winter and
the trees have no leaves

by Dave Jackson

 Beauty is the stolen moment
of a single green field among
the grey of the trees.
Beauty is the sudden reddish brown
 of the grasses
and the clear view
 of the fields through the dark trees,
the daring of the hawk as he
somehow avoids
the barren branches and
soars through the woods.
Beauty is the single glimpse
of a deer family
in the
winter

You

by Michael Jordan

as i wait for you to take notice of me
i think why should i be here waiting
for you to give me a chance
but as i look upon your face
i know the reason why

your smile is like nothing i have ever seen
your eyes could melt the coldest heart
your touch could make a blind man see
and your kiss could stop a weaker man's heart

No Regrets

by Benjamin McCabe

The people rise early in the humble midwestern town.
The community is small, courtesy seems instinctual in this place
Where no man remains a stranger.
The wafting scent of bacon, eggs, of lean home-ground sausage teases.
Dark bitter coffee brews and the ragged, rain-laden newspaper lies on a
Beaten oak dining table.
Porcelain dishes clink and clank as they are pulled from the cupboard and a hearty
Breakfast is had by all. They will need the sustinence for the hard days work to come.
A man takes his sons under his capable arms and leads them out the door
Onto the rich earth that he has learned to love so much.
Today his boys will continue their lessons on what it means to tend, to love,
And to depend on the land.They will come to recognize
The round, earthy taste of integrity.
The baritone rumble of the tractor bellows and the little boy notices
The peculiar odor of grease and oil and broken soil, distinct and unforgettable.
A man is driving an ancient pickup, its faded red paint contrasting with the dull,
Iron colored rust above the wheel wells.
He passes another man on the dusty gravel road and they
Acknowledge each other with a modified wave, lifting two fingers from the
Steering wheel just before they lose each other into rearview mirrors.
The smell of cattle and pigs, of soiled barnlots and freshly cut clover
Overwhelms.
He drives past two farmers leaning against a fence post. They are
Discussing hog prices and weather. Their conversation loose, thoughtful,
And flowing, unrushed despite the back-breaking work that awaits them.
Presently, they move on, the encounter ending as casually as it began.
And now the ploughs mar the earth, leaving deep furroughs trailing away
Behind them.
In the barns, sacks of grain are thrown and hay bales stacked in giant cube-shaped
Mountains. The children rearrange the springy rectangles to form
Spectacular forts, splendid tunnels weaving back and forth, back and
Forth, an intersecting network of wondrous design.
The day wears on as one task begets another and finally the sun claims its
Much deserved moments of shining beauty in the fantastic hues
of the evening sky. Unveiled upon a perfectly flat horizon,
The gorgeous orange slowly darkens becoming a dazzling array
Of red and purple clouds illuminated by a sun that finally sets.
Families relax and games of all kinds are played on the hardwood
Floors of the musty old houses.
A father lies on the floor in front of his one-year-old child and they
Stare lovingly into each other's eyes. The father kisses the boy's
Tender face. He feels that there is no place he would rather be.
The children are put to bed and nighttime stories read.
Man and wife lie down for the night. He holds her, they are silently
loving each other and they are happy.
Another day in their lives has passed by and there are no regrets.
No regrets at all.

the christian

by Aaron Smith

i.

I once found a man whom I thought in need,
	So I clothed him in my good charity.
I strumped around town to show what I've done
	With a big grin, I went "Look everyone!"
See how "Christian" I am and see I am good.
	I gave a box shelter and a can of dog food.

ii.

I once saw a man sunk in his chair and crying
	He informed me his son was dying.
O' I felt bad for him, but I had to be terse.
	I threw him Christ ball'd in empy verse.
Because "feeling bad" for him would elevate his pain.
	I told him to go pray and I felt my gain.

iii.

There was a man hanging from a cross.
 	he was bloody, tortured, and dross,
	He said something, I told him a verse.
Said,"Jesus loves you!"and I skipped to chuch.