In God's garden
where we grow
side by side
row by row,
He waters our
souls with love,
sprinkles from
up above
provide relief
for flowering hearts
where blooms of peace
and joy start
in God's garden
where we grow
side by side
row by row.

To see, to touch, to feel
to hear
can heighten or
relieve our fear,
but fear is faith
turned
upside down
and God remains
the common ground.

Air is pure
and water sweet
joy is sure
and love is deep.

Days are made
as hours speak
of years that fade
and turn antique.

With age and time
our vigor gone
so we must find
the moments long
of joy and love
eternal youth
from God above
the simple truth.

A hug is
a jump start
for every heart
to reach out
and feel
a love
that is real.
A hug is a need
or maybe a seed
to water and ****.
A hug is relief
in the midst of
our belief.
A hug is
an innocent
manifestation
of love's
tender intention.

Today I criticized someone
about something
they had said or done,
and their character
that seemed to be
of content that
did not agree
with right and good
that I could see,
but then I turned around
to find
that those same traits
resembled mine,
yours truly
that's right
me.

In memory
of what once was
silently stands
the sarcophagus,
a stone symbol,
a noble tribute
to life's end,
a final salute
bold and mute.
Yet as it stands
the spirit lives
and thus commands
respect for both
the life that was
and the stoic
sarcophagus.

Set my sights
silent prayers
peace through Christ
crucified
heaven above
lived and died
love begets love
hope unfolds
for all time
story told.

My soaring heart
stays not on earth,
heaven bound
in death and birth,
grace, mercy,
and glory be
lift my heart
outside of me
above emotions
of the day
to the place
where hearts
should stay.

Vespers whisper
perfect peace
silent alms
never cease,
soft candle flames
offer death
the light of mercy
with God's breath.
The cathedral beckons
us all by name
to enter humbly
without shame
through open doors
that reach inside
for all the tears
we never cried.

The silence of
noisy words
flies through my head
like wingless birds
with no flight plan
they come to land
upon my page
no longer caged.
Alone they stand.

The weight of death
spoke to me
and everything
I want to be
and everything
I want to see
will someday
just be history.
But I never seem
to care enough
to shed myself
of earthly stuff,
and though this truth
is ages old,
unlike the body
does not grow cold.
Therein lies the
eternal key
the balance of
God's gravity.

Life is ours to create,
to complain or celebrate,
reject the silence and the wait,
make things happen
in spite of fate.

A need
a squeeze
a spark
a cell
a pulse
a cluster
a shape
a soul
a mind
a smile
a need.

Humidity
smothered me
between the sun
and clouds,
while  impending
storms
hovered,
making the silence
loud.

The ladder that
I had in mind
did not look too
hard to climb.
and as I ventured
upward bound
seeking what's on
higher ground,
leaving everything
below,
all that I had come to know,
I heard the voice
of God proclaim
that love will
always stay
the same,
and heaven is
a place that's higher
where peace has
lit eternal fire,
but love is love
and can be found
anywhere
and is not bound
by space or time
or life or death,
and must be shared
as life's sweet breath,
so as the heavens
serenade
I saw that if
on earth I stayed
the love in every heart
I find
is closer than
a ladder climb.

If God in all
His majesty
has a divine
plan for me,
is it veiled
or is it bold
to be kept
or to be told,
rather I would
surely find
this consequence
of love divine,
knowing it has
been decreed
God's love will not
abandon me.

I lost my tears
the other day
and emotions were all
swept away.
The mysteries I had
always heard
and contemplated
every word,
were miracles
turned inside out
erasing all my fear
and doubt
and proving that
the ways we're blessed
are never ending
measureless.

Splendor
shine
sparkle divine,
Dawn's
first light
rosy
bright,
single star
twinkling
blink,
imagine
lightning
in a
wink,
thunder
power
echoes
a storm,
sun's rays
expand
nurturing warm,
eternal energy
high voltage sent,
God's source
redemption
simply
radiant.

Prayers for our spirits
prayers for our souls
speak volumes about
the faith that we chose.

Prayers for the living
prayers for the dead
exist and breathe
in the words being said.

Prayers of thanksgiving
prayers of praise
enrich our lives
through God's
sacred ways.

Prayers of penance
prayers of remorse
give God a chance
to alter our course.

Prayers for no reason
prayers any time
are hard to say
and harder to find.

Between life and death
and all the rest
emotions fly
and we don't know why.
But onward  through
our journey true
the highs and lows
the news and olds
what things seem
and what we mean
one thing is sure
for us born pure
one simple birth
upon this earth
will always be
for you and me
one and all
to catch our fall
when our hope strays
a God that stays
is always seen
everywhere
and in between.

The grace that lives
proves to us
why Christ died
upon the cross.

The grace that lives
does not deceive,
it only asks
that we believe.

The grace that lives
is not our foe,
other than love
it does not know.

The grace that lives
will transform you
to live your love
in all you do.

The grace that lives
will set you free
and take you where
God will be.

A soothing hymn
that enters in
and comforts patiently.
A heavenly tune,
God's melody
that serves to swoon
through harmony
between
sun and moon
called
eternity.

Mary queen of heaven be
a calm for every storm we face,

Mary queen of heaven be
a constant reminder of God's grace.

Mary queen of heaven be
a soothing peace for all our fears,

Mary queen of heaven be
a source of joy through the years.

Mary queen of heaven be
our strength against demonic foes,

Mary queen of heaven be
emotional salve for all our woes.

Mary queen of heaven be
the love that guides us day by day,

Mary queen of heaven be
the voice that shows us how to pray.

Mary queen of heaven be
in oppression our quick relief,

Mary queen of heaven be
the shining beacon of our belief.

Mary queen of heaven be
the kindness we must pass along,

Mary queen of heaven be
the heartstrings  playing our soul's sweet song.

Mary queen of heaven be
present in our daily prayers,

Mary queen of heaven be
advice and counsel for our cares.

Mary queen of heaven be
our cooling breeze and gentle rain,

Mary queen of heaven be
the spotless place for all our stains.

Mary queen of heaven be
the joy whenever we rejoice,

Mary queen of heaven be
our ears to hear your sacred voice.

Mary queen of heaven be
in the sky our rising star,

Mary queen of heaven be
a constant presence never far.

Mary queen of heaven be
here beside us everyday,

Mary queen of heaven be
our sunshine when the skies are gray.

Mary queen of heaven be
our protector, fortress, shield, and shade,

Mary queen of heaven be
love's foundation forever laid.

Mary queen of heaven be
the brilliant colors nature brings,

Mary queen of heaven be
the beauty of a butterfly's wings.

Mary queen of heaven be
the subtle whisper of dawn's first light,

Mary queen of heaven be
the velvet silence of the night.

Mary queen of heaven be
the reason that we celebrate,

Mary queen of heaven be
our perfect patience as we wait.

Mary queen of heaven be
our comfort now and reward to come,

Mary queen of heaven be
our duly noted job well done.

Mary queen of heaven be
our map to everlasting grace,

Mary queen of heaven be
our swift feet to finish the race.

Mary queen of heaven be
the goodness we can clearly see,

Mary queen of heaven be
our guide into eternity.

Flowers do me good
I say
on any given
single day.
Different colors and
different kinds
make up nature's
precious find,
and I'm not sure
but I have a hunch
they're even better
by the bunch.

I like to write
but I don't know
if my writing
has a flow.
I always care to
contemplate
every single
word I state.
But then again
I've always heard
do not obsess
on every word.

Because of life
we cannot see
all of heaven's
majesty;
for all remaining
on the earth
are limited by
the grave's fresh dirt,
and all that we
can grasp and feel
are wounds from grief
that never heal,
they just become
numb with time
and written about
in verse and rhyme.
But this should
not be all we see,
death, that is,
and what's not to be.

Red is a poppy
red is fire
red is love
red is desire
red is the simmer
red is the sun
red is the spark
from a smoking gun
red is the warmth
that fills up
our heart
red is the passion
that tears us apart
red is impatient
red is a sin
red is excitement
whenever we win
red is a pinch
red is a poke
red is convinced
pink is a joke
red is the boil
red is the heat
red is the sizzle
that stops on the street
red is a kiss
red is a hug
red is the good luck
in a lady bug
red is the pulse
red is a blush
red is invigorating
red is a rush
red is God's spirit
living in us
red is the blood
He bled on the cross.

If we keep heaven
in our gaze,  
we will find
that most days
will be less of petty
and more of praise.

If we keep heaven
in our being
then that will be
what others are seeing.

If we keep heaven
in our emotion,
then we will
find love
deep as the ocean.

If we keep heaven
in our anticipation,
then we will not
be disappointed by
the God of all creation.

An architect of words
that permeate our lives
and we build their graceful arches
in the courtyards of our minds.

We knew not
what we did,
a convenient truth
that kept us hid.

But hide no more,
for when we die
we must look Him
in the eye.

Do you carry the truth
or is it a curse?
Are they one and the same and which one is worse?
Do you carry a privilege
or a shame,
and is it apparent
in your name?
Do you carry a promise or a pain?
Joy or suffering,
a loss or a gain?
Do you carry
a burden,
a problem, a task?
Do you hide it behind uncertainty's mask?
Do you carry the worry
that gives the devil a grin,
knowing that's where
you've already been.
Do you carry a hope
for every tomorrow,
aide for the needy
relief for their sorrow?
What do you carry,
or should I ask who,
and would you object
if they carried you?
Whatever you carry
or how it's perceived,
Christ carried his cross
for you and me.

The crown,
they said
would hurt
His head,
but he didn't
cry
and it hurt
inside.
Maybe we
should remember
that
they taunted, mocked
and on Him
spat.
The times we
want to cry
and feel as if
we might die,
know
He's been there
and we can share
new hope found
within
the crown.

Hold fast to
a pillar
as strength ensues
and suffering
will succomb
and lose.

If agony's
alive and well
then surely there
must be a hell.
And hell does
not stand
quietly by
with respect
for you and I.
While agony
is not the rule,
it will always
be the devil's tool.
Strength from sorrow
and peace from pain
are seen by some
as mundane,
but life that vows
to live again
will not allow
defeat to win,
and in the end
agony will
say amen.

Remembering one
solitary being
is what society
is not seeing.

Drink this wine
and eat this bread
does not stand for
what is dead.

The purpose to be
is what you and me
should honor and treasure
through memory.

But maybe
only the dying
can see
with vision
that looks
eternally.

Birds flying in the sky,
transfigured from the nests
they lie.
A flower blushing nature's hues
transfigured from it's seedy shoes.
On the cusp of being caught
cells transfigure into thought.
Laughter breaks monotony' s pause,
transfigured from a joyous cause.
Dawn's soft welcome morning light,
transfigures the mystery of night.
Days from hours disappear
as time transfigures into years.
Mercy sent from God above
is grace transfigured from His love.

Where is your faith
in this world gone awry?
It got lost
in translation
between you and I.
Words we hear and words we say
set their sights on
mindful play,
and everything that
we are taught
merges with our
worldly thought.
That is why
the Savior said
heed my words upon your hearts,
for that is where my kingdom starts.

Take the good
on your way
in what you do
and what you say.

Take the good
along life's road
it will lighten
any load.

Take the good
and pass it on
it takes the weak
and makes
them strong.

Take the good
take joy and hope
the tools from God
to help us cope.

Take the good
God said to me
for in the good
is where I will be.

A marriage,
a miracle,
a story
to tell
of Christ
transforming
water from
the well.

His first miracle,
her gentle request,
wine was needed
for all of the guests.

He is still trasforming
in different ways,
and
miracles happen
everyday.

I cannot write
without a rhyme,
possibly
in due time,
but currently
the words are mine
and I'm inclined
to make them rhyme
line by line
because I find
peace of mind
every time
my words rhyme.

A promise made
as water flows
a ritual rinsing
of our souls.

As life begins
a gentle cleanse
for past, present
and future sins.

Lamb of God
our constant stream,
may we reflect
your spotless sheen.

The longing
inside
when you're
not here
weighs me down
like a cloak
I wear.

Your love
for me,
your gentle will
I have now
found, therefore
I feel
the reality
revealed to me
that when I
was astray
and lost
your compass
led me
to the cross.

Sacrifice
and prophecy,
a journey to
the temple.
Something extraordinary
began with tradition.
Offering to God
their infant son,
confirmed spiritually
by Simeon.
The maternal yearnings
that never part
foretell  a sorrow
near Mary's heart.

A bale of hay,
a majestic
cry,
a brilliant star
in the
velvet sky.
A stable wait,
as shepherds kneel
and angels still
celebrate
as heaven sings
for
the King of Kings.
A humble birth,
God on earth.

Joy shared
is happiness
justified
and hope shared
is magnified.
Blessed was Elizabeth
when she heard
Mary's twice blessed
miraculous words.

He came to her
with a prayer,
for all time
revealing who
she would bear.
Glory
and majesty
she humbly wears.
Queen of Heaven,
a mother
who perpetually cares.

A journey,
a path,
a mission,
a task.
A life devoted,
a message received,
a calling,
a gift
for those who believe.
A hope,
a perpetual peace,
a wellspring ever ready
for our soul's relief.

To live
as thou
hast died
for me,
redeemed by Christ,
a sacrifice
that paid the price
for all that be.

Christ's resurrection
inspires reflection
and offers
direction
and
motivation
for every
generation.

The passion,
the pain,
the promise,
the prayer
continuously
creates
Christ's
loving care.