The Seasons: A Poem

Posted by on
Sunrise over Amazing Grasses Family Farm The mad Artist wields His brush, Painted colors rush, To life and give flush, Before the quiet autumn hush. The life seems to pour, As colors fall to the floor, To be seen no more, Outside the dark, grey door. Brightness from below, Sun upon the snow, High, cold clouds blow, Flakes and ice appear to grow. The man melts with little seen, Underneath, pale, grey green, Hides life in dark unseen, Waits for warmth and to careen. Buds on branches show, Patience starts to grow, Trickles, streams and veins flow, Bringing fruits of melted snow. Sprung to life it springs, Bees, birds, sound rings, Lush green flings, Its gift bounty brings. Green growth gives one last rush, Underneath the Painter's brush. The mad Artist wields His brush, before the quiet autumn hush. More poetry is available from James M. Hahn in  The Last Dragon and Other Poems  available now. My new book of cryptogram puzzles " Secret Messages from the Saints " is avai
0

Cousin Bucky

Posted by on


There's nothing better than having family over except maybe having them leave. This is my cousin Bucky. Of course his real name is Walter William Hetsted but we call him bucky for short. Bucky is a great guy to have around when you need a dose of humility because nothing is sacred or off limits to Bucky.

The last time he stopped by for a visit my wife was still pregnant. She was past due by a couple days and Bucky had a list of ways to induce labor. Needless to say we had to send the kids outside to play. He's a great guy but one of those people who just "doesn't get it" if you know what I mean.

Today he was with the boys checking out the chickens and the coop. He caught one of the hens and placed her on his head. He had his hat on, thank goodness, but that chicken was scared to death and wouldn't do anything but try to keep her balance as Bucky danced around the yard much to the children's delight. Thankfully our neighbors live a few hundred yards away.

After the chicken dance he took the boys down over the hill for awhile. I walked out on the deck to see if I could locate them to call them in for dinner and I saw all of them crawling up the bank toward the house. When they were within range of the deck they sprang their ambush. Bucky and each boy had a hollow plant stem and they were shooting black pellets out of them like a blowgun. They were pellets alright, rabbit pellets. It was time for naps and time for Bucky to head home.

In today's Gospel James and John just don't get it. They are too busy thinking in a worldly manner. They see the Kingdom of God as one of power and domination and they want to be right in the midst of the action. They want power. They want to be in command. They want authority. What a shock it must have been to hear Jesus tell them that in order to be good rulers they must serve. Service is the Christian mark of power and authority. He who seeks power and authority must be the least, the slave, the servant of all.

This is a tough lesson and I am sure it was for James and John as well. It is against my fallen human nature to even desire to serve. Yet it is when I sereve that I am who Christ wants me to be. Especially when I am serving cousin Bucky!

Comments

Anonymous said…
I know an "Uncle Bucky!" There is something very playful and childlike about the Uncle Buckys in our lives. My husband and I talk a lot about the difference between being childlike and childish. Sometimes it's a very fine line and other times the line is very thick and obvious. The Uncle Buckys certaintly do have a way of humbling us. One thing Jason shares in his presentations is that he believes Jesus was similar to that fun uncle that everyone has. He claims that he thinks Jesus invented noogies, wet willies and wedgies. That's why the kids wanted to be around Him all of the time. Kids do not want to spend time with stick-in-the mud, fuddy dutties. Thank goodness that the Uncle Buckys challenge us to live in the moment and play more, even if it is a bit too far most times. ;) Great picture!
11:50 AM
Anonymous said…
I know an "Uncle Bucky!" There is something very playful and childlike about the Uncle Buckys in our lives. My husband and I talk a lot about the difference between being childlike and childish. Sometimes it's a very fine line and other times the line is very thick and obvious. The Uncle Buckys certaintly do have a way of humbling us. One thing Jason shares in his presentations is that he believes Jesus was similar to that fun uncle that everyone has. He claims that he thinks Jesus invented noogies, wet willies and wedgies. That's why the kids wanted to be around Him all of the time. Kids do not want to spend time with stick-in-the mud, fuddy dutties. Thank goodness that the Uncle Buckys challenge us to live in the moment and play more, even if it is a bit too far most times. ;) Great picture!
11:51 AM
Post a Comment