Hoping For Goodness

—Poetry by James Lee Jobe, Davis, CA
—Public Domain Photos Courtesy of James Lee Jobe

Silence at dawn, silence at dusk. The moon, slippery as an eel, is chased by the sun, is chased all around the sky. And below, here on the surface of the planet, we watch and raise our arms to the light, pretending that we know god. There is no god, but the light is beautiful. And the silence, too, is beautiful.

 

This river. The same color as the night sky. The beating of a human heart. One person drawing breath. The point where these things meet. Joined. This river. Off there in the distance. 

Our days of being nomads are over, COVID-19 rules the land. The grief is incredible, yes, but life is not without positive things. Sheltering at home for the duration of the pandemic has given our roots time to set and grow. We can see that life is more about how we grow, much more than where we grow. Relax and breathe. Dig deep. Strong roots take time.

There’s hope to be found in a brand new sunrise. That first piece of light comes in easy over the bottom rim of the black sky, real pretty, and it gives you a feeling that maybe this day will have some goodness to it. Now that’s all in your head, of course. Whatever goodness is to be, or isn’t to be, comes from what you do, not what you see. Still, it is lovely, and there is some hope for goodness to be found in beauty. Maybe it’s best to just enjoy the sunrise as it comes to you.

I will sleep now, and I hope to dream of my son, death took him from me. And in my dreams I hope to see his smile once again, to hear his laugh, and to take him in my arms. One more time, a father embracing his son. I am no fool. I know, of course, the difference between a dream and reality, but forgive me, for there is no other way for me to have these simple pleasures. Only in a dream can a father look his dead son in the eyes and tell him, “I love you.”


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Today’s LittleNip:

Poetry defines me, it always has, even when I was a young boy. I dream it, love it, breathe it. Every morning, coffee and poetry start my day, and I want them fresh and strong.



—James Lee Jobe

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Our thanks to James Lee Jobe for his poems today about goodness and beauty and our seeking of both—all-important themes for this time of unrest. Don’t forget James’ video poetry reading every Friday, 7:30pm, at james-lee-jobe.blogspot.com or youtube.com/jamesleejobe/.

Today on Zoom from 1-3pm, there will be a Writing and Poetry Online Workshop by Susan Wooldridge (see www.facebook.com/ElDoradoCountyPoetry and scroll down). Registration is required in advance at engagedpatrons.org/EventsExtended.cfm?SiteID=7839&EventID=415708&PK=/.

—Medusa

 “The moon, slippery as an eel…”
—Public Domain Photo

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in the top right corner to come back to Medusa.

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