Like all families, mine had its share of secrets, some of which I became aware of as I grew up. As I journeyed with other people in the recovery process, I recognized how destructive secrets can be as often people were left wondering why they struggled as they did and what the roots of theirContinue reading “Stoneboat”
Author Archives: zone5poet
Net Worth
I lived in my last home for 38 years – and I delighted in my kitchen. It was a place to nurture friends and family – to feed body, soul and sometimes spirit – to create community. There’s something about sharing a meal that knits people together: our common humanity expressed in hunger, shared pleasureContinue reading “Net Worth”
Try Unity
Recently a friend and I were discussing how our childhoods and our fathers had shaped our lives. Our homes couldn’t have been more different. She was the daughter of missionaries, raised in a legalistic home – whereas I grew up in the frequent chaos of parental alcoholism. Her father had been distant, distracted, difficult toContinue reading “Try Unity”
The Seventh Hole
I like to hang out on Twitter. Yes, it’s a madhouse, but there are some sane people to follow. What I’ve noticed though is the number of people who are very afraid right now. Especially when it comes to issues like financial security and the well being of those they love. I experienced fear asContinue reading “The Seventh Hole”
Nates (Natez)*
I think right about now many of us could stand a bit of comic relief. Once, in a writing course, the instructor handed each of us a page that she had just RIPPED out of a dictionary . Really! Our assignment was to find a word new to us and write a poem about it.Continue reading “Nates (Natez)*”
Upstream
Greetings from the bunker on Crosby Road where I hunker down drinking coffee, writing and listening to a message on Youtube. Well, bunker’s admittedly a bit dramatic. But I am aware that for many many people this is a very difficult time of financial insecurity, social isolation, confinement and fear. My intent in writing isContinue reading “Upstream”
Meals From the Pantry
It’s hard to believe that it’s been less than 6 weeks since the lockdown began – it feels so much longer. I’ve noticed that several of my friends are using the extra time (if they aren’t working) to attempt things they haven’t done before – sourdough bread, kombucha, cinnamon buns. One of my friends isContinue reading “Meals From the Pantry”
He is Risen!
Resurrection Sunday is my favorite holiday and the thing I shall most miss tomorrow morning, will be walking into our gathering and greeting people with, “He is risen,” and receiving in response, “He is risen indeed.” The certainty behind those two stark sentences is the source of our joy, for as Paul said in 1Continue reading “He is Risen!”
Now Seeds Start Growing
Simple things delight me, a stroll down a busy street in Vancouver in late January would have me exploding in laughter over the buds popping on the trees, while strangers passing by wondered if I were in need of mental health services. Spring comes almost 6 weeks earlier to the coast than it does inContinue reading “Now Seeds Start Growing”
Held Together in the Storm
Although I am a word person and not especially visual, sometimes a word picture grips me and touches me where the words themselves may have just floated by without my noticing their import. That happened recently when I heard a teaching on Hebrews 4:16. “Let us draw near…so that we may find mercy and graceContinue reading “Held Together in the Storm”