Month: October 2018

Writing through the Pain of Our Times

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Writing through pain and tragedy is one of the most difficult things a writer can face. How much do we say or not say?

I like you, feel things deeply. And the last week has often been horrific, hasn’t it?

It would be easy for me to rant against far right extremists. They have caused so much suffering and pain.

And yet right now I am grieving, and standing with the people of Pittsburg, and the Jewish community there. I simply can’t write a poem about nature at the moment.

May the One who made us all, comfort all who are grieving.

Amen.

The flowers are for those that lost loved ones today.

This is too important of a time to be silent. I will be writing more about this historic time in the future.

We must each do what we can to make a difference.

Peace to each one.

Writing and Image © Copyright 2018, ancient skies

He was Never Alone

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Standing on top of the mountain he could see so many wounds now

on the earth as if people had allowed faith

to pass through

without paying attention,

so the paths overgrown

disappeared,

though he often

respected the candles

he walked beyond what had been

letting go of tired sermons,

the worn out reaching

but he never lost himself,

instead

within the light bathing, the songs

of the leaves

the forest spoke to his heart,

that he was never

alone.

Not ever.

     

Poetry and Image © Copyright 2018, ancient skies

Yet Within Our Scars

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Lying and fear often make difficult lovers

and even worse neighbors,

preferring themselves instead

of another,

so we pull back

our tenderness don’t we?

At least until we feel safe again

we pretend not to care.

Yet within our scars

builds a determination

or something

vaguely seeming to be hope,

so we press forward again,

straight into the wind

and then

we go vote.

Note: Please remember to vote on November 6th. We need to each do our part to help stop the madness, and strife. 

 

Poetry and Image © Copyright 2018, ancient skies

Warm Hearts on Cold Nights

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Hey y’all this is a quick update from the front lines of my wife fighting cancer (for the second time).

Many of you have been asking about her, thank you! We are so wonderfully blessed by your prayers, blessings, well wishes, and positive thoughts!

She has finished the first round of treatments, and the mass in her chest (inside at the rib cage not on her chest) has become smaller! Yay!

That’s the good news. But something is still there, and only a special scan will tell us if there is still cancer.

We have to wait though because the treatments she received are still working to fight this menace.

So how do we stay very much in love with such a big challenge? To be honest it’s easy, but we do make more of an effort to be with each other. After all, in many ways love is a choice.

We talk a lot more, about everything. And sometimes we hold each other and don’t say anything at all.

Our hearts are warm on cold nights.

Just being in the moment and being together has become more valuable than ever.

My wife and I could probably write a book on love over 50, and in overcoming health issues. But that would be another post, and probably another website all together. 🙂

Thank you again! We wish you peace.

     

Poetry and Image © Copyright 2018, ancient skies