Pop's Page of Poetry

IN HER TONGUE IS THE LAW OF KINDNESS

In grace and truth she talked with him
   bestowing a precious gift
Conversation so freely given
   bridged the anxious rift

She replied to him with courage
   reached out with understanding
By offering time and knowledge
   her goal was honest sharing

   Good words can help so much
    by telling of God's grace
   By kind speech a heart is touched
    a warm voice is an embrace

He was thankful for her kindness
   such a gentle fellowship
She shed light into his darkness
   and took the hand of friendship

With words uplifting and true 
   she shared her spirit's quest
Her love for the Lord shone through
   and in hearing, he was blessed

   Good words can help so much
    by telling of God's grace
   By kind speech a heart is touched
    a warm voice is an embrace

_____________________________________
C. Kevin Jackson
copyright 2/9/96



GONE TOO SOON
-Ode to Chris Farley-

like a cannonball fired from a gun
you threw yourself through life
you had hard lessons for everyone
wielding your wit like a sharpened knife

a larger man was seldom seen
nor a bolder, bigger heart
as you took over the TV screen
and turned life pathos into art

your characters spoke so clearly
but some of us saw through the joke
and in honor of your memory
might take one less drink or toke

now, all too soon your time is up
was this world too much for you?
did you drink too deeply from the cup
drowning a pain that no one knew?

you touched so many, 'Tommy Boy'
the obese and otherwise ugly
your antics gave us times of bliss
making our lives less dreary

no fans foresaw your sudden end
but your message was delivered
perhaps we'll see you soon, dear friend
...."in a van down by the river"

_____________________________________
C. Kevin Jackson
copyright 12/31/97



REACHED

you're the only one with vision to see
     the woman who knows the touch
you know what life has done to me
     with eyes that see so much


awake, in dreams, and in other ways
     i feel your gentle fingers
i thought i'd finish out my days
     without the touch that lingers


you bravely share a wounded heart
     you give yourself and heal the wrong
you elevate kindness to a wondrous art
     your compassion becomes my song


you bring your past into these times
     pulling us both from an empty place
you see the connections; the subtle rhymes
     your laughter lights up my face


you make me forget the reasons to cry
     with your hands and lips and voice
you lift my eyes to a cloudless sky
     inviting a willing choice


you tenderly reach me as a friend
     and our inner selves still touch
now i wish for a bond that will never end
     tasting You, i cannot have too much
_____________________________________
C. Kevin Jackson





BOPPSONG

Bright and distant in morning skies
       Not seen before; now you appear
Your warm white light now draws our eyes
       You offer comfort; you bring no fear

Cold is the world in these lonely hours
       In darkness so quiet, in a setting serene
On the stage of Night you take your bows
       Bringing a mystery; invoking a dream

"A cloud of rocks and dust", they say
       A simple "astronomical event"
An object lit up by Sol's distant rays
       Yet in our minds you cause such ferment

Some people claim you bring portents of gloom
       With disaster and death in your fiery wake
They say that you speak of imminent doom
       But in seeing your beauty our minds come awake

Perhaps to some you are more than a comet
       You symbolize something that's missing inside
A memory, a promise, the echo of a sonnet;
       A mystery, a glory, or a rock "deified"

Heavenly image, you stir our spirits to life
       Yet in our visions we must hear a warning
Though you offer relief from this world's strife
       You will soon depart, and leave us in mourning

These few months we can see you -- a celestial Unknown
       like a god-hero returning, you seem so sublime
Somehow your bright warmth makes us feel less alone
       returning to Man after centuries of time

Hale-Bopp, we view you -- ruling over the Night
       glowing so bright, with your long flowing tail
In your portents we imagine our World made right
       a future so wondrous, full of hope without fail
_____________________________________
C. Kevin Jackson