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

Fathers

Fathers

As I wait he sleeps

years expressed

with each breath

this is all the time we have

Moment he sees me

his son he brightens

reassured by presence

to drift away again all to soon

Glimpses remain as shadows

lengthen hours into days

once lumbering with life

now fragile

Poem 19-313y

#highplainspoet

about my dad in the waning season of life

Softness

Softness

In gray moment before wake soft memories cuddle

peace washes with desire in morning dews renewal

infused with warm hope of rest in her loving arms

floating upon buoyant grace drifting freely in joy's depth

humbled by your mercy's tenderness like a father's embrace

overcome with your kindness safe as a child resting upon mother's breast

to know and be known secure in who we are as lover and beloved

19-106z
#highplainspoet
#westernnebraskathoughtsandlife
https://www.westernnebraskathoughtsandlife.com

Squalls

Squall

         -i-

Upon the eastern sky

   of a Nebraska 'eve

Patchwork of rain squalls

   rainbow's arch creases upon pale blue

        -ii-

Upon the eastern sky

   wash away the pain

Broken hearts cry

   heavy is the stain

        -iii-

Upon the eastern sky

   droplets pock the ground

Tears mix in bloodshot eyes

   heart sporadically pounds

        -iv-

Upon the eastern sky

   all the memories fly

Purging out the sepsis of trauma

   cleansing that integrates my soul

19-083A

#highplainspoet

https://www.westernnebraskathoughtsandlife.com

Tattered

Tattered

Frayed strands

blow in the wind

Tattered edges

unraveled tapestry

Flag flown

crusades fought

Some won

some lost

Carry banner

battle scars

Define who are

visible afar

18-226A

Gray Matter

Gray Matter (18-034Z)

evening settles

day titrated

few concentrated drops

register in memory

word spoken

interpret tone

pain drip

from pursed lips

impact splatters

upon gray matter

neither known

bitterness sown

stay internally solid

break the routine

make a bid

stay vulnerable

be seen

About the Author:  Brian Bucks lives on a small horse ranch in Western Nebraska and is a husband, father, electrical engineer, and poet. (18-034Z)

Solitude

Solitude (16-149Z)

Gray blustery day,

Bound to house.

Confined by body,

Mind fully alive.

About the Author:  Brian Bucks lives on a small horse ranch in Western Nebraska and is a husband, father, electrical engineer, and poet. (16-149Z)

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)

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)

Mother's Day

       Mother's Day

              -i-

With each passing year

Gift of your love

In the eyes of our children

Expressions of your love

              -ii-

Unknowns with first born

As mature and grow

Releasing them daily

Expressions of your love

             -iii-

Role as mother nimble

New with each season

Ambivalence - joy and sorrow

Expressions of your love

              -iv-

A part of you willingly given

Learning as you go

Healing to the soul

Expressions of your love

              -v-

Transitions from totally dependent

To the day leave home independent

Spreading their wings with our blessing

Expressions of your love

              -vi-

Tender and vulnerable

Cords of love bind

Over miles and time

Expressions of your love

Dedicated to Colleen.

About the Author:  Brian Bucks lives on a small horse ranch in Western Nebraska and is a husband, father, electrical engineer, and poet. (17-134A)

Give It Away

          Give It Away

Fractured places

Broken people

Broken relationships

Broken hope

Carrying brokenness forward

Cycles of sowing the wind

Reaping the whirlwind

Generations repeat to the next

Interpreting cycles and participation

Exchanging and giving love into broken places

Aligning with Truth of situation

Walking into the pain with salve of Father's love

Expressing Father's grace and mercy

His healing in the midst of cycles

His love while staying internally solid

Grace binds up fractured people

Love offers hope to thirsty soul

Mercy given instead of judgment

From Father's goodness received

Freely give it away

About the Author:  Brian Bucks lives on a small horse ranch in Western Nebraska and is a husband, father, electrical engineer, and poet. (17-076A)

Fractured

              Fractured

Tectonic plate of relationships collide

Separated by shaky divide

Wound try to hide

So stick to own side

Fault lines navigate

Not seen or known

Fractured trust hesitates

Interpretation of reality shown

Projecting meaning on another

Truth remains undiscovered

What's lost needs recovered

Reconciled place with lover

About the Author:  Brian Bucks lives on a small horse ranch in Western Nebraska and is a husband, father, electrical engineer, and poet. (16-357A)