My friend Terry was a farmer, a man who embodied faith and joy.

Rising early

first thoughts

of tasks

toil

contained in a vessel

of trust

and praise

and thanks

 

Pulling on worn jeans

familiar as the

breakfast

and markets

soft voices

going over the day’s schedule

flexible as farming requires

prayer

intention

a joke or two

a wry acceptance

of what is here

and hope

always embedded

cultivated

as surely as the soil

 

Awakened machine

trained to walk

the uneven ground

to climb the fueled beasts

of burden

and planting

and harvest

hands reaching for controls

that cannot control

the sun

and rain

 

Body fueled

by home cooking

and love

and Spirit force

and legacy

of cherishing the land

and the coaxing

of creatures

to be born

and eat

and grow

as they know to do

 

Body diseased

but never dis-eased

by its betrayal

forced Sabbath

strange gift

opening the heart

to joy

and wonder

healing over with

scar tissue

of trust

 

Father, lover, grandpa, friend

spirit expanded

bursting

the bonds

of this world

the door opens

to Presence

glory

life

wider

deeper

wonder full

 

Beloved whispers from beyond

I am here.