the lake: poem & song

the waves crest white with foam
not ice
the thaw has settled in

my fingertips test the lake's shallowest place
recoil
though thawed still frigid

breathe in deeply, the wind races by
skyline
cuts across bike path and sand

first time by the water, sun's warmth
her face
she smiles and laughs, eyes full with wonder

we will return, not this week but maybe next
summer
is coming and the waiting won't be long

one last look as we return to the car, not goodbye
good day
we'll see you again soon

____________________

Poem & song inspired by our daughter's first trip to the Lakeshore.

spring

my shoulders relax as the sun defrosts my body,

the stress, the cold that made me ache melts away.

my mood lifts as the temperature rises

and I feel that I'm alive again, I'm being renewed.

the sky is bluer, the air is warmer.

I can hear the birds once again, the breeze is fragrant.

the wind doesn't cut through to my bone, down to the marrow.

I welcome the rush round my face and through my hair.

the clouds are golden as the sun sets after dinner.

I don't mourn its departure, for I know tomorrow,

tomorrow it will rise before I do and wake me with its brightness,

and the day will be new, fresh, and light.

once again death is held at bay, the cold is banished.

for a time we will revel in the sun and heat

and remember that no cold will ever stay forever

and death will never win.

the moon

psalm

You created the world.

You know the heights of every mountain, You molded them with Your hands.

You know the deepest corners of the rainforest, You fashioned the curve of each leaf and vine.

The uttermost edge of the arctic is not a stranger to You.

You know the depths of the ocean that man has never seen.

Your creation is glorious, You are the Lord almighty.

I'm in awe of the work of Your hands.

christmas eve

starry sky swirls and glimmers overhead
we slip quickly to the van
humming underneath the evening heavens
stamp our feet and watch our breath freeze

pull into the parking lot crunching last week's snow
we fall, we jump out each door
running, sliding to our well-lit church
shake the cold and thaw by candles

our family squeezes into the upper pew
we share the hymnals
singing ancient advent carols
"Christ is born," all my sisters sing

the message raised, the faithful smile
my sister sleeps upon my lap
the altos cry, sopranos soar
"and He shall reign forever and ever"

autumn song

Last night Tim and I wrote a new song. Last night we recorded it. Today, I'm sharing the lyrics with you and a link so you can hear it for yourself.

autumn

cast off shorts, naked feet

cover skin, arms and legs

the wool, the tweed, the sweaters

button up, in the middle meet

in shades that match the darkening sky

earthy hues as faces pale

the leaves, the ground, the trees

we live while summer dies

the wind has left us breathless

hair unswept and scattered

chilled but not yet frozen

we love you nonetheless

your colors fall for one last dance

one cool blast, your time has past

the frost, the wind, the cold

so it ends, this short romance

the wind has left us breathless

hair unswept and scattered

chilled but not yet frozen

we love you nontheless

Hear it here at our myspace.