Two Brothers

Jesus said: It's like this... two brothers, being asked to work in their father's vineyard. One said yes, and did not go. One said No, then reconsidered. Which one did the father's bidding? Not so hard to figure out what the right answer is... right? Two brothers, related by blood, related by blood. Still brothers after the yes. Still brothers after the no. Still brothers.

So many ways we have

To dismiss the world:

The real,

Even

The potential real.

So many ways we say

Not now

Meaning

Not ever.

So many ways we say

Yes

When we are really saying

No.

Oh we who dismiss

So many things

In God’s name.

So much better to struggle with No

Then reconsider

And reconsider again.

Hard-won things

Are often heart-won things:

Meant to be held lightly

Meant to be cherished

Meant to be held up to the light

Meant to be understood now

Only in part

In a mirror dimly

And then,

Only then,

Fully known.

Forgetful

My beloved's mother called last night: Happy Anniversary. Anniversary? my beloved said, looking at me. Oh, are we ever pathetic! I said. Simply pathetic. We laughed the rest of the evening.

There are so many things

To remember in June

My beloved and I

Forgot our twentieth anniversary

Both of us

Yes

Both of us.

It’s like we’ve been married

Forever.

In a good way.

Married forever.

Maybe we’ll go bowling

This weekend.

Meteorology

This is a haiku (sort of). I am stunned at the rapidity of change in the acceptance of gay marriage (in Ireland!) as well as the growing acceptance of the reality of transgender folk who encompass the same wide range of sexuality we all do. Today the sky is bluer than it's ever been.

On certain fronts

The weather changes faster

Than others.

Witness

This is for Nate and Lauren.  This is for Lauren and Nate.  It is my honor and privilege to witness your marriage.

Today

I am privileged

To witness

The wedding of a couple

Who have thought through

And executed

More particulars

Than most every couple

I have known.

Today I will offer some words

But I know

No mere words

Will cover it.

Today I will sign

The certificate

And mail it off

To the State,

Still,

The certificate

Won’t cover it either.

Today it will take

All of us

To witness,

All of us,

All the promises

We can make

And then some,

And then some more.