Mirror’s morning view
Witnessing facial laugh lines—
Wrinkles . . . never mind!
Five seconds to go
Dropping a slice of pizza—
How clean is the floor?
Some parts left over
Backyard gym now assembled—
Who needs instructions?
Whoever gives nothing, has nothing. The greatest misfortune is not to be unloved, but not to love.
There is no sun without shadow, and it is essential to know the night.
This poem reflects upon the journey of a young boy who has the opportunity to travel on a train back in the late 1960s. I will always remember this trip with my father. Originally written in December, 2018, the poem has been updated for both content and style.
Lying awake in bed on hot, sultry summer nights
Young boy listens to moving trains, far out of sight
Dreaming of riding passenger trains, brings thrills
Reliable North Coast Limited quickly travels at will
Riding the Northern Pacific Railway’s pride and joy
Father takes son on his first-ever train trip—oh boy!
Sitting together in the comfy coach car, so much fun
Experiencing all that connects a father with his son
Shuffling down the aisle, steward offers snack foods
Restaurant in Glendive soon satisfies hungry moods
Making its journey to Montana’s “Gateway City” today
Hustling train passes many small towns along the way
Flashing quickly by—Custer, Hathaway, and Terry
Steady North Coast Limited acts as trusted ferry
Feeling safe with train’s constant rocking motion
Son’s eyes soon close, sleeping to its locomotion
Waking up, train slowing for a scheduled stop
Town of Forsyth, pausing for quick eavesdrop
Picking up steam, locomotive continues on its way to the East
Yellowstone River runs alongside, train powers up like a beast
Finishing this exciting journey and reaching their destination
Glendive will serve as today’s ending Montana train station
Accompanying his father as he takes care of his affairs
Enjoying dinner and staying overnight without any cares
Returning back home to Billings the very next morn
Son believing train travel should be his new norm
Sitting in cozy dining car, both treated quite well
Elegantly set table makes pancakes taste swell
Moving up to the observation car, enjoying beautiful views
Autumn’s harvested farm fields, lining up straight and true
Hurtling by more towns—Rosebud and Fallon go past
It’s much too bad this captivating journey cannot last
Remembering again those images and sounds of the train
Memories of the North Coast Limited shall always remain
You have to not worry or doubt or punish yourself. All the worry, doubt, and punishment will not add one second to your life.
You get more philosophical when you get older, with the more life experiences you have.
From 2 Peter 1:5-7: “For this very reason, you must make every effort to support your faith with goodness, and goodness with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with endurance, and endurance with godliness, and godliness with mutual affection, and mutual affection with love.”
Our Father’s goodness
Glory, God and King
Bless and praise His name
Mighty greatness sings
Through generations
Honor His great deeds
Infinite goodness
God’s faithful Word leads
Glorious splendor
Kingdom never ends
Eternal, Holy
Wondrous works, God sends
From Psalm 145:8-9: The Lord is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. The Lord is good to all, and His compassion is over all that He has made.”
His greatness declares
Lord everlasting
Praising righteousness
Mercies broadcasting
Cries, our Father hears
From darkness, redeemed
He stands, always near
God’s goodness, esteemed
Truth, call upon God
Grace, freely given
Love, witness a Cross
Sins, now forgiven
From the words of American pastor and Christian author, Charles Swindoll: “There are four words I wish we would never forget, and they are ‘God keeps His word.'”
Scripture is a treasure trove of God’s thoughts. Spend time there every day–starting today–to discover new truths and insights.
From 2 Timothy 3:16-17: “All scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, so that everyone who belongs to God may be proficient, equipped for every good work.”
Alone and isolated
Empty calendar pages
Absent family and friends
Life walking in Dark Ages
Hour’s darkest shadows lengthen
Day’s hope missteps and stumbles
Sudden tears, any moment
Faith now tumbles, then crumbles
Day awakens, same old drill
Memories fade, bit by bit
Miles from nowhere, so alone
Silence fills heart, not close-knit
Few good days dwarfed by bad ones
Sunny smiles becoming few
Lonely heart needs titan’s lift
Shining light makes its breakthrough
Make it a point today to reach out to someone who could use a warm hug, a trusting smile, or a kind word. Lonely hearts fill many people with emptiness; share your light.
Life is not a problem to be solved but a mystery to be lived. Follow the path that is no path, follow your bliss.
The world is full of people who have stopped listening to themselves.
Listen
Life’s surroundings
Hearing God’s peace
Sharing blessed, warmest transitions
Faith
Precious
Holy moment
Holy Child’s birth
Holy Father’s glory revealed
Gift
Promised
Holy Spirit
Sin’s righteous judgement
Steering us to follow
Truth
God never opens doors that have been closed. He opens other doors, but He reminds us that there are doors which we have shut, doors which need never have been shut.
From Luke 19:42: “[Jesus weeps over Jerusalem] As He came near and saw the city, He wept over it, saying, ‘If you, even you, had only recognized on this day the things that make for peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes.'”
Big Sky Buckeye 