My Scot/Irish heritage only brings back memories of my Grandmother.

Happy St. Patrick’s Day.

He often spoke of our little brother,

he wondered what his life

would have been like if he had lived.

He was the only son of a proud Scottish family.

It carried a large burden on his shoulders,

when his Father became ill …

Time carried the loss with him until he was an old man.

He would ride his black Harley and stand by the tombstone.

Always by himself, he would diligently stay on his knees,

clearing the leaves as though it cleared the pain of loss.

He would place flowers , and later say they would end up missing.

So, he would return to place them again and again.

Now the little brother’s grave will grow silent,

the leaves will start to gather, as no one will be there.

The old man has passed on and will not return.

One would hope, they are walking and talking ,

catching up on the past of eternity of all they have missed.

Now, he is at peace, as he has found his brother and

his brother has found him.

A New Year, I sit quietly before the day begins.

The fire flickers and the full moon is on its way down.

I think of the troubles around me with loved ones.

I acknowledge the blessings and quietly say a prayer.

I question if God gets tired of my constant requests.

However, I figure he has an unmeasurable amount of angels listening.

I shall touch an empty glass

to remember those past.

Happy New Year

Tying my troubles with each shoe string,

I grab my sheep’s wool cover coat.

Stepping into a black early morning

of cold winds and silent surroundings.

I pick up the pace listening to

the quiet of the darkness and

the prayers within my consciousness.

I spend time paying attention to

the Christmas colorful lights flickering on

porches and roof tops, and lawns.

I continue to push myself,

checking my watch, and mileage.

My goal is soon to be complete ,

when I start to anticipate returning

back to a warm car.

All the while the darkness leaves

the dew of the morning on my shoulders.

CMM 2024

What are your feelings about eating meat?

I don’t …

However , I do not sit in judgement of anyone who does.

Waking to a full moon,

hung in the darkened sky.

crisp wind swings softly ,

as I gaze toward the silver eye.

Hues of silver cast in sight,

shadows of clouds pass by.

I stop, sit on cool green grass,

and gaze back upon the sky.

2023. CMM.

Music Perfomance, (all instruments ) Prof. Brian Kip Haaheim

Vocalist, Jon Matteson

Lyrics, Christine McNeill-Matteson

Original Score, Daniel Myer

“Joy’s Song”

“Joy’s Song”

I am happy …

What things give you energy?

In the still darkness

Of early morning fog

My faithful tree keeps me company

I listen for the subtle distant cricket

Crescendo breaking silence

The greenness calls me

Prayer and meditation

I will run and then my day.

If you had to give up one word that you use regularly, what would it be?

F@#*k