I have been working on another collection of poems, hopefully to be launched here soon. Stay tuned! Until then, I wished to share a taste with you. I hope you enjoy …
Happy Summering!
Toad Spell
The trespasser does not go
undetected
through our garden.
My daughter gasps with pointed finger
while the boys arm themselves with sticks.
The accused freezes in his tracks
gulping and billowing
guilt and apprehension.
We form a circle around him
but then withhold our stones.
I understand the fear,
the judgment
the trepidation at being beheld
as too flawed to pass.
Somehow, without words,
we all step back.
My son moves his dump truck
out of the way
opening the path to safety.
We wait with bated breath
For the leap …
But it does not come.
The children grow impatient,
go off to other things.
Only I stay and wait and meet
his unimpressed gaze.
Soon a girl needs some juice,
a boy topples from a tree;
I administer hugs and snacks and band aids.
When I return to the prince in waiting,
he is gone.
Dark soil stares up from where
he had bellowed so silently –
no pebble disturbed, no track or trail,
no signs of the slipping away …
Only the garden made emptier now
somehow
by the unfulfilled promise
of a kiss.
Lover of God, happy wife, mama to 4, writer, teacher, author of 
I love it! As always, writing that captures the senses, heart, and imagination, thank you.
Thank YOU! I couldn’t leave this moment unwritten. Anything that wanders into our yard is doubly brave! :)
“….on another collection of poems”
Little help, please…..where does one find the other(s)?
Collection(s) of poems, that is?
So drawn am I by guilt that billows, silence that bellows, breath that is bated — the garden of my mind is anything but emptier, now having met the trespasser, having met your words! Way to go!
So kind! Thank you – you can find my other collection called “True North” on Amazon. I will be putting a new list of my books on my website here soon so folks can find them more easily. I love the image, BTW, of “garden of my mind” – wonderful!
A trio –
1) Is there absolution for one w/o Kindle?!?!?
2) Is it reading too much to say that your reptile is as scripturally intoxicated as Hopkins “Grandeur?” They seem to both be not-so-veiled invitations to His mercy, for one deemed ‘too flawed to pass.’ For that, Thank you!
3)Learned this week, with great sadness, about the death of the “Dr. Deveaux” in my own life. A Milton scholar, always with suit and tie, it was from him that I first heard that to understand another is to stand under him, as at the foot of the cross….Here’s to truly passionate teachers!
1.) Great question – you can download a free kindle reading application on your computer or phone – my hubby is about to post more info about that here on my site to help folks with just that question. You don’t need a kindle to read kindle books (I’m learning all this stuff too – wow!)
2.) I think everything is charged with the glory of God Glad you notice it too! :)
3.) So sorry for your loss, but glad for your gain in the memory and impact and legacy. We all need such teachers!
Thanks for writing!
I love this! The end of the poem was beautifully unexpected. :)
Been thinking of you a lot recently, wondering how you are feeling.
Thanks, Brenda! Woefully behind on all the correspondence … but hanging in. Baby due this month, but feels like any time! Sleep is evasive. But the kids’ excitement makes it such a precious season indeed.
Oh, lovely! Thanks so much for putting this up here, Caro – just delightful. I am back in the saddle of cyberspace after 3 weeks away to finish a writing project for the denomination and to complete my training in spiritual direction. Hooray! Praying for you as that due date draws nigh – post pictures at some point, please. Praying especially for peace of mind and heart, friend. Peace and great joy. Love to you.
Thanks, Diana! How good to hear from you, and congrats on completing some major milestones, esp the spiritual direction. You have certainly helped me and blessed me immensely with my own spiritual direction! :) Will post those pics – yes, getting near. Any time now, we hope! xo
Oh, my. This is gorgeous. I feel such a wistful ache now.
unkissed princes have that effect, I find! :)
Absolutely lovely.
Thanks Katy!
Scripture says, “As are your days, so shall your strength be.” Praying that you find this true as the unveiling of the “dessert baby” approaches. Of course you’ve already sold me one of the new collections of poetry when it comes out. Are you free to give us a sneak peak of the new title on InterVarsity?
We hope that you got our note and that Kent, the kids and maybe even you enjoyed a Timbits frenzy. At least a cup of coffee? Regards and prayers always.
You spoil us, Dave! Yes, we did just receive it (picked it up only very recently bc my mom was collecting and holding our mail for a bit there for us). loved the card! :) and have one on the return to you, friend. What a thoughtful thing to do! thank you so very much. My IVP title is “Gift of the Present” and they tell me the release date is still a year away, next fall. So I will formally announce it closer to the date here. I have a few other projects in the meantime forthcoming, to be announced very soon. Thanks for asking! God bless, Dave!
We have a bullfrog living in our whiskey barrel water garden. Every time I go out on the patio I hear the sound of water splashing and all that is left is a damp smudge on the plastic liner. I keep hoping that I’ll catch a glimpse of him before he jumps. My husband has, but I don’t share his patience or soft step. Your poem is beautiful and unexpected. Thank you!
I love that first sentence – just a terrific image! Patience is a virtue, especially when it comes to glimpse of God, eh?
…always enjoy the way your poems remind me that life is a gift that is worth seeing, even (especially) in ordinary moments.
Thank you, David. It’s me who needs the reminding most, which is why I enjoy the writing.