Papa said ...
“Sentimental
people are cruel”
trading what might be
for what is
Filling their plates
with what’s not
on the menu
longing for soda
without fizz
Papa wrote
distant
always bringing it close
while leaving the weak
to surmise
With feeling
embodied
in hardscrabble words
to challenge but death
— so implied
(Gertrude Stein Remembers: August, 2025)
("Swastika Moon", 2025, original encaustic)
Swastika Moon
Luna with her light of darkness
Reflecting Sol on Gaia’s face
Dancing with restrained abandon
Swirls within this holy place
All four corners so aligned
Holding to the Northern Star
While the heavens spin in silence
As you wish, so we are
(3/31/25)
When truth grips the heart --- once chained by doubts’ torture
Peace then reigns, prevailing with gracious bliss…
…Thus am I triumphant midst my God-anchored faith
Braced upon Scriptures’ immutable* assurance.
*Hebrews 6:18 That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us.
January 18, 2020
3rd place, "WHEN and THEN" Poetry Contest
Sponsored by Jenish Somadas; judged on 1/23/2020.
In slumber , I watch you heave demurely
Through evening meek, those eyes
Older now yet graceful like pewter of moon :
And whitened, tenuous hair ruffles on,
As eyelids tweak like blinks
From lamps mirroring our formidable journey;
Through co-owned years prevailing
Each brittle rainfall and summer...
And we are still here, immutable as time.
For love is tender, never bereft
Granting interludes to allow you retreat
From long years, favored. How I gush
To reveal day’s sketch of joys bursting, now.
Yet dear, sleep tight… my ardor waits
Calmly: till you wake up as we brighten
Our remaining life - moments.
11/4//2017 John Hamilton's Contest
Eight Word Challenge--5
I think about you
Who could not think about me
What are you doing?
Did find that nice guy
The one with the car and cash
To father a lie?
Did the old one leave
Afraid of your bark and bite
And tears in his heart?
You knew if you called
I would beg your forgiveness
And make you more right.
I wish my heart could speak of love,
but speak my heart cannot.
An emotional web my heart has wove,
thus, no love has it got.
My troubles have put me on the brink,
my thoughts burn like hot coal;
almost like a wicked ink,
tattooed upon my soul.
The only way to mend this pain,
would be to cut my heart in two.
There would be so much I’d gain,
if I just forgot about you.
I cannot think of any other,
who’s scarred me like you have, my Mother.
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