Thanksgiving 2015

A nip in the air,
And breath we can see
A few leaves remain on our favorite tree

And then with our kin
We thankfully gather
Then sit at the table, enjoying together

A meal we can share
This time ev'ry fall
And afterwards: coffee, and pie, and football

So Take it all in
The family, the friends
The sports, and the laughs, before it all ends

Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe

Judgement shall come from Him over us all
Eternal Lord and God so very just
So we now view Him with a noble awe
Until we face His throne (which we all must)
Some day we'll bow down at His royal seat
In Heaven, asking him what is His plan
Shall we, through mercy live a life so sweet
To which He will reply: "Your fellow man...
Had you been merciful, in turn, to him?
Even though humbly at my feet you lay,
King though I am, I choose not at my whim:
In life, you laid the plans I read today.
Now since in life you tended to my sheep
Good faithful servant, you'll no longer weep. "

Inevitable

Holding on with grip so tight
Not yet ready to take flight
Does not see or care or know
This greenish leaf, a now rare sight.

Not the time, yet, to let go.
Though most have fallen, now, below
Mingling, Rotting, on the ground
Retired from their color-show.

Yet, stubbornness this one has found
Despite the dormancy around
Still green for now, and yet like some,
It too surely will turn brown.

Yet to this change, it will be numb
And cling to where it sprouted from.
And put up a valiant fight.
Until that last moment's come.

Falling, In Love

Falling quickly to the ground,
Alone, with no one near.
Is it a leaf, I have found?
No, though many are here.

Maybe falling rays of light:
A sunset in the sky.
As the evening turns to night,
I see that too, and sigh

Yet still there is another fall:
Not leaves, nor a sunset.
Is it my own soul's helpless call?
I could speak ... no, not yet.

The three falls discussed above
As real as they may be.
Are not like your falls of love,
Climbing to Calvary.

Focus

I know not what is to come
I barely know what's been
Eyes remain on what's ahead
For, what's behind me?  Sin.

But I know the Lord has said
His treasure's up above
I will not find it, looking back.
From heaven comes his love.

There are many things I lack
Which I'd take, if I could.
But these are not what I'll need
To make this journey good

When I'm hungry, He will feed
With food that's surely blessed
I'll let go of where I'm from.
Then, only, he'll grant rest.

Beautiful sunsets frighten me

Pretty pinks sink fast,
Replaced above by Navy.
In the east, black waits.

On My Return From A Papal Mass

I made it home, with feet so sore
You may ask what I did this for
And I'll reply "You can not know
If you say you would not, too, go."

It mattered not what was the wait
Before I fin'lly crossed that gate
And stumbled down that last, long block
My tired legs almost in shock.

Communion, ("Only" spiritual)
Still made my soul feel ever-full
And then: a joyful sense of hope:
A final blessing from the pope.