Steve was a prolific artist and craftsman.
This page is a work in progress as we begin to organize and archive his work.
He turned to writing after Janet passed, remembering, musing, chiding at times, shared with his lucky 165 friends on Facebook. A brilliant use of an otherwise rather tedious platform. We’ve gathered his posts and corresponding photos, and we are in the process of compiling them into one place. Perhaps a small publication in time.
Here are a few poems to start.
You never
offered your
Enlightenment
at a discount,
available with a
deadline.
Your self help
was "help yourself";
your understanding
directly linked
to your smile,
your smile
to your soul....
Your oculus
affirmed
every living contact;
your compassion
through your center,
your inner ear...
and you never wore it
on your sleeve
but spread it
like a salve
to each pilgrim
who came to the door.
Some said "Christlight"
others "Buddha"....
I say
"Bright and beautiful"
Steve Baird — March 15, 2021
Projects in slow motion
these days....
and so many to choose from!
Just to clean out the closet of
my life will take,
measured in the lifespan of the
ephemeral mayfly,
several generations....
and even to make "the list"
with it's columns and boxes
makes me weary....but,
the sun is shining, think
I'll walk the dog
Steve Baird — January 7, 2020
I was always a slow learner...oh, not the times tables or making the endless loops and dots...I got crossing my t's on the first go 'round; but the core stuff was inhibited by my genetic timidity. I wouldn't have lasted long in past eras. Here I am though, still growing into myself, and Jani, having persisted, finally got through, the day, as I recall too well, before she died. There, I said it. The lesson, for her, was basic: embrace life! Sounds simple doesn't it?
Now, to practice...
Steve Baird
Thanks friends, one and all, for your many benedictions, cold beer and snapshots...heartfelt and light-hearted, I embrace them all as I embrace each of you, if only in my imagination.
My sister's greeting
as she circumnavigates the globe
is a wish for "a new beginning"
on this prelusive journey
into my eighth decade....
a moment in time, my brother assures me,
when I can officially declare my old man-ness
and no one will argue.
That's good, I never liked conflict anyway....
But, I will look for the starting line
of my new old man beginning,
even if I need a cane at the blocks.
And, as another well- wisher says
"Blessings always--no matter what!"
I am and have been, like it or not,
the recipient of a mountain
of favor and grace....may each of you
fare as well.
Steve Baird, January 16, 2022
Your call came with tears
flowing
wetting
the ground around me
frantic
inconsolable....
and ended with small
laughters and promises,
things to say
to cover the
deep
blinding
hole
Steve Baird, September 14th, 2019