Sometimes it’s difficult to build our own Light, when there is such persistent negativity and dark news. As much as we’d like, more than one match is necessary to spur our energy and feed that fire.

My sustained hope grew upon the fervent dreams and hopes of others. Somehow, in what I found tumultuous, there was still happy waters elsewhere. Here is what the journey found.

The Drummer

I last saw him with his late wife,
missing her decline, hearing
of her passing a day after attempting
to carol their street.
I didn’t know what to expect.
But there he sits, glowing
with energy, his fingers
practicing the latest
or upcoming set.
I ask him afterwards how he’s doing.
“It’s a beautiful day. God is good!”
And you know what?
With the perfect blue overhead,
he is absolutely right.

The Conductor

We don’t know how he does it,
the long nights and hours long commutes.
He’s often red with energy and maybe
a weekend tan from chasing chickens.
Yet here he is, crafting multiple invisible instruments
with a searing precision that leaves us laughing.
Maybe that is the trick. If you keep joking
and inspiring sound with diaphragm exercises
long enough, you can shape a crowd
into a precise choir.
Wouldn’t you feel thrilled
if you could elicit such
magic?
Perhaps the man is a sorcerer…

The Priest

“The collar is a projection screen,”
he jokes at coffee hour.
But I try to subvert my id,
or whatever it is that tries to comprehend
a title separate from a person.
Yet when he speaks at the pulpit, I hear love.
When listening to others at coffee hour, I see love.
Of course I volley the friendly teasing back,
take notes at meetings, bring occasional food.
There is difficulty looking away from a bright light,
and getting blinded instead.
Perhaps I should think about changing the mirror
I wear, because maybe that projection is becoming
a reflection.
Or maybe I just sound a bit mad.