During Childhood Fat Albert was My Idea of a Gentleman

Walking late last night,
after a Village party
 with a friend and a dog,
 conversation flew alongside the night air.
 Catching up with close friends is something that I always enjoy doing.

Talked about dreams and desires,
plans and beginnings
history, experiences, a little pain.

We gave advice and listened
rescued a kitten
from a exuberant Apollo,
whom I refused to follow.

I lost some "Southern Charm" in a puff of smoke
reminisced on times that grew me,
and the people I thought knew me.

Gave and was given warmly welcomed hugs,
spoke to a friend I hadn't seen for a time.

Became morose and nostalgic, for just a moment
petting a dog, tempered like my dad
and remembered my Boo, my brother
sorely missed.

My Gentleman friend,
my walk companion, not the dog
hurried me away from some
"unsavory looking boys"
who ended up innocents
and shielded me from quickly
oncoming traffic.

That moment outside,
briskly treading the streets of the 'Scow
I traveled back to a
faded memory,
where gentleman wore red sweaters and said,
"Hey, hey, hey!"

Just a glimmer of an image,
a girl and a man
walking at twilight
the flicker of a light
-bulb, remembering his place,
Fat Albert turned to her and said:

"You know what you should be walking on this side of the street"
"Why? Is that some kind of macho thing?"
"No, it's just that, you know, the gentleman should walk on the side with the traffic, that way if a car like splashes mud or jumps the curb he can push the woman out of the way!"

placing her to the side they continued to walk,
and childhood me,
I sat and thought.

Years later, in a moment of chivalry
my Gentleman friend,
caught up in his thoughts
remembered a lesson,
some angel had taught him
and I traveled back to
that long ago afternoon,
where I formed my idea
of a Gentleman,
in Childhood.

Giving it All Up to Him

Last night at Village a wonderful woman that I am growing to treasure the company of more and more everyday decided to pray the prayer and give her life, give "it all up" to Him, our Lord. I was so blessed to be able to be there with her as she said those words, "God I give it all up to you." Her prayer was beauty itself and I found myself despite my best efforts in tears, mascara running down my cheeks, just filled to bursting with joy! I was so incredibly blessed to be able to not only witness the miracle and ecstatic joy involved when someone commits themselves to Christ but to be able to pray after her afterwards, to be a witness to her exclamation of joy for the Creator, that was the biggest blessing. I wanted to run up and down the streets screaming to the world, shouting, "She belongs to the King! She is Saved!" I am so incredibly proud and happy for her.

 Giving up control, leaning on faith is never easy, but she chose to believe in what she can't see, believe in truth and in her own words, "I felt him with me for the first time."

She is searching no more, she has found "the One"!

My epiphany about "Funky Town"

Over the last week I've been feeling down in the dumps, ie. episode of depression. My friend Shell calls it, going to "funky town". Just hearing those words makes me think of the old 60's song, Funky Town. It makes me laugh and I automatically sing to myself, "Won't you take me to, Funky Town!" Now if that isn't a mood booster I don't know what is. Anyways, on to my epiphany about my depressive episodes...

Last night I went out to a local coffee pub to listen to the live music of some church fellows. Even though I've been feeling low the last week or so and my bed has been my closest friend I decided I couldn't miss this occasion. I arrived to an overflow of spectators and patrons alike, causing the owner of this pub to worry about getting a citation from the fire marshal. The crowd so overwhelmed me that for a while I considered leaving. I managed to cope by moving throughout the rooms methodically until I nested in a back room with some church friends for most of the remainder of the night. Slowly, and especially as more people dispersed I became more comfortable and even rowdy, dancing openly to the music playing after the show as the coffee house cleared out and talking almost aggressively to the many acquaintances and friends surrounding me. It was later while sitting semi-quietly at last at an old theater converted event center downtown, helping to set up some equipment with friends, listening to the piano being played beautifully that I came upon my epiphany. I remarked aloud to my piano playing friend that despite how I felt I had become rather rowdy over the last hour or so and wondered aloud why that was. I sat there for a moment before answering myself... Perhaps I am overcompensating for my visit to "Funky Town" by being especially giddy and extroverted tonight. I bowed my head, possibly in shame and leaned against the piano. My friend kindly placed his hand upon my back, reassuring and consoling me. I then sat up, at peace with the idea and resolved that even if I was overcompensating it was okay, at least I was trying to be happy and with friends like those surrounding me, why shouldn't I be.

Atlas Hands

Atlas Hands

Take me to the docks, there's a ship without a name there

And it is sailing to the middle of the sea

The water there is deeper than anything you've ever seen

Jump right in and swim until you're free

I will remember your face

'Cause I am still in love with that place

But when the stars are the only things we share

Will you be there?

Money came like rain to your hands while you were waiting

For that cold long promise to appear

People in the churches started singing above their hands

They say, "My God is a good God and He cares"

I will remember your face

'Cause I am still in love with that place

When the stars are the only things we share

Will you be there?

I've got a plan, I've got an atlas in my hands

I'm gonna turn when I listen to the lessons I've learned

I've got a plan, I've got an atlas in my hands

I'm gonna turn when I listen to the lessons I've learned