When everyone must be the same, In how and what they do, Meet a standard clearly set, And send results to experts true, Anyone who stands apart, Ahead those in the rear, Must be dragged clear to the back, By force or threats and fear, Lest those failing to keep up, Should have their feelings hurt, Everyone in syncronous step, Must wallow in the dirt.
All posts by Peter
Gratitude
A few years ago, I was asked to share something for the youth standards night hosted by our church for kids between 14 and 18. These events sometimes get a bad rap as being forums for old people to tell young people about the things they shouldn’t be doing, and as a result the leaders organizing this particular one wanted to lighten things up some. They asked those of us participating and sharing messages to focus on something the youth “could” do. I was to talk about how the youth could be grateful.
The first thing that came to mind … Read the rest
My acrobat kids
One of the things the family did to keep themselves sane while I was on my extended “vacation” to DC was enroll at “Ninja Park,” an obstacle fitness gym. Isaac was the driving force behind the decision, but the way things work around here, they either all do it, or they just don’t. We’ve never been willing to spend the time and resources to send each kid to their own special thing three times a week. If one of ’em does Tae Kwan Do for fitness, they all do it. What that meant for Sydney was wrapping her mind around … Read the rest
Writers Block…
Roughly a year or two ago, I got a bug in my ear to try my hand at writing fiction. On a whim early one morning after dropping Sydney off at her weekend babysitting job, and before Liz and the kids woke up, I started to outline a story that I thought might eventually morph into a novel. I had no intentions of ever publishing said work, but I thought it might be fun to go through the process. Initially it was fun… words flowed rather freely, characters developed into more than just a name, and the story seemed to … Read the rest
The Bear’s Lament
He loves me or he loves me not, I guess I'll never know, With claws like these to pluck the flowers, My progress is quite slow. The petals on these flowers too, Are oh so very small, To pull them one by one apart, Is no fun at all. Since the plants won't play along, To help me know my fate, I guess I'll leave it up to luck, To help me find a mate.
Bottle Brush
The bottle brush in my backyard Bloomed today it seems Came on out to say hello And feed the honey bees
Too Early
He started out rough in this world full of strife, His incomplete body just clinging to life, Tangled in wires with tubes up his nose, Will he pull through it? none really quite knows. But we hope and we pray both the doctors and him, Will clear the next hurdle and bring home a win. Slowly he strengthens and grows bit by bit, As parents stand near him and fretfully sit, Holding his hand through the little round door, Grateful for that much, but still wanting more. As days follow days and merge into weeks, Life catches hold and it… Read the rest
Angel’s Landing
High above the desert floor, Up a steep and winding trail, Overlooking God's great work, That makes man's efforts pale. The painted rocks and sculpted stone, the lovely clefts and crags, Instill in me a great wonder, And shame all human brags.
Desert Palette
The desert sun is hot and white, The sky an azure blue, The wind-blown sand a golden glow, The rocks a rusty hue. The rabbit brush with yellow trim, Accents the silver sage, Green piñons point up towards the sky, Grown massive with great age. The prickly pear with flowers pink, And spiny fruit a purple-red, In starving coyote's hazel eyes, Is better than sliced bread.
Black Hole
No sound escapes this vacant void No light leaks from its space A hiding place of perfect form Devoid of touch and taste Desperate pleas that enter there Return no echo or reply They die in silence, fade away A mute unanswered cry I never meant to make this hole Its silence burns my ears It stops the things that should come out To calm my doubts and fears How do you kill a blackened hole That feeds on all it finds To open up the inner soul And clear a troubled mind So questions voiced to God above Escape… Read the rest