That reminds me of the: That reminds me of the closeness between me and my best friend since kindergarten: the closeness, an intensely delightful closeness, that we shared during through elementary school became, suddenly, subversive (according to parental authorities) when we entered adolescence, because, in our small town at that time, two adolescent boys who shared close friendships were often the target of homophobia.
Thank you. I love the way: Thank you. I love the way that Faith can energize certainl landmarks so that, when we visit, we become aware of more than just a local dimension at the site. One of those sites, for me, is my Grandpanents' rural home which, for me, was very often associated with Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter. And the place where I first embraced the Christian Faith is, of course, paramount among those sacred places.
Thank you. For some reason,: Thank you. For some reason, I have always associated lavender with lilac, and lilac with Easter (probably because my grandmother's lilac bush always bloomed around or after Easter). The use of the color as a prejudicial label is offensive to me. It should be restored to its soothing properties, both as an herb and as a color.
This reminds me of the work: This reminds me of the work of the Hellenic Poets, like Callimachus, who reduced the bulky "epic-ness" of certain myths to briefer poems that were more easily read, even memorized, and that still presented the mythical story just as forcefully . . . as you have certainly done here. Another excellent poem from a consistently excellent Poet. Your presence on Postpoems makes it better and better.
The thoughts and meditation,: The thoughts and meditation, the peace and hope that ripple forth and onward from this prayer slash declaration both brings God the glory and rehearses the inner person in the blessings that follow.
A "lavender scare," that does: A "lavender scare," that does raise the proverbial eyebrow and calls for a look into. Lavender in my head is a soothing and healing plant with medical qualities.
Inrterestingly sad and to: Inrterestingly sad and to "peddle" sadness without offering a sliver of hope is a shade darker it would seem than direct condemnation. Self-condemnation is the worst of all that even direct condemnation from others cannot unseat.
I second that. My spouse,: I second that. My spouse, who, in 2016, thought that Trump was the answer to everything, now believes---based upon his behavior both during his presidency and afterward---that he is the answer to nothing except his own sociopathic interests. Even his daughter and son-in-law did not want to be participatory in the recent announcement of his candidacy. I have some aquaintances (used to be friends, used to play euchre with us often; but dropped us when we did not join them in their support of the Innkeeper) who believe that Trump is a figure of Biblical proportions. I think that is absoluely true when once considers that the Apostle Saint John tells us that there are many antichrists out and about: and I think Trump qualifies as one of them.