During His Service — Thoughts On My Neighbor’s Passing: Revolutionary ConTEXTing Haiku

My neighbor (“the golfer”) passed away unexpectedly last weekend. At his funeral, during tributes from children and friends, many thoughts and feelings came up, which I turned into poetic texts to myself.

When a good man passes 11:04 a.m.
When a good man is/
Taken too early, it shakes/
We who aren’t ready.

Life Elevated Example 11:49 p.m.
When you see a life/
That is elevated, you/
Know you must improve.

My Neighbor’s Advice: 12:13 p.m.
“Prepare to stand in/
The presence of God.” That’s his/
advice from the grave.

Urgent Work 12:24 p.m.
For such a one to/
leave so early shows how the/
work is so urgent.
OR
For such a one to/
leave so soon shows how urgent/
the Lord’s work must be.

Kind Words Of Welcome 12:26 p.m.
Welcome back, brother”/
were the kindest feelings and/
words I ever heard.

Advertisement

New Growth Promises: Revolutionary contexting haiku

My child climbs skyward./
Shaken boughs make pink snowstorms/
and promise new growth.

Why Hang Around Downer People With Broken Hearts? Revolutionary Email Prose

A friend recently asked “Why would you want to hang around with downer people with recently broken hearts?” I answered:

Why hang around?
Because you can talk about it with me.
Because I’m a nice guy.
Because sometimes it’s just fun to have fun,
to take ourselves out of the moments
of wallowing in self-pity,
to recognize we are NOT
who some others might think we are.

We are not controlled
by what others think
of us,
or want to do with
or to
or about
or without us.

We control our own destiny,
and when we step out
of the wallow
and the muck
and take control
of who we are,
then we shine
and illuminate
and wow those around us.

And the heart discovers
it’s merely bruised,
not broken,
and that it,
like a good, dry martini,
must be shaken
before it is again stirred.