Good Grief

a remembrance for Anita Lesbriel

She was at rest

and seemed at peace…

In the mourning

with thought and prayer –

good-bye.

Love unbounded…

She followed her

husband who passed

shortly before –

too quick.

Overwhelmed I

was very sad…

To be honest

a bit angry –

not her time.

Then more rightly…

Feeling better

in the mourning

with heart and prayer –

thank you.

A Canticle

Based on Canticle of the Sun by St Francis of Assisi

Good, God!

All creation is a blessing!

We are one with you!

Thank you!

My brother, Sun,

brings day and light.

He radiates warmth.

He exudes clarity.

My sister, Moon,

makes the darkness light.

She illumines night.

She brightens space.

My brother, Wind,

from whence does He come?

He breezes calm.

He gusts storm.

My sister, Water,

is abundant and essential.

She sources life.

She supports growth.

My brother, Fire,

brightens and heats.

He sparks zeal’s flame.

He preserves fervor’s embers.

My sister, Earth,

produces fruit and feeds us.

She blossoms flowers.

She cultivates crops.

My brother, Wilderness,

a place Elephants wander,

He grants refuge

He gives retreat

My sister, deep blue Sea,

a space Whales meander,

She sounds the depths

She opens the oceans

Life lives, love loves!

Go the Way opens –

enduring sickness and health,

accepting trials and graces.

My sister, Death,

cannot be evaded.

She excludes no one,

She includes everyone.

Thank you!

We are one with you!

All creation is a blessing!

Good, God!

Accompany

I’m not alone

and must proceed –

connecting

Side by side…

forever changed –

commensing.

Without demands,

go the way of joyous

expecting.

Fully engaged,

a time for generous

promising.

Without forethought,

being pleasantly

respecting.

The way opens,

heartfelt in love

rising

Bonded through service,

woke, and attentive…

affecting.

Talk the talk,

walk the walk…

embracing.

Promise

“To protect hard-working Americans

who aren’t always seen or heard,

and deserve a voice.

That is the kind of president I will be.” [1]

Participate with the marginalized

Join with the abandoned

Contribute with the canceled

Share with the alienated

“I will make sure

you have a chance to not just get by,

but get ahead.

Because I believe in honoring the dignity of work.” [2]

Promote contentment

Stimulate satisfaction

Sponsor achievement

Uphold honor

“I will strengthen.

Not surrender.

America’s global leadership.

And I will stand with our friends.” [3]

Accept allies

Stand for democracy

Acknowledge diaspora

Support common good

“I pledge to listen: to experts,

to those, who will be impacted

by the decisions I make,

and to people who disagree with me.” [4]

Hear with open ears

Include the affected

Feel with an open heart

Ameliorate

“I pledge to approach my work

with the joy and optimism

that comes from making a difference

in people’s lives.” [5]

Lift up the beat-down

Engage without pointing fingers

Not going back and  moving forward

Embrace and lock arms

“A nation big enough

to encompass all our dreams…

And fearless enough

to imagine a future of possibilities.” [6]

of the people

by the people

for the people

with the people

[1] Kamala Harris Elipse Speech 10/29/24

[2] Ibid.

[3] Ibid.

[4] Ibid

[5] Ibid

[6] Ibid

I Am Humbled

“If anyone wishes to be first,

they must be last

and be in service to all.”[1]

True leaders serve

the community’s well-being

regardless of consequences.

To proclaim this truth

and preach assuredly

with declarative insights.

Embrace the marginalized

“Whoever welcomes the child

Welcome me”[2]

See what God sees

remove the glasses

and listen to what God hears

Be humbled, share the Word

with heartfelt honesty

and accept the call.

“For us, this seems impossible,

but not with God;

all things are possible with God.”[3]

[1] Mark 9:31

[2] Mark 9:9

[3] Mark 10:27

A Prayer for Resilience

Oh God,

We live in troubled times

and you expect us to be resilient,

you ask us to cooperate.

To be honest,

it can be a bit difficult

to yield to the greater good.

To be clear,

It would be nice for You to intervene;

but our acceptance is more important.

Help us, for we need your help

to see what You see,

and hear what you hear.

Help us to walk together in harmony

and rest assured

that you are happy with us.

We ask this with heartfelt confidence

that  we are good, do good

and are a power for good.

Beauty has been restored

More

based on Joe Biden’s 7/23/2024 Oval Office Address

“I revere the office

but I love the country more”

Power seduces

but loyalty frees –

what I want to do

is not what I need to do.

“America’s going to have to choose

 between moving forward or backward”

The way forward

trusts the process –

wannabe insults

whereas greatness explores.

“…to pass the torch to a new generation,”

is the best way to unite our nation.”

Selfish hides the light

while Love illumines –

hoarding severs

but sharing connects.

“I will keep defending our personal

freedoms and our civil rights”

Self-evident rights

are not inevitable –

caring yields

and freedom cultivates.

“History is in your hands.

The power is in your hands.”

Pride depletes

humble expands –

the common good

is not the greater good.

Destiny

It’s more than talk

the labyrinth walk.

The path to obey

is a narrow way.

Attachments lead –

to unfulfilled need.

Personal ambition –

thwarts the mission.

Quid pro quo loves

pay-to-play shoves.

No amount of money

assures destiny.

To yield and wait –

rest assures fate,

imagine well –

consequence swell.

Resistance is futile.

Empathy is vital.

Heartfelt change claim

and never be the same.