Things I Should Have Known

I never knew

The reason you were home

During Vietnam

While other boys your age

Were leaving the plains

Heading to the rivers

And jungles

To battle the unknown.

You were 4F,

Thanks to a childhood bout with pneumonia.

Seems I should have known

A detail like that.

Or,

How your parents met

Your first kiss

A favorite teacher

Your saddest moment –

Details that make you

The you I know

I think there are many

Little things

I have yet to hear

I have yet to share

That we both have meant to.

It can't all happen by phone

Even with the best of intentions

Nor should it.

These bits of history

Are best enjoyed

Not over the phone

But side by side

Over many a lazy afternoon

Rocking on the porch

As a breeze carries our words away.

Meanwhile,

We talk about the now

And barely fit that in.

I must remain not quite satisfied

Yearning for more

Until you can join me on the porch again.

Wonder

Angels and carols,
Wise men and shepherds,
A star, a manger,
The Babe.

When did I let go
Of the wonder of Christmas?
When did I lose sight
Of Your majesty?
How could I ever forget
How you came?

Every day,
Help me to see the angels
That are all around me.
Put a song in my heart
So beautiful
That I cannot help but sing.
Place in my life
Those who would teach me
And guide me.
Shine in my life
So that all may see Your light.
Give me humility to serve
All who are in need.

And the Babe
Who became my Savior . . .
May I always wonder at His love,
Be in awe of His majesty,
And remember that He came
For me.

Oasis (Psalm 122:1)

Long I have wandered
This desert
Wondering
How I even got here.
Alone. Lonely.
Searching for some sign of help
But eventually giving up,
Getting accustomed to the heat.

Off in the distance
I see it
(I feel it!):
Hope.
I make my way –
Stumbling in my hurry,
Face down in the sand –
To this sweet oasis.

The Master has been waiting
To welcome me.
“Come and be filled.”
Precious words of greeting.
I am grateful for this refuge
From harsh winds,
Hot sun, burning sand.

I fall on my face
Before the clear pool
And drink.
Living water
So sweet on my tongue
So cool going down
Plenty, enough.
I am filled.

I sit up, lean back
And rest.
The Master
Removes my shoes
To wash my hot, dusty feet.
I am refreshed and restored.

This oasis is always here.
I just had to leave it
To miss it
To truly appreciate it.
I had to wander the desert
And become thirsty enough
To remember how it feels
To drink deeply.

The Climb

Standing at the peak

Breathing the thin air

Feeling the breeze on your skin

You pant (weary)

But smile at the victory

That comes from a long climb.

You look back

Down

To the long trail of your journey.

You remember

Every step, every rock

That got you here.

Some rocks

Small enough to hold

But too weak to hold you

That gave way

Just as you dared to trust them.

Others

Too large to grasp

With weary, blistered hands

But perfect

For boots to land on

When smaller rocks failed.

Every rock

Only a temporary helper

Or resting point

Because you must move on

Through the pain

In spite of the fatigue

Ignoring hunger, thirst

Desiring so much to reach the top.

Enjoy the view.

All your pain is lost

In your victory.

You won’t miss any of the rocks,

But can be grateful for every one of them.