evening dance

the Night a graceful dancer;
the sky her crystal ballroom.
the Day she dips,
down to the horizon,
and the sunset is their tango

her fingers reach to cool the ground
but not the heart of a summer reveler

you make me forget my name

you disarm me...
unhinge me,
the "oneness"
infringing

you make me forget my name

your nearness
is warm breath,
gentleness,
open eyes,
a soft kiss.

you make me forget my name

the window holds your silhouette
enframed by the sun's last rays
my heart does a leap, then a pirouette
and then becomes ablaze.

you make me forget my name

adrift,
weightless,
sore.
did you cut me loose,
or did i?
fragile,
still failing,
i go.
are these my tears,
or did you really cry?

my iron axhead

is lying at the bottom of that river

covered by the minute with silt and sand

my mustard-seed-sized-hope

flickers dimly through layers

but that doesn't mean its not there.

You made the sea part/the dead rise/the blind see/the lame walk.

please

make my axhead float

II Kings 6:5-7

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Kings%206:5-7;&version=72;

...and that one-horse open sleigh

there's a small-town smile,
a gift from a stranger
a bell jingle on the door handle,
and a baby in the manger.

maybe there's no snow,
maybe there's no presents,
maybe you're working overtime
and debt is the season's essence.

but bigger than the Christmas tree
in the center of the city,
and bigger still than the lump you feel
as you swallow back self-pity...

is the Hope that grows
like nobody knows
Because of the baby named
Jesus.

Perseverance when observed in action,
Elicits from us inspired
Responses, which are
Strong
Enough to
Void
Earlier
Regrettable
Attitudes, and
Nudge laziness aside as we set out to
Conquer our great
Enemy: Self.

on this side of Heaven

sitting up, spitting up
learning how to stand.
saying words you've always just heard,
that now you understand.


sleepovers, and pillowfights,
discovering your dreams...
learning how to ride a bike
and playing on softball teams



first love, first kiss
first time you say goodbye
first chance to make right what's wrong
first time you selflessly cry.

may you be all He ever dreamed you'd be

on this side of Heaven