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Please take the time to read and enjoy my poetry! It is my ongoing project and I am looking forward to translating my poems into Turkish, Portuguese, and French. JFB
New Year
Threw out one calendar Hung up a new one. Put a sticky note on my desk To remind me to date things with the new year. I forgive everyone...
JF Bierlein
Jan 3, 20231 min read
The Lesson of the Orchids
My wife has brought home several beautiful orchids When in bloom, they bring magic to the house. But the blooms are gone now And I am...
JF Bierlein
Jan 2, 20231 min read
Wisdom Vine
I planted grapevines some 20 years ago Many were killed by frosty weather or drought, But others survived, including Uncle Henry A great...
JF Bierlein
Jan 2, 20231 min read
Cruelty
Cruelty is the compulsion of the wounded to wound, The harmed to harm The abused to abuse The exploited to exploit The sad to sadden...
JF Bierlein
Jan 2, 20231 min read
Armchair Theology
I believe, but then again... Faith has a shadow that is not doubt. Doubt and faith are sides of the same mirror. They both feed each...
JF Bierlein
Jan 2, 20231 min read
No Longer Half Baked
Forty or more years ago, I was just flour A pile of charming, inert wheat dust. Then I came into contact with the leaven of this world-...
JF Bierlein
Jan 2, 20231 min read
Wheelchair Diaries
Che Guevara had his “Motorcycle Diaries,” Which gave him a radically new view of the world. That was my experience in a wheelchair. Ten...
JF Bierlein
Jan 2, 20231 min read
What is Left Behind
For whatever reason, I felt very mortal this morning I realized that I have outlived my mother And perhaps that was it. Then again, more...
JF Bierlein
Jan 2, 20231 min read
UVALDE
The right to bear arms shall not be infringed The right to bear children shall not be infringed The right to life shall not be infringed...
JF Bierlein
Jan 2, 20231 min read
The Rite to Remain Silent
You have the right to remain silent. The right. The right to be silent and hear your heartbeat The right to be silent and hear yourself...
JF Bierlein
Jan 2, 20231 min read
Grace
Grace is when a toddler offers you a “flower” That is really a dandelion But suddenly you both see it the same way. Grace is when you see...
JF Bierlein
Jan 2, 20231 min read
Does the Security Guard Guard Security?
We have a sophisticated electronic security system at home To make sure that our house is secure. There apparently was some level of...
JF Bierlein
Jan 2, 20231 min read
Son of a gun
We have sons who like guns. They defend their particular reading of the Second Amendment With the gifted sophistry of a Jesuit on...
JF Bierlein
Jan 2, 20232 min read
Old Friends
I had the pleasure of a visit from old friends. I can call them that because I am old And now they are too. We all knew each other when...
JF Bierlein
Jan 2, 20231 min read
Baltimorese Love Song
Danny ayshin on da cayste Lived da girl I loved da mayste It warn’t just kissin’ and huggin’ and grabbin’ We spint maste of our time...
JF Bierlein
Jan 2, 20231 min read
Love Magic
If I could make magic I would make your best dream come true And hand it to you in a basket made of stars. I would ask you for your other...
JF Bierlein
Jan 2, 20231 min read
Kintsugi
Kintsugi is the Japanese practice of repairing broken pottery with gold So that the imperfections add beauty and value What was broken is...
JF Bierlein
Jan 2, 20231 min read
Patina
How is it that a memory starts as a snapshot And blurs into an impressionist image? How is it that its sharp lines soften? How is it that...
JF Bierlein
Jan 2, 20231 min read
Perennial
I. Live Oak The live oak in my yard was there before my parents existed Before my grandparents existed And I sit in its shade. When I am...
JF Bierlein
Jan 2, 20231 min read
Civil Discourse on the Concourse
Rancor is when shout is met with shout Judgment clashes with judgment Law clashes with gospel Justice clashes with mercy...
JF Bierlein
Jan 2, 20231 min read
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