and the beat goes on

I decided that this was as good a place as any to publish my poetry. So, here it will go. Here's a few from this school year.

The morning sun embraces all I see
as light pours forth o'er mountain peak and lake.
Once gray clouds part; night's darkness they forsake,
as colors burst and leap into the day.
The vibrant dance, in shades of orange and sea,
reflects each peak of mountain, ev'ry break.
The wonder of Creation revives me.
My ev'ning's weary fog at last gives way.

My breath, a pause of gratitude for Light,
a little prayer of praise for all I view,
now catches the cool hope of morning dew.
Despite the battered angst of worldly ways,
'tis this day's light that shatters dark of night.
Creation's pallet comforting my gaze.

An Italian sonnet to the sunrise

Chorale Sonnet

As one by one the singers each arrive
still chatting as they find their sections, four,
a noisy rush, their leader's words imbibe:
instructions swallowed as they gulp the score.
The struggle true, the effort one of love,
with skill and strength, determination thrives.
Desire and study, plus help from Above,
compose, create the anthem of their lives.
The voices fill the air with liquid sound
as polyphonic harmonies next blend.
'Though feet stay planted, hearts soar off the ground.
In unity of music, choir, and friends.
Becoming one in music's soul-felt drum,
Invoking Spirit as their voices thrum.

Life’s Chancy Encounters
—a Sestina by Kelley Paystrup

Far above the Influence
Of the world’s Happenstance
Leaving all to Circumstance
Brief encounters with Romance
We join in the Divine dance
Staking all on this Life’s chance

Passion, longing, rolls Life’s chance
Serendip’tous Influence
Tap out partners, Divine dance
Depending on such Happenstance
Ever searching for Romance
Leaving all to Circumstance

Leaving all to Circumstance
Roll the dice in this Life’s chance
Maybe we won’t find Romance
Far beyond its Influence
We shake our fist at Happenstance
Wallflowers in the Divine dance

Crushing toes, the Divine dance
Stumbles on through Circumstance
Snickering at Happenstance
Tired of waiting, Life’s chance
Rests far above the Influence
Of silly boys’ and girls’ Romance

Bright and soft, a new Romance
Joins two in the Divine dance
Fate controls the Influence
Leaving all to Circumstance
Two more dice thrown in Life’s chance
Is love much more than Happenstance

Journeys are such Happenstance
Sweetened or soured by Romance
Blindly we all take Life’s chance
Joining in the Divine dance
Leaving all to Circumstance
Far from heavn’ly Influence

Daily laughing, life’s chance lives by happenstance
Challenging Fate’s influence to gain romance
Stepping, divine dancing beyond circumstance