King

Because of him folk began to see chocolate, pecan, chocolate, fudge,  caramel, chocolate,  cinnamon, and blackberry

As spices of equality.

Because of him, I saw the door of possibility open much wider than a crack.

Because of him, I realized that black and white could mesh together

if the naysayers would give some slack.

Because of him,

I attained my B.A. and M.A.(Performing Arts/Dance)

Because of him I understood education is the way.

Because of him

I cut through procrastination

and when I would fall, I would get right back up.

Because of him, I came to understand that preparation is more important than luck.

Thank you, Dr. Martin Luther King

for the inspiration and legacy

and for this accomplishment song I sing.

Cold Burn

Cold……….Burn………

Though freezing, we focus on the heat while we sit by the fire…

Remember that “cold burn” rush of the slap in grade school from the one who called you a liar?

The pressure “cold burn” rush to the brain

‘cos’  you sipped the icee, or milkshake too fast

You grab your temple area, pray the pain won’t last.

When the receptionist/store clerk decides to take a break

or freshen her lipstick as you approach,

You breathe deep, put on the armor of God,

and convince yourself that she probably needs

a jealous management coach.

Or a complete stranger(again, a female) walks directly in your path

because she wants you to move,

The Holy Spirit kicks in and the words utter from your mouth in kindness,

“Hello, m’aam, don’t I know you?”"( She, embarrassed, moves)

Cold….burn

Inside, though pained, you revel in the glow of the sun,

Realize it will soon be your turn

‘Cos you are always in the hands of the Holy One.

Reflect on the challenges, remember to fast,

And hold on to God’s words

The first shall be last.

Fava Beans and Gospel (In memory of our daughter’s great-grandparents)

If our daughter’s Italian great-grandfather,  Chicch(Francesco), my husband’s grand-father, could have met our daughter’s African-American Indian great-grandmother, Mildred,(Mama Mill), my grandmother,  their conversation may have run a bit like this:

Chicch:  “Mildred, This is how you make fava beans.”

Mildred: ”Chicch, This is how you make pinto beans and cornbread. Come, let me play Amazing Grace for you on the piano upstairs…If you act right, I might let you hear me sing.”

Chicch: ”Mill, “Would you like to sip this Apulian wine?”

Mill:  “Chicch, Would you like a bit of this Indian Red chewing tobacco?”

Then, the two of them would have taken a slow gait with their canes to the front porch, plopped down on the swing, and glintingly absorbed the sunset.

 

 

 

 

 

Cribs

Go tell it on the mountain that Jesus Christ is born!

 

Würth Austellung Krippen aus aller Welt, Arlesheim, Switzerland

Würth Art Gallery  Cribs from around the World, Arlesheim, Switzerland  Ulfert-Buchholz Collection

Kingdom Come, (Robbed a day before the Kings Come=Balthazar, Helliborus, Faith)

A few days into the New Year 2012, I arrived at work earlier than normal, delighted at my good luck to find a parking space in the blue zone in Basel (which means I may stay parked the whole day)….cool….. right outside across the street in view of the window of our shop.  Diligently preparing the parmaschincken (prosciutto), salami, bresaola and cheese slices for the Italian  panini sandwiches, I silently thanked God for assisting the meat machine(I had problems in 2011).  At 15:00, I bid our daughter farewell, donned my old leather coat(my day had ended) and returned to my car, ready to visit the shoemaker in Weil am Rhein where I would take my favorite ripped leather coat(the one that waited in the back seat of my car) to be repaired.   How shocked to open my car to discover my coat had disappeared.  I had been robbed.  At the police station, the patient and understanding police officer explained that criminals today have sophisticated apparatus that records the lock click feature of modern car keys…I filed the theft report and dropped the report by my insurance company.  Maybe I will receive a refund(if I can find the receipt…I purchased that coat in Turkey about five years agoo….quite unlikely a find).  Irregardless,  money can not replace the sentimental value of the coat, even with the rip….Somehow, I overcame the frustration of the theft and sent blessings to the character who is now the owner of my coat…..Blessings to him/her..

“May you be as warmed by this coat as I have been”…Then I reflected on the Christ Rose..helliborus niger…..the flower that blossoms on my windowsill in the midst of icy embraces….The flower that beckons thoughts of the Christ Child….I think of the -Three Kings-especially Caspar..(maybe I am a descendant)…and I remember the story of the young girl, Madleon,  who wanted to bring a gift to the Christ Child.  Seeing the frankincense, gold and myrrh, she wandered into the forest seeking a flower, yet none was to be found…An angel appeared…

In vain she searched the countryside for a flower that she might bring, but the winter had been cold and harsh – and

there were no Christmas flowers to be found. Saddened, the girl began to weep. An angel passing over her stopped to provide comfort and smote the ground that was wet from her tears. There did spring a beautiful bush that bloomed of white roses.
“Nor myrrh, nor frankincense, nor gold,” said the angel, “is offering more meat for the Christ Child than these pure Christmas Roses.” And thus young Madelon went her way and worshipped the Prince of Peace, bearing the gift of her heart and tears.
The Legend of the Christmas Rose also has some foundation in this 15th Century poem:
A Rose has sprung from a tender root, From Jesus, as those of old have sung, And it bore a flower, In the middle of a cold winter,
When half spent was the night. Isaiah foretold it, the Rose I have in mind; Is Mary the pure, the little flower has brought us. From God’s eternal wisdom, she bore a child, And remained pure.
The Flower, so small, whose sweet fragrance fills the air, Dispels with glorious splendor the darkness everywhere; True man and truer God, helps us out of all sorrows, Saves from sin and death.
Oh Jesus, until we leave this misery, Let your help guide us into joy, In Your Father’s Kingdom, where we eternally praise You. Oh God, allow us this.  Translated from the early 15th century German poem “Es ist ein Ros’ Entsprungen.” Author unknown.

Still

 

—(copyright)All photos and poetry by whenquiet…—

Ever notice that time keeps movin’ on? Ever felt tremendous peace when you’re the only one at home?

Ever heard the wind whistle through the rafters of your home Carrying tales from far away? Then witness the sun smile brilliantly through As if to remind you things will be okay? Ever notice how your cat knows there will always be food to find? Ever notice how the sparrow chirps as the church clock chimes?

Ever notice how God beckons us to slow down And simply be still It is then we hear the whisper for us to do his will.

2011 in review

 

 

Dear Word Press

 

My next achievement?  A published book!

The WordPress.com stats helper monkeys prepared a 2011 annual report for this blog.

Here’s an excerpt:

A San Francisco cable car holds 60 people. This blog was viewed about 2,000 times in 2011. If it were a cable car, it would take about 33 trips to carry that many people.

Click here to see the complete report.