Littered Shores of our Lives

Broken shells littered the shore
a testament to the fury of the storm
so recently upon us did it bore.
Pounding waves incessant in their roar;
foam, dirty and filled with broken blades of sea grass
dotted the white sand as droppings from an angry sea.
Winds howled; a fine white spray burst from the waves
towering far above the floor of the once calm sea
scattering as delicate white lace
upon the rolling waves
only to fall back into their place.
Tides pulling anyone foolish enough to venture into the boiling surf
taking them far out into an unforgiving sea.
To many life breaks upon a littered shore
in a world standing as a testament to broken and wasted lives
that lay scattered in lands filled with storms and lost dreams,
for those who comes, linger a while, and then tearfully leave the scene.

I Talked to God Today

What a day I had, busy as can be
talked to God today
He just listened to me
I talked to Him
told Him all that bothered me
all the worries, cares and hurts
I took and laid them at his feet
Funny thing about this talk
I knew that He was around
close as can be
just waiting to hear from me
I didn't hear a voice from the clouds
nor see a bush burning nearby
just a calm and silent time
the birds stop singing
the wind grew quiet
all got still and calm
much like a time before a storm
eerie it was, talking to God
but I knew He was there
for in my mind I heard a
voice, be still...and know
that I am here.

My Favorite Poem

I wrote a poem, in fact, I have written quite a number of them; but, of all that I have written, there is one that is my personal favorite.

It probably needs some explanation, as it is certainly the least in terms of length. But, it has much more depth than any of the others that I have written.

Many years ago, when my wife, Lydia died, I went through quite a period of what I guess some might call depression. It certainly was a very dark period in my life, one of searching, and longing, and not understanding at all.

I stayed awake at night for the longest period. Thoughts were confused and quite mixed. During this period I prayed a lot. One of the prayers that I asked was that St. Therese, the young Carmelite nun, of whom there is a statute in front of the Catholic cathedral in Alexandria, would send me a rose from the heavenly garden picked by Lydia. This is not an unusual request, in fact St. Therese is known for the fact that she wanted to spend eternity doing good on earth and let fall a shower of roses from heaven to others. And in fact, it is reported that persons who prayed to her have received either a flower petal or the scent of flowers in response.

It was my prayer that Lydia would be permitted to send me a flower from heaven as a token of her love and presence still in my life.

I even went so far as picturing a veil, with a faint shadow of a woman standing behind it [the veil of heaven] with a distinct arm coming out of the veil holding in a perfectly manicured, robed hand a rose from the garden of heaven.

I always wanted this picture painted.

I have never received this flower, but I am still patiently waiting. Someday, I will.

It is from this story of the heavenly flower that I wrote the poem, my favorite of all:

Far Away Friend

Fragrant flower
far away friend
Heaven's scent

Of all that I have written, this is the most meaningful.

Summer-time Battle

The water swirled
and then was still
a calm appeared;
but below was frantic .

Lurking in the deep,
cold , dark underneath
was a large and ferocious
striped beast.

Again the water churned
and the small darted away
seeking a shelter; an escape
from the striped’s feast.

A line was thrown
under a bow drooping low
a popping of the line
as it came slowly toward
the one so anxious for a feast.

With the sudden rush
a violent storm appeared
without so much of a warning
the line grew taunt
amid an explosion of sound and fury.

Mighty was the noise
and fearsome yet the fight
as a warrior and his adversary
fought to see if the other would give flight.

Then as quick as it began
it was over in a flash
the water was stilled
the noise drifted away
and calm returned in the midst of a summer day.

A Child's Tale

Fast as lightning
quick as a flash
away I went
darting here, running there
like a bumble bee I flew
so fast that I knew
no one could catch me
no they couldn't
cause I'm the fastest
and the baddest
I know that I can run so fast
but the one that can beat me
is my daddy - he's so fast!