Tuesday, May 31, 2016

Double Bind

Double Bind

In the double bind,
Where life's confined.
In that spot,
It's really hot.

Pressure builds,
Until pot filled.
What oozes out,
Boils from spout.

Deep within,
Buried sin.
Foments at core,
Is it ever restored?

About the Author:  Brian Bucks lives on a small horse ranch in Western Nebraska and is a husband, father, electrical engineer, and poet.

Monday, May 30, 2016

Fading

Fading light brushes the sky,
Hope extinguished revealed in eye.
Darkness engulfs all that's around,
Distance between can't be found.

Everything crashes upon the shore,
Apparently life keeps score.
Wrongs engraved on tablets of stone,
Heart left utterly alone.

Where is hope?
Where is love?
Where is desire?
Where is passion's fire?

About the Author:  Brian Bucks lives on a small horse ranch in Western Nebraska and is a husband, father, electrical engineer, and poet.

Saturday, May 28, 2016

Into the Sky

Into the Sky

Into the sky,
Away she flies.
Friendship cries,
Beckons her high.

Frothy seas,
Hair brunette in breeze.
Burden free,
No more to grieve.

Feet in the sand,
At edge of land.
Waters edge I stand,
his overwhelming love so grand.

About the Author:  Brian Bucks lives on a small horse ranch in Western Nebraska and is a husband, father, electrical engineer, and poet.

Friday, May 27, 2016

Stingy or Free

Stingy or Free

Give it away,
Pay it forward today.
Stingy or free,
Which will it be?

About the Author:  Brian Bucks lives on a small horse ranch in Western Nebraska and is a husband, father, electrical engineer, and poet.

Thursday, May 26, 2016

Loose in the Flow

Loose in the Flow

Let go of the dock,
All of the fear just blocks.
Let go and drift free,
Soak in all that see.

Loose in the flow,
Curiosity grows.
Loose to contort and bend,
Adventure to attend.

Rapids create adrenaline rush,
Meandering stretch quiet holy hush.
Rapids awaken soul,
Liberated from life's heavy toll.

Firmly in present,
Moment heaven sent.

About the Author:  Brian Bucks lives on a small horse ranch in Western Nebraska and is a husband, father, electrical engineer, and poet.


Wednesday, May 25, 2016

Embrace the Day

Wild roses blooming today by the barn (C) Brian Bucks

Embrace the Day

Today is new,
Past is yesterday,
Sever memories,
Begin anew.

Begin anew,
Push the funeral barge out,
Set past afire,
No longer anchored to who I was.

No longer anchored to who I was,
Clean sheet with each day,
Reboot the day,
Joy can be found.

Joy can be found,
Hope reawake,
Long lost lovers,
United today.

United today,
Mental gyrations must cave,
Surrender the past,
Life is fast.

Life is fast,
Live in today,
Embrace the day,
Walk unashamed.

About the Author:  Brian Bucks lives on a small horse ranch in Western Nebraska and is a husband, father, electrical engineer, and poet.

Monday, May 23, 2016

What Could Have Been

This is dedicated to all those who have lost a child.  We lost our first child in a miscarriage.  There are times where I think I'm "over the loss" and then just something triggers a thought of where would he be today.

A Rainbow This Evening - Reminder of the promise there will come a day when all things are made right and I will see my oldest face to face.

What Could Have Been

What could have been?
I don't know why today I remember? 
The grief of your loss.
Seems fresh. 
Your mom and I never fully recovered.
A hole left in the soul.
We didn't know how to cope.
At times we still struggle.
You would have been 23 this year.
Perhaps graduating college.
My oldest son I've never known.

About the Author:  Brian Bucks lives on a small horse ranch in Western Nebraska and is a husband, father, electrical engineer, and poet.

Sunday, May 22, 2016

Never the Same

   Never the Same

Never the same,
After the moment of pain.
Trauma twists,
Clench fist.

Moment in time,
Internal's slimed.
Healing comes slowly,
Discovery of what's Holy.

About the Author:  Brian Bucks lives on a small horse ranch in Western Nebraska and is a husband, father, electrical engineer, and poet.

Saturday, May 21, 2016

Undone


         Undone

Rawness gives way,
In undoneness stay.
Mind chaotically strays,
Personhood gradually frays.

Go through the motions today,
Soul groans and pray.
Healing elusive yet crave,
No longer a slave.

Bitter taste lingers,
Prick of pain stinger.
Breath deep,
Rest and sleep.

About the Author:  Brian Bucks lives on a small horse ranch in Western Nebraska and is a husband, father, electrical engineer, and poet.

Friday, May 20, 2016

Sky Fell

          Sky Fell

Words fell as fiery hell,
Sky fell.
Just left a burnt out shell,
Charred smell.

Core singed,
Mind cringed.
Emotions binged,
Deep within.

Soul scarred,
Thinking marred.
Journey barred,
Struggled far.

About the Author:  Brian Bucks lives on a small horse ranch in Western Nebraska and is a husband, father, electrical engineer, and poet.

Thursday, May 19, 2016

Internal Sirens

         Internal Siren
Internal siren blares,
Security checkpoint launches flares.
Shame obfuscates,
Truth suffocates.

In the blink of an eye,
Tumultuous waters ply.
Emotions toss about,
Soul's prolonged drought.

Cage's internal wandering pace,
Familiar path revealingly trace.
Silence siren deep inside,
Peaceful prairie to abide.

About the Author:  Brian Bucks lives on a small horse ranch in Western Nebraska and is a husband, father, electrical engineer, and poet.

Wednesday, May 18, 2016

Outside My Window

Leigh, our Egyptian Arabian mare enjoying mowing the yard.

    Outside My Window

What lurks outside my window,
It isn’t fear, it’s a beautiful show.
Mare quietly grazing,
Sight quite amazing.

Bucolic view,
Calm imbued.
Recall times,
Life sublime.

All of this viewed from my window,
Soul expose.

About the Author:  Brian Bucks lives on a small horse ranch in Western Nebraska and is a husband, father, electrical engineer, and poet.

Tuesday, May 17, 2016

Freedom

View of North Platte Valley from Our Farm

         Freedom

Pull back to a place,
Where beauty escapes.
From daily stress,
When life's a mess.

Watch low clouds,
Dance so loud.
In the North Platte Valley,
Spirit begins to rally.

Lost in moment today,
Cares drift away.
Captures imagination of what could be,
Pause to consider being free.

About the Author:  Brian Bucks lives on a small horse ranch in Western Nebraska and is a husband, father, electrical engineer, and poet.

Monday, May 16, 2016

Mist

      Mist

Mist thick in air,
Floating without care.
Grayness floats,
Subtly bloats.

Filter tints,
Innuendos and hints.
Distance can't see,
Hidden must be.

About the Author:  Brian Bucks lives on a small horse ranch in Western Nebraska and is a husband, father, electrical engineer, and poet.


Sunday, May 15, 2016

For My Son


This blog post is to honor my son.  A free verse poem that can only give partial expression to the joy and happiness that I find in our relationship. He has what it takes and has become a man  I am proud of.

     For My Son

Culmination of effort,
A graduation day.
Associates degree,
Proud of persistence.

Commencement has come,
Degree conferred.
End of one journey,
To start another.

Wisdom beyond your age,
Allow His guidance.
Letting you go,
So you can grow.

Always welcome at home,
No matter what.
Pushout and explore,
Quest and adventures to discover.

Pray for future relationship,
Closest five influence so great.
Find fealty and love,
Allow them to grow.

Joy and happiness,
Bumps and bruises.
Faith and love tested,
Heart purity remains.

So important to hear His voice,
In small things as well as critical choice.
New worlds and vistas appear,
Long term heart cry wrestle ‘til clear.

Fear comes raising doubts,
In darkest of places He comes with His light.
More than anything,
Remember He is always near.

I will always be your father,
Come hell or high water.
My fierce love for you,
Goes with you in all you do.

Though may be apart,
Connection is electronically close.
You are with me,
And you always have a part of me.

Seasons and cycles of life,
Friendships and opportunities abound.
Drink it in,
Appreciate this season of life.

All seasons change,
So must this.
Life has many curves,
Roads to travel that never dream.

Seasons of building,
Becoming strong.
The journey is long,
Not to the swift but to those with endurance and strength.

Courage and confidence,
Not in self, but in Whose you are.
You are my son,
Who we’ve stewarded for Him.

Be blessed my son,
With bittersweet tears in departing.
Joy for what awaits,
Sorrow in letting go.

Sometimes love hurts,
Part of being a father.
Demonstrated by Heavenly Father,
In good company.

I know you will be okay,
As let go and trust you to Him.
A rites of passage you must pass,
A journey for your manhood and maturity.

About the Author:  Brian Bucks lives on a small horse ranch in Western Nebraska and is a husband, father, electrical engineer, and poet.

Saturday, May 14, 2016

Staying the Same

Staying the Same

What do I gain,
By staying the same?
Grip of shame,
Bond with pain.

Leaves a stain,
Soul's fallen bane.
Break free in brain,
Love will reign.

About the Author:  Brian Bucks lives on a small horse ranch in Western Nebraska and is a husband, father, electrical engineer, and poet.

Friday, May 13, 2016

Spring's Chill

       Spring's Chill

Spring's chill,
Fall's hard freeze.
Heart unfilled,
Lover can't please.

Unable to fill gap between,
Fall can't bridge to Spring.
Bitterness of alone unseen,
Hope no longer sings.

Dark seasons of soul,
Sometimes wonder if worth the cost.
Healing longs for all made whole,
All is not lost.

About the Author:  Brian Bucks lives on a small horse ranch in Western Nebraska and is a husband, father, electrical engineer, and poet.

Wednesday, May 11, 2016

Pioneer

                     Pioneer

All the people and things left behind,
Further in journey stumble as blind.
Modern day pioneer hoping to find,
Redemption and abundance for all left behind.

Great American Desert littered with junk,
As begin to realize terrain must traverse.
Looming mountains no time to reverse,
Survival depends on jettisoning my junk.

Become lean and strong in internal way,
Pace must quicken as Summer wanes.
Narrow passes, no longer in pain,
What began with many, now just a few - so many lost way.

Grieve those lost on the trail,
They have their own story to tell.
Each must pass through own personal hell.
Weep for those whose journey keeps lost on the trail.

Naïve that bonds were strong,
Relationships tested and truth hard.
Obvious and can't discard,
Brokenness before become strong.

Pilgrimage lasts a lifetime,
Moments of oasis and bliss.
Revive with fresh kiss,
Few will accompany you on your journey for a lifetime.

One who sticks "closer than a brother,"
When loneliness and hopelessness set in.
Parched lips desperate, cry out to Him,
He meets you for He sticks "closer than a brother."

Day will come when breath last breath,
Paradox of journey, all alone must take.
Forgiven for all of sins and mistakes,
Other side of eternity when breath last breath.

About the Author:  Brian Bucks lives on a small horse ranch in Western Nebraska and is a husband, father, electrical engineer, and poet.

Tuesday, May 10, 2016

Reflection

         Reflection

When time stands still,
     Penetrating holy chill.
When time stands still,
     Catch your fill.

     Catch your fill,
When time stands still.
     Penetrating holy chill,
When time stands still.

About the Author:  Brian Bucks lives on a small horse ranch in Western Nebraska and is a husband, father, electrical engineer, and poet.

Monday, May 9, 2016

Quixotical Luddite

    Quixotical Luddite

Quixotical Luddite picks a fight, 
Tilting at windmills in the night.
Crazy man dreams terrible delight,
Sane in for the longest of frights.

Spoon fed news without inspection,
Another's agenda in forced rations.
News cycles blare like movie Brazil,
Feeding our lust for continuous thrill.

Brains boiled quickly to mush,
Awaiting dissenting opinion to crush.
Cash is king in perverting the truth,
Brazenly parading all that's uncouth.

About the Author:  Brian Bucks lives on a small horse ranch in Western Nebraska and is a husband, father, electrical engineer, and poet.

Sunday, May 8, 2016

Times and Seasons

Times and Seasons

Times and seasons,
Messes with reasons.
Heart known to commit treason,
Redemption in times and seasons.

Rhythm and time,
Sets pace for climb.
Meter and beat,
Matches steps of feet.

Season discern,
Eyes strain and yearn.
Tears burn,
Awaiting your return.

About the Author:  Brian Bucks lives on a small horse ranch in Western Nebraska and is a husband, father, electrical engineer, and poet.





Saturday, May 7, 2016

Hoo Are You

Just a fun little ditty for today.

One of the Many Critters Encounter (C) Brian Bucks

Hoo are you who sits in the tree,
Thinking you're sly looking at me.
Perched from above,
Wanting a snack you could love.

Sorry I 'm too big for you,
So is Molly my dog too.
Always watching vigilant for me,
Hoping I scare up dinner in debris.

About the Author:  Brian Bucks lives on a small horse ranch in Western Nebraska and is a husband, father, electrical engineer, and poet.


Friday, May 6, 2016

Disciplined Mind

Winter Sunrise in Western Nebraska (C)Brian Bucks

        Disciplined Mind

Groggy from slumber,
Rise out of bed.
First thoughts of the day,
Morning's my time.
Thoughts easy to reign,
Sharpening focus.
Disciplined mindfulness,
When thoughts travel afar.
Escort them back to present events.
Live and think in the moment,
Not re-living yesterdays or tomorrows.
In just a few moments grounded again,
Ready to write my day can start.
Just a few minutes is all it takes,
Tend to thoughts at break of day.

About the Author:  Brian Bucks lives on a small horse ranch in Western Nebraska and is a husband, father, electrical engineer, and poet.

Thursday, May 5, 2016

Job Security

    Job Security

Wiggle room gone,
Just become a pawn.
Was a good thought,
Contractor was caught.

Bluff was called,
Lawyers enthralled.
On retainer,
Fill the containers.

Will be drug out for years,
That's very clear.
Left with the mess,
Job security I guess.

About the Author:  Brian Bucks lives on a small horse ranch in Western Nebraska and is a husband, father, electrical engineer, and poet.

Wednesday, May 4, 2016

Where I Belong

Calves Near Guernsey Wyoming Today (c) Brian Bucks


                Where I Belong

Warmth of Wyoming sun in early May.
Calves and heifers lazily lay.
Force them to move to their dismay.

Just hint of recent snow on distant peaks.
Even though a blizzard just last week.
Serenity of prairie evokes what I seek.

Air filled with Meadowlarks' songs.
Taken to places free of all wrongs.
Wide open places where I belong.

About the Author:  Brian Bucks lives on a small horse ranch in Western Nebraska and is a husband, father, electrical engineer, and poet.

Tuesday, May 3, 2016

It'll Be Alright

It'll Be Alright

Shifts in thinking,
Mental clutch smoking.
It'll be alright.

Seized up transmission,
Unconfessed confession.
It'll be all right.

When motion stops,
Heart exposed.
It'll be alright.

How will we know,
How far we've grown.
It'll be alright.

Response to smoke,
Past revoked.
It'll be alright.

Choices to make,
What to believe.
It'll be alright.

God's redemptive space,
Seek His face.
It'll be alright.
It'll be alright.

About the Author:  Brian Bucks lives on a small horse ranch in Western Nebraska and is a husband, father, electrical engineer, and poet.

Monday, May 2, 2016

Shadows

Shadows

Once upon a time,
Everything was fine.
Shadows came with rain,
So much pain.

Struggle to thrive,
Frantic to survive.
In search of favor,
Desperate for a Savior.

What once was lost,
Redeemed at great cost.
Hope again,
New life begins.

About the Author:  Brian Bucks lives on a small horse ranch in Western Nebraska and is a husband, father, electrical engineer, and poet.

Sunday, May 1, 2016

So Far Away

An entry I made for a just for fun online poetry contest yesterday.

Sunset from Maui a Few Years Ago (c) Brian Bucks

So Far Away

Surf washes gently,
Memories of us.
So far away,
Oceans apart.

Reunion soon,
Walk hand in hand.
Paradox of joined,
Yet apart.

I watch sun set,
You watch sun rise.
Sweetness in beauty,
Reminds me of us.

Drawn to the sea,
Looking for you.
Over the horizon,
Expect your return.


About the Author:  Brian Bucks lives on a small horse ranch in Western Nebraska and is a husband, father, electrical engineer, and poet.