“When our worn-out bones dissolve
In life’s murky—accidental waters…”

“She is my home of affection
and serene refuge.”

“She’s a survivor
cancer’s grim grip—failed to quash…”

“She is my beautiful tree
Home of emerald leaves…”

“Beginning in my timid youth
I crafted meticulous maps
with squiggly lines and words…”

“An ember glows brightest—
when it's almost gone…”

“I am troubled by stories that institutions of science and learning are becoming an enemy of our country’s political greatness.”

“I wish I could become a soft prayer
for my long-impending posterity…”

“weak tongues often sew disorder
effortlessly inflicting suffering…”

“My paths are branched, the more I walk
the more they multiply, like weeds…”

“while appearing to subsist in normality
encircled by lights of love and security—
not every shape of life we encounter
floats on calm mirrors of untainted waters…”

“And Jesus said: Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God…”

“If we were all made the same—
would we still find happiness?”

“time slowly erodes my rocky pathways

of life—hobbling me in narrow meanders

and endless excruciating switchbacks…”

“…I hold all truth to be self-evident

All people are created equal

They are endowed by their Creator…”

“Be the clear voice and purest grace
of an effervescent—babbling brook…”

“our furry childred
fetch purpose with loyalty…”

“…I stuff the monsters from news
beneath our tall bed…”

“I secretly spy behind the edge of an echo
observing little children jump and laugh
climbing upon sparks of excitement
discovering endless colors in new friends…”

“from above—a moderate distance—
earth’s spirit is shrouded in azure grace
her soul is patched with emerald quilts…”