Sunlight and Shadows

Finding poetry in star dust, sunbeams, and passing clouds

  • Contra Dance

    Purple, turquoise, golden jewels

    Whirl and flash in metallic wings

    Up and down the floor they fly

    Tap of feet as the fiddle sings

    Center hands, star left, star right

    Pinwheels turning round and round

    Then claps and stomps as forward lines

    Meet to fill the hall with sound

    Partners allemande and turn

    Then drop hands, orbit dosido

    In joined momentum taking flight

    Spinning fast and free they go

    The tapestry of right-left-grand

    Weaving strands of moving light

    A promenade of glitter home

    A shimmer sent into the night

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  • Strength in Numbers

    Many people, many lives

    Come together to create

    A shared experience of joy

    Some life event to celebrate

    A solemn pause to mark an end

    Diverse opinions to debate

    A hardship to help mitigate

    No matter what, these all translate

    To shared connection, greater strength

    A richer life to now relate

    ,

  • Alum Cave Hike

    Beginning on a mountain climb

    Map out the miles to the peak

    On gentle grade the upward hike

    Starts off along a sparkling creek

    The rock arch marks the halfway point

    From there the trail is upward bent

    Rough logs cross over gurgling brooks

    Sharp switchbacks curb the steep ascent

    A panoramic mountain view

    At last rewards the uphill climb

    Wildflowers frame majestic peaks

    So high above our place and time

    Turn onward from that peaceful view

    Press forward for the final prize

    Uncounted stair steps steeply climb

    Til up above great cave rocks rise

    A rocky outcrop towers above

    The sandy, sheltered, safe retreat

    A tree-framed perch enclosed by peaks

    The place where sky and mountains meet

    Achievement’s thrill renews resolve

    Retrace each step down from the goal

    The height, the view, now memories

    The altitude that stretched the soul

    The final mile at last complete

    Now cross the last bridge, road in sight

    The climb, the challenge is achieved

    The heart now holds the hopes of height

    ,

  • Storm Season

    There’s always one more hurricane

    After the last one’s passed

    There’s always one more wall of rain

    And mudslide moving fast

    The sky will cloud, the wind will blow

    The sun from warming will abstain

    And when it’s over, you must know

    You’ll end up on rougher terrain

    Yet there’s no choice but through it go

    And find strength to stand up again

    ,

  • Lake Kayak

    Water lapping against the hull

    Shiny bright blue plastic

    Cutting through the current clear

    In my little kayak

    Windmill arms go up and down

    Splashing paddle oar strokes

    Salty sweat and water cold

    A pattern on my pants soaks

    Gliding like a water bug

    Across the rippling surface

    Pools and rapids, mossy logs

    In sun and shaded blueness

    Up a sandbar stop to rest

    Rough gravel underneath

    As water burbles fast on by

    A gentle summer wreath

    ,

  • Wars

    Some fight for land, some fight for wealth

    I fight for only life and health

    Some fight for power, love, or praise

    I fight for normal, certain days

    Some wage their wars on far off shores

    Our battles are behind closed doors

    And someday we will walk out, free

    To live long days in victory

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