Friday, October 1, 2010

An Open Window

After 50 years of evangelical prison
and two years of freedom
I can finally see
the sun warms my face

No more supposed to's
and guilty penance
for wrongs done
in my life and somehow before

Religion is the filthy rag
trying to wipe clean
a clear window
leaving streaks of confusion

Doing right, because it's right
doing good, because it's good
being love, because of love
we don't need sermons or books to tell us this

We can all see
theology won't help you
religion won't make it more clear
just open the window and crawl through

Pops 2010

Monday, August 17, 2009

Socks

I wake up with the sun
And put fresh socks on
As the world slides into a new day
To be worn until night falls
Then thrown into the washer
For the next cycle.

Someday, I’ll walk in bare feet.

Pops 2009

Friday, June 20, 2008

Green Design

Nature doesn’t need taming.
Though it isn’t safe
It was never wild, but
Mature and wise,
Seeking peace and balance.
This is Green Design.
Though from human thought
It is not about points and politics, but
Mature and wise,
Seeking peace and balance.


Pops 2009

Monday, March 10, 2008

Quiet Strength

The wind has no sound.
It brings to life the voices
Of those it affects


Pops 2008

Monday, May 1, 2006

Deep Red Scream

 

the deep red scream

silent as the darkest night
it cuts through the thin veil
letting anguish flow
like a stream released
filling a nameless ocean

the deep red scream
no one hears the pain
it cuts everyone it touches
letting doubt flow
like a river released
filling a bottomless ocean

the deep red scream
drawn from the deafening silence
it opens never-healing wounds
letting fury flow
like a torrent released
filling a lifeless ocean

the deep red scream
a desperate stillness follows
it suffers the drops that fall
letting sleep come
or at least a kind of release
to push the wave upstream

repeat

Pops 2006

Saturday, March 1, 2003

Betty June

 A cruel thief slipped in so suddenly
And took a precious part of me away.
It left behind a shell of what used to be,
Now it’s hard to know just what to say.
But the memories of the times I listened at your feet
And the wonder of your faith so strong and free,
Give me pearls of wisdom from God’s own heart,
No thief can ever take those pearls from me.

I see you when my children smile.
When they laugh sometimes I hear your voice.
It’s hard to see the purpose in this tragedy so vile,
Breathing in and breathing out is now a choice.
I’ll just sit here and talk to you a while.

You taught me what it meant to live by faith alone
And to search for the purpose in my pain.
I listened while you dealt with others patiently,
Looking for the wisdom I could gain.
It’s hard for me to be the one I want to be,
Sometimes I feel I just get in the way.
I don’t claim to understand God’s purpose,
I just pray for the strength to face each day

I see you when my children smile.
When they laugh sometimes I hear your voice.
It’s hard to see the purpose in this tragedy so vile,
Just getting out of bed is now a choice.
I’ll just sit here and watch you for a while.

The day has finally come to let go of you
May the peace you seek be the place you find.
The person that you were left many years ago,
When the dawning of demise rose in your mind.
After all the years of knowing that this day would come,
I’m unprepared to let these feelings free.
But the tears will flow every time I think of you,
And the tender way you gave your love to me.

I see you when my children smile.
When they laugh sometimes I hear your voice.
It’s hard to see the purpose in this tragedy so vile,
Remembering the good is now a choice.
I’ll just sit here and think of you a while.

Pops 2003