Tangled Web

Caught in the tangled

web of my thoughts, I struggle

to get free. Sometimes

though, I can see the web is

of my own making

and, after taking a breath,

I relax and just let be.

JDG

So Much To Learn

Ever since I set

my GPS to “off road”,

hoping to avoid

interstates, my grandson has

taken great delight

in asking how many creeks

I forded, what woods

I crossed and how many fields

I roamed on my long way home.

JDG

Co-author Unknown

Sometimes when I write,

some unknown hand grabs my pen

and before I know

it, adds a word, a phrase, a

twist that leads the piece

off in a direction all

its own and I’m left agape.

JDG

Room Enough

They don’t seem to mind.

Several conversations

are being held at

once. Raspy caws mingle with

high pitched trills and an

occasional joyful chirp.

Even the bees join

in and add their buzz. Out here,

it seems, there’s plenty

of room for many voices

to sing all their different songs.

JDG

Where’s He Headed

Watching Toby sleep,

seeing his nose twitch, his paws

arch and move slowly

through the air, I wonder what he’s

up to now. Hasn’t

he already done enough

to keep us safe and

still have fun. Where’s he headed

as he scampers through

his doggy dreams – to work, to play

or somewhere mysterious?

JDG

That Rumi

“How aren’t you?” he asked

with a mischievous grin, but

serious all the

while. That Rumi can take

the familiar, give

it a shake and transport us

to an unexpected place.

JDG

All Is Not Lost

When I lost my keys

and my temper once again,

I turned to Kodi,

my oldest granddaughter, and

asked, “Do you think by

the time I’m eighty, I’ll get

a hold of myself?”

“Not a chance,” she said,

“and when you get to heaven

and cause a ruckus

even there, God will simply

sigh and say over

and over to God’s self, ‘Love

and tolerate, love

and tolerate ALL of your

children.’ ” At least, I

thought to myself, she thinks I’ll

make it through those pearly gates.

JDG

As Evening Comes

As evening comes, light

strikes the tall pine’s upper trunk

just for a moment

before it fades. The bearded

iris shine purple

as buttercups softly sing

to the darkening

grass. Taking leave of the day’s

concerns, we welcome the night.

JDG

His Light Still Shines

Cotton clouds crowded

the bluest of skies as friends

and family came

together to celebrate

the life of Gus Deeds. Music,

poems, and stories

paid tribute to this young man,

an inspiration,

comfort, guide, and endless source

of laughter and fun

to campers, counselors, and

staff at Nature Camp.

Here, in the Blue Ridge Mountains,

his laughter and light still shine.

JDG

Once Again, Toby

Once again Toby

has taken up his station

on the hill and we

no longer worry about

the stealthy move of

wayward trashcans or sudden

alien attacks.

Even deer and possums know

to stay away. Toby’s near.

JDG