Friday, June 26, 2015

Out of Pott






















In all of God’s worlds, in the whole of creation,
Never has there been, nor will be, such a being,
Philosopher, editor, sharp-witted contrarian,
Endless communication, not once a key keying.

The son of a preacher would reform the tradition,
Climbing Calvin’s Ladder above the theological fray,
Yet grounded by Gwen’s unexpected expectation,
Blazing terminal inertia with Eerdmans did he stay.

Stay he did, through Presidents Johnson through Obama,
Authors, colleagues bettered, as iron sharpens stone,
Able to better any author, from Calvin to the Dalai Lama,
Would they have listened to him loquaciously intone. 

His craft extends from books to persons unaware,
A desk for a boat, time for friends, for grandchildren,
Wishes and prayers, as he fares where he will fare,
Many will miss the wise steps of our fellow pilgrim.

Grace for the days ahead,
Gratitude for the days behind,
Bittersweet the moment,
Until we fellowship,
Again.

Wednesday, June 10, 2015

Mwanzo (1)














Our days are measured in suns or moons,
Rising and falling o'er the dome of the sky,
A friendship, unexpected, echoes the miles,
A canticle resonates as our chasmal sigh,
Crescendos, hearts read like ancient runes,
Kueleweka. (2)

Calendar pages, like rose pedals, bloom,
Wilt in potpourri balm, and bloom again,
A love, precipitous, overtakes defenses,
Grace imparts, release, and oh, I ascend,
On Spirit breath, ethereal as a plume,
Ukombozi. (3)

 Kenya-called, my muse found me still,
The orange flame rose and fell o'er Africa,
Seeing and being seen, while yet unseen,
Divine, upendo(4) ushers twain in a Basilica,
Both school and church, woven in twill,
Adahi.(5)


Now, a cycle of seasons in the path of Sol,
Promises and pronouncement hearth fire,
Which burns and warms my life and yours,
'Though days may bring woe amid desire,
In faith, Renita, our fellowship is whole.
Milele.(6)





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1. "Beginning" in Swahili
2. "Understood" in Swahili
3. "Deliverance" in Swahili
4. "Love" in Swahili
5. "Covenant" in Swahili
6. "Forever" in Swahili


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