Nature's Easter Cross (JM)

 

Surprise Cross found in this peaceful spot, Starker Forestry Trail, tree planted 1986, Oregon 

From Starker Forestry Trail, self guided tour (JM)

                                                   

Bear’s To-Do List (JM)

(Joseph MacRae, February 26, 2025, feast day of Our Lady of the Fields (Paris). Image from my journal.)

Bear’s To-Do List

If only I could remember where I hid my honey jar

safe from prying eyes.

I now regret it is only safe from me.

Oh, the moment I find my precious honey jar —

I'll be a rich bear indeed.

*From prompt: Freewrite as inspired by these words: if, regret, rich. From Daisy Barrett-Nash’s Legacy Lines, February 26, 2025. 

Local Lore (JM)

 

                                                       Snowcap on Prarie Mountian

                                                      Mill Creek stream restoration gathering

                                                       Clemen's Lumbar Company, Philomath:

                                                       Old RD-8 Caterpillar at the abandoned Clemens' Mill

                                                       Interpretation day at Clemens' Scout Lodge 

Our True Spirit Rises (JM)

(Joseph MacRae, selected by Youtube channel Kate Chadbourne which read it aloud for April 2025's Poetry Month special, see here at about 17:00 mark. Also published in Legacy lines: Poems inspired by LGBTQI+ Poets of the Past, edited by Daisy Barrett-Nash, Equal Arts, April, 2025. Prompt from February 12, 2025, feast day of (above) Our Lady of Iviron and Our Lady of Argenteuil. Image from here.)

Our True Spirit Rises*

The poets, they understand —

Keep writing.

Against bird flu, doom scrolling, anything 

makes you think there is no hope.

Close your eyes, some simple verses

sky, she sweeps 

earth flowers — reaps

It will get your mind off your troubles.

Not dwelling but creating. Growing 

in Light — a remedy in wait. 

Take daily. 

*Title is quoted from Audre Lorde, Poetry Is Not a Luxury.

*From prompt: Reflect on this past year's engagement in Daisy Barrett Nash's Legacy Lines (Writers at Play), what stands out? February 12, 2025.

How Our Garden Grows (JM)

 

How to Make Peace (JM)

 

(Joseph MacRae, published in Legacy lines: Poems inspired by LGBTQI+ Poets of the Past, edited by Daisy Barrett-Nash, Equal Arts, April, 2025. Prompt from February 5, 2025, feast day of the The Elets-Chernigov (Chernigov Spruce Tree) Icon of the Mother of God. Image from here.)

How to Make Peace 

Start at home.

Start simply.

Mend bitterness, quarrels, disagreements with I love you. I forgive you. 

Please forgive me. May God forgive the both of us.

Reach out at work. Don't be afraid to say I'm sorry for what happened 

the other day — the greening with envy, seeing red, white lies. 

Give forgiveness, if you would receive forgiveness. 

Love your family, neighbors, your co-workers. Yes, even the one 

who always sneaks the last cookie, snags your parking spot. 

Love and forgiveness, it is a beginning.

*Freewrite as inspired by Audre Lorde’s “The Cancer Journals” (from Daisy Barrett Nash’s Legacy lines, January 29 and February 5, 2025)