Anniversary

An anniversary
like a sign along the highway
measured mile marker
keeping track of how far you have come
how long you have traveled from some memory
But it's just a day
like the many before and the many to follow
One day that was once only a day
Now a remembering
that can pierce the armor of a life hardened heart
as if it were some gossamer thing
and waits patiently for the orbit to pass around the sun
and back again
364 in order, but this one stands out
makes its mark
repeats

Ode on a Door, for Trevor, who has one

My office, standing fair
Without a door, is not quite "there"
It lacks a finish, you'd agree
Absent some perfect symmetry
And yet my printer you could take,
Thermo-hygrometer I'd forsake,
My blotter, where my doodles live,
My yellow folders, I would give
To have a door that I could close,
Keep out the extra curious nose,
Block my neighbor's well meant fan,
What favor seekers I could ban
Then all I'd need for perfect bliss
Some walls to hold the door up with

Renovation song in progress ps thank you Blake and Frost

"There is a Moment in each Day that Satan cannot find
Nor can his Watch Fiends find it, but the Industrious find
This Moment & it multiply, & when it once is found
It Renovates every Moment of the Day if rightly placed"

MILTON 35:42-45


The hills are looking a lot like November
Their October glory is stripped by the rains
But in a small valley a bright splash of color
Some trees that are clinging to Autumn's remains

And it's all that I need for a moment of pleasure
All that I need for a moment's delight
A bright splash of color in a place unexpected
Changes the instant, renovates, and makes right

The sounds of the city are gathered around us
Man and machines their cacophonies race
But in a brief quiet the sigh of a baby
as she falls asleep in her father's embrace

And it's all that I need for a moment of pleasure
All that I need for a moment's delight
The sigh of a baby in a place unexpected
Changes the instant, renovates, and makes right



















Copyright © 2008 Mary-Elizabeth Bean

Safe Home (song)

When the summer comes down
Before the harvest is brought in
Then the nights begin to cool
And the world is soft again

When the summer comes down
And the sun is not so hard
When the crickets raise their hymn
And the earth lets down it's guard

Then I let it wash over me
Let it fall on me like rain
Let it smooth my ragged soul
Bring me safe home again

When the summer comes down
Before the gardens fade away
When the heat has lost it's edge
And there's dew at dawn each day

When the summer comes down
And the gentle bees still fly
Between the Rose of Sharon blooms
As they hum their lullaby

Then I let it wash over me
Let it fall on me like rain
Let it smooth my ragged soul
Bring me safe home again

When the summer comes down
Before the trees with color sigh
And the grasses still are green
And the birds have yet to fly

When the summer comes down
As nature pauses in her stride,
Takes a breath before the plunge,
Makes a space where peace abides

And I let it wash over me
Let it fall on me like rain
Let it smooth my ragged soul
Bring me safe home again
And I let it wash over me
Let it fall, fall on me like rain
Let it smooth my ragged soul
Bring me safe home again


Copyright © 2008 Mary-Elizabeth Bean

copyright

Copyright © 2008 Mary-Elizabeth Bean

See them marching song in progress

See them marching off to work
Little boys in their fathers' s suits
Armed each one with case and phone
Soldiering in old men's pursuits



Copyright © 2008 Mary-Elizabeth Bean