Clear October Sky

A few thoughts: 

A Clear October Sky.

I watched the sky at night all Summer

A morning star came closer

Her counterpart facing 

from the opposite direction.

I counted all my blessings

In good times, and bad

Cherished every friendship

I ever had

And carried one of the truest

To a place our loved ones go

When they have won a final race

Where laurels fall upon their heads

And heaven gains another soul

While we remain in silent suffering

Counting the toll

Reminiscing from our store of treasures

When life was newer

Our cares so far away.

And then came October

Autumn awakened from her slumber

Frost formed upon the pumpkin

And the breeze grew cooler in an instant

With a question in my heart

I quietly queried

Where did my Summer go?

I feel it in my bones

I hear it ringing in my ears

I grow more tired than before

My spirit settles low

The grey upon my crown thickens

Receding in a widows peak

I wonder

Where is it reaching?

It is a clear October sky

I long for

Though youth is fading like the morning

A simple life of living

Not simply achieving

I've seen the top

Observed my horizon

Now descending knowing

A finer vintage I have become

With grapes from Sumner growing

Somewhere else for now

My memory holds fast

My heart beats hopefully

For greater things to come

And deeper loves to know.

D.A. Wittler 10/3/20

The Things We Leave Behind

A few thoughts: A work in progress in troubled times.

The Things We Leave Behind

Naked, and crying

Our trail of tears begins at birth

Light, and sound prepare us

For the best, and worst

With everything in between

Just learning, growing

Following, and leading

Rising, descending

Like a sunrise

A sunset falling

Spectacular in living color

Fading into twilight

Leaving mere breadcrumbs

For the next generation.

So now I'm asking

What are these things

We leave behind?

Memories, clothing

Trinkets in a desk drawer?

Love, caring

Hugs behind a closet door?

Make the longing linger

The pain of passing simmer

Like a stew on a stovetop.

These things we leave behind

Like a spirit hovering

A prayer confessing

All in a day's work

And hopefully we can say

We lived, we loved

We overcame, and conquered

And never forgot to live 

Along the way.

D.A. Wittler 9/23/20,, ,.

Extraordinary Times

A few thoughts: Living in Extraordinary Times: 

Folks, we are indeed living in extraordinary times. I don't need to remind anyone of the current situation with the crisis in health, civil unrest, and of course politics. None of these are "business as usual" kinds of issues. The fact is the very fabric of our society, culture, and nation is at risk of being torn apart. And so I ask, search your heart, probe your mind, connect with the essence of your soul. Seek clarity, find wisdom, be courageous! Be attentive to God who tells us: "Be not afraid, for I am with you always."

We all know change is inevitable, but there are some things that are meant to stand the test of time. Our forefathers set in writing a vision, and foundation for generations to build upon certain inalienable rights, and freedoms. These come at no small price as we have seen much bloodshed, tears, sweat, and hard work to provide for our children, and so on. Let not your heart be troubled, stand United, speak your mind, and do not be fooled by temptations of hand outs by those who say they have your best interest at heart. The world offers order in the midst of choas, but let the faithful beware that freedom is not free, and the soul is not to be compromised by promises man cannot keep for his own sake. Our higher power asks only that we love one another, trust, and hope in the great I Am who leads all to life eternal! Keep the faith y'all, it is the one thing that will save us from the desires of the godless who wish to rule under one giant thumb.

Amen

D.A. Wittler 8/20/20

Middle Ages Knight

So your armor has gotten a little rusty, and your sword isn't as sharp as it used to be. Your shield is now considered "second hand" because it has received so many hits. Your horse has died, or it has run off, and you don't have the gumption any more to track it down, or your loyalty just won't let you buy new. Your chain mail weighs you down from all the battles you have won, and lost.

 But in spite of all that bad news, you still get up every morning, feed the dog, pat him on the head, and do everything you used to do, but with a little less purpose than before. The castle needs a good cleaning, but you allow a little more dust, and nostalgia to fill the grand hall. But all in all, you're still that grand night in shining armor who stopped someone in their tracks once, and showed them how love is supposed to be, but in time changes to where that someone must become a little more sword to lean on, and less a burden to be carried. Yes indeed, that is me, and life must go on, and there are other castles to keep!

Witt

(For Joyce)

The Starving "Man"

A few thoughts:

You know, if I could change my tune, and erase all of the mistakes I have ever made in my life, would I? And who would I be today without  that score of self knowledge? My song would not sound the same, and that would be a shame, especially to those I love most.  Change is inevitable, but not without a few bumps along the way. Any journey worth the time, effort, and willingness to learn from trial, and error is not really a journey at all, it's just a frivolous endeavor devoid of meaning, and sustenance. It is like a starving man taking his first bite of food in days, and then gorging himself on bread  until he dies from over indulgence. What did he learn? and how did that experience make him perhaps a better person, or at the very least more appreciative of what be had to eat before? 

Today, our institutions of higher learning have somehow forgotten their place, and become cafeterias of the over indulged, and harbingers of a lost generation.  

Well, I say to you who are listening, play your tune,  make adjustments along the way, and treat the world to the masterpiece you were born to sing by the worn out strings, and countless hours of effort that went into each note you play!

Amen

More Than a Memory

More Than A Memory

(For Gene)

I remember so clearly 

First days of friendship 

School days and discoveries 

Like it was yesterday 

Now you are gone

And I wonder…

Does a forest remember?

After a storm

In calm 

after the  storm

Even though it is broken

Torn down and fallen

Trees returning

Standing tall once again

More than a memory

Former glory

Nature restored.

Is that how life is?

After a heartache 

 When you are battered and torn

From the inside out

You wonder

Can I live again?

And I look yonder…

Does a farm field remember?

Winter wheat resting under blanketed snow

Spring hail in a thunder storm

Even though it is flooded

Washed away, and swollen

Corn returns with tall tassels 

More than a memory

Former glory

Bounty returns.

Is life like that?

After the mourning

Taps calling

A volley for your service

Finally resting 

In a garden of stone…

I wonder

 Can we live again?

Saying goodbye 

 Brother, soldier, and  friend. 

More than a memory

A smile

A laugh

Sound of your voice 

Echoing inside of myself

And I wonder…

Does your spirit remember?

D.A. Wittler 5/13/20

 

A Few Thoughts: Untitled

A Few Thoughts: Untitled

Don Maclaine wrote a song about Vincent Van Gogh. Have you heard it? Have you listened to your heart? Can you see today a little more clearly? Does yesterday even matter any more? 

Now, do you care about tomorrow?

 Vincent said, " Sorrow is a small beginning." I am beginning to realize that I cling too tightly to sorrow these days, yet, there is hope come the morning where light dispells darkness, and awareness changes doubt to reason. But we don't need light to see, we only need a heart worth feeling, and no thought of what we are suffering, only that we become enlightened a little more on our journey through the suffering rather than becoming stuck within it, and sinking. We must rise above it, and realize that love never ceases as life does; it merely changes as the seasons, and we grow with each ring we earn like the tree outside our window, beautiful, tall, and free!