Sometimes, someone has marked the trail well. It is used and easy to follow.
January 2009
Stones River National Battlefield
Monthly Archives: August 2011
Inertia or love?
Never did he leave,
steadfast he remained;
question haunts her still:
inertia or love?
16 August 2011
Shire on the Hudson
Filed under Poem
Seen on the train – August 19, 2011
On the train into work today, I watched as a guy read Dracula by Bram Stoker on his Kindle directly across from a poster for The Vampire Diaries. Interesting contrasts of technologies and story lines.
See you along the Trail.
Friendship
The picture is from a couple of years back. I could say it is a bit old, but I realize that would mean that I am a bit older.
I believe this picture was taken by Tiffany Gonzales at a party at her house. Football might have been involved.
What is most important at this moment – is that friendship is definitely involved.
My friend Irene recently endured a very hateful incident. She has had the grace and courage and faith and hope and trust to share her pain and process her pain publicly on Facebook.
A number of her friends have responded with statements of support, long-distance hugs, and prayers. Tonight I decided that, in addition to my words, I would post this picture of Irene and me.
I am honored and grateful to be her friend. I give thanks for Irene and for all who share this journey with me.
See you along the Trail.
Filed under Photo
Making my way home
Water squishes from my socks
with each step I take through the station,
my pants restrict my movements,
clinging to my shins and thighs,
I trudge down the stairs and onto
the street; I walk through the rain
as though seeking a
wet Oxford shirt contest.
A white flash illuminates the sky,
glowing blue off the top of the subway car;
the sky rasps out
a deep, low rumble.
The storm exhausts its fury
while I make my way home
where I realize
how blessed I am.
19 August 2011
Shire on the Hudson
Filed under Poem
When
When
replaces if
in words written
and words said
with some facility.
When
replaces if
not as a certainty
nor as a guarantee,
no fait accompli.
When
replaces if
as a sign of hope
a challenge,
a possibility.
But when,
oh when,
will when
replace if
in reality.
16 August 2012
SW 782 CLE-BWI
Filed under Poem
To get started again?
On the right hand side of my Facebook page, there now appear links to previous posts. I had not noticed them before – or if I did, I ignored them.
Today I noticed one about going to the gym – and for some reason, I followed.
One year ago today, I marked 11 consecutive days of going to the gym. I don’t know when that streak ended – how many more days, if any followed.
Part of me, the avoidance part, wants to wonder – are the links always exactly a year old. Another part wonders reading this post be a challenge to get started again.
See you along the Trail.
Slug
Harry Potter and Ron Weasley are visiting Professor Slughorn’s room as Harry Potter 6 continues. This seems an appropriate picture at the moment. Perhaps I will sometime find something profound to say. But for now, I think this can stand on its own.
See you along the Trail.
Filed under Movie
Surprise is
Surfing through images,
electronically stored on my computer,
an image –
slightly more than a year old –
of a friend whose song ended too soon,
surprised me.
Sadness tugged my heart,
sorrow filled me;
thanksgiving surged,
gratitude flowed;
a tear and smile
as feelings and memories intermingled,
contradicting,
enhancing,
playing off each other.
Surprise is hard.
Surprise is good.
Surprise is life.
12 August 2011
Cleveland Heights, OH
with thanks to Kathy Lueckert
Filed under Poem
Love wins?
Love wins.
Love always wins.
Do the people
watching their friends perish,
wasting away from hunger,
leaving their children by roadside
unable to carry them,
deciding who will eat
and who will die,
on the Horn of Africa
experience that affirmation?
12 August 2011
Cleveland Heights, OH 44121
Filed under Poem
Along the Graybeard Trail 