water PAD 6

 

We Pray for Rain

 

In the southwest, there’s little rain.

Blue skies and pleasant days refrain,

But when it rains, we don’t complain,

Without a doubt.

In summer, when the fires reign,  

It puts them out.

Safety PAD 5

 

Ropes Course

 

I was glad

for the training

and for being strung up

like a marionette

when the rope

I walked on

swayed uncontrollably,

throwing me off,

and I dangled

among green pines

thirty feet above

the forest floor.

Prayer is like that,

a tether to the unmovable

so when you slip

you don’t slam

to the ground.

Friends PAD 4

 

Friends Indeed

 

At times,

Friendships

Are born from need

 

The hen

That gets pecked to bleeding

By other hens

 

The puzzle piece

That seems to belong

To another puzzle

 

The wounded

Requiring crutches,

Bandages or surgery

 

The towel

That’s been through the ringer

Who needs sunshine and fluffing up

 

The summer storm

Blowing through

Searching for calm

 

The raging river friend

who sucks you in

to all of their busyness

 

Then there are friends

Who only bring a smile

The ones you aspire to be

 

They’re all friends.

But the latter—lilac fragrance

on a spring breeze

 

 

 

open PAD 3

 

In celebration

We give praise and thanksgiving

For an open tomb

For Regina's birthday

 

Regina

 

Reaching out with a smile

Even going the extra mile

Grace flowing thru generations

Interceding for the nations

Now and always, a true friend

And on her kindness, we depend.

Express PAD 2

 Of Expressions and Hearing

 

A favorite time of the nature program,

for children and teachers alike—

sharing at the morning circle

the highlights of the week,

or maybe even lowlights.

 

We hear about awards,

baseball, wrestling, gymnastics.

We hear about accidents,

falling out of trees, scraped knees.

We hear about vacations and visits.

Play dates among friends.

Pet news of cats, dogs, rabbits,

horses and even one special turkey

that, like a dog, insists on being petted.

 

But I don’t always hear what’s going on.

My hearing aids aren’t doing the job.

Just one little reason of many little reasons

why this third year of the nature program

will be my last one.

It’s hard to express what I’m feeling—

Restlessness, frustration, sadness, 

wariness, relief, peace, excitement.

Yes! Excitement for a new life chapter.

seed PAD 1

 

Words:

particularly potent seeds

when planted

in the fertile ground

of young minds.