Thursday, November 12, 2009

Writing Therapy

I recall that old typewriter
smell of the ribbon
clacking of the type bars
rough texture of the keys
the feed roller would spin
moving paper upward
with every line laid down
a wish hoping you'd come back
I'd hit that return lever
imaging a response
admiting it was unlikely
my letters were never mailed
like a theraputic treadmill
that device never let me down
not the way you did
yet, it sits in the attic
like an abandoned child
the only thing of yours I had
I remember that obsolete machine
more than I remember you

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posted by Doah at 10:46 AM 0 comments

Sunday, March 15, 2009

out-and-back

Every time I got out for my run
I pass by an old oak tree
It's been abandoned
left alone to fend for itself
mangled and worn
yet full of fortitude and strength
it reminds me of me
a great creation clinging to
the side of the ravine
displaying its ruthless trust
dependent upon no one
but God as it patiently
awaits the next storm
only then able to soak in
refreshing rain
running down its trunk
like affirmation from a
trusted lover
as I pass by trudging through
its wildflower neighbors
I know I make the tree truly
happy: all it desires is
reconignatiton
oh, how, I adore the out-and-back

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posted by Doah at 5:40 AM 0 comments

Thursday, November 27, 2008

Cloudburst

Running through the rain
I put my ear to my chest
and heard the righteous pounding
of the song to self
beating out an anthem of
thanksgiving
the sideways torrent
unleashed an avalanche of
praise
rather than dwell in these
"difficult times"
I found myself lost in the
miracle of my functional body
the glory of
salvation
every breath I drew
reminded me of
freedom
my escape from death's grip
sweet rain on my tongue
a refreshing reminder of
God's provision

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posted by Doah at 4:27 PM 1 comments

Thursday, November 20, 2008

Confinement

Imagine my dismay
When I awoke today
To find that I had
Misplaced my passion

Trapped in my own desires
My childhood dreams
Had become my prison
I wanted escape
From it all . . .

Run from responsibilities
Hide from friends
Vacation from work
Give up the charity work
Abandon the "sacred union"
Even hide from God

It all seemed like such a burden
Blessings and all
Nowhere to run
Obligations burning
Bright as the sun

Where did it go
That fire in my soul?
Why do I feel so
Out of control?
Do I even believe
In a soul?

And, who is this stranger in the mirror?

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posted by Doah at 8:05 PM 1 comments

Tuesday, October 21, 2008

Beautiful Past

Could it be
the troubles we shared
have set us free?
Refined by what we bore
the shape of our trials
formed this familiar contour of love
Pain and conflict eroded shame
chipping away brokenness
until you fit I and I fit you . . .
Like a glove

--Shenandoah Lynd

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posted by Doah at 8:35 PM 1 comments

Sunday, August 31, 2008

Abstention

Once I did not write
25 days
Fasting from the pen
A duration
Commemorating your life
Short, but
Impactful
Seldom live
As well as you dared
With strength and courage
Calling us into action
Demanding that we
Truly live
Each moment abundantly
Not a day has passed
Without my thoughts turning to you
That long walk from
A dark car to your grave
The image of you
In your father's arms
Reminds me of your
Huge life and the
Love you gave

--Shenandoah Lynd

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posted by Doah at 4:16 PM 1 comments

Wednesday, July 30, 2008

Penitence

I remember that cool evening
under the moss-draped banyan trees,
how the roots grew downward
to the ground to form new trunks.
I was there only once, yet I'll
never forget it. I neglected to tell you
how lovely you looked. I knew you
would have brushed it off, but I
should have affirmed you anyway.
The clarity was magical and
nothing's made that much sense,
before or since.
Even the immense waves
pounding against the cliffs couldn't
match the power of love
unleashed within my heart.
Would the confession, "I don't ever
want to be without you" really have
made me too vulnerable?
I read that they chopped down the
banyan trees. They're gone
forever, like you. For a price,
rich men golf upon the cliff,
contrasting with poverty in my heart,
the utter bankruptcy of my soul.

--Shenandoah Lynd

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posted by Doah at 8:07 AM 0 comments

Monday, July 14, 2008

Any Given Day

Absentmindedly I wandered
Through an hour
Throughout the days
Over the years
Clueless to what was important
I obsessed over crumbs while
My children pined
For boardgames and family night
Forgetting my neighbor's occupation
I moved on to more important things
Software updates
A spotless car
Clearly, managing finances
Would take me far
I busily checked off my
Grocery list while sprinting
Past Jesus panhandling at the
Exit of the store
Then it hit me as the
Doctor yelled, "Clear!"
I realized my worst fear
Rearranging deck chairs on
On the Titanic
My life had been wasted

--Shenandoah Lynd

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posted by Doah at 10:35 AM 1 comments

Thursday, July 03, 2008

Whirlwind

Surprised by your eyes
Impressed by your heart
Taken by your beauty
Right from the start
Holding you close
Pulling you near
Overcome by a grin
True love is near

--Shenandoah Lynd (08/08/92)

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posted by Doah at 4:03 PM 0 comments

Saved

He breathed into me
love so freely given
taken from my sorrow
spared from a fatal tomorrow
tears of joy
for a savior so giving
Lord, I rejoice
You have made my life worth living

--Shenandoah Lynd (08/08/92)

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posted by Doah at 4:01 PM 0 comments

Never 'Till Now

Never thought it would happen
Never thought it could be
Never thought even God could
Bring true love my way

Shows you what I know
Proves what God can do
Only the creator of this world
Could bring me someone sweet as you!

--Shenandoah Lynd (Aug. '92)

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posted by Doah at 3:58 PM 0 comments

Faith

No fear to be found
Step onto solid ground
Ask to His will
You won't be let down
Even loneliness will pass
You only need to ask

--Shenandoah Lynd (Aug. '92)

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posted by Doah at 3:55 PM 0 comments

Wednesday, July 02, 2008

Salem

With the three sisters in the background
You sent me into the field
Filling my bucket with blackberries
I'd skip home to you
The scent of zucchini bread guiding me
You'd make the jam
Spread on homemade biscuits
Tea and pickled cucumbers
The sweetness of life
Despite the sour
How I want to preserve
Boyhood recollections of you
I want to be a bluebird
On your windowsill in eternity
Willing it so, I am now
Running through the woods
Searching for signs of life
Lost in a memory graveyard
Tripping on vines
Ivy strangles your tombstone
Ravens suspended in air
Demanding payment
Reminding me: "Youth is gone.
Youth is gaaaaawn!"
It was all in my head
I'm left with a pillow
Slobber and sweat
Mason jars, empty as dreams

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posted by Doah at 2:01 PM 1 comments

Thursday, June 12, 2008

Running


"You don't run to generate self-esteem,
but to render it beside the point.
This any religious man will tell you."
--Benjamin Cheever

RUNNING

While running
I saw majestic trees
Delicate yellow buds
A proud new mom
Grey-haired lovers in the park
Sun rays dancing on peeling bark

Running further
Looking closer
I saw how far I'd come
The strength of my sons
Every best friend I've had
My old man wasn't so bad

Running farther on
Looking closer still
My heart expanded
All my needs were met
I saw God's jubilee
The beauty inside me

--Shenandoah Lynd

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posted by Doah at 1:27 PM 0 comments

Saunter

Walking with my daughter
I finally understood
My Lord when he said,
"For the Kingdom of God
belongs to such as these."

Armed with just a stick
She took on the world
No calculating
Without hesitation
She pursued her goals

Why can't I be more
Like my three-year-old?
Collecting leaves makes her happy
Joy contained in a pine cone
Me, I need an iPhone

"Wait daddy!" is wisdom
I need to be content to
Let a day unfold
Busyness is my fool's gold
That's what my toddler teacher told

--Shenandoah Lynd

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posted by Doah at 11:12 AM 0 comments

Wednesday, June 11, 2008

Good Ol' Days

It was fun while it lasted
My life apart from you
I enjoyed those nights getting blasted
Throwing back the brew

The illusion of freedom was grand
Keeping you up on the shelf
Living with my head in the sand
Daily serving just myself

Pops taught me all about sex
Fun without a price
No matter whose life it wrecks
Deception's a skill, not a vice

Am I a product of those days?
Or a whole new creation?
Heavily, the guilt it weighs
To my disgrace, I forget I'm your formation

--Shenandoah Lynd

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posted by Doah at 11:47 AM 0 comments

Friday, May 30, 2008

Sabbath

Sabbath called my name
I will never be the same
"Remember me," my Lord pleaded
There was a time when I was all you needed
"Stop doing," He said
So my agenda I shed
"Inaction today will fill your tank"
So I went to his well and drank
The living water was cold
Grace something to behold
Abba drew my head to His chest
And gave me rest

--Shenandoah Lynd

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posted by Doah at 9:12 AM 2 comments

Thursday, March 27, 2008

Only Words

We threw insults around
Creative F-yous laced in sarcasm
Like pennies tossed to the ground
Little by little we created a chasm

Years later we stood across from each other
Staring into the viper's den
Lying there in the pit I recognized mother
It was then we knew we were men

Her bones being cleaned by the birds
We had killed her
Murdered with words
Victorious for sure

Sticks and stones may break your bones,
but only words can kill you.

--Shenandoah Lynd

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posted by Doah at 3:30 PM 0 comments

Sunday, March 23, 2008

Standing Condemned

On any given day
I don't truly live
In the freedom of
The risen Christ's grace
At any moment I
Willingly dismiss the
Resurrection news
What would a true grasp
Of the truth even look like
Grace, I am told, is the
Courage to accept acceptance
Yet, how can I accept myself
When I am busy judging others
Taking your inventory
It turns out
Is my own personal Golgotha

--Shenandoah Lynd

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posted by Doah at 10:37 AM 1 comments

Monday, January 07, 2008

Poetry Review III

It's been awhile. Below you can check out all of my poetry that I've posted since my Poetry Review II last March. Let me know if like one more than the others.

Kin
Soapbox
Role Models
Foretime Son
Easter Birds
Walter
Ceremony
Return
Is That All?
Self-Conscious Bigot
Reverie
Farmhouse
Bacchanalian Rhapsody
staff meeting
BLINDED
Requite
Trabajar en el hoyo
Aurora Staples Inn

That's all of them. The first Poetry Review was posted back in September 2006. Hope you enjoyed them. Thanks for reading.

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posted by Doah at 2:59 PM 3 comments