Sitting at a table
Our group of eight
A crowded restaurant
An awareness
Of my not talking
Not listening
Gazing out the window
Feeling detached
Indifferent
An unknown
Unarticulated
Longing
For what?
That missing something
©2017 Thomas W. Cummins
—-∞∞—-
Thundering, blowing rain
A squall
Wind-whipped leaves
Vegetables in the prisoners’ garden
Planted in the housing unit yard
By the fence
While a desolate place
Nurturing rain
Growth
Symbols of life’s hope
Grace overcoming bleakness
Pushing aside despair
Sheltered under an overhang
I watch and wait
Far from the chapel
Where men also wait
Four locked gates away
I watch and wait
© 2017 Thomas W. Cummins
An indifferent lake early
Foggy
Monochrome gray
Offering no invitation
To look closer
Approach
Enter
Ride upon
Yet filled
With possibilities
Latent beauty
Much to be revealed
Later
Sparkling blueness
Drawing laughter
From children playing
Those fishing
Waiting in hopeful
Anticipation
Copyright 2015 Thomas W. Cummins
If we look closely
Amidst dry, lifeless clutter
As our life seems, sometimes
Or often
Can be found
Breathtaking beauty
Hope
I wish, somehow, there was a way to put up sandbags against today’s flood of sadness
But through God’s grace, I know things will get better
Patience
Acceptance
Finding sustenance for my spiritual roots
To not get pulled down, dragged down, diminished by the careless behavior of others
My best friend is with me
Everything will be okay
We’ll get through this
Gentleness, kindness, understanding and forgiveness will prevail
Surrendering to the power of Wisdom
Perhaps letting go
—∞—
A dog is barking© 2014 Thomas W. Cummins
