footprints

 ‘footprints’ trgates,9/8/2021

Looking back I see
footprints I’d placed mine into, 
Moon smiles, “keep walking.”

Being offended

 ‘Being offended, self indulgence’ trgates, 10/09/2021

my feelings are hurt,
while innocents are starving,
whining is a waste. 

'the Beam in your eye'                         timothy r gates,9/28/2014

Looking into the wind,                            
watching another stumble,
then fall,
something lodged in my eye.

Went into the house,
into the bathroom,
looked into the mirror,
but couldn't see anything.

It appeared to be a speck,
a beam, in your eye.
I removed the dust,
and noticed that it was a beam.

Behold.
will look and see
once I work on the other eye.
'I'm offended'      timothy r gates, 8/26/2012 (cutting through the bs, aagain
Lord have mercy: 
when I think my shit doesn't stink, 
sweet like baby shit,
ready to spew
yet you know diapers must be changed.
When I get angry
over another's attack on 'my' political
gal or guy,
as though she/he truly gives a shit.
When my creed, or yours,
is above ridicule -
honestly, what good is a deity
if they're not able to take it?
So you're offended,
thinking your opinion is transcendent beautification?
Maybe -
most likely just personal bullshit,
giving a feeling of in the clouds significance.
I am offended?
A Monk once offered to my complaint,
"When I think too highly of my own opinion."
Lord have mercy,
sufficient for me.
If this offends you,
maybe it's time to change a diaper.

all species

 ‘all species’ Trgates,10/17/2021

anthropomorphic, 
pandemic of the species,
hear their prayers, eyes closed.

Anesti

 ‘Anesti’ trgates,11/18/2021

I awoke yet here,
seedlings find their burial,
Sun’s Moon knows his rays.

now our overtones

 ‘now our overtones’ Trgates,1/12/2022

fallen asleep,
died to this world,
grace outshines naysayers,
love knows a blessed repose. 
‘Love covers a multitude of ills.”
i remember well worn choral directors,
patient, persevering with us,
eight parts,
holding out our respective notes
until right on —
seemed like magic,
all of our eight notes being held,
who knows how long, 
all of a sudden we heard a
ninth note, not sung by any of us. 
an overtone, byproduct of us together,
right on, for a moment. Synergy. 
in blessed repose,
beloved ones,
love’s memory eternal,
now, our overtones,
like a ocean,
for a moment
rush over us,
intonation together 
gives opportunity to 
sing our notes together. 
the ninth note is never lost.

like the willow

 



‘like the willow’ Trgates,1/13/2022

weeping like the willow,

bent over, touching the earth,

standing tall,

happy at births,

broken at last kisses,

branches swinging at each wedding,

at each choice otherwise,

at each new tributary,

our roots reach as deep

as our limbs,

storms only threaten our height,

our weeping’s our strength,

found in standing tall. 

 “You have collected all my tears in Your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book.”

hatred, war’s genesis

 ‘hatred, war’s genesis’ Trgates, 2/26/2022

Who is my neighbor?
one brother threw the first punch?
domino headstones!

a Child left

 ‘a Child left’  Trgates, 3/1/2022

a Child shall lead them,
collateral, bombs dropping,
leaves one Child leading.

red earth’s kiss

 



’red earth’s kiss’  Trgates, 3/3/2022

throwing that fist of red earth,
landing upon your casket,
like the last kiss an hour ago,
your daily, “hello, I love you,”
knows no cessation, 
guileless in blessed repose,
as always since a wee one 
asking outrageous questions,
the difference between 
vertical, horizontal 
found in eyes open, 
or closed dreams —
time’s face to face.
eclipsed by love’s memory eternal. 
awakened by dawn’s,
“hello, enjoy today.” 
———-

‘like the willow’ Trgates,1/13/2022

weeping like the willow,

bent over, touching the earth,

standing tall,

happy at births,

broken at last kisses,

branches swinging at each wedding,

at each choice otherwise,

at each new tributary,

our roots reach as deep

as our limbs,

storms only threaten our height,

our weeping’s our strength,

found in standing tall. 

 “You have collected all my tears in Your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book.”

Love’s so much easier

 ‘Love’s so much easier’ timothyrgates,3/16/2022

cursing the darkness, 
damn, that’s easy. 
politicians, preachers, professors profiteering with followers to their messages, 
proselytize as well, like prostitution’s pheromones,
perfumes prompt inline sneezes,
yet their coffers overflow. 
an ancient hiss needs no applause, there’s always a flashing sign directing the audience to clap, compliantly.
curse this darkness! 
go ahead, it’s just one more hand clap. 
Love’s so much easier,
Phileo, Eros, Agape,
all resting within, 
from who we are. 
hate, raping the soul’s pheromones, 
will make you think the fruit on the other hillside is who you are. 
love’s so much easier. 
the effort of a snail,
the dormant cocoon,
the embrace of regal eagles almost hitting the earth,
the gaze of the silverback primate over a foggy morning rainforest’s mountain,
the noise of wee ones playing, then squealing when mommy, and daddy come around the corner,
the hand of a friend, anywhere, at the right moment,
the translucent blues of a grandparent, even in memory in Blessed Repose, as fresh within any breath
is the music that silence attends. 
love’s so much easier.

Love’s kairos waltz

 ‘Love’s kairos waltz’  Trgates,3/22/2022

Waltzing with a tear,
angels and mastiffs

Genocide reparations

 



 ‘genocide reparations’ Trgates, 3/10/2022
nations sitting, watching,
doing nothing save for lectures,
so they “unionized” under various acronyms,
arbitrarily stepping in,
sending heartfelt prayers to the others. 
the murder of multiple millions ignored,
South Africa, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Ethiopia, Tibet, Taiwan, the American expansion, British imperialism, Israel, Palestine, Pakistan, Iran, Russia, Afghanistan, Japan, and more, then Holocaust camps ignored and refugees rejected by countries today celebrating their assistance finally to end them …….. 
nations claiming ownership of geography,
the most recent flag pierced into the earth declares, “Our land, our flag, always!”
the ancient story hasn’t evolved,
only some weapons added,
jealousy’s rock to the side of the head,
followed by, “who is my brother’s/sister’s keeper?”
genocide is the act of war’s expansion,
killing innocents in the way, 
no matter the right’s fist in the air,
no weapons in hand, 
is willful murder of those in the way. 
The Serpent blamed Yahweh for not informing sufficiently our first species. 
Ish, blames Yahweh, and Isha, “You gave me her, she gave me the fruit.”
Isha, blames, why she ate, and shared with Ish, “The Serpent tricked me.”
genocide reparations,
not found in excuses for 
impressionist painting. 
turning one’s own cheek,
not the same when watching 
another’s be ripped off. 
voyeurism is collaborative. 
I love you, what does this mean?
I love my children, grandchildren, godchildren. What does this mean?
Do I extend this love to everyone’s children, grandchildren, godchildren? 
Here we may, again,
“stroll together in the cool morning, in the garden.”  

—————————

…………..and then this older one is filled with the similar horror two decades ago………



‘lost mothers" (during Kosovo's attack) timothyrgates,6/7/2000

the stench was of my a hatred

soils her young child

she barely is able to hold on 

to this beloved one, now dead

a fist rises in the crowd,

crying out, "One more blasted --

victory!"

her tears drip down and stain

"Why? -- This poor one may 

have grown up and killed you!"

the furor of the crowd is quieted

though their love of the sullen, 

like clasped fingers of the fist, 

is not easily pried free

she looks down, now

through swollen lids, and

screams, "This in not my child!"

yet, she does not release the beloved one.

went to church

 ‘went to church’ Trgates,4/8/2022

in the tabernacle of 
my mother’s womb,
first church to sing from
at four, earliest recall,
heaven believed, never doubted,
though certainly tried to toss it out,
just couldn’t cease praying. 
funny. irony. 
once an apologist,
no need today
(I understand another’s need
to prove their tradition’s veracity.),
today, one’s creed 
is found in their behavior. 
it is said,
“we are the divine writings,
read by those watching, 
written as well upon hearts.”
awakened,
Kyrie eleison ,

Gospodi, pomiluy,

in the womb more spacious than the heavens,

thankful for each shared tabernacle. 

Pieces of Earth’s Song

 

'Pieces of the Earth's song, in eight three line parts'

'Pieces of the Earth's song, in eight three line parts' timothy r gates, 4/7-9/2011
1.
the Earth weeps for her children
trees know their demise
saplings think they're forever
2,
i've seen a Great Horned  owl glide
from two hundred feet
sweep down upon today's prey 
3,
snails move wit grace and intent
no need for speed's push
up a stem, down a leaf subtlety
4.
counting a leaf's genesis
more join on the tree
turn to catch before a rain
5.
willow trees know how to weep
maples how to laugh
dogwoods open with a cross
6.
the Lotus floats in Beauty
Buddha hymns its praise
freedom is not lost i the now. 
7.
children laughing lets me sing
roses opening
birch trees don't have to die
8.
alluring is spring's chanting
birds and bees courting
fairies' winged tease whispers, 'Please.'

napkin folded

 ‘napkin folded’ Trgates,4/26-23/2022

resurrection, anticipated,
the hill gives up its victim,
the tomb gave a few night’s sleep. 
napkin folded neatly,
Joseph from Arimathea 
gave use of his headstone 
long enough for the seal to 
roll away. 
Mother’s sorrow
awakens to morning dew,
the Sun’s prism 
opens a colour wheel. 
Xristos Anesti! Kalos Pascha!
Xristos Voskrese! Voistinu Voskrese!

innocents no longer

collateral damage 

for the irreligious, or religious — 

the evening, morning 

is known this day. 

a translucent 

river gives flight. 

napkins folded neatly,

time to feast. 

Awakened to this day

 ‘Awakened to this day’ Trgates,4/25/2022

decades, still see his 
translucent blues,
Grandpa used to observe,
“only people talking about the
good old days 
don’t remember them.”
looking into a teen’s eyes,
them not knowing what’s next,
I see those blues, and others
reminding me of both 
what, and why I believe anything. 
“Love, I love you,”
I hear them within,
it’s a quintessential good morning,
their stories are part of mine,
mine still seems to have
brush strokes,
honest, blurry at times,
as they remind me,
“today is the only one being written.”
the Sun sets, 
yet the Moon’s light
passing on shadows,
its rising is perception 
on the other side. 
Awakened to this day,
in my bones I feel 
one where the Sun never dies. 
Good morning. 

rainbows, halos

 ‘rainbows, halos’ Trgates,4/27/2022

rainbows, like
wings in an icon of the Forerunner,
or halos crowning saintly ones,
speak of a greater science —
truth, and goodness 
are true, and good 
wherever they stroll. 
irony, they never
walk alone. 
need for each other,
one human race,
next, near immediately after 
disagreeing, 
forgiveness a norm —
a child’s footprints. 
now if the rest dare
only follow this rainbow. 

Yes, have burnt many bridges

 ‘Yes, have burnt many bridges’ Trgates,5/5/2022

born out of due time, 
on borrowed, more than once. 
accused of burning bridges,
saying things not needed,
unwilling to let some things go,
answering fully questions in interviews,
not willing to lockstep with any group,
thinking people actually desire you to answer their questions,
yes, and no are most of my political views
(folks usually want blind obedience to 
their positions, and groups. freedom?). 
issues? personality. 
OCD? undiagnosed. some accuse. 
obsessive? only like to complete things. 
memorize? photographic memory — like to say, “as long I take the right picture I remember the correct information.”
prayer, meditation, therapy, medication, doctors, children, godchildren, grandchildren, friends, and work? like to note, this is why I am still alive.

a Mother’s arms

 ‘a Mother’s arms’ Trgates,5/8/2022

Angel’s wings give flight,
like a hen gathers her chicks,
Feathers from mothers.

funny, love collides

 ‘funny, love collides’ 5/11/2022

funny, you get to an age,
and love collides. 
welcomed sweet babies,
walked with them. 
met friends,
some old souls,
others learned over time,
we’ve strolled from red earth. 
seems like an exponential curve,
baptizing time,
saying goodbye to family, and friends —
daily I see them within,
like cobblestone paths,
we smile together,
watching our babies 
growing, grown,
grown up with others. 
funny, you look
into the mirror,
your hoary head,
glistening eyes,
you know 
Grandpa, Mother, the rest
saw this on their day
looking into a mirror. 
funny, love collides.

Chotki’s daylight

 ‘Chotki’s* daylight’ Trgates, 5/15/2022

pacing, rocking, nights. 

chotki, worn knots, heart’s sun rises. 

good morning daystar. 

* A prayer rope (Greek: κομποσκοίνι – komboskini; Russian: чётки – chotki (most common term) or вервица – vervitsa (literal translation); Arabic: مسبحة, romanized: misbaḥa……. part of the practice of eastern Orthodox monastics (and sometimes by others) to count the number of times one has prayed the Jesus Prayer or, occasionally, other prayers.