A Sunday Afternoon
Worship is finished and not
though the Church doors
may be closed
locked
but worship continues
within each true believer's heart
lunch, big or small
has been consumed
it is gone from the plate
but not yet gone
and in the stillness
of a Sunday afternoon
lies the call of the pillow
meditation with eye lids closed
on the sweetness of life
the goodness of God
a parting from last weeks road
and the path
that tomorrow we will trod.
dc riggs © 4 October 2009
Judge Not The Day
It was the best of days
the worst of days
such is the judgement
for any day
for though the moment
seem dark
defeated, perhaps a failure
each day can be known
only over the course of time
the same is true
for yours as it is for mine
and in time's passage
the best and the worst merge
blend, into each other fade
for neither can exist
without the other
to be measured by
but the open mind waits
later is time enough for judgement
the now is to be seized
to be enjoyed
to be with others shared
and so in each other's company
in each others arms
laughter and tears mingle
moment to moment
day to day
in the very worst of days
as well as the very best of days.
dc riggs © 10 Oct 09
"In Memory of Bern"
From the sod a human being
is born upon the earth
and from that day forward
we celebrate that birth
the growth, the ups, the downs
of life is the lot of man
in youth we have our growing pains
aged at last
we suffer other pains
but in it all is joy
the pleasure found in being alive
though there are times
when we are not sure
just how we will for long survive
then comes the day
when the body's journey
is at an end
friends and family gather
with tears, sorrow
grief
to say goodbye to a body
from which life has said farewell
but for the one now gone
peace has come
as we a new existence begin
to be with our Creator
who formed our mother's womb
so tears blend with joy
as we remember, cherish
the life that was, the life that is
celebrate still
the life well lived
making a difference upon the earth
for death is a transition point, not an end.
dc riggs © 17 October 2009
"Remembering Bern Moses"
Oct 21, 1929 – October 16, 2009
He came into this world
as do we all
in the mystery of human birth
he was de-prepared
yet through beans and rocks
and other things
he learned a bit about life
we have not forgotten Bern
for we have the gift to remember.
His patriotism did unfurl
when he heard the Navy's call
he was a sailor, a boxer
later husband, father
a Master Salesman, philosopher
teacher, to many a friend
he learned of life, to be in command
in our own re-preparation Bern
you and your lessons we remember.
His life was an interesting swirl
his death led some to wail, to bawl
yet his life we celebrate
for it was truly a life well lived
he was to many a mentor, and more
we celebrate his life, taking command
of our lives; and with tears and joy
reflect on the life and legacy of Bern
for we do, will continue to, remember!
dc riggs © 19 October 2009
Glance at that man, that woman
standing close as the Flag passes by
do you see a straightening
of their spine
a tear in their eye
hand over their heart
they may be a veteran, still proud
with freedom's theme endowed.
Perhaps no longer young
eyes twinkle, mind remembers
when enemies sought to kill
terrors of bursting bombs
bullets that did more than sting
friends, buddies who died
yes, they may be a veteran proud
with freedom's theme endowed.
Once, they heard their Nation's call
not to wealth, riches, or ease
but to service
not for self, but for others
standing watch in cold and rain
their life on the line, in wars cold and hot
we know them as a veteran, still proud
with freedom's theme endowed.
Don't judge them by their looks
rare is the time to wear their medals
many never brag, they could
their deeds did not make the news
but it was vital for our freedom
given selfishly, so
salute them, of each veteran be proud
let us be with freedom's theme endowed.
dc riggs © 30 October 2009
There is a grave, Charlie's grave
that lies in the shadow
of the mountain called Rainier
he lived, he laughed
his Nation he gallantly served
and with others of the same fate
his body now lies at rest.
Death seems to be a dark cave
defying the understanding
of those of humankind
far too brief is life
especially when the young die
as parent's tears soak
the ground that it be blessed.
Red stripes, the blood of the brave
who for Country and home died
often, far, far away
white stripes, the purity of sacrifice
a blue field, God's Creation
stars of white, for a future bright
given by those passing love's test.
Love is the measure of what he gave
nothing his life can replace
but our Flag still waves in the breeze
freedom is never fully won
for its enemies always lie in wait
should we give less than Charlie did?
he offered his service, his life, his best.
dc riggs © 20 October 2009
The Lord is my Shepherd
no other I need
though pestilence fills the land
the walk of faith
I will travel
a pilgrim am I upon the earth
through Christ Jesus
death I need not fear
for I live
in oneness with the Father
Creator of Heaven
and earth
through the Holy Spirit
we find with Him relationship
the second birth
a journey from the now
that will last for all eternity
walking hand in hand with my Shepherd.
dc riggs © 21 October 2009
'Tis early in the morning
the sun is not yet a rising
it is a time for quite
for prayer, coffee, reflection
looking at what this day will be
not eliminating serendipity
but before I proceed to go and do
the morning must be enjoyed
for it is a gift of God
as is the whole our day
pity us
if we ignore the gift
or give just lip service to the giver
but the choice is ours
to appreciate, enjoy, celebrate
before and as
we move forward
to make the day good
for us
for those we are around
to give a smile
from the depths of our heart
rather than the withering frown
soon the sun will be rising
giving light to the dark of morning.
dc riggs © 28 October 2009
From the purity of green
life being lived
to the transition of fall
when green fades to yellow
to orange, and red
bolder and brighter at times
than anything else to be seen
then the color becomes brown
dissolves, absorbed by the earth
as winter comes
for the change marks the dying
of the leaf, not the tree
there is beauty in the transition
though we fear the touch
of winter's or death's own sting
we should remember
winter is followed by spring
that God, our Creator, is our tree
as we live
whether we are young or no longer so
our life as with colors bold
or the vibrancy of green
it's all part of eternity's scene.
dc riggs © 28 October 2009
We live in a world of cyber-space
and spam
as fears of virus spreads
and speed
is everyone's demand
and our gigabytes expand
with a heart felt sigh
I ask "Why?".
Will greed be the end of our race?
forgetting God
the cries of my fellow man
chaos reigns
as like a mammoth tower
the government grows in power
with a heart felt sigh
I ask "Why?".
Once we lived at a slower pace
long, long ago
when family, community
had meaning
when life went around the bend
you could count on family and friend
with a heart felt sigh
I ask if not now, then "Why?".
Our lives are as delicate white lace
torn, stained
yet within each heart is the answer
offer our hand
vertical to our loving Creator God
horizontal to those of sod
and desert the man-made lie
to find the true home of our "Why".
dc riggs © 29 Oct 2009
The last berry of summer has fallen
produce has been eaten, frozen, canned
or returned to earth's coffin
Jack Frost is waiting to nip the air
a season is gone
leaving memory as its song.
There is a freshness in autumn's chill
winter's cold on the horizon
its coolness often gives us a thrill
oh the beauty of a golden leaf
as summer does withdraw
leaves feelings of wow, of awe.
Some days, I am as if a dying leaf
beyond golden, maybe brown
'tis contrary to my belief
which with God votes positive
life is better without a frown
reality has the up to counter the down.
The last berry has dropped or dried
the bloom of summer faded
for its passing some have even cried
yet beyond winter's pale
the promise of summer does wait
as new vines will climb fence and gate.
dc riggs © 31 October 2009
