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The Orange Cushion
There’s an orange cushion in my parents’ house In 25 years it hasn’t changed an ounce It’s in the basement – a cool place, in fact Seeing it the other day took me back It’s orange like a pumpkin with white cloth handles on each side Firm but giving I held it there on the…
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The Bible Around You
She said she’d never read the Bible before She was 31, me, 34 From Florida She reminded me of my childhood best friend Anyone could talk to her Sweet, funny, hardworking, hard to offend I never really talked to her but from my office outside hers I could hear every conversation Small talk, life stories,…
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Instruction for the Ignoramus
Have you ever felt stupid? Stupid isn’t a nice word. Ignorant, incompetent, unintelligent? A doofus, an ignoramus, a fool? It’s not a good feeling, especially when you feel that way in an environment in which you’re supposed to know what you’re doing. In front of other people. This happened to me yesterday, and I’m still…
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Grandma’s House
Sunday afternoon, a pretty day in May The pup heard his mama say, “Let’s go to Grandma’s” He headed to the door His mama with leash in hand On the sidewalk, moving forward as planned Marlin, a white mixed dog jumped the fence Billy saw him coming and acted in defense He stepped in front…
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My Office
The hallway outside was empty The air, so tranquil Friday morning, the first one in, I was thankful I didn’t even bother to turn on the light With the blinds open on a spring morning it was already so bright Newcomers and some old timers say the carpet’s dull The desktop is dusty The paint…
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Love Your Brothers
Do you ever think about what it means to love other people? I’m not talking so much about romance here, but more of a practical, day-to-day concern for the wellbeing of others. The Bible talks a lot about it. Jesus said that’s how the world would know people are his disciples: if they love one…
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May
This is one of my favorite months But in walking tonight I had mixed feelings: both sad and elated Ten years ago in May I graduated Got married too Still pink and purple flowers bloom Gigantic white clouds zoom Egrets, eagles, seagulls soar A lot has ended in the last 10 years The seasons and…
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Self-Defense
There’s a lot of danger in this world. And there’s a lot of unstable people roaming the earth, preying on innocent people. One of my favorite shows is Dateline. I like it because it reveals these stories. I don’t think it’s good to dwell on the negatives of humanity, but I think it’s important to…
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Father
Our relationship is a bit odd to most We keep each other in check without saying much No words to speak or toast No affectionate touch But there’s a deep love here, a mutual admiration In the middle of life planning, there’s a subtle celebration There’s a mirror when I look at him and the…
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The Bar
The sermon last week was different, not something you’d ever think The pastor actually said to lower the bar When I was in 9th grade my history teacher always talked about raising it Since then I’ve always questioned if I’m legit Am I smart enough, pretty enough, good enough As I’ve waltzed through the phases…
writings on life
gremlin fodder 