~1979
this is the year she discovers
the difference between heaven and hell
when the north star shines brighter
than one dull streetlight
that fizzles
flickers in the distance
of course, he can give her a ride home
a slow drive through august
with a quick stop
in an empty church parking lot
he preaches to her like his father had
last Sunday
places her in his pulpit
a leather-torn backseat of a
cherub gold trans am
he can cleanse
her skin
she needs faith
he can save her starving soul
he knows god
and she looks like an angel
he says she is beautiful
as he baptizes her
with the oil of his sweat
as he pushes inside
her bleeding innocence
with a flesh piercing scream
evil glows in his narrow
yellow eyes
she is twelve and summer's over
she never skips the sidewalk cracks
going home
flocks of ravens circle 'round
and she wonders if they know
she carries part of him
growing in her stomach pit
she watches behind herself
and waits
for the devil who comes as the preacher’s son
for her angel wings to unfold
lah 10.10.11 ©®
Death Has Come
Hello Death, how are you?
I know you've been waiting awhile,
You're impending visit darkens me a hue,
At the same time, it causes me to smile,
Because I am unafraid to face my fate,
Take me where you will,
Tell me the year, month and date,
When I will be buried beneath the hill,
If there is one thing you cannot allow,
It's letting death make you stop living,
Chuckle at fear, raise your eyebrow,
For wasting your time ,afraid, can be a misgiving.
Let it be Glorious
If you're going to heal, let it be glorious.
These words stopped my heart. So many of us heal as an after thought simply because time has so graciously allowed it. Healing should be something we run towards with arms wide open. We should savor the feeling, walking proudly in it. Owning it like we earned it. It's not an accomplishment achieved by all. Complete healing with the right lessons learned is the ultimate goal. I want you to heal, and I want you to do it gloriously. I love you today.
