Joe's Place

Michael Stine, MS, LPC

Winter 2000 - Volume 4 Number 1

(Written for my brother who wanted "something less depressing-with flowers and children laughing")

Ah, let's dance a drunken Polka to the song of the great

Return! Sing- like the baby breaths, like the sea rises!

Earth circles around again,

Spring carries us forward past

Another February. Love opens

Into the child's confidence, laughing

Like they always will. Always will the

Sun invite with familiar touch, kindling

Sparks of summer coming... long seconds diving

Into the water's surprise, long minutes breathing

Deeper in play, long hours of feeling sweet

Comfort outside the usual for walls, longest

Days of the year reminding us that

Life is to make joy.