water gives us life
she uplifts us
rejuvenates us
keeps us connected
her baptisms
her wet coolness
her willingness to share
keep us fresh
essential loving water
as important as air
they both keep us alive
without them, we would not exist
we owe much to water
she is our hero
our queen
our connection to faeries and angels.
Running down Chicago Ave barefoot brain buzzing hymns and static, neon crucifix blinking above a bodega, the gospel of smoke and piss, all-night diner flickering with ghosts of jukeboxes past—she laughs in her sleep, god I miss her already, dreaming of Congo drums, 3AM baptisms, ash on my tongue and wind in my coat, don’t stop now daddy-o the night’s still twitching, hot-wired and like a midnight freight scream.
And I’m sliding through the alleyways slick with memory, rats preaching sermons in sewer tongues, corner kids lighting firecrackers like prayers, like warnings, boom boom into the neon womb, and I see her face again in a puddle, split by ripples, gone—heartbeat skips like a jazz snare, I talk to god in beer breath and static, say forgive me for leaving, for loving, for running with my ghosts on leash, for every wrong turn that felt right under sodium lights, wind howling confessions through busted windows, baby I ain’t slept since Clinton.
Framed art and photos on the Johnsons’ wall
depict the beauty of four generations~~
awards, graduations, baptisms, weddings,
holiday scenes, birthday celebrations. . . .
One needs no explanations for these.
The image of two lovely white swans stands out.
Their gracefully curved necks form a complete heart.
Why is this artwork there for all to see?
The golden wedding anniversary reception, planned by
the Johnsons’ grateful children, was unforgettable.
Dozens came with gifts and kind words that night.
The oldest son’s comments were short and sweet.
On behalf of the family, he poetically and movingly
described how those cuddling swans symbolized
their parents, whose deep commitment, based on love,
had sustained them and their family for half a century.
I tried to tread inside temples
but I wasn't permitted past the doors-
my reluctant repentance ignored.
I have no need of salvation
because I have been bravely born
into terrible times. This is only one
of my many manifestations of form.
11.22.21
Diamond-bright-eyes,
Like king Solomon wise,
But like those of a rogue,
Lusting for valuables in vogue;
From parcel shifting to parcel,
The unlikeliest to indulge any counsel,
Of money, commanded ears listen to its rustle,
Not to its owners hustle and bustle,
Nor to his heaves of his muscle...
These are not what Christ wants,
Nor the baptisms in his fonts.
Here's the Good News, our world is awash,
in wonders and beauty life cannot quash;
Like laughter and love, kind words, Turtle Doves,
Bar Mitzvahs and birthdays, baptisms and first dates,
Promotions, Grand Openings, healings and yodeling!
Still more Good News...
Our world is awash, in kisses and hands held,
Tests passed, graduations, and money found;
Quiet moments of solitude, with friends in coffee shops,
Good moods rise above, and a dog’s unconditional love!
And still more...
A cat’s warm fur, trips to masseuse or masseur;
Reports of remission, Broadway shows and magicians,
Art galleries, symphonies, faith and homeless ministries;
Be ye conscious of good news, often awash,
Overwhelmed by negative, it simply gets lost.
Just a heads up--Good News Sells too!
March 22, 2020
A hundred years of praying,
A hundred years of song,
A hundred years' faith conveying,
And all the days were long!
A hundred years of fireflies,
A hundred years of red roses,
A hundred years of marmalade skies,
And God's love engrosses!
Reverend Hegstrom then, and Pastor Gorder now,
The very first unto the last,
And also those to follow,
Present, future, past.
Baptisms, weddings and special celebrations,
Through all the fiery sunsets;
In God's house, His glorification,
And the past never forgets.
Here we now celebrate 100 years of bliss
At Augustana Lutheran Church of Hyde Park,
And we feel the thrill of His kiss,
And witness the skyward lark!
But turn one compass point in your heart
and so to the palpitations of love
cause life to burgeon as if it be from the rod of Aaron
lay root imperceptible of ages
such foundation resolute
To her tender hands of Akashik birth
centuries in her echo the voice
which conscience alone shall bare the witness of
for all and all for love
its repose on sacrificial
The garden of Magdalene attended
each tear in joyous and sorrow watered
lay the roots of imperceptible ages
the seed she carried
of truth un-withered in its blossoming
In her heart such a thorned crown
and in psalm her proclamation abounds
these messages of love
by the blood of Akashik
waters baptisms would rejoice in all of us
And so branded the harlot by the patriarch
the miserable chemical dissatisfied
for centuries trampled in disregard
the mother of
the children of God.
The picture on the wall of mommy and her little ones
Daddy is missing
This is not the only picture he has erased himself from
But his shadow lives on
Some of the kids are a copy and paste of him
Some of the kids' characters are all daddy
Mommy knows this so well
Daddy is missing the jovial hugs from his kids when he gets off work
Daddy is missing the never ending tales from his little angels
Daddy is missing the school projects, the perfomances... the church camps, the baptisms...the road trips, the colorful playgrounds.....the kids' parties....the rewarding feeling of watching tiny sprouts grow..
Daddy missing
Now I'm growing old
I need help to make my stand
And guide me on my way
With a gentle hand
I know this world's not easy
And it's gettin' tougher still
But I've still made up my mind
I want to do you will
I know there are tests, Baptisms of fire
Temptations and desirers
When the world gets to be so much
for anyone to bare
And things start going crazy
And no one seems to care
water which is crystal clear
emits a purity we praise so dear
the element that washes clean
the symbol that Baptisms need
to wash away jealousy, envy,
greed and pride
the little bits of sin that gratified
flowing downward deep inside
our inner feelings melt the pride
with God's help it's multiplied
through Him sin is set aside
and washed away by the tide
His healing water purifies