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

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

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

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

Quarantined #5

Quarantined #5

Spirit calls out

to find Creator

only He satisfies

Poem 20-096z

#westernnebraskathoughtsandlife, #highplainspoet, quarantine

Quarantined #4

Quarantined #4

Depth of loneliness

permeates through

expressed in 8PM howling

Poem 20-096z

#westernnebraskathoughtsandlife, #highplainspoet, quarantine

Quarantined #3

Quarantined #3

Walls built

around who I am

no one comes or goes

Poem 20-096z

#westernnebraskathoughtsandlife, #highplainspoet, quarantine

Quarantined #2

Quarantined #2

Hide the soul

exposure painful

Vulnerable

Poem 20-096z

#westernnebraskathoughtsandlife, #highplainspoet, quarantine

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.

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

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

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