Look for the light
in every soul
that walks
upon this earth
extend your hand
in friendship
and show compassion
for the poor
stand tall
for what you
believe in
and don't let
people dictate
how your story
is going to end
reach for the heavens
and be glad
for every breath
rejoice in knowing
that nature
will continue
long after
you are gone
teach the young
how to cleanse
the mighty earth
and heal each other
with undying love
express yourself
in a kind manner
and help the man
that falls to his
own personal demons
we are but fragile
dysfunctional beings
that need the human touch
the one that heals
the sick and injured
be righteous
and courageous
and most of all
forgive yourself
for all shortcomings
and be grateful
for all that you have

Lord
Please
Grant
Me
One
More
Day
To
Love
Life

Thank you Father for your Son
Who started more than we could have begun,
Who finished more than we could have done.
Thank you Father for your Son.

Thank you Father for your Son
Who's by your side to intercede,
so that when we pray we'll be heard indeed.
Thank you Father for your Son.

Thank you Father for your Son
Who died up upon that tree,
so that you could forgive a wretch like me.
Thank you Father for your Son.  

Thank you Father for your Son
Who was by a ****** woman born,
so that we could sing new songs some morn.
Thank you Father for your Son.  

Thank you Father for your Son
Who is God--one and three,
Who walks atop the storm-churned sea.
Thank you Father for your Son.

Thank you Father for your Son
Who's mercy and grace reaches all,
that we may be redeemed from our fall.
Thank you Father for your Son.

Thank you Father for your Son
Who started more than we could have begun,
Who finished more than we could have done.
Thank you Father for your Son.

sadness washes over me
like sweat on a hot summer's day in the South

air is thick with grief and yet my heart sings

my heart sings songs of love as I hold my daughter
and as I reach out my hand to help the new guy

Life is full even as I walk through grief and for that I am truly grateful.

my heart longs for cool nights back home in the mountains, where the fire flies dance and bull frogs sing

[prose poem]

          I never noticed how mine these hands are. There, glossy, rinsed clean. Do I want to move my fingers? They will. All of them, they will.
Underneath the water's gloss I see the lines; some ragged and some fine, some smaller and some smaller than the small.
          Though I am no author of what I own, I can see how precious is His gift– and it's been here all this time.
I don't need too look too far. Even for clothes or something to dine. Though I am content with those, I've had, here,
          these hands of mine.

Grab my hands.
Dance with me.
Pulled in close.
Stay here with me.
Yes you don't even know.
How much you really mean.
You are one of the reasons I breath.
Your every word draws me in.
Every move makes me weak.
Weaker to you.
Falling hard.
For once I actually want to fall.
Fall into you.
Feel your heart beat.
Your lips on mine.
Every kiss frightening and beautiful.
Wanting to grow old.
Only with you love.
Late at night.
Texting you til daylight.
Staying up as long as I can.
Dreaming of you.
Seeing you.
Morning lunch whenever we can.
Life's to short.
You say to live in the moment.
Never try to rush.
I'm always somewhere out of my mind.
Living strewn about over time.

oh, the air is sweet
the sun is hot,and the waves come crashing in
on my sand castle

and the sky is blue,
and the gulls cry out
their grateful song

for a perfect day
for a time for building
castles in the sand

for a moment in time
for a memory

cj 2016