A SINGLE TEAR
Dedicated to our son, Cam (1978 – 2018)
A single tear rains down upon the desert
A single tear – the mountain face so high.
A single tear co-mingling with an ocean
Across a span as endless as the sky.
If ages past were but a single moment
If single tears were not constrained by time
Those single tears would be a raging torrent
The sound of which would move a calm sublime.
“God sees the little sparrow fall” is written.
“It meets His tender view” has graced the pen.
How precious that the God of all creation
Would also turn His gaze upon the wren.
Jim Davis (2018)
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DEATH CAME CALLING
Death came calling one dark winter’s night.
Dusk had stolen day’s enveloping light.
The pathway unfamiliar: a choice turned into chance
When Death came calling with his errant glance.
Breath was silent, minds yet numb to fear.
Words were broken; his passing visage clear.
A future undetermined: a tapestry threadbare
When Death came calling with his chilling stare.
Your preciousness, now focused by the heart
Love’s loveliness, its joys to life imparts.
Each morning’s reassurance of our finest link.
Despite Death’s backward gaze and terrifying wink.
JimDavis (2019)
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WHO THEN WILL MOURN FOR THEE?
My own dear home
O proud and honoured land
Patriot loves laid low
Mere memories in the sand.
With shameful fame
And mindless blame
Who squanders all you’d be?
For hollowest gain
While greatness slain
We sang your shining melody!
Divided, loud we rail.
Misguided, surely fail.
B’reft of all, in darkest hour
And when we finally see,
O abandoned light
Who then will mourn for thee?
Jim Davis (2019)
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CHESS AND LIFE
I play chess with far less skill
than consummate skill, so I be.
Unschooled, self-taught, no books
No Grand Master, for sure, that’s me.
But I know why I play, and it’s not for the thrill of the kill.
The planning, the chasing, the grand overtaking…until
The word is declared, and its time to tally the score.
Is that all chess is: like a knife one drops on the floor?
Captains of industry rise
And just as surely they fall, this be true.
Great kings, some queens, odd pawns move great forces, not I.
Is it chess that they ply? Is it eye for an eye, then goodbye?
More planning and chasing and grand subjugating…until
The take is tallied, then “Tally ho!” off for more.
Is that all life is: endless trips to a bottomless store?
My friend comes over to play.
He takes time to talk, every day.
Game on, some laughs, a yawn,
Words of wisdom for me.
Is it chess I’m learning?
True purpose and yearning… now be still.
Lift eyes to the hills; the Word is the heart of all love.
And that’s all life is: our chance to love others and find One who loves via dove.
Jim Davis (2020)
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Jim Davis Creative Arts: Paintings, Poetry, Prose, and Commentary 