Dark Night

I wake in a roar
sustained drumming
a million worries
on tin pans

summer rainstorm
sans wind and wave
only deluge
deep calls to deep

in an hour long concert
then finish with
a lightning chaser
thunderous applause

God alone gathers
my tears in a bottle
uncorked tonight
to wash the earth

and now the blackbird sings



Picture: Fish Creek Park, Calgary AB, personal collection

Good Things

Evening bike ride
in the twilight by the river
Blackbird singing
from the edge of the wood
Moon smiles back
and we thank the Giver
For every perfect gift
and all that is good.



Picture: Fish Creek Park, Bow River, Calgary, personal collection

And A Little Child Will Lead Them

I see her in a plain red dress

not quite like little orphan Annie

because her hair is straight brown

but she takes the man’s hand

who seems to be her dad

sitting at a round table in a brown suit

from Father Knows Best

but the feeling is like home

He’s reading the newspaper

like they do in the fifties

but as soon as she grabs hold

he turns, stands and follows

where she wants him to come see

and I think that’s how it goes

when I wanna show God something

and he ooohs and ahhhs

over the tiny flower I found

or pets that puppy next door 

or we laugh together

while he fixes whatever’s

broken just like that 

he comes when I reach

or sometimes when I don’t

and I remember I’m not an orphan




Photo credit: Depositphotos.com #91173348, Standard License