Wonder

Have a wild 

     curiosity, 

For nature, philosophy, 

     Art, stars, 

Machinations, cars - 

Think about things 

Seek conclusions 

For the inexhaustible questions 

     about our existence. 

Some have answers 

     and some, with resistance,

Hold locked to mystery. 

Wonder 

     is the key.

Sincerity

There’s sincerity,

And then there’s honesty -

You’d think they’d overlap, 

But if you view objectively, 

There’s really quite a gap. 

Even untruths can be sincere 

if they capture the essence of belief -

Right or wrong -

but who’s to shine relief? 

Sincerity is the breadth 

of time that lilacs thrive 

Purity of form and scent - honed. 

Alive.

In its purest sense, 

sincerity as what we are -

When we are alone. 

Beauty

As outward beauty flies, 

 I feel its growth - inside. 

Beauty is solace 

     in a malicious world - 

Restoring accord when we implore 

     for reprieve. 

What light would there be

      in life 

Devoid of beauty’s calm persistence 

     and essential harmony. 

I’m humbled to receive 

     as both creator and recipient 

That which transforms 

     human existence. 

Tradition

Mom and I would early rise 

Every year at Easter-tide 

For sunrise service at Oak Grove. 

And cozy were the evenings 

We all gathered at home

By the glowing woodstove. 

Beef stew at New Year’s

Hearty and bold, 

Dad throwing sparks, 

Dazzling cold. 

We wandered the hills 

For the Christmas tree fight 

To find a cedar - one just right 

Tall, thin, fat, squat…

There were magical nights 

Spent in the woods, 

Supping on hearty, hearth-cooked goods, 

And sleeping to the marching sound 

Of chanting katydids all round.

With lake warm summers and autumn visits, 

Morning coffee and Hardee’s biscuits, 

Aunts and uncles and cousins galore

A family could ask for nothing more. 

Written Easter Sunday, 2023 

Warmth

Warmth is a luxury

Priceless in hue

Spreading slowly 

Content to imbue

Radiance 

Warmth lubricates

And awakens, 

Coaxing life

From the Earth

It lingers…

And luxuriates  

Warmth is benign

Gentle - 

A refined sensation 

Peace after discontent 

Joy after sorrow 

Painting by Charles Kenneth Hinkle

Spirituality

There are not roses 

Glowing dim

In the forest dark,

Rather the solace 

     of Him. 

I AM. 

Eternal souls - mortal coils 

Another paradox

That interlocks 

     human existence. 

Spirituality 

Defines hope

By the reunion

     of immortal substances. 

Ether. 

Air. 

YHWH