Flowers blooming, grass growing

trees once barren suddenly with bud

souls lighter

energy easily found

days lengthening, steps lighter,

meeting tasks of the day.

Yesterday, bright with color

joy in learning

in sharing

in building

Sun, warmth and blue sky

conspire to build up the day

Accomplishments richer

Failures and frustrations smaller

less consequential.

As rain begins, the light remains

a spiritual thing.

What to write, he muses

sitting at the table

Screen on and keyboard at the ready

Water and tea to hand, one warm the other cool

but the question remains

Has courtesy died?

A question pondered by many

news people, politicians, celebrities

even the common among us

I write this piece with a profound love and respect for my father; how he lived his life and shared it with those around him. Many of my early memories are of times we spent engaging in activities he loved and wanted to share, not to make me into a miniature of him, but to share something he loved in the hopes that someday his example would lead me to find my own path, my own interests. And if he could share in them, too, so much the better.

The genesis of this piece is pinewood derby season, when "kids" of all ages gather to make and race gravity driven wooden cars for the love of creation and dreams and fellowship.