Sunday, December 27, 2020

Dust

Do you ever feel like one of those old abandoned farmhouses
the ones where the door is half off the hinges and ajar
with windows busted out and old white siding with paint peeled off
where weathered wood rots in the open air exposed to harsh elements

Where sun bakes it in the summer
wind sandblasts it relentlessly
winter snow on wooden floors once filled with life
where bare feet danced of husband and wife

Bedrooms where love once made left stark and vacant
after all these years the memories fade into stripped walls
what once was full of life now silent
only haunting moans of sorrowful wind

Grieving all that's been lost as each year passes
soon the walls will fail and collapse under the weight of sorrow
then comes the match to burn the debris
a tractor rumbles spewing smoke that fills in the foundation

The old tree row uprooted
all traces of what was returned to the dust
from which it all came
in a few generations all the memories gone

What once was lost to the ages
a wisp of ash carried in the breeze
stripping the exterior of the next abandoned home
that is what today feels like

Sunday, October 4, 2020

A Psalm of Remembrance

 



A Psalm of Remembrance

 

Colors of Autumn remind me

of the Truth of Father's love

that extends out from before time

until time is no more

as an offer of communion with Him

 

He beckons me to

dis-member the lies

the lie not enough

not loveable

not worth it

that must earn love

that must perform

that must be perfect

just one more thing

then I'll be loveable

 

Dis-member the lies

one at a time with Holy Spirit

unravel the moment

the thought took root

that believed the lie to be true

bring before Father

repent for making a lie bigger

than His love for me

 

Re-member the Truth

He paid a great price

to reclaim me as His own

His loving hand reaches out to me

He was there in the darkest moments

when the lie began to dis-member me

receive His offer of re-membering

 

Open up my heart Oh God

that I might choose to believe

to tear down the family stronghold

that binds the sin of one generation to the next

as Gideon chopped up the family idol

so too I choose to explore, expose, and dismember the beliefs

that have stood in defiance of You

turning them into altars of praise

where Your redemption and reclamation

alter and align to

make things right between me and You

 

It is Your kindness that leads me to repentance

today you reclaim me as Yours

relaxing into union with You

communion restored and peace settles

deep within as I know

I am right with You

re-membering all Your goodness

Your Mercy and Loving-kindness

follow me all the days of my life

 

 

20-278Z A Psalm of Remembrance

#highplainspoet, #westernnebraskathoughtsandlife, #redemption, #love, #restoration, #remember, #dismember

 


Seasons of Covid


While we waited in the seasons of covid

spring slipped into summer and summer into fall

where anxiety yields to new reality

of a year held hostage to rampant fear

spewing into social media and news

 

Isolation suffocating once vibrant hope

dread awakens at the start of a new day

wondering what new rumor starts

what new spin plastered in the media

stoking fear until just turn it all off

embracing the four seasons of winter in silence

  

Poem 20-275Z

#highplainspoet, #westernnebraskathoughtsandlife, #covid, #noise, #social_media

Saturday, October 3, 2020

Wide Open

 



Wide Open

 

Sky's wide open

like that place in my heart

where you and I reside

 

Poem 20-218y

#highplainspoet #westernnebraskathoughtsandlife #nebraska #love

A blurb on a scratch sheet of paper sitting on my desk I jotted down as it came to me a while ago

 



Monday, July 13, 2020

Original Intent

Original Intent

 

Rush from the moment

woke to rib removed

there you were watching

reflected part of me

 

Gaze upon one another

curves and peaks discover

no shame in curiosity uncovered

knowing what parts removed

 

Gift of companionship and lover

union before the Fall

no greater or lesser between

walk in cool with God each day

 

Tend the Garden

of the other's soul

intimacy in another realm

flow of together in bliss

 

Other worldly covering

transparent beyond vision

synced in harmony

freedom to love and be loved

 

Poem 20-184z

#highplainspoet, #westernnebraskathoughtsandlife, relationship, intimacy, union, restoration, reconciliation

 

Trying to imagine what Adam and Eve's relationship was before the Fall. Then further, what does redemption from the curse of the Fall look like for us. Since Jesus redeemed us from the curse, what parts of Eden are available to us today. What parts of intimacy have been redeemed and reclaimed, living beyond Genesis 3 in redemption.


Sunday, July 12, 2020

Like The Wind

Like The Wind

 

She came in like the wind

and left as evaporating dew

leaving warm green jungle dripping

 

Long after she left

her words soak into soil of soul

like silk brushing cheek

 

Poem 20-177z

#highplainspoet, #westernnebraskathoughtsandlife, relationship, transformation, growth


Sunday, June 14, 2020

Broad Horizon

Broad Horizon

 

Stillness of snow covered prairie

seeps into weary bones

solitude's silence once again

draws out cluttered thoughts

 

Western Nebraska's broad horizons

swallow up the day's worries

burden laid upon yoke

refreshing inner calm

 

Fingers of snow drifts iced over

protrudes along property line

chaos of wind driven fury resisted

lover's warmth melts the sting

 

Intimacy's embrace in oneness

under brisk open sky

restores sense of oneness

emptiness absorbs all dissonance

 

Renews what's been taken

refills what's been freely given

peace washes fluidly beneath

broad horizon's invitation

 

Leaving soft pastel colors

brushed upon once heavy memories

transforming the meaning

of what has been

 

Poem 20-037B

#westernnebraskthoughtsandlife, #highplainspoet, nebraska, western_nebraska, prairie, renewal, healing, pilgrimage, spiritual


Saturday, June 13, 2020

Nebraska Love Affair


Nebraska Love Affair

 

A Nebraska love affair

with barren prairie

once despised

now a healing balm

 

Seen with new eyes

touched by stark beauty

silence draws out treasure

exposes longings buried

 

The Oregon Trail adventure

each day's a journey leaves

litter of unnecessary baggage

to lighten spirit's load

 

Burying the dead

left along the way

a price willingly pay

in hope of the promise land

 

Tall grass

hypnotizing sway

relaxes the mind

beneath molasses sky

 

Today the prairie calls

mountain peaks outline fading horizon

muffled sorrow as cross

where previous generations wouldn't pass

 

No regrets knowing the risk as

some refuse the invitation

and choose to be left in the past

face the grief of the unknown

 

Life and health before me

just walk the trail today

lightly travel each hour

all extra weight cast away

 

Poem 20-037C

#westernnebraskthoughtsandlife, #highplainspoet, nebraska, western_nebraska, prairie, renewal, healing, journey, pilgrimage, spiritual


Friday, June 12, 2020

Perception

Perception

Yellow bloom of dandelion
peers above green blades
one man's weed
is another's flower

Poem 20-164A
#westernnebraskathoughtsandlife, #highplainspoet, brevity, perception, paradigm, judgments, beliefs

Wednesday, June 10, 2020

Ink

Ink

My fountain pen ran out of ink
leaving the page empty
as I ponder what spills
without pen or paper
only to be written
upon the heart

At times a sacredness
in just sitting with poems
that are never meant for the page
to sing in deep resonance
that purges the busy mind
stringing words together
that will never be spoken

Poem 20-162y
#nebraskathoughtsandlife, #highplainspoet, poetry, spiritual, solitude

Saturday, May 16, 2020

Hoo

Hoo

 

As dusk lands gently

hovering above the tree

the owl lights upon cottonwood

with each hoo from perch

spindly sprig bends beneath

 

Poem 20-130y

#nebraskathoughtsandlife, #highplainspoet, nature, owl, prairie, farm_life,western_nebraska


Family

Family

 

In chairs on the porch we sat

a quarantine quorum

healing moment

where grace given

 

Love in expression

as wash one another's feet

affirming what God has done

calling forth who we are

 

Rub oil into the creases

callouses of journey softened

the miles tread to get here

miles left to go

 

Sweetness envelopes

the blossom of repair

as receive love given

we rest as a family

 

Poem 20-123W

We did a foot washing as a family.

#westernnebraskathougthsandlife, #highplainspoet, family, spiritual, rest, joy, quarantine



Sunday, May 10, 2020

Rain


Rain

Steady cadence of rain
hitting the roof
running off the shingles
drumming on the aluminum ladder

Spring day rearranged
sunshine hides deep
behind gray sky
patiently waiting

As leaf and blade
lap up life giving draughts
beauty in beads of rain
clings lustily before absorbed

Poem 20-123X
#westernnebraskathoughtsandlife, #highplainspoet, Spring, rain, life

Friday, May 8, 2020

Family


Family

Moment lingers as mist in the valley bottom
recall what's been all mixed together
in once again being together
shared bond
remembers love

Poem 20-123V2
#westernnebraskathoughtsandlife, #highplainspoet, family, memory, love, relationships

Thursday, May 7, 2020

Quarantined Love


Quarantined Love

Cardboard spool
of empty toilet paper roll
where love quarantined
no more squares to give

Now forced together 24/7
warmth not shared between the sheets
unkempt bed mirrors lonely hearts
pain of love grown cold

Empty shelves
greedy impulses hoard
what love remains
packed neatly in dark cupboards

Blow gently upon cold ashes
embers still to nurse
tenderly fuel what's left
rebuild what's been neglected

Each breath whispers memories
of what we still have
stoke the fire with explosive tinder
add the dead bramble

Stroke her cheek
caress the tears
of what was lost
and now is found

Once again tangle
roots and limbs
embrace forgiveness
begin again

In season of quarantined love
connection grafted together
touching most
tender parts

Poem 20-123U
#highplainspoet, #westernebraskathougtsandlife, love, walls, distance, connection, relationship, healing, hope, restoration, forgiveness

Wednesday, May 6, 2020

Quarantined #5


Quarantined #5

Spirit calls out
to find Creator
only He satisfies

Poem 20-096z
#westernnebraskathoughtsandlife, #highplainspoet, quarantine

Tuesday, May 5, 2020

Quarantined #4


Quarantined #4

Depth of loneliness
permeates through
expressed in 8PM howling



Poem 20-096z
#westernnebraskathoughtsandlife, #highplainspoet, quarantine

Monday, May 4, 2020

Quarantined #3


Quarantined #3

Walls built
around who I am
no one comes or goes

Poem 20-096z
#westernnebraskathoughtsandlife, #highplainspoet, quarantine

Sunday, May 3, 2020

Quarantined #2


Quarantined #2

Hide the soul
exposure painful
Vulnerable

Poem 20-096z
#westernnebraskathoughtsandlife, #highplainspoet, quarantine



Saturday, May 2, 2020

Quarantined #1


Quarantined #1

Truth pierces the nations
virus reflects panic (self sufficiency)
quarantined response

Poem 20-096z
#westernnebraskathoughtsandlife, #highplainspoet, quarantine

Early Spring


Early Spring



It's the time of year

when dawn exhales

blowing last year's dreck

across disked fields



Bending brown stand of brome

catching last years debris above

new blade growth tender green

only at dusk to pause and inhale



Liquid warmth of gossamer lay

sheer upon tender breasts

nuzzle 'til rise 'n fall of chest stops

perhaps just sleeping



Entwined in symbiotic rhythm

limbs wrapped about the other's trellis

only to waken before sunrise

and graciously repeat



Poem 20-091A

#westernnebraskathoughtsandlife, #highplanespoet, strong_winds, rhythms, love



As the sun rises the wind picks up until softening at dusk this time of year.  Life on the high plains.

Saturday, March 21, 2020

Reflecting What?



Reflecting What?

A worried hush blankets the land
in quiet clusters of conversation
As world brought to knees
coronavirus has silenced the nations

A holy hush covers the land
ear ringing silence as listen
Invitation to stillness
restores harried hearts

Tomorrow's no guarantee
never has been
In the present I choose
to demonstrate Father's love

A perfect moment
to love
My neighbor
as myself

Poem 20-080y
In the midst of the seriousness of coronavirus there is an invitation to stillness and reflecting the love of God to those around us. Fear is even more contagious robbing of us our humanity and further distorting who we are created to be. Stop and reflect on Psalm 91 and find Peace in the moment.
Photo is from trip to Banff National Park last August (c) b bucks
#highplainspoet, #westernnebraskathoughtsandlife, peace, rest, fear, grace, mercy

Saturday, March 7, 2020

Traffic Jam

Traffic Jam

Herd of black angus
two hundred plus
pressed to clear a path
so we can move down the pavement

Begrudginly they yield
pressed on by
horseback cowgirls and cowboys
a family and neighbor affair

Working with the riders
black and white border collies
clearing a lane
leaping to and frow
nipping at hooves
of lollygagging cows

A wonderful Wyoming traffic jam

Poem 20-067z
Encountered a Wyoming traffic jam this week while at work.
#highplainspoet, #westernnebraskathoughtsandlife, ranching, cattle, cowboy, cowgirl, border_collie, peace, symbiotic

Monday, March 2, 2020

Morning Image

Morning Image

Dawn breaks faintly
headlights still glow
coyote darts across earthy gravel road
fluffy tail 'n wiery frame full throttle
'til fades into winter's brown prairie

Poem 20-062z
A moment on the way into work this morning.
#highplainspoet, #westernnebraskathoughtsandlife
nature, coyote, winter, dawn, western_nebraska

Thursday, February 27, 2020

Chafe


Chafe

Like a wool sweater
thoughts scratch my mind
itchy memories
chafe 'til they bleed

Poem 20-051z
#highplainspoet, #westernnebraskathoughtsandlife, memories

Wednesday, February 26, 2020

Seasoned Life


Seasoned Life

Peppered sky
salted earth
seasoned life

Tabasco'd love
honeyed heart
seasoned life

Lime's zing
lemon's zest
seasoned life

I noticed
you smiled
seasoned life

Poem 20-056z
#highplainspoet, #westernnebraskathoughtsandlife, love, life, seasoning, spice

Tuesday, February 25, 2020

Cinched


Cinched

Somethings are forgotten
that shouldn't be
ignorance is a stern instructor
sometimes it means a face plant

How to cinch a saddle
lesson that must be learned
applies to many things
resistance puffs up

Think things are tight
when boot reaches for stirrup
saddle slips under foot
horse spooks

Wonder how ended up on the ground
wind knocked out of ya
dust self off and discover
what thought was tight is really loose

Poem 20-029Z
#highplainspoet
#westernnebraskathoughtsandlife
Ranching, life_lesson, saddle, cinch

Monday, February 24, 2020

Love


Love

Flush cheeks kissed
by winter zephyr
snow skiffs about boots
prairie's bent low

Brace against the bitterness
lungs remember frosty atmosphere
soaks into pores and fiber
pace quickens 'til turn leeward

19-363B
#highplainspoet, #westernnebraskathoughtsandlife
Nebraska, prairie, seasons, winter, beauty

Tuesday, February 18, 2020

Ripples

Ripples

What if we could see
our presence ripple
Through the atmosphere
as a ship upon the sea

My ripples brushing against yours
warmth of your passing wave
Yet again ripples upon another
pass silently under pale light of a lover's moon

Wake merges with others
travelers plying seasonal trade winds
Spirit blows life into soul
sailing through life's salty brine

20-040z
#highplainspoet, #westernnebraskathoughtsandlife
Spiritual, journey, love

Friday, February 14, 2020

Joy

Joy

Union
celebration of us
soul smiles

Heart
still longs
to know you

Journey
many tears
many smiles

Heart
still longs
to know you

Endurance
not for faint of heart
willing surrender

Exploration
merging into us
after 31 years

20-045y
#highplainspoet, #westernnebraskathoughtsandlife,
joy

Saturday, February 1, 2020

Pulse

Where our sins are forgiven
freedom emminates
As pulses of heart throb
in each other's veins

Poem 20-032x
Perhaps a building block for a longer poem.
#highplainspoet, #westernnebraskthougthsandlife, love, marriage, relationship, union, oneness, spiritual



Sunday, January 19, 2020

Endings

Endings

Sweat beads upon flush skin
bale wagon wobbles across the hay field
trying to devour hay upon the trays
slowly sways upon uneven ground

Rattles of old chains and sprockets
whirring and spinning in sync with PTO RPM
gray smoke leaks from beneath frame
as 45 years shows upon IH red

Another season draws to a close
when last cutting is stacked and tarped
mountains of hay waits
for winter's fierceness to be revealed

Poem 19-248B
#highplainspoet, #westernnebraskthoughtsandlife, seasons, farming, hay, nebraska, tractors

Saturday, January 18, 2020

Aftertaste

Aftertaste

Dust floats as trucks speed by
dirt road drama of late summer
leaves one with powdery aftertaste
drawn to sticky skin as if magnetic

Poem 19-247B
#highplainspoet, #westernnebraskthoughtsandlife, country_living, aftertaste, dust

Friday, January 17, 2020

Blush Skies

Blush Skies

Blush skies fade as dawn breaks
silkiness of love's embrace
warmth rests close
beneath infinite horizons

Snow crowns peaks
they glisten in sharp early light
awakens tenderness within
holding space for another

All too soon fades
moment drifts away
clouds hide the brilliance
portal of beauty closes 'til dusk

20-017z
#highplainspoet, #westernnebraskathoughtsandlife

Winter's pre-dawn moments happen at a time when I see them and they have a way of sparking joy and beauty inside my heart and soul. Reminding me of the goodness of God and love.

Monday, January 13, 2020

Snow Moon


Snow Moon

Moon's full faced glow
gray light softens thoughts
as back into moments of joy
before heavy eyelids close
welcoming into dreams

20-011A
#highplainspoet, #westernnebraskathoughtsandlife
One of the names of January's full moon is "Snow Moon".
Beauty, joy, rest, peace, nature

Sunday, January 12, 2020

Masks


Masks

Masks like curtains
veil window of heart
blocks light in brooding darkness
gives breath to moldy thoughts

Ruminates

Fertilized the building
lies and accusations
pull down the curtain
allow the Light in

Darkness flees

Poem 19-326z
#highplainspoet #westernnebreskathoughtsandlife

Saturday, January 11, 2020

Winter Solstice


Winter Solstice

rhythm of season
sun's angle low
further south
cool shadows

change lingers
in dormancy
buried in warmth
below the surface

waits for warmth
in cocoon of hope
that spring will come
green shoots pierce earth

Poem 19-355z
#highplainspoet #westernnebresakathoughsandlife
Season, western nebraska

Friday, January 10, 2020

She Smiles More


She Smiles More

She smiles more
a soft breeze of confidence
blows across her brunette tresses
with lightness of heart reflected in
deep rich mocha pools

She smiles more
new life in her laughter
as wounds heal inside out
leaving beautiful scars
formed into priceless works of art/treasures

She smiles more
awake for the first time
slumber from childhood
rubs grit from edge of eyes
cleansing tears now/finally flow

She smiles more
time not wasted
life giving water flows
from her spirit
mingles with Father's

She smiles more
dessert places of soul
blossom under her care
I'm invited into her fields
savoring the aroma her labor

She smiles more
knowing I have scarred her
yet forgiveness flows
our love grows stronger
as bound in Father's presence

She smiles more
joy filled life
transforms bareness
into soft warmth
womb that bears fruit

She smiles more
giving all I am
and it is enough
she accepts me
and gives all she is

Together experiencing life
she smiles more

19-356Z
#highplainspoet #westernnebraskathoughtsandlife

Thursday, January 9, 2020

January Sky


January Sky

Dawn breaks hard to the east
mauve brush soft upon eyes
Laramie Peak sprinkled cold white
reflects beyond retina into soul

Slows the pace of thoughts
beauty pulls fiercely upon eyelids
directing me to drink in
fleeting moments of splendor

20-008z
#highplainspoet #nebreskathoughtsandlife
Wyoming, beauty, dawn, nature

Wednesday, January 8, 2020

Liquid Ice


Liquid Ice

Liquid ice drips from the sky
clear coating branch and limb
reflected in security light
darkness snuffing rays quickly

Eerie hush as hear ice fall upon old snow
layer upon layer builds in geological time
until covered completely in snowy ash
waiting to swallow next victim of fall

Fallen warriors strewn about
generations of warriors taken down
scheme repeats amidst the carcasses
stench of generations wasted

Withdrawn into shells of former self
shame's unholy hush
hides the wound
avoids mentioning the fall

Yet dooming another generation
to repeat the fall that shouldn't be
as pride rises up  humility flees
damning the sons to familiar fall

So I choose to break free
vulnerable about the fall
disrupts the scheme
so sons and daughters can go beyond

To fight their own battles
because I have fought my own
not wallowing in what could have been
nor a victim of others

Poem 19-333w
#highplainspoet
#westernnebraskathoughtsandlife

A somber write about old trees that have fallen likened to unfinished family business passed from one generation to the next. It has to stop somewhere, with me.

Tuesday, January 7, 2020

Steppes


Steppes

Small Wyoming town
windswept steppe
at the edge the high plains of the East
snow covered peaks to the West

Gusts attempt to rip from frame
grabs the doors firm
a day of interstate warnings
high winds no large profile vehicles

20-007y
#highplainspoet #nebreskathoughtsandlife
Wyoming, wind, nature

Monday, January 6, 2020

Drifting


Drifting

Riding the wind
gracefully drifting
a lone bald eagle
soars above

Stiff wind rushes
down river canyon
yet still floats above
watching as we work

20-006z
#highplainspoet #westernnebraskathoughtsandlife
Near Guernsey Wyoming today for work.

Wednesday, January 1, 2020

Psalm of Praise

Psalm of Praise

My heart sings at new year's dawn
my heart opens in hope's expection at new decades dawn
my heart softens in remembering Father's loving kindness
my heart beats joy in today's opportunities

Oh my soul sings of Your love
oh my soul draws life from Your well
oh my soul is satisfied in You alone
oh my soul delights in my Lover

I will remember Your faithfulness
I will learn from Your correction
I will set my heart towards You
I will declare Your goodness

You are my redeemer
You alone are my restorer
You alone heal my broken heart and soul
You alone are my salvation and hope

You capture my tears
they are a treasure to You
They are seeds of hope
You plant reaping fruit of joy

In Your season and time
life flows from Your throne
filling me up again and again
You never tire of me

I am a joy and dellight to You
Your eyes sparkle at my name
You created me in love
You sustain me with mercy and grace

20-001z
#highplainspoet #westernnebraskathoughtsandlife
#joy #gratitude #hope #new_beginnings #worship