Stay Close to the Light

Weeping Willow

—Poems by James Lee Jobe, Davis, CA
—Photos Courtesy of James Lee Jobe

The first moments of dawn slowly illuminate the room. It's something I enjoy. I close the book and get up to make the coffee; my wife will be up in a moment. How does one grow old living with the loss of a child? Stay close to the light, embrace it. Keep faith in the new day, live one day at a time. As the coffee brews I walk through the old house opening the curtains for the day. Letting in the light.

—for David Hinton—

 Oak Tree

To the fields of this valley, we say glory. And to the stars of midnight, glory. Praised be our labors and praised be our children. Praised be our very breath. Glory, glory. Life is a blessing that we all share.

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Over sixty years on this planet. Somewhere along the way I learned to exit the calendar and make a sharp left turn onto a place and time to simply live the life of a human being. Being young, middle-aged, and old all became the same; now I just live whatever day happens to surround me. There is an army of clouds today. The spring breeze is sweet and cool.

 Ash Tree

Have I gone far enough? I would prefer to finish it all right here. No, I am not talking about dying, I’m talking about living. And I’m talking about not needing ‘more.’ If anything, I need less. There is only one thing left I want: to be of some use. Right here, right now.

 Bonsai Tree

A hot day in the valley. The sun shines on our noses and our necks. Children in the parks, the sun is also upon their flesh. An old dog sleeps in the sunshine, a young one in the shade.
 

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Our noses tell us someone is barbecuing meat. From behind a nearby house smoke rises in a thin line.

 Pine Trees

We are walking, with every step our shoes caress the broken sidewalk. An old song comes to mind and when we are sure we are alone we begin to sing aloud.

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Bring life to the planet. Help to heal that which needs healing. Teach the children, feed the hungry. House the homeless. Love each other, be kind to each other. It isn’t complicated, why we’re here.

 Sequoia

Autumn doesn't bother to knock, it opens the front door and boldly strides through. Winter quietly slips in behind, just before the door closes. A few leaves blow in with the wind as I pour us all some coffee. Would you like a cup?

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Today’s LittleNip:

As we destroy this earth with oil wells, fracking, wars, coal mines, and far too many people, where will the last little field mouse go to catch a nap?

—James Lee Jobe

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Thank you, James Lee Jobe, for your thoughtful poems this morning, and for the blessing of trees! Wil-low, weep for me...

There’s lots to do in our area today, poetry-wise, starting at 9:30am with Writers on the Air, featuring four poets plus open mic at Sac. Poetry Center. Then at 2pm, there are three more events: Creative Minds spoken word meets at GOS Art Gallery in Sacramento; The Francisco X. Alarcón Book Celebration meets in Davis on Albion Place; and Poetic License meets in Placerville at the Sr. Center lobby. Three choices, all at 2pm. Scroll down to the blue column (under the green column at the right) for info about these and other upcoming poetry events in our area—and note that more may be added at the last minute.

—Medusa, celebrating the light of poetry!

 —Anonymous

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