Contemplating the wonder of life…
Excerpted from – A New Star In The Sky
I looked up and there it was
New star in the sky
Why’s it there? Or just because?
Beauty way up high
Doesn’t really matter why
Only that it’s there
And I watch it with a sigh
Shine without a care…
-gl-
Doing the right thing…
A Little Girl’s Life
A hero acts now
And saves a little girl’s life
He broke the rules how?
-gl-
He knows who he is…
Decisions and responsibility…
Excerpted from – Now But a Slender Strand
…Back was their lone hope
That he might make time for the escape of his injured
On the trail that was now but a slender strand
The pursuing band
Was by the Bruce’s own blade deterred
-gl-
Contemplating the power and beauty of nature…
Excerpted from – Lightning’s Leap
Lightning rips the night sky
Children flinch even while deep asleep
Thunder cracks in the wake of sudden lightning’s leap
Hear nature’s awesome cry
Watching out the window
Nothing there but light filled explosions
Darkness darker under the solid sheets of rain
Storms delivering renewed life as well as pain…
-gl-
Contemplating family and the circle of life…
Her Courage
A rite of passage
For both children and parents
One of the ways we feel the passing currents
Of time and of generations these moments presage
Growing up
So she’s out the door
Down the road on a mission
And we reach out to our friends seeking their commission
All this becomes ancient lore
Hoping it’s enough
And she gets the message
Without undergoing overmuch torment
Or maybe she’ll have fun peddling the Girl Scout cookies but either way parents
Proud of her courage
-gl-
Contemplating public service…
A Difficult Job
Curse the IRS?
Doing a difficult job
And mainly righteous
-gl-
From – Straight Thru the Curves: A Book of Haiku (aWIP)
Contemplating the nature of heroism…
Raw Courage
A dog growls at me
I marvel at raw courage
And those pointed teeth
-gl-
Victory, glory, and defeat…
Excerpted from – Few Got Away
The Scots under Wallace
Were spotted in the wood near Falkirk awaiting the English
Edward was trampled by his horse but despite two broken ribs
Mounted this same steed ready to see who would live
The Scots arrayed themselves on the slope
Prepared to meet the foe
English cavalry overran the Scots archers
Then history turned on astonishing departures
Edward’s cavalry charged…
-gl-
Contemplating looking in the mirror…
Excerpted from – Bridges Don’t Fall Down
Bridges don’t fall down
Not here in the U.S.A.
What can those in government possibly say
Though this make them frown
Well good
They should look at themselves hard
And should not in the least think to spare the rod
Upon themselves…
-gl-
From – Bridges Don’t Fall Down: Stories from the I35W Bridge Collapse
Love of life and the struggle…
Back At Their House
The desert sun warms my face
Shambling upward on the trail
My lungs strain a little in the thin air. I wonder if I look pale
Getting down a race
With how long my wind will last
Our folks keep striding
He talks
And walks
She’s almost gliding
Can’t show it but feeling gassed
Determined to match their pace
Wondering how I got so frail
Blaming it on the altitude I pass it off refusing to fail
Wishing me back at their place
-gl-