Richard Gordon – Astronaut – 1929-2017 My life was a blessed one: love glory and grace My life was the best one, well, for me in any case I sailed a rocket ship a chasm safely crossed again earthly bonds slip and I have one final thought: I never walked on the moon It’s just … Read More
Bryan and Karla Holcombe, a guest preacher and his wife, are gone Their son Marc Daniel Holcombe, gone. Their pregnant daughter-in-law, Crystal Holcombe, gone. And four of their grandchildren — Noah, Emily, Megan and Greg — gone. Sutherland Springs, Texas “This is a mental health issue.” Well……duh “This is not a gun situation.” Wait….huh? … Read More
Photograph by James L. Snyder That Day by the River That day I fell in love by the river Dusk filtered through cottonwood trees All these years I’ll never forgive her For letting me see how it should be Every marriage by her is measured Every May frays and withers Oh how we lay untaken … Read More
The 2017 Dodgers – RIP No team near where I was raised So you could choose to be loyal To the White Sox, Cubs or Braves Twins or the KC Royals I was somewhat out of fashion (easy for a farm boy to do) These players did not have the passion Of those who … Read More
November 4 – On This Day Allende elected free and fair Marx makes a mark in Latin America The CIA gets him out of there Democracy can embarrass us The start of the hostage crisis The logical conclusion We back the Shah and the price is Radical retribution One year later, Reagan’s … Read More
I received an email yesterday from a woman who is in the Peace Corps. She had recently lost a dear colleague: Hanna Huntley from North Carolina who was volunteering in Armenia. I began reading the short obituaries posted of those who have died while serving and was deeply moved and inspired by these amazing lives. … Read More
October 2017 – RIP October ends with treats and tricks With a day of managed fear But Halloween has lost its kick We are scared throughout the year And while much today is abhorrent There’s a beacon in the distance It’s time to look to what’s important: What to buy for Christmas But worry does … Read More
Fats Domino 1928-2017 I was hitch-hiking to New Orleans I was thinking about his song Mississippi was so foreign The road went on and on I sauntered down the highway Time was on my side Everythin’ goin’ my way I’d always get a ride (In Iowa, no one saunters not that I ever saw No … Read More