Big Sky Buckeye

A writer's journey continues

About bigskybuckeye

Born in the Big Sky Country of Montana and now living in the Buckeye State of Ohio, Richard is the creative mind behind Big Sky Buckeye. Retired after 40 years of teaching, I enjoy writing, photography, traveling, and following a healthy lifestyle.

Warm Breezes

Posted on March 13, 2021 by bigskybuckeye

**A view of Long Wharf along the Choptank River at Cambridge, Maryland. Chesapeake Bay is waiting on the horizon. (photo courtesy of Pinterest)**

Early morning’s reversing wind

No longer facing fierce headwind

Life takes comfort in day ahead

Thrilled to be awake, out of bed

Skipjack sailing away from home

Leaving Choptank’s berth, free to roam

Adventure waiting, take it on

Facing nature, ready with brawn

Pride of Maryland’s Eastern Shore

Nathan of Dorchester explores

With summer day’s life-giving breeze

She skims across these waves with ease

Distant river shoreline fading

Chesapeake Bay, now invading

Each crew member tackles his tasks

Loving this boat, each effort basks

With warm breezes, life’s sails now fill

Each port of call, sharing goodwill

**A skipjack cuts through the water on the Choptank River. It is the official boat of the state of Maryland. (photo courtesy of Pinterest)**

The inspiration for this poem comes from my travels to Maryland’s Eastern Shore along the Choptank River at Cambridge. While I haven’t sailed on the Skipjack Nathan of Dorchester (yet), it is something I would enjoy experiencing during a future summer trip back to my wife’s hometown.

William Law Quote

Posted on March 13, 2021 by bigskybuckeye

**Photo by Elly Fairytale on Pexels.com**

We must alter our lives in order to alter our hearts, for it is impossible to live one way and pray another.

From 1 John 1:8-10: “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He who is faithful and just will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.”

Lenten Walk (Elfchen Series #49)

Posted on March 12, 2021 by bigskybuckeye

Hope

Journey

Faith’s steps

Trusting in God

His love shall always

Sustain

**Photo by Vanessa Garcia on Pexels.com**

Mercy

Surrender

False notions

Accept Savior Jesus

True love frees us

Salvation

Joy

Jesus

With us

Sorrow lifted away

Reborn in our baptism

Messiah

Joseph Campbell Quotes

Posted on March 12, 2021 by bigskybuckeye

You can’t have creativity unless you leave behind the bounded, the fixed, all the rules.

When we quit thinking primarily about ourselves and our own self-preservation, we undergo a truly heroic transformation of consciousness.

American professor of literature, Joseph Campbell (1904-1987), was also a prolific writer about many aspects of the human experience. His best known book was The Hero With a Thousand Faces (1949).

His Right Hand

Posted on March 11, 2021 by bigskybuckeye

From Psalm 139:9-10: “If I take the wings of the morning and settle at the farthest limits of the sea,even there Your hand shall lead me, and Your right hand shall hold me fast.”

**Photo by Justin Hamilton on Pexels.com**

Story of doomed community

Losing its way, darkness surrounds

Hunger fueling gang violence

Crying out, injustice abounds

Life crushed in spirit, wandering

Wrecking faith, living defeated

Racism walks with extremism

Bringing sin’s death, feeling cheated

From dark despair, running away

Running to us, God with His grace

Love and mercy fill empty cups

Accepting His gift, let’s embrace

God’s right hand covers this land

Striking out envy, hate, and greed

Spirit finds us lost in life’s fog

Plowing under each sin-filled seed

Chaos no longer shatters dreams

Offering true, forgiving peace

God’s right hand, never grows weary

Lifting up lives, shall never cease

**Photo by Jean-Daniel Francoeur on Pexels.com**

From Psalm 89:13-14: “You have a mighty arm; strong is Your hand, high Your right hand. Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your throne; steadfast love and faithfulness go before You.”

Sinclair B. Ferguson Quote

Posted on March 11, 2021 by bigskybuckeye

**Photo by Jonathan Borba on Pexels.com**

When you look at the Cross, what do you see? You see God’s awesome faithfulness.

From 1 John 4:9-10: “God’s love was revealed among us in this way: God sent His only Son into the world so that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved God but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins.”

Winter’s Final Walk

Posted on March 10, 2021 by bigskybuckeye

This poem is written in a traditional sonnet style with 14 lines, and each line contains 10 syllables. I was fortunate to witness this park one day before the rising temperatures would begin transforming the park from its winter look.