Through The Trees Softly

Through the trees softly
      The rain persists
Through the trees thoroughly
            The rain coats
      Drenching all who walk and talk
            Washing all who learn and teach
      Cleansing all who share and care

Oh Father to whom we most solemnly pray
      Oh Mother whom we most dearly love
Oh Jesus who calls us to brotherhood and sisterhood
      Oh Family, from whom we draw power and sustenance
Surely this mere act of percipitation
      Surely this watering of wonder from the sky
Surely this opening of clouds from on high
      Surely this sound so soft and kind
Comes from a source fed by The One
      Comes from a quiver overflowing with rays
Comes from a pattern of generosity of spirit
      Comes from a river rising up and over
            Its banks unable to contain
The conversation we humans are uniquely privileged
      To be asked to partake to join
            A Father with children
                  A Mother with sucklings
            A Human with fellow humans

Too much has been given to be treated lightly
      Mere mortals trying to keep up
            With such Godly quantities of gifts
So much we are beholden to give back
      Mere mortals unable to respond in kind
            With such Godly quantities of Love
Yet all we are asked to do by The One
      Is to return human quantities of Love
            To The One
                  And to one another
So easy a task one might think
      A natural response one would hope
            An achievable response one would have faith

So yes Solemn Sir yes
      Yes Holy Madame  yes
Yes precious Sibling yes

Our hearts cry out
      Indeed our souls share
Tender whimpers and tears
      Not unlike the sounds of tonight's rain

Through the trees softly
      The rain persists
Through the trees thoroughly
            The rain coats
      Drenching all who walk and talk
            Washing all who learn and teach
                  Cleansing all who care and share


For Sketches
By Denis J. Kelly
July 24, 2013

When Next We Meet

When next we meet
To play again
Pray we both have
Another song
In our quiver

Another melody
To hum along
Another lyric
To sing the song
Another rhyme
To give some reason
Another tune
To howl at the moon
On our way to Mars

When next we meet
To play again
Pray we both have
Another song
In our quiver


For Sketches
By Denis J. kelly
July 21, 2013

Breaking Camp Again

Breaking camp again
10 a.m. Sunday
So many have already gone
Some leave right from breakfast

Others use the hour after
To pack cars
Clean rooms
Close windows
Double check

Cars laden with bikes
Pillows sheets
Fans that were never needed
In these cool Catskill heights
Luggage toys cards souvenirs
Those new T-shirts
One with bears across the chest
Other with a regal wolf face
CD player and too many CDs
Never had the time to play half of them
Too busy with camp stuff
Hikes games campfires
Walks
Naps in an Adirondack chair
Hypnotized by the sway of the trees
Varying breezes accompanying invisible timeless solitudes

Backpacks empty now
Not needed for a hike today
The hike today is the haul home
Boots stowed
Homeward bound
Thinking about
Miles away from these woods
Being welcomed home
By lowlands humidity
Unpacking
Showering
Gnoshing
Finally crawling into the familiar nest
Last lazy snooze of vacation

Breaking camp again
10 a.m. Sunday


For Sketches
By Denis J. kelly
July 21, 2013