Month: August 2024

Where I Belong

vabutsy poems 
The home of my belonging
Is not four walls
But my love’s sheltering arms

The sanctuary for my restless soul
Is not a mighty cathedral
But our modest home
In this thoroughly middle-class neighborhood

The generosity of caring
Is not sharing money or even volunteering
But sharing this home
With those who need tranquility

The security of eternity
Is not a creed, belief or practice
But the ever more circumscribed life
We live
My love and I
In this our quiet home

Blossoming Hope

vabutsy poems 
Every day now the abundant portulaca
Open and close their small blossoms in rhythm with the sun
Every day now the gawdy canna blossoms rise on sturdy stalks 
Reaching high above their graceful green leaves
To made red holes in the blue sky
Every day now slender white blossoms rise on fragile stalks
Above the hostas’ abundant leaves
Every day now the coleus needs no blossom
To entrance with its showy leaves

Every day now I feel a little more
The possibility of joy
Blossoming like our garden
In haphazard profusion
Above the manure rich soil
Of America

A Necessary Prayer

vabutsy poems, prayers 
I chose to bear this burden,
O Eternal Goodness,
But of what value is that choice
If my secret heart resents another
Who chose to reject this burden?

My heart open opens easily
To the care of my mother
To the financing of her needs

But, like a morning glory when the sun rises high,
My selfish heart closes
Too often
On the other

I cannot open my wayward heart
I cannot choose to love
Although I want to

Create in me an open heart, O Eternal Love,
And renew my failing spirit, O Generous Forgiveness,
For the sake of my mother
For the sake of the other
For the sake of your holiness
For the sake of myself
Do for me what I cannot do for myself:
Pull the weed of resentment from my heart
Plant there your always blossoming forgiveness
Amen