A poetic tribute to semi-truck drivers

God save the king whose cab’s his throne.
He rules the roads while all alone.
His subjects are the reason why
he drives himself so hard.

He knows we need what he transports.
His ship on wheels goes port to port
delivering a priceless load
that keeps our lives afloat.

Both day and night, from state to state,
his eighteen wheeler navigates
all kinds of highways (weather, too).
This hero is unsung.

Kids pump their fists to hear his horn.
That custom has become the norm
when truckstops lure the king to rest
and fuel his mobile home.

So here’s to those who risk their lives
while missing both their kids and wives.
May God protect this special breed
that makes our nation great.

• This poem is dedicated to Ross Johnson who passed away October 16, 2015. Peace to his memory!

Rotary’s core values in rhyme

In Rotary we have a quiz
to help us be our best.
Before we speak or choose or act,
we take the four-way test.

Is it the truth? That’s where we start.
We’re fact-checkers. No lie!
Quite honestly, we won’t mislead.
By that we live and die.

Fairness is the second way
we judge what we allow.
Is there a level playing field?
To justice we will bow.

And to that end we seek goodwill
befriending blacks and whites,
those old and young, both gay and straight
protecting each one’s rights.

And will our actions benefit
the good of all concerned?
Or will the rush to speak our minds
leave some besmirched and spurned.

This four-way test in Rotary
is just a simple aid
that serves to keep us honor bound
beyond the dues we’ve paid.

Imagining the nation’s Capitol without Justice Ginsberg

It’s Ruthless back there in D.C.
From where I sit, it seems to me
the chaos in this COVID year
is more chaotic still.

So who will fill the vacancy
now that notorious RBG
has left the Court and left us stunned?
Who’ll “sing” with The Supremes?

Regardless of the way you vote,
we all would do well to take note
that RBG’s a patron saint
of women and young girls.

Peace to her memory!

God’s promises in the midst of a pandemic

In our church on Sunday morning,
we claim our place.
Social distancing’s required.
There’s so much space.
While we long for what’s familiar,
we’re convinced we’re loved by those here.
We’re a fam’ly so we won’t fear
what COVID brings.

Though we’re masked, our hearts are singing
worshipful praise.
Empty choir lofts are sad but
leave us unfazed.
When we worship God in Spirit
others have no need to hear it.
God is there in spite of COVID
evenings and days.

In the silence God is speaking.
“Don’t be dismayed.
COVID cannot keep Me from you.
Don’t be afraid.”
God alone can calm our stressing
when we’re candidly confessing
how we daily are distressing
distanced and stayed.

He’s the vine and we’re the branches
nourished by grace.
We’re abiding by the Spirit,
sheltered in place.
In this world of tribulation,
COVID, fires and race relations,
we can trust the Lord of Nations
for what we need.

tune: All Through the Night