i’ve got memories that live
outside my little mind
and when I’m old and feeble
the good ones will refuse to die
they’ll just go on blooming
like an old homestead’s roses would
and passers by will wonder
just how on earth they could
but when the soil’s reclaimed all else
their beauty in season will show
that’s how my memories of you will linger
as the petals come and go
© Joel Tipple
beginning as a mountain
big as half the world
broken down by lightning
while peals of thunder unfurled
fell into the sea
to stand in the way of ships
the north sea threw itself at me
till I went to smaller bits
the world heaved back
then it shuddered forth
I rolled into a river
felt the rage from its source
with my back to that river
and my face to the sea
here I am that grain of sand
as small as can be
from the good Lord’s earth beginning
until the scroll is read
I’m seen it all behind me
and I see it all ahead
© Joel Clayton Tipple
Write here, Joel. 