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Yesterday at noon, I saw the construction workers Walking to the parking lot for lunch. And this morning, passing by, I saw just one, a young woman With her safety vest on, And I recalled my days on-the-job, With some joy in the memory. Then I drive by the group home, The one on the… Read more

THE ONES WHO SPEND AN HOUR The ones who spend an hour Kneeling on cold moist earth. Stones biting at their knees Early March wind Bothering at their backs. Planting peas dried and wrinkled Know what a promise is, Know the love that makes it, Know the joy that seals it, Know the faith that keeps it,… Read more

PRACTICE For Eleanor What does “practice” mean? It means to do something new, And then do it again, Trying to get better. And then it means to use That thing you have learned to do, In everyday life. Now here’s a new word: RESILIENCE. It means to overcome problems, To get well, It means to… Read more

It was raining out And the cat wanted in. It was raining out And the ducks wanted out! It was raining out And the cat went out again, And lay down under the wicker seat to watch. It is raining out, And I watch out the window, Mesmerized by the drops in the puddles. It… Read more

They instructed me To choose a color, Any color But only one color. But there are so many great colors! The blue today sky The dark stormy sky The almost springtime green And the lush late-May spring, Before the bugs have chewed all summer on the trees green, The faint red-brown of the hawk And… Read more

Give us eyes to see, Lord. Eyes to see your Glory In the buds on the mock magnolia, In the sun rising early this day. Give us ears to hear, Lord. Ears to hear your Glory In the optimism of birdsong, In the roaring of the thunder. Give us lips to speak, Lord. To shout… Read more

Yesterday, The neighbor had a very bad day And his child had a very bad, Horrible, no-good bad day. And I mourned for them. Though more for the child, And I wondered, If there was more a person could do Than mourn, Something other than saying, “Bless his heart.” And today, He went to work,… Read more

Earth-poem Last morning, I went tramping With two friends upon the mountain. Walking briskly on the trail, Making tenderly our way across the ice, Finally stopping before time ran out In a glade to catch the sun, then scrambling Down-mountain with much joy. There was hilarity, daring feats, And silliness in bunches. But then, passing… Read more

If you had told me yesterday, That today would be like this, I would have fallen over, Laughing (and yesterday, I needed a laugh).   And on some other day, If you had told me What curse would afflict the next, I would have cried (or perhaps gone to my knees in prayer).   The… Read more

(Upon seeing a yellow-bellied sapsucker) To the Woodpecker in the maple, Blessings to you, may you feast Upon whatever you find, May you find whatever you need. When the time comes, We pray you will find safe journey To your home in the mountains, Safe place to lay eggs and raise young, Live long and… Read more