it is not the light

that which we cherish,and that which we despise…reside within us…to understand god,we cannot limit his/her presenceto one or the other…but must acknowledge the presencein all!

the old house falling downlike a tree sheds its leaves.the chimney stands cold,almost roaring with silence…and there’s still a markerin the back yard where we buried the dog.love yellowed sheets,and maggots in the flour.spiders march on the outhouse walls.empty mason jars that remember green beans,a hoe, and a shovel with a broken handle.ghosts walk cobwebbed…

the first night we made love all night,watching our children being born…standing naked in the yardduring a thunderstorm at night…a new set of strings on a Martin guitar.as if God had escaped from the great churchesbuilt & watched over by self-righteous men;and blew like the wind across the fieldsof time & space & understanding.as if…

how many by choice?perhaps you still have jobs,homes, food to eat, medical care.perhaps you have investments,a way to retire….perhaps your family is happy,and well taken care of…i hope so for you!millions of people hurting,millions in need…millions of children hungry,millions who cant get an education.millions enslaved by poverty,millions left alone….people with faces and names.all of these…

streetlights dancing on the lampshade,thrown into the trash.in conversations with rats,sleeping with ghosts in empty buildings.immigrants without papers,pawning blood for a drink.by fires on the fringe,stirring the stew made of hope.eyes blackened by the smoke,laughing with small children.painting revolution on sterile walls,sharing bread with mongrel dogs.lovers without a country,homeless, going home!

crosslegged beads, and a pipe,and peace was the chant.rainbow skins half naked,hearts full of trust.back to the simple,to the ways before ways.songs of redemption,wild eyed priests and prophets.when love was a thunderstorm,and hope was a moment!