Turn the Page

Turn the Page

As the year closes

Press into unfinished
Places and spaces

Still time to reconcile

This chapter of life
In last day of the year

Leave all the dead

Things behind
Grieve and mourn

Not that I'll forget

But there is so
Much more

Take a moment

Yet today
Finish this chapter

For tomorrow begins

A new chapter
A new year

About the Author:  Brian Bucks lives on a small horse ranch in Western Nebraska and is a husband, father, electrical engineer, and poet. (17-365Z)

Serenity

Serenity

Softness rest quietly

A few days before Winter

Silence soaks the dawn

Seasons change

White tail glide

Quietly through

Brown grass

Float ghost like

As enjoy the morning

Knowing what I see

Would light father-in-law up

In serenity shared

Memories of father-in-law

Who slipped silently

Into eternity

A week ago

About the Author:  Brian Bucks lives on a small horse ranch in Western Nebraska and is a husband, father, electrical engineer, and poet. (17-349Y)

Alive

Alive

wind
moans soft
in unison with
my breath
cold

heart
aches again
hope awakens desire
touches wounds
scarred

mind
in solitude
dawn's light breaks
colors thoughts
peace

About the Author:  Brian Bucks lives on a small horse ranch in Western Nebraska and is a husband, father, electrical engineer, and poet. (17-300D)

To Dust

To Dust

Shadows pass through translucent gold
Green blades taunt through fading beauty
In hours the gold gives way to bronze
As damaged skin brittle and opaque
Till returns to dust

About the Author:  Brian Bucks lives on a small horse ranch in Western Nebraska and is a husband, father, electrical engineer, and poet. (17-298A)

Quietly

          Quietly

quietly they rest among
tall grass and cedar trees
blend in with cover
browns of Autumn aligned

small herd of deer
a young buck
several does all fixed
on my every movement

stop long enough
to enjoy peacefulness
reminds me to breathe
gratefulness of new day's surprise

About the Author:  Brian Bucks lives on a small horse ranch in Western Nebraska and is a husband, father, electrical engineer, and poet. (17-279C)

       Cotton Candy

Cottony fog hangs

In the river valley

As drive into softness

Enter another world

Silence in the ethereal light

Visibility reduced to a

Few car lengths, roll down

Windows to listen

Sound of approaching care

Wait, can I trust my ears

Then it appears as if

Beamed down from the Enterprise

Swallowed up quickly again

As I'm left listening

Before I pull out

Slipping silently cloaked onto pavement

About the Author:  Brian Bucks lives on a small horse ranch in Western Nebraska and is a husband, father, electrical engineer, and poet. (17-261D)

Again

           Again

Beside rushing streams
He refreshes my soul
peace washes over mind
calmness fills my heart

first day of Fall reflected
off canyon walls
soft colors in afternoon's light
golden shades of aspens turning

mixed scents of pine
with cleansing water
swirling glory of His creation
draws me back to His goodness

Video from Spearfish Canyon

About the Author:  Brian Bucks lives on a small horse ranch in Western Nebraska and is a husband, father, electrical engineer, and poet. (17-266E)

Defrag

Defrag

my heart
jumbled up parts
need realigned

my mind
thoughts aren't kind
need realigned

my soul
shattered pieces
restore and make whole

my body
synchronize being
restore and make whole

About the Author:  Brian Bucks lives on a small horse ranch in Western Nebraska and is a husband, father, electrical engineer, and poet. (17-257A)

Autumn's Rose

Autumn's Rose

startles me
as water plants
not expecting new
buds and blossoms

rouge red
color of soft lips
press into
scent of rose

tickles my nose
early September
taunts of Spring
before frost arrives

beauty disrupts
my thoughts
pulls me
into present

how a simple discovery
shakes thoughts
free from
ruts worn deep

About the Author:  Brian Bucks lives on a small horse ranch in Western Nebraska and is a husband, father, electrical engineer, and poet. (17-254C)

Fading Days

Fading Days

Late purple blossoms

draw orange and black wings

to sip sweet nectar

before September frost puts alfalfa to sleep

About the Author:  Brian Bucks lives on a small horse ranch in Western Nebraska and is a husband, father, electrical engineer, and poet. (17-251C)

September Morn

September Morn

Sun peaks over
the hill shyly

Soft fleshy pink
greets me

Daily routine
walking Molly

In the hay field
round bales

Still smell sweet
as walk past

Hush lay upon
greenness of September

Irrigation water jostling
in concrete ditch

One more week
'til water silenced

Preparation for Fall
on the ranch

About the Author:  Brian Bucks lives on a small horse ranch in Western Nebraska and is a husband, father, electrical engineer, and poet. (17-251B)

Released

             Released

Parade begins at bottom
horses collect in an eddy
galloping up the dirt track
graceful flow of movement

Tails carried proud
swishing in sync with gait
ground reverberates with
each hoof fall

River of motion
thunders past
slowly moving thunderhead
pent up energy released

About the Author:  Brian Bucks lives on a small horse ranch in Western Nebraska and is a husband, father, electrical engineer, and poet. (17-241B)

Feral

                     Feral

Morning fog clings tightly
Emracing soft earth
Flesh color beautifully accented
From evening rain

Calls seducingly deep in soul
Feral places awaken
Running free and wild
No longer separated from being

Sweet kiss of ruby red dawn
Stirs long dormant places
Fire kindled into blaze
Reflected in aroused eyes

About the Author:  Brian Bucks lives on a small horse ranch in Western Nebraska and is a husband, father, electrical engineer, and poet. (17-227B)

Bounding

                  Bounding

As I pedal along ditch bank
In the silence a white tail doe
Rises from tall grass on other side
Gracefulness in motion as
Bounds off with tail wagging

(17-223A)

Stewardship Reward

   Stewardship Reward

The sweet smell of alfalfa
in full blossom
Lungs breath in beauty
exhale to soak in
another breath
Field alive with butterflies
yellow moths and bees
All drawn to the nectar
drunk on purple, yellow, and white
blooms set against the vibrant green
Better than the best perfume
sweeter than any replica
To observe all around
as tend to the to field

About the Author:  Brian Bucks lives on a small horse ranch in Western Nebraska and is a husband, father, electrical engineer, and poet. (17-217Z)

Stacks

             Stacks

Things collecting to take
in moving out that will need
daughter's stack
son's stack

Temporary nature of home
as they launch out
and just return to harbor
Of home between adventures

About this poem: Two of our children are headed to college away from home this Fall. Seasons of family changing as bless them on their adventure.

About the Author:  Brian Bucks lives on a small horse ranch in Western Nebraska and is a husband, father, electrical engineer, and poet. (17-215B)

Discovered

Discovered

Discovery lays quietly
Cool morning breeze
Offers peaceful sleep
Framed with barn door

Fragileness of new life
A few days old
Observing rapid changes
As gathers strength each day

Image is of a surprise foal born two days ago that we are calling Discovery for now. A mare we didn’t know was bred until a few months ago. Joy of new life.

About the Author:  Brian Bucks lives on a small horse ranch in Western Nebraska and is a husband, father, electrical engineer, and poet. (17-214D)

Illinois

           Illinois

Boyhood home of Illinois

Contrasts starkly with edge of

Great American Desert

Now call home

Memories resuscitated with Cardinal's call

Vivid red set against
Deep green of
Large maple leaves

Childhood awakens

Faintest of memories
As experience anew
Small hometown not home anymore

Lush green Summer of Land of Lincoln

Contrasts crisp brown of home
As prairie of Nebraska wilts
Under brutal heat

About the Author:  Brian Bucks lives on a small horse ranch in Western Nebraska and is a husband, father, electrical engineer, and poet. (17-206B)

Hardscrabble

    

     Hardscrabble

Eyes from past

Pierce from pictures
Black and white memories
Of time long ago

Hardscrabble images

Sad eyes of hope dashed
Angry eyes of control
Stare into my soul

Ill-fitting clothes

Hang upon skeleton frames
Lost eyes of children
Carrying weight not theirs

Repetition of generations

Whirlpool of cycles
Vortex perpetually repeats
Sins of fathers

Other images tell

Different stories
Solidness of character
Eyes of hope, orphans no more

Image of grandfather as a child and his family. His father died and the children ended up in an orphanage and torn apart. Impact of trauma that can be broken free from, new choices.

About the Author:  Brian Bucks lives on a small horse ranch in Western Nebraska and is a husband, father, electrical engineer, and poet. (17-208A)

Rattler

       Rattler 

Buzz of a rattler

In an instant heart races

Noise is a tattler

Square off at fifty paces

Rises high above the grass

Grab my shovel

Its moody and crass

Crash down upon it

First blow handle shatters

Pissed off rattler

Not losing it matters

Still buzzing and hissing

Watch as make the call

Bring me a shovel and hoe

Standoff for the moment

As angry eyes meet

In just few minutes

Rattler is dead

Seven buttons my trophy

Buried its head

About this poem - I usually leave snakes be unless it is a rattle snake. This one was angry and aggressive, and right in an area I had been moving irrigation water a few minutes before. I walked passed and buzzing it rose from the grass hissing. Immediately knew it wasn't a bull snake bluffing by the shape of its head. One of those funny moments when the shovel handle breaks and have an even angrier snake that can't leave letting it get away. A phone call and then kill it with a hoe our daughter brought me. Most days I have our dogs out with me, that day they had already headed back to the house.

About the Author:  Brian Bucks lives on a small horse ranch in Western Nebraska and is a husband, father, electrical engineer, and poet. (17-203Z)

Letting Go

Letting Go

In the corner

of the mind

Where younger

self hides

Time to come

out in the light

A victim

no more

Times and seasons

change ushering in

Healing and redemption

as forgiveness flows

Time to mend

So far in the past

No longer who I was

They no longer who they were

Safe in the now

adult self can

Nurture broken young self

where loving kindness changes everything

Just one touch

shattered the child

A suddenly of God

with one touch all is changed

Put away the suffering

reliving the trauma

Winter to Spring

new life emerges in soul

About the Author:  Brian Bucks lives on a small horse ranch in Western Nebraska and is a husband, father, electrical engineer, and poet. (17-202C)

Landfill of Soul

Landfill of Soul

Landfill of soul

What buried

Not yet finished

Resurrected to recycle

Garbage works

Its way to surface

Or seeps poison

Into ground

What's buried

Still living

Still crying out

Manifesting below conscious

Demanding a voice

A witness to hear

Then healing rushes in

Purifying the soul

About the Author:  Brian Bucks lives on a small horse ranch in Western Nebraska and is a husband, father, electrical engineer, and poet. (17-202C)

Be

                        Be

Thoughts arouse from slumber
Fill mind with clutter that
Must dump on the page
To make space for beauty of today
No carrying into today burdens of
Yesterday or anxiety of tomorrow
Living in the now and discover
How to be alive

About the Author:  Brian Bucks lives on a small horse ranch in Western Nebraska and is a husband, father, electrical engineer, and poet. (17-201A)

Father and Daughter

Father and Daughter

I remember you before you had memories

I was there the day you were born

I remember when your memories were young

I was there, your father

Now we prepare for you to go

Memories you will make

Return to the time before you were born

Time without daily interaction

Sullen mood to ponder the grief

The day fast approaching when you will be

On your own, experiencing a new life

An adventure you are meant to take

I can bless your leaving as your father

You take a part of me with you

You leave a part of yourself with me

As journey diverges with loving release

About the Author:  Brian Bucks lives on a small horse ranch in Western Nebraska and is a husband, father, electrical engineer, and poet. (17-196Z)

Dedicated to our daughter on preparing for moving away for college in the Fall.

Inner Strength

       Inner Strength

Hopeful in heart
with breaking of day
Opportunity for new start
curiousity, exploration, and play

Grace rises with sun
as watch mercy flood darkness with light
Shadows give way as overcome
set free, engage what's right

Peace settls deep within
solitude found
Rest in love once again
full life abounds

About the Author:  Brian Bucks lives on a small horse ranch in Western Nebraska and is a husband, father, electrical engineer, and poet. (17-195C)

Daily Joy

                  Daily Joy

As water gushes from "gut" pipe
soaking in coolness
Nose keen to all smells
brings a smile to my face
A moment of joy
in heat of day

A poem about Bear the Dog

About the Author:  Brian Bucks lives on a small horse ranch in Western Nebraska and is a husband, father, electrical engineer, and poet. (17-192A)

Grounded

            Grounded

Alfalfa and grass crunch
Under foot as predawn light
Awakens mind observe beauty
Refreshed from yesterday's heat

Water splashes out
Of gates from plastic ditch, ground
Sighs softly, life giving
Streeks of green, water works deep

Ebb and flow harkens to connection with soil
Grounds all that rest upon
Simple therapy unburden heart
Baggage of life lightens with each step

About the Author:  Brian Bucks lives on a small horse ranch in Western Nebraska and is a husband, father, electrical engineer, and poet. (17-188B)

Expanding

E   x   p   a   n   d   i   n   g

L    O    V   E

I        S

E       X        P        A        N        S         I         V        E

E    X    P    L    O    R    A    T     I     O    N

V   U   L    N   E   R   A   B   L   E

About the Author:  Brian Bucks lives on a small horse ranch in Western Nebraska and is a husband, father, electrical engineer, and poet. (17-166A)

Seeds

                Seeds

Grass heads bend with burden
Bountiful seeds weigh down
Fruit of just being and receiving
Produce a crop of similar kind

About the Author:  Brian Bucks lives on a small horse ranch in Western Nebraska and is a husband, father, electrical engineer, and poet. (17-171A)

New

              New

New season, new hope
New chapter, new ink
New thoughts, new love

About the Author:  Brian Bucks lives on a small horse ranch in Western Nebraska and is a husband, father, electrical engineer, and poet. (17-171A)

Sugar Creek

            Sugar Creek

By a covered bridge years ago

Fishing in the creek with dad, sister, and brother

Staying out past dark in the summer warmth

Hidden by the trees embracing the banks of Sugar Creek

Water lazily drifting

Muddy and gray

Cicadas noisily play

Bob White calling

Fire flies glowing

Catching catfish

Together with dad

That's what mattered

About the Author:  Brian Bucks lives on a small horse ranch in Western Nebraska and is a husband, father, electrical engineer, and poet. (17-176C)

Control

           Control

C onstant hypervigilance
O ut of fear
N ever enough
T rust no one
R obs joy
O nly ifs
L ove squelched

About the Author:  Brian Bucks lives on a small horse ranch in Western Nebraska and is a husband, father, electrical engineer, and poet. (17-166A)

Snow Serenely Falls

Snow serenely falls

Aspen leaves moan

In late Spring storm
Coats in beauty's purity

All hidden beneath the blanket

A ravenous loose covering multitude of sin
No longer exposed to all that's been
New day of joy's consummation

About the Author:  Brian Bucks lives on a small horse ranch in Western Nebraska and is a husband, father, electrical engineer, and poet. (17-138A)

Endings

Endings

Somber heart

Aches with longing

What yet can be

Story yet to be told

Each day is a page

Volume of a life

How it ends

Depends on the Source

From which I draw

About the Author:  Brian Bucks lives on a small horse ranch in Western Nebraska and is a husband, father, electrical engineer, and poet. (17-122A)

Tap the Source

Tap the Source

 

Roots go deep
Draw out life

What's the Source

Polluted waters?

Living waters?

Impacts reproduction

Effects fruit

Produce bitter fruit?

Produce sweet fruit?

About the Author:  Brian Bucks lives on a small horse ranch in Western Nebraska and is a husband, father, electrical engineer, and poet. (17-122A)

Bleached Bones Scattered

Bleached Bones Scattered

Close to where they fell

In stark whiteness

Red soil pocked with scrub

Where last breath breathed

Now marked with bones

Life taken away

In cycle of seasons

About the Author:  Brian Bucks lives on a small horse ranch in Western Nebraska and is a husband, father, electrical engineer, and poet. (17-141A)

Giving

                 Giving

Memories bubble to the surface

Percolate through layers of time

Once forgotten return in an instant

Moments of joy and excitement

Visit places from our courtship

When young and naïve

When arrogantly had life under control

Untested relationship as explore

Yet here we are after all the years

Knocked down yet still pressing on

Scars of battle mark the soul and mind

As mature love nurtured

Endurance in the race

Marriage change multiple times

As love expands with each season

A journey not for the faint of heart

Growth that only happens in close quarters

Exposes all the selfishness and dark within

Not knowing it was even there

Deep work with Father to transform

New relationship with Father

Experience Him in a deeper intimacy

Receive grace, mercy, love, and forgiveness

Brokenness the path to knowing depths of Him

Little by little change comes

Respond in a new ways

See vistas only another can offer

Entwined together

About the Author:  Brian Bucks lives on a small horse ranch in Western Nebraska and is a husband, father, electrical engineer, and poet. (17-138B)

Thunder

        Thunder

Hear the thunder of hooves
Herd moves from boundary
Feisty energy as they approach
Passing in graceful beauty

Nemo trails far behind
Gathering speed
As he gallops by
Enjoy the grace

Need the grace
In the moment
Draws me to letting go
Once again

About the Author:  Brian Bucks lives on a small horse ranch in Western Nebraska and is a husband, father, electrical engineer, and poet. (17-148A)

Light Echoes

Colorado National Monument

          Light Echoes

Light echoes with shadows

Playful symbiosis upon ridge

Hues of reds and earth tones

Shifting as shadows dance

Scrub dots the horizon

Arid land accommodates a lifestyle

Nature conforms to climate

As Man modifies water flow

Harsh line at water's boundaries

Even as water flows below the surface

Water and life forged

Simplicity of contrast

About the Author:  Brian Bucks lives on a small horse ranch in Western Nebraska and is a husband, father, electrical engineer, and poet. (17-140C)

Drift Down

       Drift Down

Love drifts down
In grace of falling snow
Grace of Aspens quake
In sharp green contrast

Covers the ground
Once again pure
All around
Softness ever new

About the Author:  Brian Bucks lives on a small horse ranch in Western Nebraska and is a husband, father, electrical engineer, and poet. (17-138C)

Serenity

          Serenity

Mallard quietly plies the mountain pond
Serenity in the moment
Stream serenades my spirit
Water peacefully flows
Trout dance on the calm surface
Lullaby of creation's unity
Longings of soul satisfied

About the Author:  Brian Bucks lives on a small horse ranch in Western Nebraska and is a husband, father, electrical engineer, and poet. (17-127A)

Bare Feet

                  Bare Feet

Sun kissing the tops of lilac bushes

Softness of Spring's light opens heart

As pure as daffodil's bloom

Soft as new grass under bare feet

As quickly as softness appeared

Clouds steal the caress

Moment gone so quick

As if lovers passing in the dawn

About the Author:  Brian Bucks lives on a small horse ranch in Western Nebraska and is a husband, father, electrical engineer, and poet. (17-123A)

Hope Whispers Softly

Hope Whispers Softly

         -i-

Hope whispers softly
New thoughts
New possibilities
Battle of belief

         -ii-

Hope whispers softly
You're going to be okay
God is bigger than hurts
Don't waste your pain

        -iii-

Hope whispers softly
Take a step of faith
Take a new path
Take a new risk

         -iv-

Hope whispers softly
Receive mercy
Receive love
Receive acceptance

         -v-

Hope whispers softly
Don't die inside
Don't give up
Don't dishonor self

         -vi-

Hope whispers softly
Give acceptance
Give love
Give mercy

        -vii-

Hope whispers softly
In the darkest of night
In the darkest corner of soul
In the darkest despair

        -viii-

Hope whispers softly
There is more
There is joy
There is love

         -ix-

Hope whispers softly
There is restoration
There is reconciliation
There is redemption

About the Author:  Brian Bucks lives on a small horse ranch in Western Nebraska and is a husband, father, electrical engineer, and poet. (17-130B)

Joy Comes Softly

Joy Comes Softly

         -i-

Joy comes softly
In unexpected ways
Sound of babbling water
Smile on child's face

         -ii-

Joy comes softly
As hot breath of lover
Gently brushing against cheek
In hope love brings

        -iii-

Joy comes softly
As break of dawn across the horizon
Painting sky with newness
Grateful for another day

         -iv-

Joy comes softly
In the sound of baby's first cry
Delight of love's creation
Reflected in new eyes

         -v-

Joy comes softly
In mother's caring touch
Wipes away the tears
As child launches out

         -vi-

Joy comes softly
In new phases of relationship
Transition together
Finding new ways

        -vii-
Joy comes softly
In tears of forgiveness
Freedom's release
Internally made right

        -viii-
Joy comes softly
As walk in tall grass
Spring's rebirth
Resurrection's renewal

About the Author:  Brian Bucks lives on a small horse ranch in Western Nebraska and is a husband, father, electrical engineer, and poet. (17-130A)