Monday, December 7, 2015

Rise and Rally


Oh, cancer, you are persistent.
        You attack, young and old alike.
Yes, the list is long of those you have taken.
        But know this,
We rise and rally against you.
With candles and ribbons and tears,
        we stand in memory of those who have fought.
With prayers and science and hands held together,
        we stand by those who face the battle now.
With laughter and hugs and thankfulness,
        we stand with the survivors who are the veterans.
These Heroes All,
have shown us pain, frustration and fear.
But more than that, they have shown us
        the strength of faith,
the grin and grit of courage,
the gleam of hope,
the restfulness of peace
and the unconquered soul
that leads us to
Rise and Rally.

Saturday, October 24, 2015

A W in the Book


Tonight is not for a title or trophy,
Just the last game of the season.
Tape the ankle, wear the colors,
Roll the neck, and pound the pads.
It’s time. Time for a W in the book.

Look at the faces next to you
And make an oath right now,
That you will step it up and play
Right up to the final whistle
And share a W in the book.

We have had our heartache
Plus, bruises, crutches and flags.
Yet, tonight if we play with heart
Deep from the fiber of our soul,
Forever will be a W in the book.

C’mon boys, rally round the ball.
Yell and cheer like champions.
Let the field echo with our cry
Let our spirit, unbroken, fly!
And put another W in the book.

Saturday, April 25, 2015

Restless

The night sighs in restful peace,
Yet my mind tosses and tumbles.
    Questions pull at my blankets
    giving me chills.
Fears scrabble under the bed lurking
in the dark.
    Rolling over, I hide in my pillow,
    searching for solace and sleep.
Nestled deep in my thoughts,
dozing, my limited time.
    And, I have miles to go. Many miles.
    However, the road is blurred with sleeplessness.

Wednesday, February 18, 2015

Drive


            the ball comes down court
            hands ready.
Pick sets.
            flash around, shoulder to shoulder
Post up.
            ball pops the hand
            to the net.
Drive!

            new opponent takes the court,
            smug cancer.
Pick sets.
            team rallies, shoulder to shoulder,
Post up.
            Compo, head up high,
            undefeated.
Drive.

            athletes across the conference
            wear pink.
Pick sets.
            all the Jack Pine, shoulder to shoulder,
Post up
            a number 32
            with love.
Drive.


Saturday, January 31, 2015

Miss You

I walk tall, undefeated,
Yet the wind tries to push me down,
To hunch low, retreat into my coat of thoughts.
Grit stings my eye, blurring the world.
I fall…
    ...no one catches me
        ...miss you.

I fall hard, awkwardly,
And the pavement bites my palms,
Burns my knee, the armor of faith groans.
Heart pounds hard, frustrated and mad.
I cry…
    ...no words of comfort
        ...miss you

I rise slow, carefully,
From a tree, a red cardinal chirps, “Hey.”
Warming sun, touches my salty cheek.
Although not here, you are with me..
I sigh…
    ...your message received
        ...miss you.