Late afternoon, seaside
Trying to bottle time
Collecting these moments
Like shells and sunshine

Sun kisses shoulders,
Water, and sand
And nothing's arranged by
The hands of man

The surf presents shells
Some broken and crushed
Sometimes whole treasures are
Taken back in a rush

I try to hold onto the moments
As close as one can
Though I fumble as time slips
Like sand through my hands

Your eyes, child, are so filled
With wonder and awe,
You're my greatest adventures,
The best gifts of all

Time and tides change
And unfold in no rush
While pelicans fly
Across sunset's blush
Always fleeting

Life is finite and fragile

From the first resounding heartbeat
Till the last,
A miracle

Each thread spun together with another in tactile grace
Tangled lace
In bonds we either cherish or shake loose
Though it's not always either/or

Backpack with bread buns
Jar, net, and a mission
Gonna see some turtles,
Catch some tadpoles,
Frogs, and minnows
Little brother follows behind
Watching all you do closely
'Cuz a man of seven
Knows about everything mostly!

Silver and gold splash across the morning sky
Lit up with virtuous vivre
Like white lace
Under dappled light
Like jewelry adorning
From heavenly heights
As if to say life itself
This day
Is blessed
A gift, if you'll notice,
Of inspiration and rest
Every cloud has it's silver lining I'm told
And forgiveness and faith
Seem to also bring gold
Starless midnights never last
The morning sky speaks that
This, too, shall pass.

Invisible strings
Connect the distance
Between us.
You're my heartbeat.

Turtles, crape myrtles
Tadpoles, baby frogs
Running feet, summer heat
Cicadas, crossing logs
Glancing back smiling
Forging on to explore
Oh, how i love
Little you, age four

If I could paint for you
A picture
If I could
Write it in a song
If I could
Fill you
Up with laughter
If I could
Be there when
Days are long
I would
Reveal the
Full spectrum
I would
Write you
A thousand songs
I would
Do anything to
Make you smile
And the entire ride
I'd stay along
And never tire
Of showing
What you mean to me

Morning rises over scattered clouds
God's masterpiece for our eyes
Arriving seen or unseen
Regardless of where we arise

Majestic but light as the winds
Playing out softly
Balancing amends
To an intense and immense
Deep sigh of dark space
That had its turn, has its place

After a time of wondering if you'll ever see new hope
Light dances forth with grace to share
After every dark night
The world spins on
A sunrise comes, an answered prayer

I close my eyes
My heart swells
My chest feels tight
Breath in
Then I exhale
All the weight of a wish
And watch dandelion seeds
Rise
Like scattered dreams
And times gone by
Blowing in the wind
When will I see you again
Potential rests
In every grain
And prayers
Cover them in all love
And I'm hoping to
Walk along side them someday

Spring
Passing
Like a swarm of bees
A meloncholy change
Momentary sneeze
You wonder what's the buzz
The fuss
Where's the charm
That used to hold you captive
And had you so disarmed

Spring
Well, for a moment anyways
Daffodils, azaleas bloomed
Against the blues and grays
Of an overcast sky
A cold snap,
Then a freeze
That paralyzed the beauty
Beneath the bright green trees
And weeks passed by
And petals fell away
And color faded out
To just another day

But fortunately the dogwoods
Show up just then
You think the show's over
Then they come sweeping in


VSM '17