Regroup. Repent. Rejoice.

Offered by Doug Blair, Kitchener, 2023

Shehadheardthenoise

Downvillagestreet

NewshadcomeofJesus

Hisassurances

Deedsofcompassion.

Armation.

ThiswasHe.

Shestoodatroadside

LittleOnewithCrutch

Craningherneck

Forhope. hopeforherGramma

Sueringaferocious

Goitre.Debilitatingalmost.

YesJesus,nowfacetoface.

Whatdoyouwish

Foryourself,myChild?

Shakinghertinyhead,

GraspingHishandandpulling.

Asiftherewerehardlytime.

Visit.Blessing.Blushing

LayingonofHands.

Littleoneecstatic.

Arealmissionaryinminiature.

NowDaughterlet’ssee

Aboutthatcrutch…

JobSticksTrue,Regardless.

WhatIhavelost

AndwhatIhavesuered.

StillGodisbrightshining

Supremeinmyheart.

Devilhastried

AndDevilhastested

HaveIbeenbested?

Bylustandcruelart?

Friendssitbesideme

Theyoertheir“wisdom”.

Butwisdomsoseldom

Showsupinrebuke.

Wastrelscrueltauntme

Onstreetsofdeclension

Lostrankandprivilege

Mightmakemepuke.

Comesnowastorm?

DidweswitchtoKingLear?

ComesnowmyLord.

WhoelseshouldIfear?

Iamunworthy

ButHeplansacomethrough.

Brokenmyheart.

Butsuchbreakingisdear.

Study Room, laurier campus, waterloo

Usedtorunoff,Sundaymornings

Studyroom,alone. Studentssleepingoff

Lastnight’sbender.

Uncomplicated. Unstructured. Unbothered.

WithpocketTestament

Andfrequently Bookofpoems.

Didnotinhabitthechurches. Ratheraloneandintouch. WiththeMostHigh.

Reallymeantfor

Theretobebusiness.

Buttheprayerswereyammering Thejawsflappingwithselfish Petitionsoffear.

Thenonenastywinterouting. Gotquiet.Triedtolisten Forsomething.Someone. AndFatherAbovearrived.

“AhSon,soyouhaveclosed Yourmouth. Let’sbuildtogether

ADialogue. ADualityOK.”

Doorsofrevelation

Flewopen. Thelikesofwhich Neverbeforeexperienced Inthepews.

Pastorspoutingoff

Someopinion, Chucklinganecdote

Orhowhespenthis

SummerVacation.

LABELS: ASPIRITUALWALKAND WAY HIS EARTH WALK POWER IN BEGGARS?

The Seven Woes

Woe to pretension

And self-pleasing plans.

Woe to the quick fix

Rude laying on hands

Woe to the cheap shot

And humour that maims.

Woe to the lewd thought

And flesh without reins.

Woe to the rushed hour

No time to bring care.

Woe to those hobbies

That rob all Faith’s Air. Woe to the self-love.

No Christ showing there.

Black Walnut Group, third Friday night.

- February 18, 2023

Rick of harmonicas

Said I should Go, spend an evening

Talents pass by Mostly guitar, vocal And keys.

Most in their seniors and Wanting to please

Audience respectful

Stick to night's list

Songs speaking heartache

Classics we've missed.

I played harmonica.

Newbie for sure

Happily songs came out

Mellow and pure.

One little bag it took

One poetry book (billy collins)

Glad for the chance to bless.

Sentiments they took

Nearing the end's full list

Couple well-honed.

She had two songs she wrote Melancholy's tone.

Apple Orchard to Reminisce

Playground for Mom

And two Kids, now

Sorely missed Chainsaws, mulchers.

Progress they hissed.

She lost a part of life

Wanderings of Love.

Where did those apples go?

Heaven Above

In wrinkled dress and no make-up.

February 15, 2023

Anauditoriummostlyused ForSeniors,cribbage,bumperpool Guitarlessons,bookclub,yoga. Wellsortof. ButThursdaynightsateight. Talent,readingsofallsorts. Song.

Evenadodgyfemaleventriloquist.

Andaterrierwhodoestricks Well,morethanhalfthetime.

AndthenDaphne.

Pigtailsandnomake-up. Bagdress,shift,potatosack? Mustardleggings.

AndChuckTaylorAllStar Sneakers.

Readingnextwithasultryvoice

Thatdidnotmatchtherest.

Poemswithfire.

Apondquivering

Andnighthawk’sswoosh.

Thenext,ashorttripto Thealtar.

Prayingsounfamiliar

Buthonest,transparent,broken Needinghelp,needingGod.

(Asifsheweredescribingherself. Wellguesswhat.)

Shewastotallyletin Yuckyexteriorcoating. Totallyflummoxedby TheVoice,theconjuredmood. TheGiocondalips. Theslighthips.

Poetrymistressonherway.

Withconvincingwordspainted that most might see.