while I may not honor the death of Jesus, I do value life more than I ever have age invests heavily in it and though the celebration of gratitude has passed it returns today, a month later, in memories of the life I’ve lived and in the life I now find myself, and the projection for next year - why not another upbeat adventure? Peace on Earth may be a tall order with the Grinch smashing so many doors, bringing his gremlins in with the cold air God give me the strength

a bird’s bent legs and gather of wings, the leap and muscled push of feathers for the rebellious defiance of gravity and love landings the pumped brakes of flight, feet extended, toes spread, the shock-absorbed touchdown and perfect fold of quills the launch and landing tell me the trip has run its course, the desire, complete now the question is, after they catch their breath, why did land there?

today I am a young stallion released in a field, accelerating to jump the fence, breaking at the last second, leaving four gouges in the grass after a couple more insane scampers, I’m tired and work my way back to the barn thinking of hay and a thirst to quench, most of the crazy out of my system let’s face it, most of us make a fancy box to live in: safe, predictable, comfortable, but this afternoon, I needed to find release and then there’s this poem that dashed aroun