Sounds of Mourning

Sounds of Mourning

Call it prayer

Or a longing

Beginning again

Saturday morning

Clocks tick

A pendulum sways

In rhythm 

Like my long lost granny's heart

Birds sing

A flag wrestles with a gentle breeze

Lavender blossoms

On newly awakened branches

My soul senses losses 

Of loved ones, friends, and strangers

Posted on Facebook pages

An empty chair rocks

Back, and forth 

Upon my front porch

Sleeping dogs breath silent

Upon a warm bed

Dreaming

My mind grasps for meaning

Amid chaos of man's doing

Of thundering cannons

Blaring

Cries on shattered streets

Of death, and a reckoning

While she sleeps

From a night of drinking

I see a mourning dove take flight

Through a window

I hear rumblings

Of a new day beginning

Out on a highway

Not far from my home

I long for moments like these

Sweet inspiration

While I mourn her passing

Oh these sounds of mourning

Haunt me like a storm.

D.A. Wittler 5/7/22

Happy Place

A Work, months in the making.

Happy Place

I watched a sunset

From our happy place

After the rain came

And settled on fields of green.

Difficult days passed

Happier years ahead

Glowed on distant horizon

Summer

Gone

Fall

Symbolic end

Winter comes

I hang hope on Spring

Like lights on an evergreen

Twinkling

In memories before me.

Childhood

In a fogged filled haze

Behind in red reflection

Glances in a rear view mirror

Days of play long over

Endless labor confronts me 

From awakened slumber

Little use of sleep

Mind full of wonder

Prayer reminds me

 "Remain calm"

To handle change better

My body aches

Heart beats stronger

Mission focused

On a path made clearer

It does not include me

Rather

A destination

Final resting place

Wrapped in saving grace

Worn feet failing

Carried home

In a loving Father's embrace

A Savior's face

Forgiving

Forward

Onward toward morning

To that happy sunny place

Once more.

D.A. Wittler 12/05/21

Friday 4:30 a.m..

So, it's 4:30 in the morning. I can't sleep, the dogs think it's time to get up. The rain begins tapping on the roof outside. Another day has begun even though the sun has yet to rise. Yes, I'm tired, wore out, and fighting off the urge not to go to work this morning. I've given my 110% for the week, but I know it is not enough. I pray daily, the Lord listens, but only answers in his own mysterious ways. Even though I believe with all my heart, and soul, it is not enough, and I struggle to think of stepping foot back into that stifling space called church where I sat in silence crying out for help. I have given, and recieved many times over, yet the world continues to get worse, and worse, but there is hope in love, and kindness if we hold steadfast to the notion we can all still make a difference. If you find solace in a place of worship, God bless you. If you find hope in continuing the breakneck pace of work, work, work, God love you. But if you are like me, you just want to get off this crazy Merry go round, and find a little peace, and happiness without all the hatred, mandates, betrayal, and tyranny unfolding in front of your eyes. God help us because he has obviously left it up to us to make the right choices if the world is ever going to  see paradise ever again.

Good day, and good luck; as if luck exists at all any more.

Signed,

A tired aging man

D.A. Wittler 10/8/21

The Unwinding

Maybe I think too much.

Maybe I'm too sentimental, or emotional.

Perhaps it's time to simply fade into the background.

The games people play,

Especially when the grass is seemingly greener on the neighbor's back lawn

When in reality their own lives are simply not satisfying.

But we still have choices about our attitudes, and our beliefs.

Though it gets more difficult to go into work each day knowing that in spite of all the effort, it means nothing; only numbers add up, not the toll on human lives.

The world turns in such a subtle way

We don't even notice.

We mark time by the rising, and setting of the sun.

A clock ticks away the hours.

We pull up the chains each week to hear the chiming of the towers,

The waning moments of our unwinding spring.

Yes, perhaps I am right

And they say "ignorance is bliss."

Well, I wonder.

Good day!

D.A. Wittler 10/10/21

One Day at a Time

One Day At A Time

They say:

"Don't look back"

What has passed is past

Old wounds become scars

But noone sees the hurt inside

Like the day you went away Dad

I held your hand Mom

It didn't seem real

I didn't know how to feel

But I remember…

One Day At A time Dad

Until we meet again Mom

Memories are all we have

Until the end.

A song bird sings

It brings the mornings in

Every, every, every day

Holding you near to me

Never thought I'd feel this way again

All my life has led to now

The only thing we have…

One Day at a time Dad

Until we meet again Mom

When you went away Dad

I held your hand Mom

It didn't seem real

I didn't know how to feel

But I remember…

Memories are all we have

Until the end.

Oh every, every, every day

Holding you near to me

I learned how to feel again

Through a songbird's song…

One Day at a time Dad

Until we meet again Mom

It didn't seem real

I didn't know how to feel

Memories, mysteries

Folding time into one

What has passed is past

Old wounds become scars

And you are home Dad

Into the sunset Mom

I long to hear that songbird again

Memories are all we have

Until the end of time

Ohhh time

One Day at a time.

D.A. Wittler 6/9/21

From The Vine

Still a few cherry tomatoes left on the vine. I wonder this morning when the last one will be picked for the season. This has been a year of rough roads, and answered prayers. We do not always get to choose the best of the crop, yet we keep watering, and pruning until Autumn takes us into a season of falling leaves, and bountiful harvests. Death, and dying seem to be a fate we want to run from, but yet no matter how we try we still must ripen for the harvest of our souls to heaven. "Let not your hearts be troubled says the Lord, for I am with you always." Sounds like a promising reassurance we can hold steady through faith; though men may offer, their words often fail in vain. 

I look out this morning, and I gather my thoughts like tiny fruit on outstretched branches. I see the morning dew like droplets of hope upon a new day dawning! 

Amen

God bless you all on this Sunday morning!

The Passing of Time and the Nickel Nine

Thoughts on a Saturday morning. The Passing of time, and the Nickle Nine:

 Well, I guess it is the last year of my middle years. The "Nickle Nine" does not feel much different than any other year with a few exceptions. I survived Covid this year which means I still have a little "Bad Ass" in me! We made it through a cancer scare with Lisa this year as well. Now is the time to make sure it does not come back; that is for sure!

Still in love with my best friend, confidant, counselor, and lover means everything. She knows when to jump my case, straighten me out when the going gets rough, and knows when to leave me be to get my attitude back on track. 

There is nothing like having a deck with a view to watch a blazing sunset, or a glowing moon on the rise while two furry friends play out in the yard. 

And what have I learned thus far? 

-Living simply is the key to contentment. 

- Doing your best every day does not always bring the ultimate outcome, or produce a feeling of satisfaction, but you still have to drive on in spite of the machine!

- Friends, family, and good times come, and go, but faith never leaves you; it is a daily choice you must make all on your own.

- Words are just words until they have meaning. You have every right to take them the right way, or the wrong way. Never read into things spoken in haste, or anger. 

- Self expression in whatever form is your connection to a higher power. Sing, dance, create, care, and always give thanks for the opportunity to grow deeper in your understanding of what it means to be a human being.

- Compassion is a rare, and beautiful thing. Make it a mission to spread the word by your example so that others may believe, and follow.

I could go on, but I will leave you with a bit of advice from Ralph Waldo Emerson of whom I share this birthing day:

 "Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail."

Love, and best wishes to all!

Good day!