1 Peter 3

And this would be a day that I would read 1 Pet. 3 and all that stuff about a "gentle and quiet spirit"--living in harmony and sympathy, love and  compassion. It'd have to be about keeping your "tongue from evil" and "seeking peace." 

Well, today I was a failure--a failure just when I can least afford it. 


Maybe tomorrow I'll "do good" and "seek peace."

For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous 

and his ears are attentive to their prayer.

This is no time to get sassy, and I need to remember that!

Monet's Lament

I hear the birds in busy work,

Singing 'mid the sunny fields;

Flowers, too, are blossoming;

Spring is bringing forth her yield--

But, not for me.

I hear the children laugh in play,

Games of joy and hide-n-seek.

Squirrels are chasing lovingly;

They beckon forth the shy and meek--

But, not to me.

Today I sit alone in darkness.

Today I weep in pain.

Today the shadows, my companions,

Reach out--to embrace me.

Deb Borkert ‘11

Fear

Sadness is within the shadows

My old foe has returned.

I sense you there

Beyond the wispy branches,

In the forest of my mind.

What calleth thyself this day?

Disappointment, fear, reality?

Ah, fear, my worst fear—

It has been some time.

When I was young, I wailed against you,

In middle age, I ignored you—

I hadn’t time.

But, now you greet an old woman.

What shall my response be?

I desire to sink into you.

But, I know there is no rest in thy soft breast.

And it leaves me bewildered,

As we parley ‘round this tree—

Deb Borkert ‘11

Suddenly

Suddenly—

She stood open,

Visibly rattled,

Beseeching—

Uncloaked, she awakened

Something in me—

Compassion?

And I was drawn to her.

Next day,

She’d pulled

Herself back under her

Wrap of insecurity—

Arms folded,

Hands withdrawn.

And I could not reach her—

For I could not touch her fingers.

D. Borkert 8/15/11