Voices
Too many
Communing with Scripture
Listening to just one
God
Darkness
Surrounding thee
Sin’s guilt heckling
Now hearing mercy’s voice
God
Alone
Competing thoughts
Who truly cares?
One voice offers grace
God
This series of poems (written in the German-inspired style of Elfchen or Elevenie) shares a total of eleven words in each poem, with a sequence by line of one, two, three, four, and one words.
This abandon to the love of Christ is the one thing that bears fruit in the life, and it will always leave the impression of the holiness and the power of God, never of personal holiness.
From 2 Corinthians 5:14-15: “For the love of Christ urges us on, because we are convinced that one has died for all; therefore all have died. And He died for all, so that those who live might live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died and was raised for them.”
Discovering these woods
Longing for morning walk
Sharing nature’s promise
Enchanted forest talks
Breathing nature’s freshness
Winding through woodland’s peace
Fascinating venture
Enchanted, sweet showpiece
Scaling every hill
Navigating each trail
Finding nature’s secrets
Enchanted story’s tale
Standing still, time shall wait
Looking around each bend
Treasuring nature’s prize
Enchanted spirit’s friend
Dreaming of tomorrow
Hiking this ridge again
Searching for nature’s gifts
Enchanted walk, Amen!
I frequently walk Chestnut Ridge Metro Park, which is located about ten minutes from my home. I have used this setting for other poems, and here is a sample:
You are already the awakeness that you seek.
You don’t have to join a monastery, or practice in a cave to discover the well-being, clarity, and open hearted awareness that is already within you.
From Psalm 31:23-24: “Love the Lord, all you his saints. The Lord preserves the faithful, but abundantly repays the one who acts haughtily. Be strong, and let your heart take courage, all you who wait for the Lord.”
Every life thirsts
For eternal love
Some find it, some won’t
Shared from God above
Life writes its story
Father values each
Treasured Book of Life
Gospel lessons teach
Chapter lengths vary
Some long and filling
Others short and brief
All earn top billing
No favorites here
Tranquility’s peace
Resting as equals
Memories won’t cease
Walking among saints
Honoring each one
Final resting place
Blessed setting sun
From Psalm 23:6: “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”
Never work just for money or for power. They won’t save your soul or help you sleep at night.
From 2 Chronicles 31:20-21: “Hezekiah did this throughout all Judah; he did what was good and right and faithful before the Lord his God. And every work that he undertook in the service of the house of God, and in accordance with the law and the commandments, to seek his God, he did with all his heart; and he prospered.”
Sunrise sends greeting
Creator’s hand wakens day—
Glorious morning
Soul-filled percussion
Pulsating afternoon sky–
Thunder’s rhythmic beat
Hot days continue
Waiting for autumn colors—
Summer must insist
By perseverance the snail reached the ark.
From 1 Corinthians 15:57-58: “But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved, be steadfast, immovable, always excelling in the work of the Lord, because you know that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.”
A magnificent oak tree stands center in a park
Waiting with quiet majesty in the solitary dark
The blackness of night only adds to the scene
Bringing tranquility and peace, free and clean
Trees with fruit blossoms, in full view even at night
Sending forth a fragrance, invigorating and right
Tiny green leaves are growing out on the tall trees
Waving from a gentle breath of the wind with ease
In the distance, glowing lights enhance a background
Providing a reverent atmosphere without any sound
A bit of shining moonlight fashions extra to see
Moving and playful shadows amongst the trees
Even at night, God’s creation sparkles all new
Painting for each evening, a breathtaking view
The eastern light rises to create the dawn
Crooning birds welcome a newborn fawn
The stillness begins to wake-up from its rest
Leaving its nocturnal beauty, always the best!
Tomorrow, smile at a perfect stranger and mean it.
The only dreams that matter are the ones you have when you’re awake.
Big Sky Buckeye 