the love within

the love within him infinite and free

my uncle ties his tie and suits his suit

godfather though the sharp young man may be

his life had not yet borne religious fruit

one day he will stand up and lead a church

heart big enough to hold a million souls

but now he is still leaning in the lurch

he’s barely more than twenty-five years old

did he decide on this bright sacred day

to make a wry commitment though divine

to practice play as love and love as play

both god and father claimed and redefined

yet who can tell the meaning of his smirk

all I know is I’m grateful and it worked

(This sonnet is for my Uncle Duane. Daddy’s younger brother, and cherished confidante and my beloved wise and playful godfather. The one who used to get me in trouble in church on Sunday morning making funny faces and then quickly shifting back into a serious mode. Other people in the congregation must have imagined I was laughing in the face of God. Uncle Duane, you have always been there for me and for my Dad and for our family. I could not ask for a more loving, honest, joyful and compassionate godfather. It seems to come naturally to you. But studying your face in these after-christening photos, two very different countenances, I wonder what it meant to you that day, as such a young man to take on the name of “godfather.” So this is a poem of gratitude and wonder, honoring your journey to become the person you are, exactly who I needed you to be, while still protecting the youthful playful spirit that we love! And I know that the love within you has always been divine, and open to a great purpose. Within and beyond form and structure. )