Family Time

We put the music away,
invited silence,
shifted our gaze.
i saw him, and him, and her, and her,
and you.
and you saw
me
and him, and him, and her, and her.
together.
individually.
we thought about
what
who
how
you are.
a ragtag band of miscreants and
a Holy God.

some stains

some stains refuse to be washed out:

mustard, wine, grease.

blood.

there are those that will swear to a remedy.

i have yet to see one

fully work,

fully clean.

out damned spot!

you proclaim my guilt as i,

head low, voice lower,

ask God

to attend on mortal thoughts.

i smell flowers.

i smell grace.

and i see on that ground

somewhat ascending

the wooden instrument

that laughed its way through a dirge

is that God’s blood i see?

oh scandalous joy.

for some stains refuse to be washed out.

The Reason

I saw those things you did,
      what you said
                      thought
                      felt
before they came to pass.
From up there on that mountain I looked down,
     saw the wind blow,
     saw the waves swell,
     saw your boat.
You were there, white-knuckled and scared and soaked.
I was there too - only damp shoes.
     I came to you - not to fuss
     about your poor sailing skills -

just for you.