HEAL MY HATE, LORD

December 31, 2001

Sixty years with one sweet mate,
But now she's gone and won't return!
A silent, aching, burning hate,
Deep in my heart I now discern!

I'm grateful for the years she gave;
Her loving, laughing, lifting ways
So often rose to seek and save
A multitude from darker days.

I was first among that crowd
She magnetized toward joy and peace,
As something in me cried aloud,
"In Dorothy's love I've found release!"

What I hate is this long wait
From now until I too shall stand
Within that massive pearly gate
To grasp again her loving hand.

She always said, "If I go first,
I'll count it compliment to me
If another heals your thirst
For the love we two now see."

Could even God so bless me twice,
And reproduce a Dorothy Dear
To give me love and good advice,
As Dorothy did while she was here?

Someone said, "When God made you,
He threw away that Orion mold."
So I suppose, for Dorothy too
The same sad truth is bound to hold.

So God, I’m here on bended knee;
So weak, so tired and full of pain;
So please just keep on telling me
That my sad loss is Dorothy's gain.

And keep me open to the love
That by your word might come my way;
For all good gifts come from above
To heal my hate of this sad day.

THE NEW AMERICAN WORD

December 28, 2001

Of all the gifts that Santa has brought,
There is none that counts so much for naught,
As this one named by a brand new word:
Santa has brought me a case of the gird!

Christmas dainties all stacked on the table,
And here I am, eating more than I'm able,
Destructing that muscle, the stomach's small door,
As my stomach cries out, "I can't eat more!"

And sure enough the cookies back through it
As my taste buds say, "Eat more; you can do it!"
I listen to them, which is simply absurd,
And so, here I am with a case of the gird!

So acid comes back, along with the cookie,
Saying, "Boy, Oh Boy! I'll eat this rookie!"
My poor esophagus cries out in remorse,
As minute by minute I get more hoarse!

What kind of friends would bring all this stuff,
Which pampers my ego, but makes me feel tough!
I'll package this stuff, like a wise ol' bird,
Return it for New Years, and give them the gird!