Things to Believe In

Trees, in general, and oaks -
especially Western gamble oaks that survive fire,
and the generosity of apples
falling to the ground.

Seeds, all of them -
winged maple, thistle and poppy,
signaling the inevitability
and beauty of change.

Throaty frog songs at twilight,
the hiss of cicadas in summer,
cattle lowing on a farm,
the sweetness of well-loved music.

Warm and savory soups,
pot roast, of course,
the bite of yeast rising -
good work, hugs, kind words from a friend.

The constancy of ocean waves,
star-studded night skies,
the bedrock of granite mountains -
and anything at all breaking through.

In Memory of Dr. Paul Edmonston
February 3, 2011

Thievery

it came like a thief in the night,
soundlessly, without warning -
and before you had time
to count what you might lose,
it took all you had
and you were gone

- In memory of Dr. Paul Edmonston,
beloved scholar, artist, teacher and my father.
February 3, 2011