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)