Thanks, all.  Juanito has steadily improved since shortly after we visited him. He\'s now in a rehabilitation center and is starting to be able to move and talk (a little).

Right after Thanksgiving, we visited Union Station in downtown KC. I\'m not much for Christmas before Dec 24/25, but this was lovely!!
 
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I\'ve been gone for a minute... end of semester is a busy time! Here are a few shots of a foggy morning as I\'m driving to work and from the teacher\'s parking lot.
 
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Congratulations

thanks Mike  .. always appreciate your kind words!

                   CHRISTMAS (deconstructed)
 
?
 
for the story to start, the snow will begin to fall-silently, we cleave
 
search for a reference point, be re-awakened- ready to listen
 
as we close our eyes, take heed-prayers answered, if we believe
 
?
 
comes a star, impossible to ignore, for there up in the sky
 
sitting stoic, to wait, shining bright-brightest- it comes to guide
 
a soul catchers dream-to lead a cause, no reason to ask why
 
?
 
it demands our attention for on this night, be like no other
 
something magical-indefinable, comes created-heaven sent
 
a bless-ed event-for what\'s in a name, we take in, to be discovered
 
?
 
for it is written, out of a promise made, vows broken through
 
disguised, for in whose name, we take his in vain-we will stray
 
deny him- or blame- still faithful, be drawn back, when spoken to
 
?
 
ready to come when called, to believe-compromise, fall in line
 
give in to redemption, based solely on a miracle-the color of gold
 
yet from out of whose humbled beginnings, we see it, the divine
 
?
 
that which makes a night-brought center stage, pierced by the cold
 
a mother and her child huddled-deep within a stable-unaware, they
 
show us- that we are guided by the simple words on a page-ages old
 
?
 
in the hopes that some will follow-and let the miracles unfold
 
while others will cry-imposter- they demand his head- there is no peace
 
yet from out of this divide will come-as we behold- Christmas
 
?
 
a faith-led by the nose-or based purely in faith- we will comprehend
 
what the heart will accept- becoming our picture of that first scene
 
a starry night-beheld we tremble, reflect-genuflect- praise his name
 
?
 
for on this night-comes a child- pleading, to be heard- still, regardless
 
blaspheme , carry on-what does it all mean-for me, for you, your version,
 
or mine -what ever the belief system, for every one else- it is, Christmas
 
?
 
By Michael Perry

Hi Joey
 
Deeply- thoughtful and reflective...I enjoyed the read!!..thanks for sharing!...regards Mike

Very heart-heart and nicely written, thank you for sharing.   regards Mike

Hi Stewart
 
 
 
I am back!...and what a poem to come back to!...epic in stature, deep and thought-provoking- your words are so powerful!...I would certainly buy your book of collected poems for certain!...I am a major fan for sure.  Thanks for sharing your genius!...regards Mike