I Took Flea Bites

with me into the 8th grade.

There was an uprising every night,
teeny tiny terrorists jumping
up from the carpet where I slept.

—Or were they drawn? Were they in
love, irresistibly attracted
to my body, pulled up
in the beam of my warmth?

No one else was in love
with me that fall. I wore

old clothes,

walked in the classroom
like a hanger holding up
my dad’s red winter jacket
that he got by turning in
cigarette UPCs.

I carried fleas in each pocket.

But I was at peace with the fleas
and with Heather O’Dell
who kicked my backpack
across the science classroom.
I had just signed my name
with the peacemaking Jesus
and my pledge to turn
the other cheek was so fresh
that it cut the sting of each slap
right away and I offered
everybody gum—

Cotton Candy Bubblicious.

It was almost too sweet,
but irresistible,

like me.

1997

No Failing Today

neighborhood flowers, like stars in the dark sky

I ran up the library stairs, arms full of the papers that I hadn't quite finished reading, and made it to the meeting only a few minutes late, and just in time to remember that I had completely missed an earlier meeting with the guy I see as I enter the room. *Sigh.

This has been my life. Recently I've been tumbling down a list of 100 obligations that I'm late for and stressing about, staying up late and getting up early and still falling behind. You know that feeling?

But once a week, as the sun sets on Friday, I retreat from the press of obligations and the clatter of commerce. In obedience to the command, in imitation of Christ, in sweet relief I stop work for one day.

No chores.
No errands.
No meetings.
No multi-tasking.
No sense of letting people down.
No failing today. 

I'm not what I produce. I'm made, redeemed, re-made, and beloved. This I know for the Sabbath tells me so. 

the love that matters

"The love that matters is His for you - yours for Him may presently exist only in the form of obedience. He will see to the rest." 


Letters of C.S. Lewis, p357.