small man, big voice – big
enough to surround a congregation
embracing even strays and renegades
offering concern, respect, encouragement and –
let’s just call it love –
then draw the circle in
to focus on a center
where there’s a little laughter,
rest, serenity, and strength to
carry on the big work

you visited my home,
I fed you tofu – at yours,
I saw your garden’s raw
beginnings – beyond these brevities,
we see each other seldom, though
we step along a common
path – looking east, I love
the mischief of your slanted
grin, your honeycomb of secret
stories, and our (o)pen connection

her home a haven of
security, a committed servant in
her church community, she builds
a life of comfort and integrity
with the substantial powers
of her warm and stubborn
personality – favored hobbit when we
shared a cubicle shire, protected
and restored by fellowship, barely
trembling after long ring battles

one of the faithful unfathomable
with her cloudlike hair and
birdlike looking – poor vision, making
movements with her head to
bring objects into better view –
lace collar, demure attitude, and
pearl white cardigan – angel in
exile here with all the ordinary
and distinct bedevilment of family
life, appreciating mostly friendship

think typical next door neighbor
mom with station wagon, small
ranch house, five kids, seafoam
furniture with plastic covers

add unique ingredients:
back-yard patio for roller-skating,
petunias in the center, graceful
weeping willow trees, Lady
(lettuce-eating dog)

after kids were grown – dollhouses –
where everything was
small and stayed that way