believing

In A TOILET BOWL

| Shelly

Grace in a Toilet Bowl

Yes, you read that correctly.

I found grace in the most

inconspicuous places

like toilet bowls

and dirt-packed laundry.

Was there ever enough time

or clothespins?

Hardly….

bookkeeping with numbers

that multiplied

and vegetables

and weeds

and meals

as daylight 

diminished.

Then one

evening, unaware

you staged

a Divine Ambush.

So ample life now,

and time.

Surely you heard my praises.

But tell me,

was I the first to thank

the toilet bowl

and pay homage

to the weeds

and laundry

as I clung 

to your fringe?

OLLY OLLY OXEN FREE

| Shelly

Love abides in all

though some play hide-and-seek

finding places to

not be found

but you stand out

like a sore thumb

Monte sees you

through rose colored glasses

I always wear

you will always be found

no matter where

you hide.

Olly olly oxen free.

REMEMBER

| Shelly

Let’s not bring up the topic of…

You remember,

When you were once Poison Ivy?

Oh how rash

The decision 

You made then.

Luckily, 

You didn’t spread that around

Too much.

Weeds are fine.

We all need reasons

To bow.

Temptations to Love

| Shelly

Take time today
my Dear.

Unsee the things you see.

Unknow the things you know.

Especially, unhear them.

If seeing sneaks into
your trained eyes, close them.

If opinions sneak into your reason untie them.

If hearing causes you to unhear-
then dismiss the words.

At hand there is nothing
greater than unleashing these
in front of you
in truth, inside.

I risk a lot
even speaking of such
to you.

But this secret is a good one.

Keep nothing in mind.

See without seeing.

Unhear all that
clutters the heart and robs your peace.

Suddenly you will see.
Suddenlly you will hear.
Suddenly you will understand.

For the Gaza Children

| Shelly

I see you looking 

for the The Lamp. 

The One 

that warms the honey 

for your invisible bread.

Long ago 

will find the way my children. 

Aren’t new stars born 

to our eyes

really lightyears from the past? 

Look for those cheerful eyes 

that milk laughter, dance, sing, 

and churn butter into life.  

Be still now and wait.  

For long ago is just around the bend.

HOMAGE TO ROBERT LAX

| Shelly

Wake from this sleepless night.

All discourd was not dreamt, was it?

“Tell me, my love?”

You hold near to hear these words.

Rest at the counter with coffee and thanks.

It will come.

Let the night of sleeplessness recede.

Hold still 

long enough 

to bump into 

yourself.

Hold still.  

Spirit insures.

The promise 

is 

here.  

Hard wired we go to this and that grasping the moment. 

Full circle

circles back 

in you

my 

friend.

Let’s not 

be fussy.

Re-Lax

accourding

to R. Lax.

Sip a Glass

| Shelly

Sip a

glass 

of spirit.

One that tips 

when topped.

Let’s hope our pleasant server

never

ever 

stops.

Let’s fill 

our glass

and sip it 

down.

The spirit

will

surely 

last,

far beyond 

the 

thirst,

far beyond

the 

glass.

I say 

the drink 

delights.

I say 

it sparks

with glee.

But all we’re 

really drinking

is 

something

made

for 

free.

A LITTLE SECRET

| Shelly

I’ll share

a little

secret

a thought

to

set 

you

free.                              

But we’re not all the same              

the

only

me            

is me.

I’m sure you’ll find the secret

it’s hiding 

right

in

side.

But tell me

who’s that doubter

wanting

but

to

hide?

Did you 

engage this

or were

you

needing

cause?

Remember 

as a child

you

knew

nothing

of 

these laws.

But really

there

is

truth

in putting

down 

the

sword.

How

truly

how

handy

the

Word

the

Lord.

I WISH ALL

| Shelly

I wish all
to know
the you in me
I wish all
to feel
the love
you give
so free
I wish all
to know
the beauty
the
grace
I wish all
to know
YOU
ARE
THE
PLACE