Forgiveness

We had not parted on good terms. Though his words and actions had intended good, they had caused great harm. Nearly seven years ago, we parted company with a heavy silence between us. At one time we had worked together for a common purpose in a place that we both dearly loved, but with the pain of words and deeds creating a chasm between us, we simply went our separate ways.

And then because of circumstance, rather than intention, about ten days ago, we found ourselves in the same place again. Without hestiation, and with tears streaming down his face, he sought me out and asked me a simple, yet profound question, "will you please forgive me?" In a renconciling embrace, by the grace and mercy of God, a burdensome weight was lifted from both of us.

In those moments, I realized the powerful truth contained in the saying of an unknown author, "to forgive is to set a prisoner free and discover the prisoner was you."

Turning

Overnight they appeared --
yellow
red
orange
over-powering the green
to cling
then slip
then fall
one-by-one
and many at a time
turning warmth toward winter
to release the fading light
in a benediction
of repose

Consequences

Shattered jar --
fragments

Torn fabric--
pieces

Closed door--
stuck

Exposed --
tarnished

False start --
penalized

Misstep --
wounded

Traffic jam --
trapped

Broken compass
lost

Wrong turn --
dead end

Some journey ...

Oasis

Be still and know that I am God
Be still and know that I am
Be still and know
Be still
Be

desert oasis
water for my thirsty soul --
rest for my road-weary feet,
my heart is stilled
bathed by the river i am --
i become able
to be

Sunset

Hurrying to the shore
to pray away the daylight
and welcome the enfolding twilight,
we missed it -
the big red fireball,
sinking fast behind the trees,
playing peek-a-boo,
and disappearing
like an exhaled breath
beneath the haze-covered horizon.

We missed the view
which we earnestly pursued

Disappointed yes,
but not --
for while the sun slipped silently away,
the deer held us in their gaze
and we beheld them
young
bold
fearless --
daring us to think them more spectacular than the setting sun.