Alone

Mist and shadow
Smoke and pain
Ashes and dust
Anguish and rain

Fear and uncertainty
Heart-rending grief
Constant stuggles
Stir up unbelief

Moments of quiet
Silent screaming
Unstable ground
Hopeless dreaming

Fractured lives
Shattered dreams
Leave behind questions
And ripped out seams

Moldy hopes
Left only to rot
Hearts broken open
Without ever a thought

Anger and sadness
Like a pendulum swung
Though the heart longs for gladness
It yet has found none

Days and weeks
Months and years
It continues to weep
Though it hides all the tears

Hidden in corners
Emotions run deep
Swept under rugs
They restlessly sleep

Put the mask on again
Hide the pain with a smile
Fool them into believing
It won't take a long while

Go back to "as usual"
Stuff it all back inside
Keep a brave face your rule
They won't guess what you hide

Stuff up the cracks
Hide your ashes and dust
Store broken pieces out back
Polish over the rust

Box up all your fears
Fan away all the smoke
Bottle up all your tears
So they can't see that you've broke

If you lock it up fast
Never mind it won't hold
Never mind it can't last
They'll believe what they're told

And only you'll know
Of the shadow and pain
Only you'll feel, alone,
The sting of the rain.



Written September 2012

For Grandma

A yellow rose,
So bright and true,
Our favorite flower
Both me and you;

Your smile, your laugh,
A kiss or a wave,
The "Hello, Darlin' "
You always gave;

The X's and O's
On the cards that you sent,
The hugs that you gave
Wherever you went;

The summer evenings
Out at the lake,
The famous fruit salad
You would always make;

Christmases, Birthdays,
BBQ's in the sun,
We always knew
That you would come;

Your handmade gifts,
Your open home,
Your welcoming heart
To everyone;

Fishing trip moments,
Your raspberry canes,
Dressing up in your jewelry,
Visiting you, in sunshine or in rain;

A rocking chair,
A grandbaby held,
A bead of glue
To our family's weld;

A classic song,
That Grandpa wrote,
Signing your pup's name
On all of your notes;

Learning from you to crochet,
And also to paint,
Each little memory,
No matter how faint;

Condensed in a blossom,
A bright yellow bud,
A statement so awesome
Of the life that was;

Our cheerful flower
That bright yellow rose
Will always remind me
Of times like those.


Written for my Grandmother, Betty Tilghman, upon her death - March 2012

Creation

The moon it sings
From high above
A message of our Father's love.

The stars they twinkle
In the dark
Millions of His imagination's sparks.

The winds that blow
The dancing breeze
His gentle breath among the trees.

Whether bare, or in leafy bower
They track His seasons
His days and hours;

Roots dug deep for water living
Arms flung wide
For worship giving;

Body's a sanctuary for His creatures
His provision shown
In all earth's features.

Whether pouring rain or driven snow
Whether time of death
Or time of growth;

He provides a time
Provides a season
Has a purpose and a reason.

Deep cries out
The heaven's weep
Mountains roar, creatures leap;

All for Him
They all proclaim
It all shouts praise unto His name.

Lakes stretched wide, streams running far
All of them pointing
To the Father's heart.

Loving provision stamped, for all to see
All creation shows
His fingerprints to me.



Written January 6, 2012 at "Legacy Alive"