When the Hounds Bay

Trunks from the attic of the old homestead. Not quite sure they fit in this new place.  

I give you the challenging poem below in the midst of happy photos of my holiday decorating. 

This season my heart is especially full. I remember my mom this month - December being the month of her birth and death. I pulled a tiny suitcase from my Christmas decoration box recently, her old cassette tape holder.

This case held her most precious collection: tape recordings from grandchildren, quartet music recorded by my brother sing all four parts and recorded in his own music studio, other quartet and hymn recordings. Now, I use it to store my own outdated cassettes. I've looked at this case every Christmas for last few years, even moved it to our new house and barely noticed it, yet this year grief suddenly washes over me at the sight. 

Perhaps my heart is tenderized because so many dear people have died this year. And because so many troubling events are happening. Even as I write a friend waits beside her husband's hospice bed, holding sacred vigil. Ah, life, what can one do?  


Embrace poetry, love deeply, live justly, make your corner of the world more beautiful.... 

 

    

              .....especially as the hounds bay. 

                                              * * *



When the Hounds Bay

When dogs refuse to use the newly

installed dog door, and instead stand

dolefully on the porch looking through

the French doors, and you’re too lazy or

overwhelmed to get up again to

show them the way, that’s

when the hounds bay. When toddlers empty

every toy bin and grind modeling clay

into the carpet; when two harnessed dogs

on two long lines pull you to your knees,

whining: deer!, turkey!;  when ravens grouch,

driving off hawks and heavy mist rolls over

the mountains, that’s when the hounds bay. 

When the percolator boils over and

politicians spew, when men grope and fondle

yet fear intimacy, the hounds gather

momentum. When children are shamed, girl

commodities traded, trafficked and hidden

like colorful aces in a sumptuous deck,

that’s when the hounds bay. When hard 

emotions are squashed and screams

muzzled, and children work long hours

for my smooth, dark chocolate, that’s

when the hounds bay. When everyone

sleep walks, stifling body and soul, and

starvation of every kind goes unnoticed, the

hounds eventually get tired and go lie down. 

                                                    * * *

Arise, bay if needed; keep watch, stay awake. Shine a light into the world's darkness. Be a light carrier! 

Isaiah 9:2 - The people walking in darkness have seen a great light.

 When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy! Matthew 2:10.