Pressing the pause button in order to play

When Biles bravely looked inside,
she saw the place where feelings hide.
She freed the prisoner of her pride
embracing peace of mind.

Her mental health meant more than gold.
And so Simone would break the mold
that frames what other people think
instead of what we need.

When “doing life” we lose our place
and lose perspective (lost in space),
the bravest thing that we can do
is asking for some help.

By “calling time” or “pressing pause”
to heed our fears or own our flaws,
we find our balance once again
to face what life will bring.

The most important race in the Olympics

When the world comes together
to compete in one place,
it all boils down
to just one certain race.

If you’re thinking that race
is the men’s marathon,
that’d be a good guess.
But your guess would be wrong.

The race that I’m meaning
is not run with feet.
It does not involve bikes
or some swimming pool feats.

The race most important
is that which unites.
It’s what makes us a family.
It’s what lights up the nights.

The race is called human.
We are diverse yet one.
And this race calls for walking
in peace as we run.

Let’s hear it for the human race!

What the Bible has to say about our climate (and so much more)

Al Roker’s weather map reveals
torrential rain and heat.
Tornadoes, fires, smoke and drought
and flooded city streets.

Yes, climate change seems obvious.
What’s happening is rare.
Dramatic weather’s on the rise.
There’s trouble in the air.

It’s what the “Good Book” said would be
as we approach the end.
Disruptive patterns in our world.
Apocalyptic trends.

But there are other truths within
the Word of God to heed.
There’s much more cause to hope than fear.
So crack “The Book” and read.

*Luke 21:11
**Jeremiah 29:11

Reflecting on the condo collapse in South Florida

When a high rise of condos
collapses and crumbles
without provocation
and without warning,
we are left without hope.

Against the backdrop
of a beautiful blue ocean,
we watch a replay of a building’s last gasp.
It rekindles emotions
we haven’t felt for twenty years.

Suddenly, we are at Ground Zero again
witnessing the horror of twin towers
disappearing into a cloud of dust and despair.

Yet another makeshift memorial for the missing.
Photographs and flowers.
Mourners and pray-ers.
Grief-stricken survivors
who aren’t sure they want to survive.

And in the rubble
reminders of the fragility of life
and the evitability of unexpected tragedy.

Lord, have mercy!

New lyrics to a familiar tune

Once beautiful, our nation bears
the scars of wounds unhealed.
Of cities marred by homelessness
and rampant hate revealed.

America, America,
look in the mirror and see
the fading beauty that is ours
from sea to shining sea.

Once beautiful, our flag is frayed
by those who disrespect
the fabric of our liberties
and faith they now neglect.

America, America,
look in the mirror and see
the fading beauty that is ours
from sea to shining sea.

Once beautiful, graffiti blights
our parks and city squares
while litter lines our boulevards
because nobody cares.

America, America,
look in the mirror and see
the fading beauty that is yours
from sea to shining sea.

Once beautiful, we’ve lost our looks
by being inward prone.
Forgetting what once made us great,
we’re reaping what we’ve sown.

America, America,
look in the mirror and see
the fading beauty that is yours
from sea to shining sea.