There was a time
When my soil was
Frozen so hard

That I was only
A faint shadow
Of what I am today.

Once, everything seemed
To slip through
My fingers

But now
I have drawn the curtains
On unhappiness

And recline
Beneath the
Green-grey leaves
Of mystical olive trees.

I have severed
Ambiguous relationships
And have grown
As comfortable as
A second hand bookshop.

I have peaceful dreams
Of lilacs
Shaded with white
Shawls of water.

These days
We have loving
Shared memories

As comfortable
As my Bible
That is left open
To the Gospel of John –

My favorite
Biblical book.

Yours is an old house
Full of solid memories,
And we paint even more.

Our early conversations
Were awkward
As beginnings
Can so often
Be difficult.

But we have
Unlatched the door
And sleep beneath
Moon bleached love.

 

 

Rick Davis lives in the Chicago area, USA.  He is married to Marianne. Marianne has five children, and twenty-four grand & great-grandchildren.  They have a loved cat & dog.  Rick graduated from Northeastern Illinois University, and several graduate schools.  He’s has worked in market research and other positions.  He has worked as a volunteer pastoral counselor at Blind Service Association in Chicago, and at the University of Illinois Hospital at Chicago.  He is an ordained minister and interfaith Rabbi.