by willjxn I will never forget how they changed my life— Cliffs of salmon-pink sandstone Lent their broken skins to make homes for; Sons, Daughters, Parents, Grandparents. Long gone, yet— I could hear children’s  laughter clattering off the walls of this ancient place.   My…

In our now time, we count not on our brains but on our electronics In other places, without written language, life was dependent on trusting our neurons. This reliance was deposited into ritual space made up place, sticks, dance, stories and the rhythm of the…

She steps off the school bus, walks into the woods, climbs a tree, opens a book. Her two older sisters will not be coming home for a while. Her mother and father until after that. An empty house is not a home. The branches of…

Pastor, business manager, and shepherd, Teacher, spiritual leader, minister, divine, Administer, evangelize, placate, mediate, Counsel, direct, budget, outreach, preach, Guide and, if necessary, occasionally chide us, But, For Heaven’s sake, don’t over reach! Take the good news into a fallen world While feeding a tetchy,…

There could have been more Why did it become such a chore My soul walked out the door Strength just crashed to the floor Do you ever wish for visions And if you could see, would it change your decisions So so many unanswered questions…

Dedicate an hour each day to crying. Cry as the sky cries, nor for yourself, but for those who die hungry and alone. Be the hand reaching toward the old man who wraps a cardboard sheet around himself each night when he settles in a…

I thought this will be fun a marthon of sorts.  But now my hands are all sweaty and I think I’m growing warts Haven’t even had time to check a prompt let alone Facebook (thank God I cooked) Who am I kidding, didn’t sleep well…

Bullies, stray dogs, our pets Bandit, Sparkle, Elmo, Jasper, Happy our pets names from years past so many buried in the backyard of the old house Ghosts in the Graveyard, Devil and the Pitchfork “Buttermilk, Sweet Milk.” “Buttermilk!!” children playing, tag, laughing, voices from a…

Closing My Eyes I can hear your feet padding to the kitchen See soft, pale feet sinking deep into red shag carpet smell purple shampoo meant to save your silver taste the salt and satisfaction of bacon prepared with a Granny’s love and bony fingers…

Oh, what bliss it is, Grandkids on the ottoman, Spin and somersault. Carpet ice-skating, To the the tune of her spinning, Not a box, a girl. Do I hear a squeak? Yes, they pretend to be mice, Hiding on the stairs. They build a city,…