Sunday, December 31, 2017

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)


Friday, December 15, 2017

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)

Friday, October 27, 2017

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)

Wednesday, October 25, 2017

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)

Friday, October 6, 2017

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)

Tuesday, September 26, 2017


       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)

Monday, September 25, 2017

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)

Friday, September 15, 2017

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)

Monday, September 11, 2017

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)

Saturday, September 9, 2017

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)

Friday, September 8, 2017

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)

Tuesday, August 29, 2017

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)

Tuesday, August 15, 2017

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)

Friday, August 11, 2017

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)

Saturday, August 5, 2017

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)

Thursday, August 3, 2017

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)

Wednesday, August 2, 2017

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)

Tuesday, August 1, 2017

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)

Saturday, July 22, 2017

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)





Friday, July 21, 2017

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)


Thursday, July 20, 2017

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)

Saturday, July 15, 2017

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.

Friday, July 14, 2017

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)

Thursday, July 13, 2017

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)

Tuesday, July 11, 2017

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)

Thursday, July 6, 2017

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)

Wednesday, July 5, 2017

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)

Tuesday, July 4, 2017

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)

Monday, July 3, 2017

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)

Sunday, June 18, 2017

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)

Saturday, June 17, 2017

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)

Friday, June 16, 2017

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)


Thursday, June 15, 2017

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)

Tuesday, June 6, 2017

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)

Monday, June 5, 2017

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)

Sunday, May 28, 2017

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)

Friday, May 26, 2017

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)

Thursday, May 18, 2017

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)


Wednesday, May 17, 2017

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)





Tuesday, May 16, 2017

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)