"Growing Older"
I've grown older Lord
I have You to thank for that
my brightness isn't really sufficient
to get me to where I'm at.
I should know that exercise isn't
a dirty four letter word
if I could spell
or remember what I've heard.
Diet makes wrinkles grow
overeating makes them fill out
'tis the well rounded
that become the aged stout.
Old age is an adage
unknown by the dumb young
they did not make a difference
forgotten, praises unsung.
I'm older and still going Lord
it is good to be alive
help me to celebrate much
since I've made it past thirty-five.
dc riggs 6 October 2006
"Of Sod, Of God"
A little child is born
newness of life
of hope
divine promise
revealing the image of God.
Death steals a life
child, parent
either, or, often both
an empty space is left
in hearts of sod
comforted by the love of God.
Questions, questions
insufficient answers given
hurting hearts
healed in the well of faith
a world of flesh and sod
divinely touched by the living God.
Sunrise, sunset, Son-rise!
memories, hope
souls transformed
for each person of sod
created in the image of God.
dc riggs 8 Oct 2006
"On A Monday Morning"
'Twas a Monday morning
rising with the sun
waking
much later
shoelaces tied together
my fall was not light as a feather.
'Tis true, it was Monday morning
the fried eggs became
scrambled
then turned to burnt
the delicately prepared toast
tasted like an old burnt pot roast.
'Ah, the joy of Monday morning
splashed by a passing
big bus
a wide puddle
last change of socks
part of the school of hard knocks.
Here's to Monday, the morning
memories best forgotten
creator of blues
trade for a cup of coffee
shared with a friend
a better way for a day to end.
dc riggs 9 Oct 2006
"The Man With the Borrowed Life"
inspired by a sermon by Ch. Capt. Kathy Scott
Praise the man with the borrowed life
the Son of God
borrowed from humankind a mom
and a step-dad
from the working world
he borrowed men
fishermen, taxing guys
to do for a lifetime
His Father's will
He had no home, no roof
to call His own
an itinerant preacher
wanderer was He
His last trip
was on a borrowed donkey
His last meal
eaten in a borrowed room
at His death
they gambled for His robe
for it was all He had
and they laid His body to rest
in a borrowed tomb
His life mirrored injustice
yet He embodies justice and grace
and eternal life and love
this man, with the borrowed life.
dc riggs 14 October 2006
"Where, Why, Because"
Where am I going this morning
and why?
my pilgrim heart
says
"that a way"
the reason is simply
because
but the steps of time
make me wonder
ponder
direction and reason
is it natural for this fall season?
Where have I already been
what good my trip?
where failures out measure
success
normal for people
but I like others want more
tipping scales
that makes the journey
worth the living
an ambitious desire
but what is the measure of living
in a world of taking and giving?
It is not the going, the doing
but the being
that truly counts
because
in being is relationship
souls united
man, woman, God
dad, mom, the Father
neighbor, stranger, the Creator
me, myself, and Himself
right relationships banish wrong
give clarity to the singing of man's song.
dc riggs 17 Oct 2006
"We People of Sod"
I stopped to see the fallen leaf
dead almost
from fall's tradition of dying
its colors
my day was brightening.
I stopped to see a tree
tall, magnificent
reaching limbs up to the Creator
no thrill or drama
was I nothing more than a spectator?
I stopped to see old river
flowing around the land's bend
and thought of unity
creation's fabric tends to blend.
How I wonder do we fail to worship
with earth's message
that points us to life, to our God
for we are part
more than viewers, we people of sod.
dc riggs 22 October 2006
"For All Saint's Day"
Overshadowed by ghost, goblins
the figures of the dead
are the saint's of God now gone
for whom 1 November
was carved out
in tradition, if not song.
For me I celebrate but two
Saint Patrick's Day
to honor him on that day
he who loved God
and Ireland
and for the Irish people to pray.
The other is a matter of nature
to honor the April Fool
which is most fitting for me
but faith is not simple
for the weak of mind or the smart
but determines who we will be.
The forgotten saints, long dead
yet they left footprints
of blood, love, sweat, and tears
to pass the faith to us
as they joined the witness's cloud
in heavenly realms, without any fears.
So thank God for their lives
imperfect, yet to God ever true
on All Saint's Day
become renewed, inspired
to serve the Father and the Son
until we like them, become expired.
dc riggs 31 October 2006
