tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49490659038344845682023-11-15T08:36:30.298-08:00Cucumbers and ZinniasBruce Baronehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08262814724740244551noreply@blogger.comBlogger36125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4949065903834484568.post-8395180872420772342014-07-08T09:23:00.001-07:002014-07-08T09:23:46.910-07:00One Thousand Gifts<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">One Thousand Gifts</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">for <a href="http://www.aholyexperience.com/ann-voskamp/">Ann Voskamp</a></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I counted to one thousand</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Gifts on Friday, June 27, 2014;</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The same day I wrote a poem</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://cucumbersandzinnias.blogspot.com/2014/06/the-table-of-grace.html">"Table of Grace"</a> for <a href="http://www.amazon.com/One-Thousand-Gifts-Fully-Right/dp/0310321913">Ann Voskamp</a>.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I did not know this at the time</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">As I transcribe from a journal</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Of scribbles once a week to a another journal. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">She who taught me</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">To count gift and after gift. Today</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Seven tomato plants growing</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">In the garden. Two jalapeno plants</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">And two rows of beets.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Three rows of lettuce.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Two eggplants. Twenty-five</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Bright yellow marigold plants.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">One large butterfly bush. Zinnias</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Bordering on the garden</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">On three side. There is</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Much to see. A pink clematis</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Growing up the garden arbor.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">A garden gate opening into</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The slate path leading</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">To the ripening red tomatoes</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">And green jalapenos.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I keep looking.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I keep counting.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Three basil plants.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Cilantro. Tarragon. Oregano.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">In the middle of the garden</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The garden fountain spray and</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Birdbath. Three purple</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Finches drinking at it and</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">A monarch butterfly circling </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The garden. I keep looking.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">What am I missing?</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The six decorative croquet balls.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The cucumber vine I am </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Training to grow up the arbor.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">A gargoyle on the fence.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The cosmos.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Fern-leaf dill. Parsley.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">A bright red fuchsia plant </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Potted in a painted yellow colander</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Hangs from a garden hook in the corner</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Of the garden. In this journal</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I started counting on Tuesday, April 1, 2014.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I have been counting all along.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Years I ago I wrote:</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">There is an Edward Weston photo <br />
<br />
Of a woman naked on the sand <br />
<br />
Perfect too as my son is here bathing<br />
<br />
This morning and there is <br />
<br />
Danielle running back toward <br />
<br />
The wildflowers, her red and green <br />
<br />
Party dress blowing round her as she <br />
<br />
Twists and turns round the dreams <br />
<br />
And nightmares going on for days <br />
<br />
And days until she has settled down <br />
<br />
To catch her breath and stand alone <br />
<br />
In the field among the flowers <br />
<br />
Her dog whose journey is the same <br />
<br />
Standing beside here alert and steady <br />
<br />
Her mind at peace overflowing <br />
<br />
No reason to hurry anywhere <br />
<br />
She holds something in her hand <br />
<br />
And she laughs and laughs and laughs <br />
<br />
When I woke <br />
<br />
In the middle of the night <br />
<br />
I saw a black bear outside <br />
<br />
I heard a baby crying <br />
<br />
At the window the bear <br />
<br />
Stood and he knocked <br />
<br />
I opened the door and invited him <br />
<br />
Inside he sat on the couch <br />
<br />
I offered him tea <br />
<br />
I told him I read <br />
<br />
Some people say we are the dreams <br />
<br />
Of animals, their nightmares, he spoke <br />
<br />
As someone who knows and rising <br />
<br />
From the couch he said "Come <br />
<br />
Come with me." I climbed <br />
<br />
On his back and we <br />
<br />
Walked out the door <br />
<br />
And he took me to a time of long ago.<br />
<br />
And last summer I wrote</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;">A poem called "Our Path:"</span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Without incident we walked</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">And every few minutes
I talked.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Good dog, Good dog.<br />
On we went through the park.<br />
All the time my dog here<br />
There, everywhere<br />
A scent sensation.<br />
And when I wanted<br />
To stop to photograph<br />
This late September early morning<br />
I said, Freddy, sit, and he sat<br />
And he waited and when I said<br />
Okay on we went<br />Our way past Meadow Trail
And Beaver Brook.<br />
This is my path. Our path.<br />
We came to a hill.<br />
I huffed and puffed to the top.<br />
And my dog wagged his tail
To the top.<br /> We made our way
Home.<br /> I cut zinnias.<br />
Red, orange, yellow, cream<br />
And purple cosmos<br />
For a vase that rests on a table<br />
Next to my garden.<br />
Soon I will be dead-heading<br />
All the cosmos and zinnias flowers.<br />
There must be thousands!<br />
Still bright and bold and colorful
In the garden. I change<br />The water in the three bird baths.<br />
I prune the rose bushes and I am<br />
Not sure at all of what
I am doing. I water<br />
The potted plants.
So many bumblebees!<br />
They fly from zinnia to zinnia<br />
To cosmos to cosmos.<br /> They do
Their job.<br /> Never I imagine<br />
Thinking I am so busy today.<br />
They follow their path.<br />
</span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Gary Snyder wrote: </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">"Reality-insight says get a
sense of immediate politics and history, get control of your own time; master the
twenty-four hours. Do it well, without self-pity. It is as hard to get the children herded
into the car pool and down the road to the bus as it is to chant sutras in the Buddha-hall
on a cold morning. One move is not better than the other, each can be quite boring, and
they both have the virtuous quality of repetition. Repetition and ritual and their good
results come in many forms. Changing the filter, wiping noses, going to meetings, picking
up around the house, washing dishes, checking the dipstick---don't let yourself think
these are distracting you from your more serious pursuits. Such a round of chores is not a
set of difficulties we hope to escape from so that we may do our "practice" which
will put us on a "path" --- it is our path."</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I made dinner. Black beans<br />
And rice. And wine.<br />
And our dog and cat<br />
Slept as we watched
Nashville.<br /> And I am
Blessed.<br /> Our house.<br />
Our family.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">So I reached one thousand gifts</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">A few weeks ago; the gift was</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Visiting my mother-in-law and</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Ann has taught me the counting</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Ceaselessly, the praying ceaselessly</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Is another gift, grace and gifts</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">From God; a poem</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Of my life, a symphony and</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Have I shared with you </span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The sounds in the garden?</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Listen.</span></span></span><br />
</span></div>
Bruce Baronehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08262814724740244551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4949065903834484568.post-88335507159464303382014-06-27T06:26:00.001-07:002014-06-27T06:27:15.837-07:00The Table Of Grace<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The Table Of Grace</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">For <a href="http://www.aholyexperience.com/ann-voskamp/">Ann Voskamp</a></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">This is</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">A Place</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">A Table</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Round, of grace</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">A flowered tablecloth</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">A bowl of lemons and limes</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Apples and oranges</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">We hold hands</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Thank You God</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">For these gifts</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">We are about to receive</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">From your bounty</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Through Christ our Lord</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Amen.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">A table of grace.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">A world</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Round, of grace.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">This morning I saw a hummingbird. </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Thank You God.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Yesterday</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">A cardinal in the garden.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Thank You God.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">A day in April:</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Playing Frisbee with Freddy</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Early in the morning.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Thank You God.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Sitting outside in sunshine.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Thank You God.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Re-reading the book</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.christianbook.com/thousand-gifts-live-fully-right-where/ann-voskamp/9780310620853/pd/620853?kw=one%20thousand%20gifts&mt=b&dv=c&event=PPCSRC&p=1018818&gclid=CLiI_8aTmr8CFeXm7AodpF4Aig">One Thousand Gifts</a>.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Thank You God.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Meditating</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">About my new Storefront</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.cafepress.com/christiantotesandtshirts">Christian Totes & T-shirts</a>.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Thank You God.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> Watching </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">An American Goldfinch</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">In my garden.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Thank You God.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Watching</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">A male Cardinal</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">In my garden.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Thank You God.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">A breeze.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Thank You God.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Chimes ringing.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Thank You God.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Birds singing.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Thank You God.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">A robin chirping.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Thank You God.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Puffy white clouds.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Thank You God.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Reading</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Seeing Is The Spiritual Life.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Thank You God.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">A long walk with my dog, Freddy.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Thank You God.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Sandwiches from Subway.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Thank You God.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Helping Susan</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">So she can make soap.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Thank You God.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Editing my thoughts.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Editing my words.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Editing my photographs.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Thank You God.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Moon rising up over chimney.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Thank You God.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">A worm in my garden.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Thank You God.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The cut clematis blooming.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Thank You God.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Counting. Counting.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Seeing. Seeing.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Sharing. Sharing.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Thank You God.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">A day in May:</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Morning sunlight</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Streaming through bedroom shutters.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Thank You God.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Bright blue sky.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Thank You God.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Coffee and whole wheat toast</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">With peanut butter and cinnamon.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Thank You God.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">A long walk with Freddy.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Thank You God.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Three Bluejays in my garden.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Thank You God.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Washing garden arbor to paint.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Thank You God.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Watching Mass on Catholic TV.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Thank You God.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Knowing these gifts are a symphony.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Thank You God.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Cleaning the garage.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Thank You God.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Coming inside for a glass of water and hearing</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Chopin Prelude No. 15 in D flat</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Rainbow played by Martha Argerich.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Thank You God.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Making a mushroom pizza for dinner.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Thank You God.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Susan asking her doctor about my blood test.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Thank You God.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Watching Mass on Catholic TV.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Thank You God.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Reading The Book of Acts before sleep.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Thank You God.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Every day. All day.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Counting.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Gifts of grace.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">A day in June:</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Birds singing</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Still dark</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">A Finch perhaps.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Thank You God.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Up at 5:30 to feed cat, Nadine.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Thank You God.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Love making.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Thank You God.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">A short walk with Freddy.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Thank You God.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Grinding coffee beans.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Thank You God.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Coffee and toast.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Thank You God.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Visiting a new church.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Thank You God.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Playing Frisbee with Freddy.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Thank You God. </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Gardening.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Thank You God.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Photographing Peonies.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Thank You God.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Laying slate stones in garden.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Thank You God.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Wine with new friends.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Thank You God.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Sitting in backyard with Susan</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Enjoying a glass of wine.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">A stir-fry for dinner.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Thank You God.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Watching a documentary</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Nuns at Ephesus.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Thank You God.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Gifts of Grace.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">A world, round</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Of grace. </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">A table, round</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Of grace.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Thank You God</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">For these gifts</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">We receive. </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Bruce Baronehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08262814724740244551noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4949065903834484568.post-40830723861654779612014-05-16T13:20:00.001-07:002014-05-16T13:21:29.437-07:00Kissing<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The lips offered</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">One lover to another
</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Summoning the consciousness</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Of another
</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">In mutual gift.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Today's paper says.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I am reminded</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Of my first kiss</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Behind my parent's garage.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Janet was her name.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">A neighbor. How old</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">We were I do not remember.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">We were children.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">And when I was</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">A teenager I kissed</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">My friend Debbie</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Inside her parent's garage.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">We kissed each other.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">And many years later</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">At our high school reunion</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I heard her voice</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">And turned to her</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Saying "Debbie."</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The girl I kissed.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">"Do you remember Debbie</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The time we kissed</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Inside your parent's garage?"</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">And she answered</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">"Oh gosh, Bruce,</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Yes I do remember."</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The kiss I think</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">A measure of time.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">A gift. </span></span>Bruce Baronehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08262814724740244551noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4949065903834484568.post-81151095645141425702014-04-04T17:32:00.000-07:002014-04-04T17:32:52.695-07:00The Vision of a Poet<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Many birds this morning</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Singing songs of praise and joy.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Doves, Finches, Woodpeckers</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Crows and Robins.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Siting in backyard</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">My dog next to me</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Eating a marrow bone.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Later him sleeping </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">On the love seat in the office.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The cat of my desk.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Thank You God. Thank You.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Later I go shopping.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Another yarn heard.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">On the radio an untrue story.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">A Hungarian Folk</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Opera.<span dir="auto"> Háry János</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span dir="auto">By </span><span dir="auto"> </span>Zoltán Kodály</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Kodály wrote in his preface to the score:</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span dir="auto">Háry is a peasant, a veteran soldier.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span dir="auto">Day after day he sits</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span dir="auto">At the
tavern spinning</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span dir="auto">Yarns about his heroic exploits.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span dir="auto">Stories released
by his imagination.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span dir="auto">An inextricable mixture of realism</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span dir="auto">And naivety,
of comic humour and pathos." </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span dir="auto">Kodály also comments</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span dir="auto"> "Though superficially
he appears to be merely a braggart,</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span dir="auto">Essentially he is a natural
visionary and poet.<br /> That his stories are not true is irrelevant,</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span dir="auto">For
they are the fruit of a lively imagination,</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span dir="auto">Seeking to create for
himself and for others,</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span dir="auto">a beautiful dream world."</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span dir="auto">The opera, and the suite, begin with an orchestral 'musical sneeze',
best explained in Kodály's own words: "According to Hungarian
superstition, if a statement is followed by a sneeze of one of the
hearers, it is regarded as confirmation of its truth. The Suite begins
with a sneeze of this kind! One of Háry's group of faithful listeners …
sneezes at the wildest assertions of the old tale-spinner."</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span dir="auto">Dinner ordered out.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span dir="auto">Wine shared. And we</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span dir="auto">Talk after silence all day.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span dir="auto">Thank You God. Thank You.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span dir="auto">We watch Jeopardy and play</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span dir="auto">With our dog and we talk.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span dir="auto">We sing a song of praise</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span dir="auto">Like the morning birds. We </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span dir="auto">Have many gifts to count.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span dir="auto">Rain fall.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span dir="auto">Susan reads.</span></span></span><br />
<span dir="auto"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I write. </span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span dir="auto"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Or cat sleeps.</span></span></span><br />
<span dir="auto"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Our dog sleeps.</span></span></span><br />
<span dir="auto"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">And rain nourishes the garden. </span></span></span>Bruce Baronehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08262814724740244551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4949065903834484568.post-69610983666560210952014-04-03T18:30:00.000-07:002014-04-03T18:31:14.939-07:00Royal Fireworks<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I am now writing</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">About yesterday. An angel</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">High up in pine tree.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Two doves in a tree.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">A woodpecker pecking.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Geese flying overhead.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Playing Frisbee with my dog. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The way my dog knows when I </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Pick up my camera we are going outside.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Learning story of Handel's</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Music for the Royal Fireworks.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The music providing a background</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">For the Royal Fireworks the wooden building </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Caught fire. Over twelve thousand people</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Rushed to get away. Causing a tree-hour traffic jam</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Of carriages, after the main route</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Was closed due to the collapse </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Of the central arch of the newly built London Bridge.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I listened to the Overture</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">In the car on my way</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">To my physical. Stopping once</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">To photograph The Lower Mill Pond</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">In Easthampton, Massachusetts</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Where I once lived.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The nurse said we now ask</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Everyone two question.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Do you feel depressed?</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Have you recently fallen?</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">No and no. And I said</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">To her I remember being</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Depressed. Still so clear.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I was waiting in the doctor's office</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">And I picked up an magazine and wept.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">When the doctor entered the room</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I help up the magazine, Newsweek</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I think, and on the cover a photo</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Two young women. One from Palestine</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">And the other from Israel. They had</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Killed each other. And there</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">In the doctor's office I wept.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I took medicine for a few years.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Those feelings are gone.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I told the doctor I had been feeling</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Light-headed and that my back hurt.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">He talked to be about the foot railing</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">At bars. Made to help people</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Drink longer without hurting</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Their backs. He said I should</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Try using a foot stool when cooking</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Or cleaning the dishes. Raise one leg</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">For a few minutes and the the other.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I said to him it sounds</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Like a Seinfeld joke. And I was happy</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">To hear my blood pressure was down.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Back in the car heading home</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I heard to story of The Tam O'Shanter Overture </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">By Sir Malcolm Arnold; based on a famous poem</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">By Robert Burns depicting</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Tam O'Shanter drunk. Leaving the pub</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Tam rides home on his horse Meg.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">A storm is brewing. He
sees</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">the local haunted church lit up, </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">witches and warlocks dancing.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The devil playing the bagpipes<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bagpipes" title="Bagpipes"></a>.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Tam is still drunk, still upon his horse,</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Just on the edge of the light
watching.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Amazed to see The witches are dancing</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">As the music intensifies and
seeing</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">A witch in a short dress</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">He shouts,`Weel done, cutty-sark!'<br /> (<i>cutty-sark</i> : "short
shirt").</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The lights go out, the music</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">And dancing stops and
many</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Of the creatures lunge after Tam,</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">With the witches leading.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Tam
spurs Meg to turn and flee</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">And drives the horse on towards the River Doon</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">As the creatures dare not cross a running stream.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The creatures give
chase and the witches<br />Come so close to catching Tam and Meg<br />That they
pull Meg's tail off just as she reaches the bridge over the Doon.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">What a story.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">What a poem.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">What great music.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Over dinner I tell Susan</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Both stories and we talk</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Later of framing art. </span></span><br />
<br />
~~<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gIcIU4o61WQ">You can hear it here. </a></span></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Bruce Baronehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08262814724740244551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4949065903834484568.post-36142627481689499082014-04-01T18:08:00.000-07:002014-04-01T18:08:39.877-07:00Spring Is Here<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Birds singing out my window</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Early in the morning</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Still in bed waking</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Help from Susan</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Packing my photos</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">In the car</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Three women helping me</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Hang my art at the gallery</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The pond and</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The mountain</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The kind cashier at the supermarket</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">An afternoon nap with my cat</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Sitting with Susan on the back steps</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Drinking tea</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">In the warming sunshine</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Walking my dog</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">My dog sleeping</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">In my lap</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">At night</span></span><br />
<br />Bruce Baronehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08262814724740244551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4949065903834484568.post-87607932111009495142014-03-27T08:11:00.002-07:002014-03-27T08:11:57.869-07:00Tuesday Morning MeditationYes God spoke to me<br />
The second time in three months<br />
I was listening<br />
<br />
I am listening<br />The message is clear and bright<br />
I will trust in you<br />
<br />
For the benefit<br />
Spirit leads and prospers me<br />
I now preach the good news<br />
<br />Bruce Baronehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08262814724740244551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4949065903834484568.post-33056043811481323672014-03-26T07:32:00.003-07:002014-03-26T07:33:05.421-07:00Morning, March 26Three gifts almost gone<br />
The lifeless frozen garden<br />
The sleeping brown grass<br />
<br />
The remaining snow<br />
Persists covering daisies<br />
Patient gardeningBruce Baronehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08262814724740244551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4949065903834484568.post-17681675971927698332014-03-24T08:20:00.002-07:002014-03-24T08:20:20.483-07:00Late Monday Morning<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Dove in the garden</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Cat sleeping by heating vent</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Finches at feeder </span></span><br />
<br />
<br />Bruce Baronehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08262814724740244551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4949065903834484568.post-14324959208515014392014-03-23T05:18:00.002-07:002014-03-23T05:18:43.300-07:00Early Sunday Morning<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Geese in formation</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Seven finches at feeder</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Coffee percolating</span></span>Bruce Baronehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08262814724740244551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4949065903834484568.post-61313268122130456342014-03-21T08:26:00.001-07:002014-03-21T08:26:39.911-07:00Thank You, GodSo thankful today<br />
Our dog Freddy is okay<br />
Attacked yesterday<br />
<br />
In a parking lot<br />
A large white pit bull<br />
Leaped and lunged<br />
<br />
At our dogs neck this<br />
after being groomed for first time<br />
we stopped at pet store<br />
<br />
for treats and toys and<br />
the monster ran from its car<br />
and attacked Freddy<br />
<br />
It all happened so fast<br />
I grabbed Freddy's leash and<br />
Lifted him high to the sky<br />
<br />
Putting myself between<br />
the foaming monster<br />
and my little dog<br />
<br />
The owner of the dog<br />
ran over and grabbed<br />
its collar, yanking the monster<br />
<br />
away saying he plays<br />
with children just fine but<br />
does not like other dogs<br />
<br />
then why was this dog<br />
at the largest pet food store<br />
in Western Massachusetts<br />
<br />
And the man with the tattoos<br />
and gold plated teeth and the poor dog<br />
walked away and drove awayBruce Baronehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08262814724740244551noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4949065903834484568.post-62072023227907795192014-03-20T07:20:00.000-07:002014-03-20T07:20:05.117-07:00First Day Of Spring, Part 1Smoky gray morning<br />
Woke dreaming of daffodils<br />
Snow still dots the lawn<br />
<br />
And what of tulips<br />
Walking my dog this morning<br />
I imagine them<br />
<br />
Lollypops so bright<br />
Soon they will appear to me<br />
Still in winter coat Bruce Baronehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08262814724740244551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4949065903834484568.post-11255286057675844942014-03-19T07:21:00.001-07:002014-03-19T07:22:19.453-07:006:30 A.M.Sunlight through shutters<br />
Freddy barking in his crate<br />
Doves cooing on roofBruce Baronehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08262814724740244551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4949065903834484568.post-12558110399838362102014-03-18T05:32:00.000-07:002014-03-18T05:32:05.577-07:007:15 A.M.Morning by morning<br />
God's gracious mercies appear<br />
There is always moreBruce Baronehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08262814724740244551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4949065903834484568.post-2643366300882815362014-03-17T11:06:00.001-07:002014-03-17T11:06:39.631-07:002:00 P.M.Cat and dog sleeping<br />
Next to me in my office<br />
Outside birds flutter<br />
<br />
At the bird feeder<br />
Five finches and two sparrows<br />
Beautiful MondayBruce Baronehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08262814724740244551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4949065903834484568.post-37088017019096856542014-03-16T04:53:00.002-07:002014-03-16T04:53:43.367-07:007 A.M.A stinging cold wind<br />
Eyes tearing walking my dog<br />
Coffee calls me homeBruce Baronehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08262814724740244551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4949065903834484568.post-11780739623100417422014-03-15T13:51:00.000-07:002014-03-15T13:52:28.260-07:00March 15, 2014Deep blue sky morning<br />
Three robins hopping in yard<br />
Distant train whistleBruce Baronehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08262814724740244551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4949065903834484568.post-11716566108717430542013-09-26T18:39:00.003-07:002013-09-26T18:40:16.135-07:00Our Path<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Without incident we walked</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">And every few minutes</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I talked. Good dog, Good dog.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">On we went through the park.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">All the time my dog here</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">There, everywhere</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">A scent sensation.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">And when I wanted</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">To stop to photograph</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">This late September early morning</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I said, Freddy, sit, and he sat</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">And he waited and when I said</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Okay on we went </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Our way past Meadow Trail</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">And Beaver Brook.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">This is my path. Our path.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">We came to a hill.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I huffed and puffed to the top.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">And my dog wagged his tail</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">To the top. We made our way</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Home. I cut zinnias.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Red, orange, yellow, cream</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">And purple cosmos</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">For a vase that rests on a table</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Next to my garden.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Soon I will be dead-heading</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">All the cosmos and zinnias flowers.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">There must be thousands!</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Still bright and bold and colorful</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">In the garden. I change </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The water in the three bird baths.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I prune the rose bushes and I am</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Not sure at all of what</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I am doing. I water</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The potted plants.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">So many bumblebees!</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">They fly from zinnia to zinnia</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">To cosmos to cosmos. They do</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Their job. Never I imagine</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Thinking I am so busy today.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">They follow their path.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Gary Snyder wrote:</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">"Reality-insight says get a
sense of immediate politics and history, get control of your own time; master the
twenty-four hours. Do it well, without self-pity. It is as hard to get the children herded
into the car pool and down the road to the bus as it is to chant sutras in the Buddha-hall
on a cold morning. One move is not better than the other, each can be quite boring, and
they both have the virtuous quality of repetition. Repetition and ritual and their good
results come in many forms. Changing the filter, wiping noses, going to meetings, picking
up around the house, washing dishes, checking the dipstick---don't let yourself think
these are distracting you from your more serious pursuits. Such a round of chores is not a
set of difficulties we hope to escape from so that we may do our "practice" which
will put us on a "path" --- it is our path</span><span style="font-size: large;">."</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I made dinner. Black beans</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">And rice. And wine.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">And our dog and cat</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Slept as we watched</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Nashville. And I am</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Blessed. Our house</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Our family. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
Bruce Baronehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08262814724740244551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4949065903834484568.post-68886940617333532282013-09-25T17:29:00.000-07:002013-09-25T17:29:34.743-07:00Scared ShitlessA big black dog<br />
Attached to a broken leash<br />
Appears from no where.<br />
Follows me and my dog.<br />
I pick my dog up<br />
And cradle him in my arms.<br />
I make eye contact<br />
Once with the big black dog<br />
As he circles around us.<br />
I say sit, sit<br />
Sit as the big black dog<br />
Circles around us again<br />
And again. I say sit.<br />
Doesn't anyone know<br />
Their dog is missing.<br />
I walk slowly.<br />
My heart and my dog's heart<br />
Beat rapidly as one.<br />
I admit it. Yes I am<br />
Scared shitless. I wave<br />
Down an oncoming truck.<br />
"Can you please give me and my dog a lift<br />
Home. We live around the corner."<br />
Hop on in he says. You never know<br />
About those big black dogs.<br />
At home I call the dog catcher.<br />
I drink a cup of coffee.<br />
I eat a piece of cake.<br />
I sit outside with my dog<br />
Next to my garden. A butterfly<br />
Appears. And I am at peace.Bruce Baronehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08262814724740244551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4949065903834484568.post-7825411036503398402013-09-21T06:30:00.002-07:002013-09-21T06:30:57.975-07:00A September AfternoonWhere I go<br />
To the garden<br />
To the study<br />
To the kitchen<br />
He goes. My buddy<br />
Freddy. Always he follows<br />
Me. Yesterday he sat <br />
And waited next to me<br />
As I wrapped four<br />
Of my photo books<br />
To mail to friends.<br />
Last month three people<br />
Never thanked me for the gift.<br />
My art director said<br />
There are crosses<br />
In many of my photographs.<br />
I believe in quietness<br />
And in confidence<br />
Is my strength.<br />
A goldfinch sits on<br />
A red zinnia. Freddy <br />
Does not see the bird<br />
Yet. He is busy<br />
Rolling in the pachysandra.<br />
I am reading a book<br />
I bought in 1985. I was<br />
Working at Hearst Magazines.<br />
Whatever became of Gretel Schneider?<br />
Ronnie Cohen? Gayle Fleming?<br />
Hot September afternoon.<br />
Blue sky. Bright sun.<br />
Crickets singing.<br />
It is hot sitting in the sun.<br />
I could move to the shade.<br />
Freddy moved minutes ago.<br />
He sits under a blue chair.<br />
I'll be in the shade soon.<br />
I am wearing straw hat.<br />
I haven't see a butterfly <br />
For days but just now<br />
One appears. Little things<br />
Like this bring me<br />
Great joy. The bumblebees<br />
Come every day. Too many<br />
To count. Moving from<br />
Zinnia to zinnia.. Freddy tries<br />
Sometimes to catch one.<br />
I do not think I have<br />
Ever been happier than now.<br />
Bruce Baronehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08262814724740244551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4949065903834484568.post-60146509626920254402013-09-20T06:36:00.002-07:002013-09-20T06:36:18.846-07:00Away With ItNo sooner<br />
Had I<br />
Planted<br />
The creeping<br />
Vine<br />
My dog<br />
Ran away<br />
With it<br />
Lesson<br />
Plant when<br />
He is<br />
SleepingBruce Baronehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08262814724740244551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4949065903834484568.post-70918712791661435272013-09-18T14:17:00.001-07:002013-09-18T14:17:28.874-07:00Our Pets Enrich Our LivesI started writing again<br />
Because of<br />
My dog Freddy.<br />
Always for me waiting<br />
To go outside<br />
And play catch<br />
Or Frisbee.<br />
When he rests<br />
To chew<br />
A marrow bone<br />
I write.<br />
Yesterday I took my cat<br />
Nadine to the vet.<br />
There I met Dottie.<br />
Her owner said to me<br />
"I don't think she'll be coming home with me.<br />
She hasn't eaten for days.<br />
She's diabetic. I haven't been<br />
Able to give her insulin.<br />
She hasn't drank a drop<br />
In days. Her brother is<br />
At home. My daughter<br />
Lives nearby but my son<br />
Lives in Florida. We see<br />
Our only grandson once a year.<br />
God it was cold this morning.<br />
And I wore a jacket and<br />
A sweater yesterday. My<br />
Husband and I went to the<br />
State Fair. We heard<br />
Tommy James and The Shondells.<br />
God, he still has it."<br />
My name is called.<br />
Not mine. "Nadine."<br />
The vet's assistant Scott<br />
Calls "Nadine."<br />
I reach out and touch<br />
Dottie's owner's knee.<br />
I say "Peace be with you."<br />
The vet says our pets<br />
Enrich our lives.<br />
It was cold this morning.<br />
And raining when I drove<br />
To the vet. Later the day<br />
Grew bright and warm<br />
And I wondered as I watched<br />
The puffy white clouds<br />
Come and go <br />
What of Dottie.Bruce Baronehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08262814724740244551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4949065903834484568.post-45962191363410342542013-09-14T08:42:00.001-07:002013-09-14T08:42:42.104-07:00Ann's GardenSunday. September 8, 2013.<br />
Grandparents Day. I am<br />
Standing in Ann's garden.<br />
Ann's Garden Paradise.<br />
I am at the Mattoon Street Fair.<br />
There are many vendors here.<br />
Cedar Swamp Pottery.<br />
A Custom Grater.<br />
It's Sew Easy.<br />
Apron Affair.<br />
To name A few. There<br />
Are many people and dogs, too.<br />
Susan and Freddy, our dog<br />
Wait for me. Ann moved<br />
Away with Alberto<br />
A few years ago.<br />
For a time they shared<br />
The art-filled brownstone and<br />
The garden paradise. A place<br />
She would never recognize.<br />
Here memory will keep<br />
The garden a paradise.<br />
And mine? It is more<br />
Hell than Heaven. Paradise<br />
Lost. Once a garden where<br />
You do yoga, pray, eat, love.<br />
Thankful for grace and beauty.<br />
This is where we last<br />
Ate and laughed with Ann<br />
One summer evening. A table<br />
Set for friends, Candles<br />
Burning in a candelabra.<br />
And now I stand<br />
Here in a space of weeds.<br />
The night of the last<br />
Party there were many<br />
Bottles of wine and we<br />
Climbed a narrow, circular<br />
Staircase up to a neighbor's<br />
Roof and I saw a cat<br />
In a window and I<br />
Photographed it and later<br />
We drank more wine<br />
And talked late into<br />
The night. At the fair<br />
Spools of Fun!<br />
Crafty Doll and Pillow<br />
Beds by Helen.<br />
Only Ann and Alberto<br />
And her garden art not<br />
There. Susan, Freddy, and I<br />
Return home. I make<br />
Fresh tomato sauce with<br />
Tomatoes from my garden.<br />
And meatballs for dinner.<br />
Susan's mom loves pasta<br />
Sauce and meatballs and<br />
She comes over every Sunday<br />
For dinner and she always asks<br />
"Have you heard<br />
From Ann and Alberto?"Bruce Baronehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08262814724740244551noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4949065903834484568.post-23671203368955428772013-09-08T08:52:00.001-07:002013-09-08T08:52:16.796-07:00SaturdayWalked the dog.<br />
Made blueberry pancakes.<br />
Vacuumed the house.<br />
Harvested beets.<br />
Photographed beets.<br />
Roasted beets.<br />
I heard a cardinal sing<br />
In the distance, a dog<br />
Barking. Crickets singing!<br />
My new self-published book<br />
Arrived. The photographs<br />
Are poems and poems<br />
Are photographs. A girl<br />
With purple hair<br />
Walking down the street.<br />
"I love your hair," I said.<br />
She said, "Thank You so much."<br />
I am sad<br />
When I see<br />
The fallen<br />
Cherry tomatoes<br />
Split open<br />
Crushed<br />
On the dirt <br />
In the garden.Bruce Baronehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08262814724740244551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4949065903834484568.post-88736721100810872852013-09-06T13:58:00.003-07:002013-09-06T13:59:50.368-07:00There Is Wonder<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">This is where it starts.<br />
The embrace. And then<br />
Later, long after<br />
The band had retired;<br />
What of music?<br />
It makes everything worse<br />
Or better; if you know<br />
What I mean.<br />
Have you been listening?<br />
Now that that was<br />
First love, what is this?<br />
Let me catch my breath.<br />
Here we go.<br />
All the plants lean<br />
Eastward. The clouds<br />
Heave in Heaven.<br />
To you this might sound silly.<br />
In geometry we learned.<br />
Of the the first kiss<br />
There is wonder.<br />
Waitresses do have sex.<br />
For better or for worse.<br />
Puffs of milkweed<br />
Circle upward. And this<br />
We look forward to doing.<br />
What love?<br />
It is important<br />
To find the idea<br />
Behind the first line.<br />
There is light enough.<br />
All of us up here<br />
I think are afraid.</span></span>Bruce Baronehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08262814724740244551noreply@blogger.com0