Amazed by the Living

The four new food groups
Are Diet Coke and Lexapro,
GMO's and Chemo.
And they say there's no need to beware
of the burning oil in the air.
But at least they have the decency
of giving us electromagnetic frequencies.
The more in the grave,
the more they make.
Laughing all the way
to their polished banks.
When our health and our welfare go
 to the highest bidding,
I'm no longer bewildered at the dead -
I'm amazed by the living.

by Peter Kruse

Wish Me Well

A tornado hisses and spins
As its vengeance begins
It's darker than the darkest sin
These walls are growing thin

Moss and trees they still grow green
Upon a distant hill so clean
Days away, far from these chains
My house and garden still remain

My plans have finally taken shape
I know tonight I must escape
I'll risk the wind, the rocks, frostbite
Protected by this wicked night

And so I leave these tattered walls
Down this mountain I climb and crawl
One bad step and I could fall
Ten thousand feet as I recall

I pray I reach my distant home
So I can live to tell
Of the time that my heart stopped
Oh God, please wish me well

Progress

The last of the locals are moving away
In their grandfather's houses, they're not welcome to stay
The ports and the oil fields now cover the sand
The wealthy have come and divided the land
Early in the morning while on the rooftop
I see a family begging the workers, please stop
But they are no mach for the big new machines
as "progress" destroys their homes and their dreams

Peace of Mind

I returned to the sea

where peace of mind

returned to me.

Old Man Winter

Old Man Winter got a splinter
While moving his Christmas tree
With a shout he pulled it out
And then laughed merrily

by Peter Kruse

Xichong Beach

I'm setting my alarm for this time, next week.
If you've got a request, please don't bother me
I'll be chilling and listening to the sounds of the sea
Maybe at the Secret Spot, down at Xichong Beach

After climbing endless mountains and hills
Obsessing over meetings, schedules and bills
After chasing my freedom and chasing thrills
It's about time for me to chill

I'm catching a bus now for Xichong beach
If you're in the mood for peace, come along with me
But if you've got a business need, please don't bother me
Cause I'm setting my alarm for this time, next week

Lonely Winery

A weathered farmer in Missoula, Montana

Is hand-picking wine grapes 

In late October

As the auburn sun, with only subtle traces

Of the hot summer months

Is retreating from

What will slowly become

November

Water Colour Blue

Suddenly, a drop of water fell.
Beneath a tenebrous thunderhead.
Drought shall flee this living well.

Lightning reflected in her eyes.
A flash of hope. Refreshing surprise.
Suddenly, a drop of water fell.

Fading is that bleak paradigm.
As darkness and rain bring new light.
Drought shall flee this living well.

The first drops felt calming and cool.
Just like the wind, water colour blue.
Suddenly, a drop of water fell.

Washed anew, and soaking wet.
Baptized by heaven. I'll never forget.
Drought shall flee this living well.

Goodbye lifeless, dry spell.
And copper sun. Scorching hell.
Suddenly a drop of water fell.
Drought shall flee this living well.

Jacob's Falls

 

There is a place I fondly recall
known as Jacobs Falls
in Upper Peninsula Michigan.
It’s where I go in my mind
every now and then.
It is a fun, hour long hike,
and you can enjoy fresh-picked
red raspberries
on your way up.
And if you get hot
you can swim in the icy, shallow water
that flows into the translucent Lake Superior.
I remember doing just that
with my family a couple summers ago.
And just near the base of the falls
is a little Bakery run by Orthodox monks
called the Jampot,
where they make organic jam
and the best cookies I’ve ever eaten.
I vividly recall
riding our bikes to Jacobs Falls.
It took about a half hour.
Yet I still go there in my mind
every now and then.

Weightless

It's raining backwards
From ground to sky
Water droplets
Just float by
Suddenly I'm weightless
And wondering why
Feeling scared and confused
As I head towards the sky
All my burdens feel light
And I'm feeling alright
Still I pray and I hope
This isn't goodbye

Sinking

Feet sinking in mud
As I'm trying to walk
Somehow
Placing one foot
In front of the other
And I see where I am supposed to be
Yet I will need your help
To get me there

Homeless Man

Dropping like stones,
This hail on my head.
Left here all alone,
Dropping like stones.
My eyes slowly close,
As they feel made of lead.
Dropping like stones,
This hail on my head.

Caffeine Buzz

Everything's bright and shiny.
Feels like you're smoking nicotine.
My blood flows faster with caffeine.

Once I have a can or two,
Of Pepsi, Coke or Mountain Dew,
Everything's bright and shiny.

But if I don't get my fix,
I'll probably throw a fit.
My blood flows faster with caffeine.

Sometimes I'm cynical and lazy.
But once chemicals come save me,
Everything's bright and shiny.

Here's something difficult to stop;
A lifelong addiction to coffee and pop.
My blood flows faster with caffeine.

Suddenly feeling a sense of bliss.
I wish I could always feel like this.
Everything's bright and shiny.
My blood flows faster with caffeine

Vanilla

A friend recently told me
I live a vanilla sort of life,
because when I ain't perfect
I'm overwhelmed with strife.
The Bible is full of stories of
God's vengeance and grace,
yet often I'm only terrified
of stepping out of place.
I will not change my morals
or respect.
Yet we all stumble
and sometimes need to accept
that God is patient
and always
forgives and forgets.

In Memory of Beth

Their hearts were torn from their chests the day,
The Lord took their young daughter away.
It was just a typical afternoon.
Why did it have to happen so soon?
The phone rang like any other time,
But the most feared words came through the other line.
"I have some sad news regarding your daughter
I'm afraid she's been involved in a tragic disaster."
Words fall short when trying to explain,
The feelings of loss, the memories, the pain.
And so we look forward, anticipating the day,
That the Lord wipes all of our tears away.
Families will unite in eternal bliss,
Never for a moment each other to miss.