So, what were you in for?
In for too much honesty?
In for getting well enough; or not forgetting well enough?
In for poetry and pottery and ***-err-y?
Or possibly
In for all you could handle, more than enough, and way too much.
Certainly not for kicking doors and bouncing bumpers.
I hope it was a healing exile. There on the inside.
So what are you in for now? There on the inside.
In for going where your help comes from?
In for standing on the solid?
In for leaning into the only One who ever was, and is, and always will be more than enough?
So, what are you out for?
Are you out for good?
Be out for Good.
There is only one Good.
Be out for Him.
He's certainly been out for you.

I stay up through the night
for the
quiet
to make plans
for the
productivity
that I sabotage by staying up through the night

You should write
It doesn't matter what or when
If it helps
It was never about a following
So who cares about perfection
The drugs ***** everyone up
Always have
Your heart still beats
That's a blessing
So listen
I marked the calendar at 365 days
Bought a gift
A little silver croc
It's yours but I wear it until you want it
Because it means something
I think of you and beg for greater grace
The better gift and better Giver
Yours when you're ready
You really should write
What I'm trying to say is
If it helps
I would like to see you write

Giant yellow paws tap-dance on the porch
Her fat tail wags so violent you stand clear of the back end
Hip-hop, hip-hop, and an occasional skip
Her whole body shouts "It's time! It's time! Hooray!"
You might think she had never been fed
Except that she is huge
Her half-crazy labrador grin is fixed
She nudges you toward the bowl
Thanks you with a wet nose on clean clothes
Happiness in the morning
Happiness in a 40lb bag

Turning
Turning
Turning
The calendar pages
The leaves on the trees
The clay in your hands
And maybe, just maybe
The corners of your mouth
And thoughts of the future
Turning
Turning
Turning
There is color at the edges
Life on the wheel
Hope staining the canvas
Joy on the horizon
I can see it.
Can you see it?

Love
Your neighbor
As yourself
And bear one another's burdens
Unless you are accused of twisted motives
Then vanish
Acquiesce
Be silent

But that's not what He said

So Love
Your neighbor
As yourself
And when you are accused
--and you will be accused--
Love all the more
--Accuser, too--
Cool-clear-glasses-of-water-to-an-enemy more
Hot-heaping-coal-mountains more
Because love still covers a multitude of sins