everyday,

as an ox…a carpenter…and i was his helper;building interstate bridgesin the south,walking i-beams,60 foot off the ground…2.50 an hour!we used to goto his houseafter work…he’d scramble a dozeneggs, or so…and break out the sugarhead.we’d spend hourslistening to him talkabout women, fighting,loving, and just life!carrying a sheet of plywoodon a windy day…i wavered, one foot off…

help the poor…dont judge others,treat people the wayyou’d want to be treated…turn the other cheek,lay down your swordsand take up the plow…forgive to be forgiven…the kingdom of heavenis within you! ‘if that’s your religion,i’m in!you can leave the rest of itat the door!

and the silent scream of forgotten things.in the scent of pine needles fresh fallen,and the sound of the creek crossing rocks.in bat droppings, and abandoned nests of straw….in smoke curled into the candle.in squirrels’ prayers to fading light,and the sound of tires on an endless road.in clouds hanging just above the treetops,in the single chime…

when every sky be full of rain,when every door be locked….when loss knocks upon your window,when you cant remember your name.when the sound of your heart saddens,and you cant think of a reason why.when your prayers come back unopened,and the river reverses its course.when all gathered together becomes nothing…use these to wipe your brow!

making its way slowlyup the old logging road,centipede crawl, the scentof the pines…to a small clearing,where we set up camp.pitched the tent,gathered wood for the fire.enough daylight left,we began the climb,up the steep gradeto the top…the cry of the bobcat,startles…then laughter, and wemoved on up.an old rattlesnake sunning,careful, go ’round.we stood on the face of…

the voice of those that hunger,the face of those in need.the cry for justice amid injustice,the stand for equality and fairness.the torch of liberty and human rights,that burns without identity.the sweat of god fallenon the dust covered road.the whimper of the holy child,held in his mother’s arms.the needle laid down,the slave set free.the prayer of…

for every hungry mouth a bowl of rice,clean water, and an embrace.for every country invaded by thirstfor oil…. a country invaded withshovels, picks, axes, and books.to rebuild, restore, reaffirm hope…..for every shallow grave,for every unmarked death….we adopt and take in,we heal with respect…..for every inhuman act,the acts of compassion….and in the search for forgiveness,we may…

pitch black sky, no stars.too rough to row,holding on for dear life.said a quick prayer…my eyes fixed onthe beacon… my heartfixed on you!

when you feel the most alone…the voice you hear whisperingis the voice of god…you are the body of god’s prayers

how many bodies, how many graves,before we forgive and are forgiven?who makes the choice?and who has the voice?whose hand can stop the killing?who defines liberty?brings back community?brings back the touch and the feeling?and when will we knowthey’ll never be tomorrowunless we live today?will we find God in each other,in our sisters and brothers,in what we…

that oppress and drive without conscience.we’ve been fed for years on a steady dietof lies, of half truths, of illusions.and now the walls of the false kingdomhave come tumbling down…we have been driven by fear to participatein their unholy wars… by misguided imagesof patriotism… by a graven image of what’sright and wring…and we’re not buying…

i wont live in your house,i wont sweep your floors.i wont share your food,i wont wipe your ass.i wont sleep in your bed,i wont build your fire.i will wear your clothes,will wear your shoes.i will live in your house,i will sweep your floors.i will share your food,i will wipe your ass.i will sleep in your…