the plates belonged to someone else
such borrowed kindness to warm the heart
the cups are made by local hands
each sip to bring a sense of home
the food is grown by farmers loved
every bite to nourish more than flesh
sorrow shows upon your wearied face
weighs down your gaited tread
with such inestimable bounty as this
please come and share the table
I have walked this land countless times
the scape ever changing but the view remains
swampy earth that sucked at my childhood feet
become rockier hillsides with steep incline
now as then I am companioned by pain
this most faithful of teachers by my side
one day finally to be needed no more
when I sit upon the groundless ground
and relax into the boundless sky
and though the greatest oak has split
its mightiest branch in total breach
downed by age and wind and rain
in mute testimony beside the trail
do not let this grieve you
no loss unless you make so, instead
let yourself see with different eyes
changing form allows new light
in between the branch and the trunk
appeared one brief sun slant in the grey morning
and a bird flew through the frame
so it is, so it is
I offer you this
let the drops fall as your tears
and the sky itself express your sorrow
the clouds heavy as your heart
and the streets awash with all your loss
know that grief has its time
a season natural as any weather
but also that you can let it go
to stand in the sun that always shines
I would offer you comfort
let it flow down your windows but not as sad tears
blur the harsh landscape with reminders of kindness
hold the rhythm of the drops steady as your heart beat
and know you are the world
they threw their rusted hearts together
ignored the years piled beneath
mere kindling for their funeral pyre
should some thought’s train spark that heat
and left them there as testament
to witness for anyone who cares to see
time matters not for such intersect
this remains through alchemical change
love abides eternally
speak. don’t speak.
pay attention nevertheless.
choose your words with care.
let your silence be kind.
these days the air itself seems harsh
as if daring one to breathe.
do not make your presence
a sharp rock in the way.
we stumble enough on our own.
if I hold in my palm the dancing flame
lit from all the kind candles of love
silhouette it against the darkened sky
will you see and take notice
I’ve seen this light shine in your eyes
felt its warmth in the kindness of your smile
caught its flicker to hold in the night
when cold can slip in under the door
and because I too have been alone
been a stranger hungry and ill
I raise this illumination high as I can
for anyone for everyone for all in need
lowering clouds grey as her distant eyes
barren trees crooked as her aged hands
far ridges flinty as her hard smile
but there, there-look
a hidden trail that curves and winds
opens to such expansive view
still not as vast as her loving heart
horses on the trail
fairy queen over the fountain
wolves in every corner
statuary figure as mystery
better wonders than these
are scattered throughout town
greetings for stranger and resident alike
flashes of kindness that warm in these chill times
friendship and care shining brighter
than even the light in the verdigris trees
making true in this day the signature signs of love