Frozen Kingdom

Recently, freezing rain shocked our south Louisiana sensibilities. As I sat warm in my living room, I watched some brown finches duck under a leafy green bush near the porch to escape the icy drizzle. While I pondered the small birds plight, white accumulated on the wood planks of our wharf. Mist rose from the chilled river in buffs that scurried across the ripples from the North Wind's breath.
Twice in sunny weather, I've spotted a bald eagle taking flight from the trees on the far bank. It prompted me to write this poem:

Frozen Kingdom

Where is the eagle?
Where does he roost in an unlikely storm?
The sparrow hops beneath the evergreen,
but not his majesty.
No cover for the king, whose wings require space.
Free to rise above his realm—
glide the frozen pathways of the wind.

Around 10am, hoping to glean some warmth through osmosis and a familiar laugh, I called my aunt in Phoenix. As we spoke I looked out the window and perched on a dead pine, 150 feet in the air sat my eagle. I ran to get the binoculars. This is my third sighting and the first time I've seen him perched. His backside towards me, he glance over his shoulder to reveal that magestic white head and hooked beak, and I saw his eye close. From this direction, I'm not sure if he was blinking or if that was a wink, but with that he took wing and was gone.
What a writing prompt—what motivates you?

carnose

fresh paper, like fresh meat
a ravenous appetite
to touch the lined sheet
tear nourishment from my pen
rip the fear
calm the hunger pangs

Starting Anew

In mid-2013 I wrote about setting goals and professed that I would write a blog per week. But alas – life happens.

I’ve been trying to organize my office space, files, and catch up on emails. My old friend, Jack Odell, is a pastor who writes a popular blog I follow called: midweek Manna. www.midweekmanna.com One of his recent posts, We Need More of These Things, talks about having more stuff, but needing MORE generosity, kindness, tolerance, and prayer in our lives.

This resonated with me, and I’ve decided it makes a terrific New Year’s Resolution. I want to start anew with more generosity, being kinder and more tolerant of my fellow man and myself. This is all possible because 2014, I will strive to center myself in prayer. Thanks Jack.