fracas

lightning
streaks of passion
cascade, ignite, enflame
brushfire and smoke, unquenchable
until
soft rain and cloud, conciliating
temper, soften, allay
lines of wisdom
raindrops

—the curtain rises slow

Far and upper reaches all aglow with dawn
While lower, nearer bounds are darken'd still
By shadows of the earth and remnants of the night

Slowly sliding moments before sunrise: a picture—
        how already and not yet coexist and commingle (surprisingly)

The world, the age is broken, finished, ended
While still it rushes onward, unnoticing: its time has come—
        its time is all but done.

History gasped: the first acted ended with a birth—
        a birth that ushered in the interlude, continuous, no break between the two
An interlude of death and undeath, two-in-one
On the first act curtain fell, though actors scamper still across the stage
And still the next act tarries, curtain yet unlifted,
And still the audience sits waiting, breath baited, till the curtain's rise on final act—
        (on final act that will not end)
The curtain rises slow

Far and upper reaches all aglow with dawn
While lower, nearer bounds are darken'd still
By shadows of the earth and remnants of the night

Mountain Biking

burning calves and thighs
lungs aching with altitude
heart thumping, pounding

green blur of tall trees
air whistling in helmet cracks
cool breeze stealing sweat

climbing toward sky
eyes fixed firmly on the ground
work for altitude

smooth curves and small jumps
gliding downward in delight
exhilaration

To Anthony and Megan

You crossed a threshold yesterday
    And stepped into a new and brighter world
    Though two before you now are one at heart
    You'll make a home, a life, a family

We stood and cheered and cried with tears of joy
    To see your hearts so full of joy and hope
    And we will stand beside you in the dark
    When sickness pain and sorrow take their toll

You've set a course for shores beyond your sight
    And know not yet what storms may come at you
    Hold fast to hope, hold fast your solemn vows
    And never dare, no never sail alone

Through marriage bliss and fright'ning woes you'll stand
    Oh stand on Rock of Ages till the end