Bill Grimes Jr. 

HIS THUNDER

HIS THUNDER

Deadly hurricane approaches
Category 5 beast
Bulls eye New Orleans
Big Easy
Under water
“As it was in the days of Noah”
Nature continues unleashed catastrophic fury
Four states under siege
Fear rules appalled citizens
Incredible impact
Wrath of our nascent industrialization
Life as we know it in America
Forever changed
Precious oil and gasoline
Refineries crippled by carnage
Casinos bow
Temptation humbled
By God’s whirlwind messenger
Homeless victims
In shock over extensive traumatic encounter
Spirit of human endurance
Tested by dire vehement tempest
Tonight
My prayers are with those in harms way



“His thunder announces His coming storm; even the cattle make known His approach”

Job 36: 33


© Bill Grimes Jr.

MEL

MEL

My dear friend
Enigmatic
Stunning natural beauty
Nurturing
Gentle moments of brilliance
Her lonely journey to self discovery
Pinnacle of raw truth
My honor to accompany
Glowing peace within her
So elusive until now
Anchored within her benevolent soul
Miraculous transformation
Blessed sanctification
God’s saving grace
Bathes her precious being
Delicate feminine feet
Now firmly planted on sober soil
Soothing comfort flows freely
Nestled deeply in her tender embrace
Dancing animation
Sparkles once more
In her refulgent eyes
Joyful inspiration
Greets those patient few
Who refused to leave her behind
Magnificent work in progress
Living example
Amazing mercy of Christ
For all to enjoy



© Bill Grimes Jr. 2005

TWO LOVERS

TWO LOVERS


Two lovers
As one
In the throes of ecstasy
Gnawing pangs of ravenousness desire
Seething paroxysm
Beyond textbook diagnosis
Immedicable
Feminine supple caress
Object of his ardent avidity
Addictive osculation
Forever seals their mouths with voracity
Seductive fleshy mounds of fair delicacy
Delectable breasts
Penetrate his yearning soul
As she joins him tenderly
Two pounding heartbeats
Pulsate within lovers yearning bosoms
Eager loins ablaze
With erotic passion
Euphoric embrace
Familiar scent of her perfume
Fills his nostrils with lasciviousness
Spine-tingling waves of pleasure
Flood his being
As her luscious lips brush against his
Creamy waxen skin
Soft
Stimulating
Stokes his amorous inner flames
Cavernous void of intimate hunger
Insatiable carnal appetite
He craves the sensual safety of her presence
In silent desperation
Melancholy returns
As dawns light heralds the end of his beautiful dream
Tears of anguish flow
In memory of his precious wife
Resting silently in her grave



© Bill Grimes Jr. 2005

SELAH

SELAH


Exhortation from King David
To measure wisely
Weigh solemnly
Words of men that breed confusion
Give thoughtful reflection
As we read the Book of Life
The one true source
Divine doctrine
Holy Scriptures
Gift from God Almighty
Naked truth
Guiding light
Blueprint for a life of happiness
Pristine and pure
Greek Septuagint
Translations from ancient Hebrew
His counsel
Beacon for our lost world
Wisdom
Sapient inspiration
For all to seek


“Thou art my hiding place; thou shalt preserve me from trouble; thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance. Selah.”

Psalm 32:7


© Bill Grimes Jr. 2005

JOE

JOE


His name is Joe
Soft spoken
Frail
A kind and gentle man
Humble glow
Surrounds his haggard features
Years of hard living
Speak volumes
From the soot beneath his fingernails
His skin
Blackheads covered in grime
Loam caked camouflage
Bushy red beard
Speckled with gray
Growing for years without grooming
One of the most polite men I have ever met
He invited me into his home
Underneath the Rideout Road Bridge
We talked for hours
About his childhood memories of Crossroads
Just outside of Ruston Louisiana
His fathers moonshine still
Their only means of support
Tears welled in his lonesome eyes
As he spoke of his wife and children
Lost in the abyss of time
Intelligent solitude
Sprang from him like front page news
He described life on the road
Soup kitchens
Homeless shelters
Greedy social agencies
Tough Texas Rangers
Who take no lip from any man
The demon crack
His first hand account
“How it brings a grown man to his helpless knees”
His knowledge of the bible
Impressive
Far deeper than my own
“The meek shall inherit the earth”
Joe waits patiently for our Savior to arrive
I see him walking along I-565 daily
In search of discarded cigarette butts
“It gives me exercise” he tells me
A chuckle surfaces from his fragile body
Wispy
Pallid
In need of a good meal
God blessed me with a new friend today
Thank you Father
For the benison of His words
His genuine companionship
I will visit him often
My life
Will never be the same


© Bill Grimes Jr. 2005

LIFE IN THE SHADOWS

LIFE IN THE SHADOWS


My eyes
Trained to spot their presence
Underneath bridges
In every city
Wherever God leads me
I find them
Homeless brothers and sisters
Living in the shadows
Their only shelter
Makeshift highway asylum
In the bowels of progress
Unique tales of heartache and defiance
Individual human nature
Longing for an audience
Simple survival needs
Shelter
Food
Clothing
My face burns with shame
As I reflect on my selfish desires
I observe the glaring disgust
From naïve motorist as they pass haughty judgment
If they only knew
How close they really are to misfortune
I find His Holy Spirit consistently through abasement
As I enter this dire community
Those who have nothing
Bless me so richly
No pity do they seek
Only compassion
Selfless love
As Christ has taught us


“If there be among you a poor man of one of thy brethren within any of thy gates in thy land which the Lord thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not harden thine heart, nor shut thine hand from thy poor brother”

Deuteronomy 15: 7



© Bill Grimes Jr. 2005

SOBER JOY

SOBER JOY (NEW SONG)


Slow pace
Heaven sent
Smile on my face
In any event

Life is sweet
Blessings flow
Front row seat
Eternal show

Holy Spirit (CHORUS)
Fills me now
Grace of God
Solemn vow

Alive and free
Never alone
His energy
I call my own

Sober joy
Humble ways
I will enjoy
Every day

(CHORUS)

By His hand
I will abide
With Him I stand
Satisfied

This gift I share
Free to all
Grateful prayer
Heed His call

(CHORUS)


© Bill Grimes Jr. 2005

STATUS QUO RELIGION

STATUS QUO RELIGION


Disturbing trend continues
Confederation of church and state
Calculated shotgun wedding
Stalwart laws of man
Impose narcissistic motives
Malevolent hidden agendas
Status quo religion
Human contrivance
Designed to govern deceived masses
Holy teachings of Jesus Christ
My explicit moral guidance
Unique personal relationship
Individual path of vicissitude
Based on His example of peace and love
Will of God
The sovereignty I choose
Free from coercion
Consuming relief of repentance
Comprised of faith and trust in Him
Christian anarchism some have said
A label fueled by mortal fear
Condemnation without acumen
My ears
Deaf to their vain reprehension
Spiritual realm
The path I walk in reverence



“This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men”.

Matthew 15: 8-9





© Bill Grimes Jr. 2005

ISRAEL DIVIDED

ISRAEL DIVIDED


Zion’s children
Dragged screaming from their homes
Synagogues
Cleared by brute force
Gaza Strip
Ground zero
On the worlds political roadmap
Tears of anguish
As they are severed from their shattered domicile
In the name of détente
Speculation runs rampant
Book of Daniel in focus
Peace in the Middle East
Seven year covenant
Waiting patiently in the wings
Israel divided
Torn cloth of prophetic significance
As her enemies gather round


“They have taken crafty counsel against Thy people, and consulted against Thy hidden ones. They have said, Come, and let us cut them off from being a nation; that the name of Israel may be no more in remembrance.”

Psalm 83: 3-4


© Bill Grimes Jr. 2005

SELF DISCOVERY

SELF DISCOVERY


From the bottom
The summit becomes clear
Auto focus
To lose my arrogant pride
In the depths of despair
Opens the chosen door
God’s private entrance
Stripped of fatal vanity
Robe of humility
A cloak for all seasons
Solemn dirge
Erupts into merriment
As blind eyes suddenly see
Revered reward
Within me all along



© Bill Grimes Jr. 2005

UNTITLED SONG

UNTITLED SONG

Thought I knew
Everything (Background)
Turns out I know
Nothing (Background)

Break down
Complete (Background)
Born again
Truth in defeat (Background)

New day (Chorus)
Today
His way
My way

Simple brilliance
Holy One (Background)
Blessed gift
Rising sun (Background)

Walking tall
Confidence (Background)
I am forgiven
His love, intense (Background)

New day (Chorus)
Today
His way
My way

Life through death
Eternity (Background)
Reviving breath
For all to see (Background)

No more tears
Sanctified (Background)
Melting fears
Satisfied (Background)

Closing chorus……..

© Bill Grimes Jr. 2005

THREE DOLPHINS

THREE DOLPHINS


Navarre Beach, Florida
In solitude
I admired them from the sandy front row
Three dolphins
Pearly
Sleek
Powerful
Glide effortlessly through the brine
Impressive forms
Surfing the waves with precision
Their gleeful antics
Delivered me from travail
On that crisp fall afternoon
Twenty four years have passed
Since I was blessed with their appearance
Magical imprint
Forever portrayed
In my remodeled mind


© Bill Grimes Jr. 2005

NOELLE

NOELLE

Sweet flower that trusted so few
My gratitude
For letting me enter your world
Brilliant flame
Extinguished so soon
Razor sharp intellect
Cherished moments of clarity
Abundant wit
Your gentle nature flowed when you were sober
Behind your haunted smile
Beautiful memories of our long talks on my balcony
Our children, God, addiction
Forever etched in my mind
Merciless disease
So very sick
Horrible
Destructive
Fatal
Screaming banshee of drunken rage
Possessed your delicate soul
Erupting from the dark abyss
Alcoholic demon
Tortured you until the bitter end
We had such hope
Still I grieve
Since you lost your grip
Midnight calls from the county jail
Never asking for money
Just stationary, pencils, and stamps
Our tears flowed in unison
Seedy motels and crack pipes
Your hellish nightmare
Kept me clean
Dry heaves and DT’s
So afraid you would die in my arms
As you ignored the Doctors advice
Helpless
Frustrated
I watched this illness slowly destroy you
Tragic wasted promise
Loved by so many
Yet alone
Spaghetti sauce with carrots
Your favorite
When stomach ulcers allowed you to eat
Magic times when you let your guard down
May you rest in peace my friend
The brutal pain is behind you now
I miss you terribly
© Bill Grimes Jr. 2005

MOTHER MOUNTAIN

MOTHER MOUNTAIN

Panoramic splendor
Carved by God’s loving hand
Shenandoah Valley
Just beyond Stuarts Draft Virginia
Driving through animated clouds
I pretend to gently touch them
Jade colored shale
Impressive layers of ancient silt
Golden sheen reflects the sun
Mechum River
Rambles slowly toward the sea
Flowing gently like tears of joy that trickle down my cheek
Time stands still in Albemarle County
Appalachia
Her majestic beauty
Mysterious spell
Summons my attention like visions of home
Granite birthmarks dot lofty green timbers
Enigma lurks deep within her belly
Bats daylight abode
Cell phone towers
Sore spots
Scar this magnificent landscape
They fester like boils
On her pristine face
Progress they say
Groundhogs
Furry brown balls of curiosity
Precariously close to the busy highway
Noble hawk
Ever diligent
Soaring high above
Patiently waiting for fatal mistakes
Massive gravel quarry
Mortal wound
Vibrant mimosa blossoms
Mourn our loss
The Doors keep me company
Soft Parade blares as I drive
Jim Morrison
Acid poet extraordinaire
The ultimate word man
“This is the best part of the trip”
I agree


© Bill Grimes Jr. 2005

MADISON COUNTY SUNSET

MADISON COUNTY SUNSET

Madison County sunset
Brutal heat diminishing
95 degree cold front
Pool deck at 6:00PM
Solar baked griddle
My son
Frolics with two older boys
Minnesota vacationers
Geography has no bearing
As the children play
“How’s that for a handstand”
I beam with fatherly pride
Phillip
Kind young gentleman
Tribute to his parents
“You may want to cover your eyes kid”
Preceded his perfect cannonball
“How can you wear jeans in this heat” he asks me
Amusing cultural nuance
Curiosity and satisfaction
Will grins as he masters the gigantic umbrella
Inverted canvas bloom
Pesky gnats swarm jubilant sweaty faces
Tangerine fireball in the western sky
Ignites periwinkle hues
As it slips quietly below the pines
Gentle humid breeze
Stirs sultry dead air
Birds lullaby as they settle in for the evening
Brilliant yellow daffodils
Enhance lush green shrubbery
Like neon crayons
Vintage box of 96
Hungry insects
Begin their nocturnal serenade
Natures sleeping pill
Hampton Inn
Our favorite
Oasis at dusk
Manicured excellence
Next best thing to home
Genuine hospitality
Southern style
Smiling staff
Friends
Welcome to my family
“Dad, can I have more cookies” :-)

© Bill Grimes Jr. 2005

AUGUST DEATH DREAM

AUGUST DEATH DREAM

Restless sleep
Strange dream indeed
With vivid clarity
I envisioned my own death
Fire in an obscure kitchen
Mysterious
Angry street gang
On a bloody quest
Knife wounds in the back times three
Fatal blows
No pain I recall
As the icy steel plunged into my flesh
Only peaceful buoyancy
“Flotation IS really groovy”
As Mr. Hendrix so eloquently described
Birds eye view
My funeral
In humble awe I watch
The mourning crowd gathered
Do not cry dear ones
Celebrate
My quick glimpse of heaven
Magnificent
Not worthy of human words
Angels embraced me in holy warmth
Never alone
They showed me the way
Without a clue to it’s symbolic message
Some things
Are not meant to be understood

© Bill Grimes Jr. 2005

ANGEL WITH A CANE

ANGEL WITH A CANE

Alabama employment office
Live without a net
Desperate and afraid
Gentle woman walking with a cane
Her hair
White as virgin snow
Brilliant smile
Face aglow
Heavenly
Her fiery eyes reached my soul
“PATIENCE BILL” said she
“THESE THINGS TAKE TIME”
How did she know my name, I ponder
I touched her hand as she passed by
Soft and soothing
Just like my Mom’s
Hauntingly familiar
I thought I knew her
Unexpected income followed
I turned to offer humble thanks
She was gone
Vanished
Angelic gift from He who sent her


“For He shall give His angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone”
Psalms 91: 11-12

© Bill Grimes Jr. 2005

NOMAD

NOMAD

Battle for sanity rages within me
Emotional tug of war
Nomad
Restless
Searching
I wander
My thoughts
A lonely travel companion
Despair invades
Comfort follows in prayer
No time for bitterness
Resentment
Deadly lover indeed
Dreams of sad endings
Haunt me with her memory
Selfish disease
Commands a painful price
Bright horizon
Fuels my persistence
Powerful faith
Guides my cautious steps
Tomorrow
A mystery
Yesterday
Valuable lessons
Today
Intense focus on His plan



© Bill Grimes Jr. 2005

LESSONS

LESSONS

The valleys get deeper
Snares that used to trip me up
Made smooth by God’s guiding hand
I learn to travel blindly
No need for human sight
Trusting
As a child
My weakness
Manifestation of self centered pride
Hinders His angels efforts
As they carry me along
Summit high above me
Holy kingdom of Christ
Directions predestined
A map is not necessary
Sweet satisfaction
Peaceful journey
So simple in nature
Refreshing serenity
Showers my soul
In self inflicted blistering inferno
No fear today
Tomorrow may never come
In my distorted measure of time
Lessons learned
Nourish my growth
Wisdom for survival
As He has planned

© Bill Grimes Jr. 2005

HOMELESS

HOMELESS 8-2-05 On the road….

Virginia highway
2:00 AM
Fog cloaks moonlit shadows
Like nuclear winter
Brave deer
Oblivious to the speeding steel death
Feed serenely on the shoulder
Neon pierces the gloom
GAS, FOOD, LODGING
Refuge from the monotony
But not my home
Tweaking truckers
Caffeine and speed
Chemicals flowing
No sleep for days
Racking up the miles
I let them pass
Michael Franks
Magical voice
Fills my ears with beautiful hypnotic melodies
I dream of romance on exotic beaches
Visions of my son in my arms
Not too old for his “monkey hug” embrace
The very reason for my quest
Cry no more my child
I will never leave you again
Homeless for now
Empty
Weary
Aching bones scream from over exertion
A new chapter begins
Intimate talk with God
His blessed reassurance
Soothing to my soul
Time marches on
Promise of opportunity
Destiny awaits
Holy Spirit
Source of living water
Flowing words
Quench my thirst for significance
Legacy of prose
Devoted to sober salvation
Thank you Father
You have blessed me richly
Serve You I shall
Faithfully

© Bill Grimes Jr. 2005

SMALL REMINDERS

SMALL REMINDERS

I find them everywhere
Joyful discoveries
I search for them daily
Small reminders
Hand prints on the glass door
Yellow splatters dot the toilet rim
Crumbs scattered in the carpet around his chair
The masterpiece
An artistic gift from my son
Permanently etched in black marker on my desk
Smudges on my computer screen
Evidence of his curiosity
My guitar
Suddenly out of tune
Cost of a ticket to his beautiful concert
The hard brown pic
His tool of choice
Red juice stains in my car
Showcase a ferocious battle with the seatbelt
I feel him in his absence
God’s coping mechanism
To help ease the pain of divorce
His vibrant presence
Seven years of blessings
Rewards of fatherhood
Keep me focused on my purpose

© Bill Grimes Jr. 2005