BE SO LUCKY
THE JOURNEY STARTS
A HESITANT STEP
THE DRINKS ARE SERVED
TO YOUR HEALTH GOOD SIR
I'LL DRINK TO THAT
THAT WORD
WHEN THE DOCTOR FIRST SAID THAT WORD
IT WAS AS IF THE WORLD HAD STOPPED
A CLICHÉ MOST TIMES
EXCEPT WHEN IT HAPPENS TO YOU
BUT IT ONLY HAPPENS TO YOU
ALL AROUND YOU
EVERYONE ELSE
WAS GOING ON
WITH THEIR JOURNEYS
ONE OF WHICH WAS THE DOCTOR'S TASK
OF TELLING ME
WHAT WAS WRONG WITH ME
AND AS HE SPOKE
A DIFFERENT DIRECTION
WAS GIVEN TO MY JOURNEY
NO TRAVELING
IT WOULD BE INAPPROPRIATE
AT THIS TIME
WE NEED THE FOLLOWING TESTS
DONE IMMEDIATELY
TILL A WEEK OF TESTS
HAD GONE BY
WHICH WHEN READ
REQUIRED MORE TESTS
A BIOPSY
AND A SHUNT INSTALLED
IT'S ALL DONE NOW
AND I SIT NOW
AS IF BEFORE A MAGIC CUP
CHALICE
GRAIL
A MAGIC CUP OF HEALING POISON
IT REMINDS ME OF GRACE
DESTROYING SIN
BUT NOT THE SINNER
DESTROYING A PART OF ME
TO LEAVE ME WHOLE
THIS IS NOT THE CUP
THAT I WOULD CHOOSE TO DRINK
BUT THIS CUP IS A NECESSARY ONE
THAT I MUST DRINK
I FEEL LIKE PETER
WHEN JESUS SAID
SOMEONE ELSE WILL DRESS
AND LEAD YOU
SHELTER ME AS I DRINK THIS POTION
SURELY YOUR GOODNESS
AND KINDNESS
HAVE ALWAYS BEEN WITH ME
AND I REST IN THE PALM OF YOUR HAND
LIKE BABY BIRD
BEING FED BY ITS MOTHER
THE C WORD
WHEN PILATE
FIRST SAID THE C WORD
TO YOU JESUS
DID YOU STEP BACK
BLINK
PRAY FOR COURAGE
DID THE WORLD GO AWAY FOR AN INSTANT
SAYING YES LORD JESUS
ENDEARS YOU TO MY HEART
IN OUR MUTUAL PASSIONS
I FIND MUCH THAT IS SIMILAR
STRUGGLING UP YOUR HILL
YOU FELL OFTEN
STRUGGLING UP MY HILL
I FIND MANY WEAK TIMES
YOU HAD SIMON
I HAVE THE DOCTOR
YOU HAD THE WOMEN OF JERUSALEM
I HAVE THE NURSES
WHO HAVE PUT AWAY THEIR WAILING RAGS
AND BECOME TRUE PROFESSIONALS
A TRIBUTE TO YOU
WHO RAISED THE STATUS OF WOMEN
BY BEING BORN
AND THEREBY SAYING
THAT ALL CREATION IS BEAUTIFUL
AND THEREFORE EQUAL
AND ON THE HILLTOP
YOU DESTROYED THE CANCER OF…
THERE I'VE SAID THE WORD
YOU DESTROYED THE CANCER OF MY SIN
YOU SET ME FREE
TO LIVE A HOLY AND A WHOLLY LIFE
AND ON MY HILLTOP
LET ME SAY WITH YOU
FATHER IT IS FINISHED
CURED OR AT LEAST IN REMISSION
AND WE SHALL WALK
OUR EASTER MORNINGS
SIDE BY SIDE
FRIENDS AS ALWAYS
WE HAVE WALKED
THROUGH THE DARK PORTAL
AND FOUND SUN SHINE
BUT FIRST
WHEN PILATE SAID THE C WORD TO YOU JESUS
DID YOU STEP BACK
BLINK
PRAY FOR COURAGE
DID THE WORLD GO AWAY FOR AN INSTANT
SAYING YES LORD JESUS
ENDEARS YOU TO MY HEART
BECAUSE SO DID I
HOSPITAL GOWN
MY FRONT BEING PROPERLY HIDDEN
I SHALL NOT MENTION IT
BUT IN THE REAR
MY DERRIERE
PROVOKES LAUGHTER
AND AMUSEMENT
I DO NOT SHARE
MODESTY IS OUT THE WINDOW
ALAS ALACK ALAY
ANY ONE HAVE A SAFETY PIN
IT WOULD REALLY SAVE THE DAY
HOLDING CANE
AND CATHETER
I DO NOT HAVE A HAND
TO HIDE
MY
(FOR OTHERS)
AMUSING BUTT
AND SO I STAND A GAPING
FOR ALL THE WORLD TOO SEE
BUT SEE NO ONE’S LOOKING
AT MY
HEINIE
OR ME
DRUID ROCKS - THE TREATMENT ROOM
WE WERE SITTING ROUND THE WALLS
LIKE DRUID ROCKS
WAITING FOR THE SOLSTICE
ONE CHAIR MISSING
THROUGH WHICH THE PRIESTESS CAME
DISPENSING THE MAGIC FLUID
THE EYE OF THE NEWT
THE TAIL OF A DRAGON
THE HEALING POISON
AND WE SIT IN A RING
AROUND THE ROOM
LIKE DRUID ROCKS
WAITING FOR THE SOLSTICE
LIKE DRUIDS SITTING IN A RING
PRAYING TO THE GODS
THAT THE DAYLIGHT WOULD STAY
OR THAT THE DAYLIGHT WOULD COME BACK
DRUIDS SITTING IN A RING
TRYING TO PLACATE AN ANGRY GOD
DRUIDS SITTING IN A RING
WHILE THE PRIESTESS
CHECKS OUR PULSE
OUR BLOOD PRESSURE
AND OUR TEMPERATURE
WHETHER WE ARE THIRSTY
OR ANY OTHER NEED
DRUIDS SITTING IN A RING
I AM PART OF THAT RING
BUT MY GOD IS NOT ANGRY
WHERE TWO OR THREE…
FOR WE ARE GATHERED IN HIS NAME
EVEN THOUGH SOME OF US MAY NOT KNOW IT
DRUIDS SITTING IN A RING
LOOKING PAST THE WITCH'S BREW
KNOWING THAT NO MATTER HOW DARK THE DAY
THE SUN IS SHINING
AND WILL NOT GO AWAY
PS 121/TAPS/ NIGHT PRAYER
ALL IS WELL
SAFELY REST
GOD IS NIGH
HE DOES NOT SLEEP OR SLUMBER
WATCHING ALL THE NIGHT
HE IS MY GUIDE AND PATHFINDER
MY FOOT SHALL NOT SLIP
THE BREEZE COMES DOWN THE MOUNTAIN
COOLING THE VALLEY AND DESERT BELOW
HE GUARDS ME FROM THE NIGHT DEMONS
AND THE EFFECTS OF THE MOON
HE NEITHER SLUMBERS NOR SLEEPS
HE WATCHES OVER ME
MY GOING IN AND GOING OUT
HE IS MY SHADE IN THE SUN
AND MY SHAWL FOR THE NIGHT CHILL
HE NEITHER SLUMBERS NOR SLEEPS
ALL IS WELL
SAFELY REST
GOD IS NIGH
AND NEVER SLEEPS
WHO.....
WHERE HAVE I BEEN
WHERE HAVE I BEEN WANDERING
IN THE DESERT
IN THE WARRENS OF CHEMO
WHERE WORDS DO NOT MAKE SENSE
AND SENTENCES DO NOT CONNECT
BUT WHO HAS PRAYED FOR ME
WHEN I WAS ELSEWHERE
AND KNOW THE ANSWER IN THE QUESTION
BANDS OF ANGELS HOVERING
ALL THE SAINTS ARE GATHERED
BEHOLD WHO YOU ARE
THE BODY OF CHRIST
NOT GUARANTEED SAFE JOURNEY
BIT JOINED WITH THAT GREAT COMPANY
GUARANTEED SAFE DELIVERY
WE ARE STILL IN TREATMENT
THE DOCTOR CLINGS TO ME
LIKE A LOVER HE WILL NOT LET GO
NEW TREATMENTS ARE TO FOLLOW
A LOW POINT THERE
I THOUGHT I WAS DONE
TILL I WAS TOLD
REST AWHILE
THEN WE START AGAIN
DOWN A DIFFERENT PATH
DOWN WHICH I WILL GO
JOYFULLY BURDENED
BY ALL WHO HOLD ME IN THEIR HEART
AND PRAYER
WHO PRAYS FOR YOU
WHEN YOU CANNOT PRAY
GOD DOES
AND ALL HIS FRIENDS
BEHOLD WHO YOU ARE
THE BODY OF CHRIST
AND ALL THE ASSEMBLY SINGS
HOLY
HOLY
HOLY
A SOUND THAT RESONATES
WHEN ALL OTHER SOUNDS HAVE FADED
AMONG THE STONES
I AM DOWN AMONG THE STONES
AMONG THE ROCKS THAT LITTER THE SHORE
AMONG THE POOLS THE OCEAN HAS LEFT
LITTLE TREASURE TROVES OF SEA LIFE
I AM DOWN AMONG THE STONES
IT IS PEACEFUL HERE
THE OCEAN IS A SIBILANT IN THE DISTANCE
I AM BETWEEN THE TIDES
I AM BETWEEN INFUSIONS
THE POURING IN OF MEDICINES
TO MAKE ME WELL
ODD WORD FOR ME
IT HAS ALWAYS MEANT
THE POURING IN OF THE SPIRIT
HIS INDWELLING IN ME
HIS WORKING LIKE THE MEDICINES
DRIVING OUT THE BAD
THE MEDICINE
IS GIVEN TO ME
WHEN I AM AT MY BEST
BETWEEN THESE TIMES
THERE COMES THE POINT
WHEN I AM AT MY WORST
PHYSICALLY
EMOTIONALLY
THEY CALL IT THE NADIR
I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN TROUBLED
AND UNSURE
ABOUT HOW TO HANDLE
PAIN AND SORROW
SHOULD I BE ANGRY AT MY FATE
SHOULD I ACCEPT IT
AND MAKE IT WORK
OR WILL I BE OVERWHELMED BY IT
IN TRUTH I OFTEN HAVE DONE ALL THREE
SOMETIMES SIMULTANEOUSLY
THE BEST SEEMS TO BE
TAKE IT AND MAKE IT WORK
TO TRY TO BE AT PEACE
SO I AM DOWN
AMONG THE STONES
AMONG THE ROCKS
QUIET AND PEACEFUL IN THIS PLACE
BETWEEN THE TIDES
BETWEEN INFUSIONS
I AM OPEN
TO THE WHISPERINGS OF THE SPIRIT
WHICH STRANGELY SOUND
LIKE THE SIBILANT SOUNDS OF THE SEA
GOOD MORNING BROTHER ASS
ST FRANCIS OF ASSISI DIED AT THE AGE OF 44 AFTER INCREASING ILL HEALTH, DUE IN PART TO THE WAY HE MISTREATED BROTHER ASS, AS HE CALLED HIS BODY.
GOOD MORNING BROTHER ASS
HOW ARE YOU THIS MORNING
BROTHER MULE IF YOU DON'T MIND
AH WE'RE INTO PROPRIETY TODAY ARE WE
ONLY FITTING
AFTER THE INDIGNITIES YOU PUT ME THROUGH
I'M ONLY DOING WHAT'S BEST FOR YOU
AND ME
WELL ANYWAY
I'D RATHER BE KNOWN AS BROTHER MULE TODAY
TODAY AND EVERYDAY IF YOU SO DESIRE
OH DON'T BE SO POMPOUS
SOMETIMES YOU ACT LIKE AN ASS
BROTHER ASS IF YOU DON'T MIND
THIS SOUNDS LIKE A CONVERSATION
RUNNING AROUND IN A CIRCLE
SHALL WE BEGIN AGAIN
GOOD MORNING BROTHER MULE
GOOD MORNING BROTHER SOUL
SHALL WE BEGIN BY TAKING OUR PILLS
AS A SIGN OF PROMISE FOR THE DAY
YOU SEEM DOWN BROTHER MULE
I HAVE A QUESTION
ASK AWAY
YOU WILL NOT LEAVE ME WILLY-NILLY
AS IF YOU DIDN'T CARE
YOU HAVE MY WORD
WE WILL NOT PART BY CHOICE
SHALL WE BEGIN OUR DAY
MISTY LAND
IN THIS MISTY LAND IN WHICH I DWELL
PRODUCT OF FATIGUE AND CHEMICALS
THE CAROLS COME
THE CAROLS GO
ECHOES NOT QUITE RIGHTLY HEARD
EXCEPT THE ONES
THAT TALK OF SIMPLER THINGS
A MAN
A WOMAN
AND A BABY
WORKING AGAINST THE ODDS
WITH HELP FROM GOOD HEARTED PEOPLE
THE CHRISTMAS STORY REDUCED
TO A WOMAN
HOLDING HER BABY
USING HER BODY TO KEEP IT WARM
WHILE THE HUSBAND TENDS THE FIRE
AND FEEDS HIS WIFE
THEIR MEAGER MEAL
BUT IN THE JOY OF THE BABY
THEY KNOW NO PRIVATION
I WANTED TO SAY
THAT MARY'S HANDLING OF THE ANGEL'S MESSAGE
WHAT YOU WANT OF ME GOD
DO
WHAT IS WITHIN ME
MAY IT BEAR FRUIT
WHAT I WANTED TO SAY
IS THAT
MY OWN ACCEPTANCE IS SIMILAR
BUT IT IS TOO BIG A STRETCH
INSTEAD I WANT TO SAY
YES TO GOD
NOT AS A SLAVE
BUT AS A LOVED ONE
YES TO GOD
THAT I WILL DILIGENTLY FOLLOW
WHERE I AM LED
AND WILLINGLY ACCEPT
THE OUTCOME
SO FROM THIS MISTY LAND
WHERE NOW I DWELL
WHERE I FEEL LIKE THE BABY
WARMED BY ALL THE LOVE AROUND ME
WHILE I WAIT FOR THE MIST TO CLEAR
I WISH YOU ALL OF YOU
THAT ARE HOLDING ME
CLOSE TO YOUR HEART
I WISH FOR YOU
THE BABY'S BLESSINGS
AND ASK
THAT HIS TINY HANDS
BEGRIME YOUR SOUL
WITH MARKS OF LOVE
PEACE
JOY AND UNDERSTANDING
ABC……
THE PROBLEM IS
THAT WHEN THE MEDICINE
IS WORKING
IT CLOUDS THE MIND
AND PRAYING BECOMES DIFFICULT
AND SOMETIMES INCOHERENT
THE LEGEND IS
THAT THE JEWISH SHEPHERD
COMING HOME FROM THE HILLS
TO SPEND SABBATH WITH HIS FAMILY
COUNTED HIS SHEEP AND FOUND ONE MISSING
SENDING HIS SON AHEAD WITH THE FLOCK
HE RETURNED TO THE HILL
RACING THE STAR
THAT TOLD THE BEGINNING OF SABBATH
HE FOUND THE SHEEP
AND LOST THE RACE
AND TRUE TO HIS FAITH
SPENT SABBATH ON THE HILLSIDE
WITH HIS SHEEP
ON COMING HOME
HIS WIFE ASKED
HOW ARE YOU HUSBAND
WELL HE SAID
IT WAS AN INTERESTING
DISQUIETING TIME
HOW SHE SAID
I WAS ANXIOUS TO FIND MY SHEEP
I WAS HURRYING AND SWEATING
THEN THE SWEAT WENT COLD
AND THE SHEEP AND I HUDDLED BY THE FIRE
NEVER SEEMING TO GET WARM
I SAW IN THE FLAME
YOUR BEAUTIFUL SABBATH MEAL
I WANTED TO BE HOME SO MUCH
IN THE WARMTH OF MY HOME AND FAMILY
I WANTED TO PRAY
BUT THE WORDS SPILLED OUT
IN AN INCOMPREHENSIBLE KALEIDOSCOPE
OF FEELING
OF WANTING
OF DISAPPOINTMENT
SO WHAT DID YOU DO MY HUSBAND
I SAID THE ALPHABET
FIGURING GOD COULD MAKE THE WORDS
THE PROBLEM IS
THE MEDICINE MAKES THE MIND GROW DIM
A
B
C
D…
AMEN
WERE THERE NOT TEN HEALED…
FORGIVE ME LORD
I HAVE BEEN GUILTY OF POOR THINKING
WHEN I RECOVERED
AT LEAST TO EXTENT
I CAN RECOVER
DID I SAY THANK YOU
I WISH I COULD SAY YES
BUT LIKE A MAN
WHOSE VACATION
IS MARRED BY RAIN
AND FEELS HIS VACATION RUINED
FORGETS THE BEAUTIFUL DAYS HE DID HAVE
THEY MIGHT AS WELL NOT HAVE EXISTED
SO I THANK YOU LORD
FOR LIMITED RECOVERY
AND NO MIRACLES
EXCEPT THE DAILY BEAUTY OF EACH DAY
FORGIVE ME LORD
I HAVE NOT BEEN A GOOD SERVANT
BUT UNGRATEFUL
AND MAY BE AGAIN
BUT FOR NOW
THANK YOU LORD
WERE THERE NOT TEN HEALED…
Wednesday, October 25, 2006
WHEN I AM AN OLD WOMAN I SHALL WEAR PURPLE
WARNINGWhen I am an old woman I shall wear purple
With a red hat which doesn't go
and doesn't suit me.
And I shall spend my pension on brandy
and summer gloves
And satin sandals,
and say we've no money for butter.
I shall sit down on the pavement when I'm tired
And gobble up samples in shops
and press alarm bells
And run my stick along the public railings
And make up for the sobriety of my youth.
I shall go out in my slippers in the rain
And pick the flowers in other people's gardens
But maybe I ought to practice a little now?
So people who know me are not too shocked
and surprised
When suddenly I am old,
and start to wear purple.
With a red hat which doesn't go
and doesn't suit me.
And I shall spend my pension on brandy
and summer gloves
And satin sandals,
and say we've no money for butter.
I shall sit down on the pavement when I'm tired
And gobble up samples in shops
and press alarm bells
And run my stick along the public railings
And make up for the sobriety of my youth.
I shall go out in my slippers in the rain
And pick the flowers in other people's gardens
But maybe I ought to practice a little now?
So people who know me are not too shocked
and surprised
When suddenly I am old,
and start to wear purple.
Monday, October 23, 2006
SONGS FOR A FRIEND
THE PRIEST
TO STAND DAILY AT THE EDGE OF THE WORLD
AND CALL DOWN FIRE
AND BY AN ALCHEMY
PERFORM A MIRACLE IN MY HANDS
LONG PUT TO REST UNWORTHINESS AS FACTUAL
SUMMONED LIKE MOSES ARGUING THAT AARON WAS BETTER
BUT AARON WASN'T CALLED
SUMMONED TO SERVE AND IN THAT WORD TO FIND MY CROSS
TOO EASY TO TAKE MY MAGIC POWERS
AND CLAIM THAT ALL EXISTS FOR ME
SO EASY
BUT TO LISTEN TO THE THRICE TOLD TALE OF THE OLD
OR ANOINT INCURABLE CANCER WITH HEALING OIL
TO COUNSEL THE ANGRY HURT OR LONELY
TO GIVE ADVICE BETTER THAN MYSELF
TO GIVE
TO KNOW THE NEED FOR TRANSFORMATION
NOT CHANGE NOT REALLY
BUT THAT THE BREAD SHOULD GIVE GOOD HEALTH
AND WINE REFRESHMENT
THAT I MIGHT BE WHAT THEY SAY I AM
THAT I MIGHT BE
THAT I MIGHT STAND AT THE EDGE OF THE WORLD
TAKING ALL THEIR CARES TO THE TESTING POINT
AND CALL DOWN FIRE IN MY HANDS
AND GIVE MY BODY/BLOOD FOR SACRIFICE
GARGOYLE HOWLING IN THE WIND
SPEWING WATER AND WITH EYE DISTENDED
SCOWLING
WHAT AGONY OF ARTIST DRONE THE CHISEL
WHAT INJUSTICE BORNE WITHOUT HOPE OF REMEDY
HOW MANY MEN ARE GARGOYLE MADE
BY FORCES OUT OF THEIR CONTROL
BY WAR BY RACE BY POVERTY
CONTINUAL NOISE IN A CROWDED ROOM
CHISELS CARVING PAIN
PRECARIOUSLY PERCHED THE GARGOYLE SITS
IN THE RAIN SPEWING PAIN
AND WITH EYE DISTENDED
SEARCHES FOR THE SUN
THE BIRDS
IT WASN'T THAT HE DIDN'T LIKE CHRISTMAS
HE ENJOYED THE HOLIDAY FUN
ALL THE BRIGHT COLORS AND SUDDEN GOOD WILL
AND THE CHILDREN'S HAPPY SUSPENSE
BUT HE COULDN'T BELIEVE IN CHRISTMAS
IN THE INCARNATION I MEAN
GOD LIVING A MAN-LIFE LIKE HIS? WHAT FOR?
IT JUST DIDN'T MAKE SENSE TO HIM
HE SAT BY THE FIRE
WARM IN HIS HOME
ON CHRISTMAS EVE ALONE
THE FAMILY GONE OFF TO MIDNIGHT MASS
HE HEARD A THUMP AT THE WINDOW
AND THEN ANOTHER
SOME MISCHIEF BOY OUT FOR FUN HE THOUGHT
HE WENT TO THE WINDOW TO CHASE HIM WITH A GLANCE
BUT FOUND NO BOY
BUT A SPARROW FLOCK
LURED BY THE LIGHT AND SIGHT OF WARMTH
HAD TRIED TO COME THROUGH HIS WINDOW
THEY HUDDLED NOW IN THE SNOW
WITH NO PLACE TO GO
AND HE FELT COMPASSION FOR THEM
HE PUT ON HIS BOOTS AND JACKET AND SCARF
AND OUT HE WENT TO OPEN THE GARAGE
TO GIVE THEM SHELTER
BUT THEY WOULD NOT COME
SO HE TURNED ON THE LIGHT
BUT THEY WOULD NOT COME
HE WENT AND GOT BREAD
AND THREW IT MANNA LIKE UPON THE SNOW
A PATH TO FOLLOW
BUT THEY WOULD NOT COME
HE TRIED TO HERD THEM IN
SHOUTING AND WAVING HIS ARMS
BUT THEY WOULD NOT COME
I'M SCARING THEM HE THOUGHT
I'M SO BIG COMPARED TO THEM
AND DIFFERENT
IF BUT FOR A MOMENT I COULD BE A SPARROW
I COULD LEAD THEM THROUGH THE DOOR
I COULD LEAD THEM THROUGH.....THE DOOR
SURF BIRD
THE SEA CAME IN THE LITTLE BIRD RAN
AND FOLLOWED THE SEA BACK OUT
THEN RAN FROM THE SEA AND FOLLOWED IT OUT
DANCING THE DAY IN TIME TO THE SEA
PLAYING FOR FOOD
I WONDER IF IT FEARS THE SEA
LIKE I DO GOD
PLAYING THE EDGES OF HIS LOVE
OR MY LOVE REALLY AS IT EBBS AND FLOWS
RUNNING WHEN THE WAVE COMES STRONG
SEABIRDS ON DELICATE FEET
RUNNING FROM THE WATER
SOMEDAY HOPEFULLY UNAWARE
THE SEA WILL OVERWHELM ME
SWEEPING ME OUT TO THE DEPTHS OF THE SEA
TO BE ONE WITH THE MOTION THE SURGE OF THE SEA
TO BE THE SEA
TO PLAY WITH THE BIRDS AT THE WATER'S EDGE
TO FEED THEM
AND CALL THEM TO THE DANCE
DELAWARE BAY
IT WAS LOW TIDE WHEN WE GOT THERE
BAYSIDE IN THE MID OF WINTER
AFTER A THAW
STRANDED ON THE SHORE LIKE WHALES
THE PILES OF ICE
OR MOVING OUT TO SEA
MOANING AS THEY RUBBED EACH OTHER
GROANING AS THEY HIT A PIER OR BREAKWATER
BUT IT WAS THE ICE ON SHORE
THAT HELD OUR EYE
MELTING NOW IN THE SUN
SENDING BACK THEIR RICHNESS TO THE SEA
OCCASIONALLY THEIR WEIGHT WOULD BREAK THEM
OR WE WOULD WISHING WINTER AWAY
IT BECAME A GAME WE'D PLAY WISHING WINTER AWAY
BREAKING THE ICE AND CHANTING
OUT YOU GO ICE AND SNOW
A KIND OF FRENZY SEIZED US
BUT THE ICE ENDURED
IT DID NOT RUN BEFORE OUR CHANT
IN THE SPRING WE SHALL RETURN
WONDERING WHERE THE ICE HAS GONE
OR KNOWING RATHER IN THE MIND
THAT SUN AND HEAT HAVE DONE THE TRICK
BUT IN THAT DEEPER DARKER PART OF MIND
TO KNOW THAT CHILL AND COLD ARE NOT JUST WINTER THINGS
THAT TOO OFTEN THERE IS WINTER IN OUR SOUL
AWESOME SHAPES OF ICE THAT OVERWHELM US
COULD WE BUT CHANT THE SPELL AND WISH THEM GONE
BUT COME YOU NOW AND HOLD MY HAND
AND DRIVE FROM ME THE WINTER'S CHILL
I AM AN ICE CHOKED STREAM WANTING TO RUN FREE
I WANT TO BE NOT ICE FROZEN ON THE SHORE
BUT WATER RUNNING WITH THE WIND
COME NOW MY LOVE AND SET ME FREE
COULD WE BUT REMEMBER SPRINGTIME DAYS
WHEN WINTER WINDS PILE ICE UPON OUR SHORE
GIVE ME YOUR HAND
I AM COLD
AND NEED WARMTH
TREE
THERE IS A TREE IN THE SAHARA
IN THE MIDST OF THE SAND
AN ACACIA TREE IN THE MIDST OF THE SAND
BY A POOL THAT WELLS UP FROM A HIDDEN STREAM
THAT ONE DAY MIGHT HAVE RUN ON GROUND
HOW IT GOT THERE NO ONE KNOWS
PERHAPS A BIRD OR WIND
OR ANY ONE OF NATURE’S THOUSAND WAYS OF LIFE
BY CHOICE IT DID NOT WANT TO LIVE IN SUCH A LONELY PLACE
BY CHOICE IT DOES NOT SCATTER SEED
TO HAVE IT KILLED BY SAND AND SUN
BY CHOICE IT WILL NOT WITHER OR DESPAIR
BUT THRIVE AS BEST IT CAN
A WITNESS IN A BARREN LAND
BUY CHOICE IT TAKES THE CHALLENGE OF THE DAY
THE AIR NOT RENT BY MIGHT HAVE BEENS
BY CHOICE IT SOMETIMES WATCHES STARS
AND KNOWS THE LONELINESS OF SPACE
BY CHOICE IT WILLS TO LIVE NOT DIE AWAY
DISEASED BY DISCONTENT AND GRIEF
BY CHOICE IT TAKES THE PROMISE OF THE MORNING
AND TRIES TO MAKE IT LAST THE DAY
In the Eastern Church, the death of Mary, Jesus' mothers is traditionally celebrated on august 15. The feast is called the dormition or falling asleep of Mary.
OLD WOMAN
HOW WARM THE SUN SHE THOUGHT
NODDING NAPPING IN HER CHAIR
KNITTING UNATTENDED IN HER LAP
HOW WARM THE SUN
THE CHILDREN ALL HAD GONE
LAUGHING AND LEAPING
THE COOKIES ALL EATEN
BYE BYE AUNTIE
THEY ALL CALLED HER AUNTIE
AWAY THEY WENT LEAPING
EXCEPT ONE LITTLE URCHIN
WITH KNEE OUT IN TROUSER
AND NOSE ON SLEEVE WIPING
HAD LINGERED BEHIND
SHYLY
FOOT DRAGGING
HEAD DOWN
FACE BLUSHING
HE SLOWLY APPROACHED HER
AWKWARDLY KISSED HER
BELLOWED I LOVE YOU
SCURRIED AWAY
HEART ACHING SHE REACHED OUT
HER ARMS GRASPING NOTHING
SO QUICKLY HE RAN
OH JOSEPH OH JESUS HOW MUCH DO I MISS YOU
HOW LONG YOU'VE BEEN GONE
THE OLD WOMAN SAT NODDING
HER HEART WOUNDS REOPENED
SAT NODDING
AND NAPPING
AND YEARNING FOR HOME
SAT NODDING THEN SLEEPING
THEN GOD CALLED HER HOME
STARS
HE LIKED TO WATCH THE STARS
THEIR SENSE OF ORDER AND HIS FILIAL PRIDE
BOTH GAVE HIM WARMTH
HE LIKED THE LEGENDS THAT MEN TOLD
ABOUT THESE LANTERNS IN THE SKY
HE LIKED THE WAY THEY LED A SHIP
OR CARAVAN TO FIND A HOME
HE SOMETIMES THOUGHT HE HEARD THE SOUND OF SILVER BELLS
WHEN THE WIND WAS IN THE TREES
AND NIGHT CLOUDS CAME SCUDDING ACROSS THE MOON
WHEN WILD DOGS BARKED
AND SHEEP BELLS RANG CLEARLY IN THE DARK
HE THOUGHT HE HEARD THE STARS SING
PERHAPS THAT'S WHY HIS FATHER MADE THE SKY GO DARK BEFORE HE DIED
AND THE ANGELS WILL SING
Sunday, October 22, 2006
Saturday, October 21, 2006
CHRISTMAS
HE SHOULD HAVE KNOWN
I MEAN
HIS MOTHER WASN'T THE KIND TO SEND HIM OUT
ON A RAINY NIGHT
FOR SOMETHING THAT COULD HAVE WAITED TILL MORNING
BUT SHE'D INSISTED AND HE'D GONE
CLEAR ACROSS THE TOWN
AND FOUND THE PEOPLE THAT HE SOUGHT NOT HOME
THEN STARTED HOME
WET AND A LITTLE SAD
SHE'LL BE DISAPPOINTED
SHE WAS COUNTING ON HAVING IT TONIGHT
WHEN HE'D GOT HOME THE HOUSE WAS UNNATURALLY STILL
TILL HE SHOOK OFF THE RAIN AND STOOD IN THE HALL
CALLING 'MOM ARE YOU HOME'
THEN CAME THE AVALANCHE
A BURSTING OF WORDS OF PEOPLE AND EMOTION
HAPPY BIRTHDAY JESUS
HAPPY BIRTHDAY SON
SEASCAPE
HE WAS SITTING BY THE SEA
OBLIVIOUS TO THE WIND AND STEADY RAIN
WATCHING THE SEA
WATCHING IT DRAW BACK
GATHERING PEBBLES
DRAW BACK AND FLING
DRAW BACK AND FLING
DRAW BACK AND FLING THEM ON THE SHORE
WHY DON'T THEY UNDERSTAND
WHY DON'T THEY UNDERSTAND
I FED THEM ON LOAVES AND FISHES
AND THEY WOULD MAKE ME A KING
I HEAL
AND THEY COMPLAIN IT'S THE SABBATH
WHAT AM I DOING WRONG
JUST THEN A PART OF THE BANK
ON WHICH HE WAS SITTING
GAVE WAY
AND HE HAD TO MOVE QUICKLY
TO ESCAPE BEING THROWN IN THE SEA
SAFE
HE TURNED TO WATCH THE SEA
RENEW ITS ATTACK ON THE SHORE
IT WON'T FALL THE FIRST TIME
OR IN A THOUSAND TIMES
BUT IT WILL FALL
IT WILL FALL
HE WAS SMILING NOW AS HE WATCHED THE SEA
COME ROARING IN
FULL TILT NOT COUNTING THE EFFORT
IT'S A BAD DAY FOR FISHERMEN SAID PETER
YES BUT NOT FOR A FISHER OF MEN
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