I've Been Busy!

So, Slap My Ass and Call Me Sally!

OK, so I'm behind in new postings to this personal journal, except for new poems or essays!

I've been busy with house repair and renovation work, trying the finish a few projects that have been on the back burner for the last year. There's also the routine lawn and garden Spring cleanup chores to get done before I leave for a two week trip to Colorado, Utah, Montana and Idaho. My sister Nancy is due to visit me in Warren for a few days at the end of this week. She and I will than travel back to Colorado together on May 3 to start the two week vacation.

Ellen and I have agreed to sell the Warren property, so I'm trying to get things ship-shape to make it presentable. I no longer want, nor can effective handle phiscially, all the maintanance involved with a property this size. I'm planning to stay in Warren after the sale, and move into a smaller rented house, or apartment.

That's the long and short of it for right now. Don't expect any new postings here until May 20.

New Poem!

I, Nemo

Adrift alone. I, Nemo
Last mate. Ship abandoned.

Even the rats have gone.
I call. No reply.

Sound alarm! No rescue.
Hope endures. Reality rules

Eternal Father, strong to save
Whose arm hath bound the restless wave
Who bidd'st the mighty ocean deep
Its own appointed limits keep:
O hear us when we cry to thee
For those in peril on the sea.
--The Navy Hymn

Gale rages. Decks awash.
Ship rocks. Thor roars.

Cold rain grips. Breathing slips.
Body shivers. Mind numbs.

Tempest tossed. All lost?
Escape vital. Last chance?

O Christ, whose voice the waters heard,
And hushed their raging at thy word
Who walkedst on the foaming deep
And calm amid the storm didst sleep:
O hear us when we cry to thee
For those in peril on the sea.

Life raft launched. Provisions onboard.
Compass true. Course steady.

Faith strong. Spirit sound.
Body fit. Mind alert.

Flare fired. Signal returns!
Breathe relief. Survival assured!

O Holy Spirit, who didst brood
Upon the chaos dark and rude
And bid the angry tumult cease
And give for wild confusion peace:
O hear us when we cry to thee
For those in peril on the sea.

Prayers answered. Divinely protected.
God loves all. God shelters all.

Sacrificing His Son. Man’s sins gone!
Jesus saved us! Eternal life won!