I showed the pictures Cass drew to represent me to my youngest son, age 14. His response? “Ummmm, yeah. A little less Tinkerbelle and a lot more G.I. Joe…”
Day:July 10, 2009
My Favorite Weather
God,
Thank you for the rain
thank you for washing the dust off my jaded eyes
thank you for the lightning that reminds me of your power
thank you for the thunder that reminds me of your strength
thank you for the wind that reminds me of your presence
thank you for the storm that keeps me humble
thank you for the puddles that bring me joy
thank you for the drops that kiss my cheeks with your loving forgiveness as they wash my soul clean.
My Grandfather’s Tools
In my shop I found a square
I think my parents left it there
it was rusty and unused
“I need this at work.” I mused
It was among some others there
planes for wood, a larger square
They had belonged to my mother’s dad
just a few of the many he’d had
It went to work with me that night
to set a blade, make sure its right
and even though it wasn’t new
that little square was perfect true
My Grampa was a quiet man
He worked a lot with his hands
and to me it just seemed right
To re-employ that square last night
Tools were made better in his day
And too expensive to just throw away
They don’t make things like that anymore
use new things once, then out the door
I think my Grampa would be proud
to know something of his was still around
to know that they are treasured things
true as ever, just like him.
Face to Face
Memory, a precious token
against a shield of pride, unbroken.
On this heart, my mind and soul
wage war between desire, and self control.
Do you know how much I want desire to win?
But can’t let go of self control enough to give in?
Even raw pictures,
with which desire fights,
self control wins-
because of pride.
On and on these two they spar,
and you,
calmly standing beside my car
unaware of the battlefield
or how close conquest comes to yield,
Every time I see you
FACE TO FACE
Returning the Favor
An online friend of mine who goes by the nickname CassiusOS drew a cartoon of me. He looked at my picture and then applied his impression of my personality. The pics are here:
So in return, I wrote for him using his method of personality application:
I wish I could draw for you
days of perfect time so true
Each scape of wonders to hold dear
my pen and paper would make clear
what my mind’s eye has in view
for my lovely, I’m drawn to you.