“……and now we go separate ways for separate duties!”

“……and now we go separate ways for separate duties!”

 

 

 

 

So, friends needing healing, friends needing feedings–

And friends needing new set of directions to the next bright spot

Did now divide themselves quite by nature into three leadings:

One group to nurse Spottedy,one to find food, one to find new map dot.

 

 

 

 

So scouting group formed by blend of Flop-Eared Boy and Donkey to hear

Both to lead in listening for water, for sounds of sizzling light to guide their parade,

For sounds of new friends in aide, for those working to bring grains to bear

These friends more strongly on their way, for sounds of forces forbade.

 

 

 

 

So quick food foraging group was already behind Old Crookeye, Old Dog;

To see better, to reach out with scoping and sniffing nearby ready eats

Bringing Mistress Mouse up from the rear to twitch out crumbs from clog

Bringing Littley Lamb to nose out tender shootlings from byways as treats.

 

 

 

 

So tender ministering toes and Bushy Palms and blinking and twinking

Did Croaker and Terrapin, Cuddles and Jiggles, Old Stump Woman and Fuzzy Worm

Bring to seep healing and love into Old Spottedy’ heart and soul, once sinking

Sung to blissful rest by Ugly Bird and overflown with cooling by Old Crow o’er the berm.

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“……and suddenly we heard singing!”

 

 

 

“……and suddenly we heard singing!”

 

 

 

 

 

 

And, now, dear friends and fellow travelers, we watch,we swatch,

Sturdy loving critterly folk make their rugged way o’er water and rock

Ever looking up, ever guided by the Winged Ones, in quest so splotch

With bramble and thorn and glitter and song of wind with heart to stock.

Let us now hold back and listen so still in thrill at climb up a notch

In trail under Wing and Bill shone next ray of Light none could mock.

 

 

“Be quietsy, ye ol’ Stumpy Woman, no snortsing of Bush Nose do make;

“For weuns do stretch heartstring to hear sweetsie note by yon lake:”

Thus did friends and critters all did rest with all steps did forsake

To listen and watch and stretch their souls out to veriest edge of calm take.

 

 

Toes whispering in the grass,

Fingers whispering the honeysuckle

Tongue whispering in the ice,

Lips whispering in the search.

 

 

Windy sun chasing joy;

Tossing branches weaving birds.

Purple perfume smoothing steps;

Dewdropping grasses washing minds.

 

 

Chirping birds, chipping old stump.

Rustling grasses, flaking old skin.

Floating petals, drying bloom edges.

 

 

“The least, the least!” cried Old Crow.

“Ne’er forget the least,” scraped Grasshopper.

She pondered, “All these berries be enough?”

 

 

And so did friends find battered Lil Child

‘neath a poking bramble, near to fainting

And so did friends lift up bleeding Lil Child

bringing saved one to healing juice in painting.

 

 

 

 

 

CRITTERS, UNFOLK, EXPECTED ONES DRINK TOGETHER

DRINKING AT THE DOWNSPOUT

Little Lost Lamb

Cock-Eyed Sheepdog

Nightingale Teacher

Singing Crow

Crowing Rooster

Crooning Dove

Fluttering Dragonfly

Spotted Goad

Old Hen

Young Weasel

Flop-Eared Boy

Flop-Eared Donkey

Stump Woman

Crook-Eyed Shepherd

Bullfrog

Caterpillar

Big-Nosed Shrub Girl

Young Mother-Girl

RushingAngels

Shattering Stars

*****

All unexpected critters and sort-of folks

Trailing into Bethlehem’s Back Gate

All joined so all can hear and see and feel and smell

All teaching and reaching together for this gate

All stretching towards the stall

Trailing into Bethlehem now so dry

All holding up each to each so in thrall

Trailing each a single sense of about to be glory

All holding up each to find drops of spirit fill,

All now gleaming through cracks in animal house,

As first come sheep, before come cattle, now come donkey,

Trail around a filling trough to never thirst again,

But no room for outside critters, no room for not-quite folk,

All now sliding down in weak adore of Light within,

But no spot for thirsting after righteousness,

All now pushed under old fallen roof joint,

All now falling under shattering starlight and crushing angle wings

Brushing the dews of morning down the joint spout

Draining the angel cloud weeps down into waiting throats,

Soaking the deep places inside the hearts in that corner,

Watering the life forces in each, to each, with each,

To loosen the tongues to tell the words in other far corners:

“Christ the New Born King is Come This Day

For to Love Us All, Bless Us All, Each and Every

Critter Unspected, each and every OutsideFolk Unspected.”

********************

So all the expected ones and the unexpected and incomplete ones joined as one before

The Babe with  Young Girl Mother, all still with waiting and still waiting

The weary world to come and find, to come and give, to come and wait, wait, wait.