The Tree Is Rising High
The tree is rising high,
the eye is drawn
as sun is pouring down
in glory bright;
the morning is its gift.
The songful birds
are flirting with your ear
and upward soars
that gladness that we share,
as you are mine
and I am also yours,
beside the waves
that ripple through the lake.
Waiting for a Hurricane
The stillness is stormy.
The clouds are dark.
The birds are growing quiet
in the trees around the park.
A tickle sparks the atmosphere,
makes my hairs to rise,
as rumbles out of hearing
shimmer through the green-grey skies.
My breath is bated now.
I fell a mist of rain
as a worry like chill lightning
plays across expectant brain.
The wind tugs at my hair
then presses on my limbs
and the blackness shrouds the heaven dark
until the eye is dim.
Salve
If time can heal the wounds of sorrow's love,
what length of time must roll across the earth
like endless tape in angel-seamstress' hand
before my wounds are healed? What measured span
will bring the promised cure and save my soul?
No, time is not a healer; people lie
to comfort grieving sadness, so they say
that time will by itself make sorrow leave.
But nothing save new love for those who grieve
will draw the boat to holy haven's shore.
The loves that cover sadness like a salve
are many, some for children, some for God,
or art, or thought, or home, or lovers new,
but only love can heal a broken heart.
Cain and Abel
Cain was growing golden grain
and Abel herding sheep.
Abundant with the firstfruits
Cain did mighty harvest reap.
But envy is a noxious weed
and murder knows no class,
and Cain did kill his brother dead
and hid him in the grass.
The Lord had blessed the elder Cain
with more than tongue could tell;
he had the certainty of grain
and gardens growing well.
But envy starts from little seed
and grows and gnaws inside,
and Cain did kill his brother dead
and then to God he lied.
Cain brought God the best of all,
the finest in his store,
but Abel gave the fatted lamb
and God loved Abel's more.
And envy from a mote of dust
becomes a mountain tall,
and Cain did kill his brother dead
and thereby lost it all.
The elder brother angry grew;
his face did fall in wrath;
and God said, "This is nothing great;
beware to tread this path."
But envy is a rot that grows
and spreads like burning flame,
and Cain did kill his brother dead
and tried to shirk the blame.
Said God, "I may the fatted lamb
for reasons hid regard,
but it is well if you do well,
your precious soul to guard."
But envy from a little stream
a river great will grow
and Cain did kill his brother dead,
for envy brought him low.
And you yourself will no doubt think
an Abel, not a Cain,
but you the elder brother know
like whispers in the brain,
and envy from a little start
becomes an evil end,
as Cain did kill his brother dead,
his brother and his friend.
