Old bones

i

image: incredipedia.info


Old bones

Stripped away of artifice

old bones

like old lovers

lie

down


ldn

Stones

Stepping on stones,

chipped rocks

from the cross

you bear

hurt my feet,

every whip from your bastinado

carve deep into my soles,

your  battle scars

but my soul is whole

I am at peace

I will not fight your wars

I will not fold!

I can take it

My spirit - you will  never  break it

So please, have your way
and try as you may...

I will not recant!

I will Chant ~

I will pray ~

Ya Baha’u’l-Abha!

Ya Baha’u’l-Abha!

until my dying day

Ya Baha’u’l-Abha

 

ldn

Broken Teeth

Walking out of the market today

I was approached

by a black boy with broken teeth.

“Excuse me, Ma’am,” he said sheepishly,

“Do you have eighty cents?”

“Why do you need it?” I asked.

“For food…for a sandwich, I'm hungry and need to eat.”

I noticed he was well dressed, wearing a leather jacket,
and new shoes on his feet.

Of course I gave him a dollar, and didn’t ask for change

Who would?

I knew he was lying,

there standing in the rain, drenched in pain.

but deeper down beneath, in the boy well clothed,  I saw a soul 

dressed up with broken teeth 

ldn

truth

So they say ~ the truth will set you free
If this is so,
I should be flying to the apex
of eternity
but I am human
stuck here
stuck in the middle of me

Broken Winged Bird

image: stormiweatherr.zanga.com


Broken Winged Bird

There is a gaping hole, bleeding through

my new white dress

staining it forever, blue

I shared my deepest secret,

with no assurance, you

would keep it

I lie now on blank bed

on paper torn

I have worn you thin to shreds,

I know

So, I will go again within

I will go away today

I will go ~ ~ ~ flying crooked,

broken hearted

one wing bent / on crushed soul

 

ldn


Psalm 34 "The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit."

from the Baha'i Sacred writings:
O God! O God! This is a broken-winged bird and his flight is very slow—assist him so that he may fly toward the apex of prosperity and salvation, wing his way with the utmost joy and happiness throughout the illimitable space, raise his melody in Thy Supreme Name in all the regions, exhilarate the ears with this call, and brighten the eyes by beholding the signs of guidance.
O Lord! I am single, alone and lowly. For me there is no support save Thee, no helper except Thee and no sustainer beside Thee. Confirm me in Thy service, assist me with the cohorts of Thy angels, make me victorious in the promotion of Thy Word and suffer me to speak out Thy wisdom amongst Thy creatures. Verily, Thou art the helper of the weak and the defender of the little ones, and verily Thou art the Powerful, the Mighty and the Unconstrained.
 ~ Abdu’l-Bahá

Birds and morning moon set

image: etsy.com

Birds and morning moon set

on my shoulder

The ancient tree seems older now

and how I want to hold her

close to me

But her heart is fickle,

so I let it be

She wears her crescent like a sickle

on her side

And with a glance in her midnight dance

if given half a chance

She will tear your soul apart,

will leave you dying cold,

I’ve been told ~

somewhere on her painted sky,

to moan

where birds and morning moon set

alone

 

ldn

Hiding

image: bethtrissel.wordpress.com

 

 

Hiding

 

When I was six I hid under the covers

because I was afraid of the Japanese.

When I was twelve I hid under my school desk,

fearing the Russians.

Now I’m sixty-five,

and I’m afraid of my fellow Americans

with nowhere left to hide.

 

ldn