Limitless

I am only limited by what can limit you.
Your power is unthinkable.
Your passion is unstoppable.
Your vision goes beyond what man might think is possible.

These chains that hold me back are no match for you.
These chains you do not see.
You see only possibility.
If I just rely on you I'll find my true ability.

Your holy light can push all the fear and lies away.
These chains are feeble threads.
Empowered by my dread
Of groundless worry that attacks and fully clouds my head.

Oh God give me your freedom - show me me through Holy eyes.
Lift me when I am humble.
Guide my feet so I don't stumble.
Fill my eyes with only you while these mini mountains crumble.

If you have made me new then I am limitless.
My power is unthinkable.
My passion is unstoppable.
My vision goes beyond what men might think is possible.

Help me to live this out all of each and every day.
Bring me those who need your love
So I can help them rise above
By pointing them to only you whose grace is far more than enough.

All

Nothing is excluded from His Allness.
  No single point of life could ever be.
Looking past the things we see around us
  Will not take us down the path where our faith leads.
Instead we should look deeply at creation
  Observing nature's constant ebb and flow.
Loving ones who come from every nation,
  As if our differences we'd never known.
At heart the people can all be united,
  Living side by side in harmony.
Our private fear will keep us all divided,
  Miserable lives lived separately.
Creation holds the key to our survival,
  Not just sustenance but wisdom is found there.
Viewed through our new eyes can bring revival,
  If we through stillness can become aware,
That all is a reflection of His Glory.
  He's woven in and out of every spec.
And if we listen closely to His story,
  He blesses us in ways we don't suspect.
But first there has to come the inner knowing,
  That His Allness is what joins up everything.
From fireflies whose praises are their glowing,
  To lifted hearts when they can hear the church bells ring.
The Allness can envelope us so warmly,
  Everything from neutrons out to galaxies.
Tenderness I find in there serves to remind me,
  His servant heart can bring me to my knees.

Fresh

Lord, my heart is fresh and raw
Something in me from far you saw
Worth a fight, to conquer death
And breath into me your holy breath
So hot and pure and lofe-love filled
The old me died and his possetion spilled
My shell burst open at the touch of your love
My mask ripped away when your word moved
I stand now naked before your greatness
You speak to me gently, and help me assess
Where you want me to go, who you want me to be
As I learn to grow and follow your lead
You will drape me in your robes of honor
Pure and white to reflect your splendor
You will heal my heart while guiding it straight
So I can be eager to follow my fate
A day will come soon when my path I'll see clearly
And I will charge down it knowing you will be near me
Down there will be others, broken, lonely and raw
Whom I can lead back and show them my God
Who clothed me so richly in his righteousness
Then sent me out ready to other lives bless
It was for this purpose you looked far and wide
To find this lost sould who was trying to hide
You guided me back and salved all my wounds
And now all my thoughts are centered on you
Please mold this raw heart, tender and new
So I can go serve and bring glory to you.

Mask

To walk in the woods
Black coat, blue jeans
Crackling branches, pine needles under my feet
Startled deer bound on nimble legs
White tails flag, vanish through the thick.
Fingers ache in the cold.
My thumb presses the spot
Where her ring used to be.

Cars travel distant roads
Children complain, "How much longer?"
Angst and pressure build
Beneath masks improperly fit
Bursts of crackling life ring loud
When truth emerges strongly through the veil.

Love runs freely, bounding off through the wood
A cold face where a mask used to be.

Next

Shackled tight and tied down low.
Below the light where no one goes
Freed from the bitterness without.
Then bound again and did not shout
For freedom's sake
For freedom's sake
We offer life and gall and ire
E'en though our joys so soon expire
So those behind will go before
Learn-ed from our wisdom cease all war.

Daughter

How I'm achng for you
    when the stars come out at night
A military daughter
    was never quite the life
I ever really wanted
    to build o'er all this time.
And now I cannot see you
    and I'm lonely every night.
I miss the celebrations,
    the new joys of your life.
And so I rest with hope
    that I'll see you again in time.

Frim

GLOBREN FILSOB

GLOBREN BOCK!

FLORDRA FLOGWITH

GLIMBREND SLOCK!

DRA MOBE! DRA MAIE!

DRA FROME! DRA SPRAI!

FILDRA WOLKITH BRACH

TWOMB!

LE GLID DEM PLUR

LE GLUD DEM PLUE

LE GLID DEM C'LUR

LE GLUD DEM SLOO!

MAIE DROLKA BROM BASTA

BRAND FRUDEMA CONASTA

FREN DU FRIM

FREN DI CROM

MERDA TRE GRUMBA

FLOMCRASTA!

Rebirth

Years of loneliness and temporary friendships stretched out before me

Almost too much for one man to bear. 

Ache for a place of belonging.

Arms heavy with the memory of my children.

Ears hear my father's voice.

Cheek feels my mother's cheek against my own.

A thousand aromas woven from my auntie's kitchen and wrap around old hymns she knows so well.

Little arms wrap round my neck and messy faces kiss me

Uncle!  Mr. Shawn!  Daddy!

Look at me!

Play with me! 

Love me! 

A woman sits at my side

Our hips touch, our elbows bump, she smiles.

She has loved me so long - and will stand loyally at my side.

 

I feel these things as if they are real.

Fantasies flood me of the day I'll be with the ones I love so tenderly

When I will squeeze my son's shoulder in pride

Smell my daughter's hair at her embrace

Smile until my face aches

Talk until the sun rises and sets and rises again.

Slip into a quiet place with the woman who loves me, pledges her life

To me

Connect, connect, connect, mind and body and spirit and song

Before no one but the us who is within us.

Fly free as air bringing life to ones who inhale

Life ebbing out of me.

The daydream ends with a grind, a vinyl record screech

A tintinabulating sparkle of glass upon the floor.

I look up and see me here.

No children come to kiss me.

No woman's hip touches mine.

The smells are only fighting jet exhaust like sulfuric anger

Brought low from the sky

Military tents which never grow mold

Like rolling rocks which have no home

Trash piled dumpsters buzzing and wriggling with fly, bee, and maggot.

Filling my head with positivity

Stems the flow of despair leaking into my boat

Sinking me below the cold waters like a wilted lily pad

So lovely and fresh last spring

Forgotten and frozen and broken down to ever blackening muck

Stellar atoms no longer held together by lifelove's song.

In the spring the sun comes again

Stirs dormant life down below

Causing a reach beyond the inky water's bowel.

Spreading like spiderweb arms striving

For freedom, life, and possibility. 

Timid with the chilling touch of air and light

Having been so long beneath dirt, death, muck

Deafening, gurgling water.

Afraid at first to fully unfurl or let the majestic beauty within

Shine happily back at the sun.

Freedom then will be the power of restoration

The woman's hip will touch

The messy face will kiss

The and the joy of joy of joy will weave

Through harmonies' rhythm of the light which is the love

Of the beyond beyond the beyond

Within each one.

Flee

Heavy shoes clumping in gravel
Large belly sways.  Vacant eyes
Look not within or without, but
View stories from timeless theater
Inside.
Violence.  Sensational lust and greed.
Countenance fallen to numb.
Shame grips tightly.  Pity,
Like geese honking above,
Fled for safety and restful place.
Wandering soul, to and fro,
Conquered, kept, unaware.

The Gray

Blackened hairs upon my chin
Belie the wisdom found within
From years of error and false starts
Fallen dreams and broken hearts
The day will come when gray I'll be
My wisdom then others will see
But only if my words and deeds
Come through love and fill their needs
So until then I'll grow and learn
And through my life their respect earn.

Thing

Knuckles white
Heart racing

Could someone be out there
Plotting and taking

My precious, my only
My one simple thing

That keeps me so warm
So warm that it stings

I think I hear voices
Somewhere far out beyond

These four walls which I've built
I sure hope there's no one

Trying.  To take.  My thing.

I've tucked it below me
Above and beyond me

Somewhere no one else looks
Somewhere deep inside me

For years it's been building
For years it's been growing

It's come to be precious
And I can't resist it

Sometimes it abuses
And locks me in corners

It neglects and mistreats
It punishes, belittles

All those who come close or
Speak up with defiance

I tried to speak out once
Then twice, three times and four

But it hushed me harshly
In prison in my heart

The voices get louder
Somewhere far out beyond

I think someone wants me
To open my door

But outside there is light
Outside there is freedom

I know freedom is bad
My precious thing tells me

It says I should ignore
The voices far beyond

Trying.  To take.  My thing.

But.

The voices sound friendly
As if they really care

I want to believe it
But they frighten me so

What if I open up
See voices with faces

Will they be kindly ones
Or will they attack me

My precious says don't trust
The unknown which can hurt

My thoughts say don't worry
Could things ever get worse

And would I really care
If voices were out there

Trying.  To take.  My thing.

A glance 'round behind me
To be sure I'm alone

I mustn't upset it
It's words can shake my bones

A twist of the handle
Sudden burst of white light

The faces are many
Smiling kindly at me

Please come out and join us
We need one more to play

A gravely voice speaks out
Gargling with hatred

"Shut that door, I tell you
You cannot go out there"

I cower at the voice
I should have known better

Smiling, kindly faces
Coming to deceive me

Trying.  To take.  My thing.

Cow'ring in the corner
Now feeling comforted

The voice, it tries to sooth
"You chose wisely my friend

The outside is evil
It mustn't e'er come in

Fight in every season
Fight for life every day

I am all you need now
I am your one true love"

Then I'm left in silence
Ringing horrible fear

I'm not sure I believe
I must see for myself

If anyone beyond
Out beyond my door is

Trying.  To take.  My thing.

The door opens with ease
Light floods every corner

Faces merge into one
Smiling it becons me

"Turn around and look in
Something there you should see"

My thing in the corner
Chains bind it to the wall

It is small and broken
A useless lump of mush

The evil voice I feared
Powerless in the light

"It never once bound you"
Friendly voice says to me

"You were not prisoner
You always had freedom

'Twas always yours to choose
All you need do is act

Freedom will come find you
Joyfullness can be yours

When you listen to it
Possibilities start

Now, look, your room is clean
All four walls and the floor

Come out and stay with us
Freedom in full now is yours"

My room looks so empty
But for it I now yearn

When I observe myself
I see my nakedness

Back into the confines
Of my room I must go

I cannot bare freedom
I close the door behind

My room I'm glad to see
Welcomes me back inside

Quietly the voice says
Whispering in my ear

"Fool, you did not listen
You're safer here with me

Sit down in the corner
You must listen closely

You are not for loving
Your heart cannot be free"

Now the silent voice grows
Each syllable enraged

My white walls growing dark
The cleanness gathers grime

I'm resting in comfort
Knowing one thing for sure

No one out far beyond
Will ever come back here

Trying.  To take.  My thing.

Knowledge will suffice

Blades whirl through pretty air, cutting forward and up
To bring man and machine on high
And watch all those below

Steel and fuel and fire and hate
Passed through the valleys, and rivers wide
Watching, watching, ready to pounce

Guns blast, shells fall, laughing galumphs of rage
“HA-HA!” they cry, thirsting for more
While on the ground men die

They got their desserts. They have their reward
Death to those who don’t heed
Death to all who don’t see

Steel and fuel and fire and hate
Force is used to beat the weak
The weak whose lives mean naught

Blades glide through pretty air, relaxing forward and down.
Guns away and noises cease
Broad are the grins. Clap the hands – well done

Drink. Drunk. Sex. Sleep.

Silhouettes against the lights loom large
Security patrols machines
Wild dogs bark. Far sirens blare

Between machines a phantom floats
Mere inches above the ground
Ancient one, the wise, the dead, the death

Wings as silent as thought push
Gently beneath crescent moon
Dark eyes see the deeds and hearts.

Do not accuse. Do not forgive.
A pardon you must not plead.
Knowledge will suffice.

Knowledge will suffice.

Bodies of men in woods far flung
Young and old their limbs askew
Blood pours out and feeds the earth

Mother cries. Father weeps.
Daughter begs.
Sons’ hearts grow harder for loss.

We will avenge. By strength of Allah
To war with infidel man and beast
Our dead one day we repay.

Steel and fuel and fire and hate

Bullets the air rend whistling up
Campfires warm the outside alone
The heart' frozen pain it can’t warm

Wash. Pray. Sex. Sleep.

Between angry men a phantom floats
Mere inches above the ground
Ancient one, the wise, the dead, the death

Wings as silent as thought push
Gently beneath crescent moon
Dark eyes see the deeds and hearts

Do not accuse. Do not forgive.
A pardon you must not plead
Knowledge will suffice.

Kay & Bob's Laundromat

A young couple sits by
      the window.  His head
rests on her shoulder.
Kay greets with a smile.
Yellow walls, long lasting flowers.
The open sign calls out to the night,
glowing red and blue.
Kay speaks of Koreans, friendliest people on earth.
Her people.
Bob's white hair shimmers with wisdom.
Maine farmer's hands grip yours firmly.
"Good to see ya!"
Children draw candy from gumball machines.
Old women fold their delicates.
Neighbors come.  Strangers come.
We meet and talk and laugh.
Do you need quarters?  Kay gets you some.
Do you need soap?  Two for 75.
A small baby cries.  Her young mother
stands.
Her father pulles clothes from the dryer.
The washer is done, Kay
comes to find you.
I hope to come back
here next
weekend.

Too much

You loved me too deeply.
More passion than sense.
Filled you.
All efforts were snuffed out.
'less I was the goal.
For you.
Burning in deep places.
Churned dark memories.
Scared you.
Kept emotions escaped.
Fleeing from my arms.
Saved you.
My heart was a safe place.
I could not convince.
Show you.

Faster

The world is spinning faster
    not of axis but of time
How many lifetimes fit into the span
    of one life?

Divorces pulling homes apart
    not one's immune, not even mine
Unfaithfuless, adultery fill the land
    is there hope?

The earth beneath us trembles so hard
    her foundations coming loose
I wonder if we all can leave the world behind
    somewhere new?

The internet can pull us in
    connections between us all
So many people are joining together
    are we one?

Can we slow her dizzying speed?
    run away from our future
Would it change the course we set for ourself?
    likely not.

An emerald bird

Feathers glitter and distract
  Green as jewels sparkling under the water's surface
    He dashes up
      He darts down
Sleek and fast, wings flutter in a blur
  Summer sun rages
    Browning grass sways gently
      Three men sit by the road
They are dirty
  Sad eyes smile
    May I smoke?  Cigarette?
      Bloody feet from broken glass
We smoke together
  No words pass
    Languages don't match
      Police men take them away
Emerald bird lands on the wire
  Spiraled with menacing edge
    Distant gunfire
      Bullets rat-tat
Can this be the start of our past?   

Where are you?

They say you're the God of the universe
    But when I look, your face I don't see.

They say I'm supposed to run to your arms.
    But when I look, your face I don't see.


They say Jesus died to forgive my sin.
    But when I look, your face I don't see.


They say Jesus left but will come again.
    But when I look, your face I don't see.


Where have you gone?
What more should I be?
Where are the nails that you took for me?
 
You'll stand with me.
If I can be still.
I'll rest and let you, my comfort be.
 
They say you're the God of the universe.
    Then when I look, you're right beside me.
 
They say I'm supposed to run to you.
    Then when I look, you're right beside me.
 
They say Jesus died forgiving me.
    Then when I look, you're right beside me.
 
They say Jesus left but will come again.
    Then when I look, you're right beside me.

Reasons

For reasons
    I don't understand.

For reasons
    I used to hold your hand.

For reasons
    I used to be your man.

For reasons
    I don't understand.

Crouching

Looking underneath the table.
Balls of dust. Crumbs of food.
Darkness feels its lonlinest.

The boy crouched down to hide his face.
Glares of shame. Words of hate.
Out of his chest he pulled his heart.

He held it up to ponder it.
Pink with life. Clogged with fear.
Then with his teeth he took a bite.

A taste so sweet he wanted more.
Succulent. Drink it down.
Do not share it with anyone.

He ate his fill of tender heart.
No more there. Heart all gone.
Into the hole he put his hand.

His skin grew scales in self defense.
Empty place. Heart once was.
No one must come or they will pay.

The years slip by but no one knows.
Underneath. Darkness feeds.
A wounded chest reveals no pain.

What did you say?

I thought you said you wanted
me to be your man.

I thought you said you would
always hold my hand.

I thought you said you'd travel
with me to foreign lands.

I thought you said you'd be
with me to make a stand.

I thought you said your love
would never make demand.

I thought you said we'd work
to make our love expand.

I thought you wanted me
to come be your husband.

At first I thought for sure
your words were just offhand.

There really is no way
that I misunderstand.

You've told me now quite clearly
so I can comprehend.

The love we once held dear
has now come to an end.

My hatred

Is it wrong for me to hate?

When I see the pain in my children's eyes.

Deep, shaking passion churnes, roiling down deep.
Money.

Sex.

Lies.

Ambition.

Our family had been great.

We had it together and loved each other.

Loyalty and honesty were the values we tried to instill.

Money.

Sex.

Lies.

Ambition.

Your career had to inflate.

You wanted more and sacrificed us.

"Off with their heads," you might as well say.

Money.

Sex.

Lies.

Ambition.

For Hannah, Isaac, and Dave

I cannot say
Why I left you behind

But seeing your face
Now serves to remind

How years have slipped past
With me unaware

Your place in my heart
Has been so long bare

The future will show
The path we must take

All the old habits
Of life we must break

Wounds were inflicted
By them and by me

I burried mine down
Below the dark sea

Time can heal nothing
We have to dig deep

Down into the dirt
Where crawling things creep

I'd like to come back
Your big brother to be

And fill that good role
Expected of me

But I will not beg
Or ask you for more

Than what you can give
From a heart's open door

Perhaps it's too late
My effort too small

Experience shows
Clear words on the wall

My heart will stay here
Should you choose to come

And welcome me in
As part of your home.

How does it appear?

The smokey voice of a party girl
Too many cigarettes cloud her world

A trip to New York, my mind to clear
And settle for me what's seen from here

People on streets with signs proclaim
Hoping for bankers to flee in shame

My co-traveler's far too young to know
What things had been like so long ago.

One life can bridge gaps between now and then
And see the past coming to happen again.

But will I show courage to reveal my sight
Or will I stay silent about what is right?

We do not like our errors to hear
And it is not wise to show our fear.

So on her way this traveler will go
To parties or churches that I cannot know.

My views with me will stay 'till my end
The indifference I show is only pretend.

Her young smokey voice will sound in my ears
To remind me not all is as it appears.