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.

Walk of Faith

Posted on February 9, 2019 by bigskybuckeye

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

From the Bible: For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit. (1 Corinthians 12:13)

Public baptism by immersion occurs on this date

Young girl reveals her guided walk to faith’s gate

Scripture speaks of baptism at every turn

From this girl, we all have so much to learn

Believe, be baptized, and continue to be brave

For Christ arose and escaped from His grave

All are baptized into one body so pure

Made to drink one spirit, totally for sure

Christ’s baptism launches His ministry, rich for all

In God’s presence, His words forever stand tall

Scorned persecutor of Jesus’ faithful, Christian way

Saul baptized as Paul, with Lord’s forgiveness to stay

Believers baptized under God’s authority of thee

Through Father, Son, and Holy Spirit which see

Baptism generates life’s faithful walk, filled with newness

Youthful girl accepts Jesus as Savior, blessed trueness

Feeling transforming spirit of Father’s Holy, living water

Accepting God’s purpose, living as newfound daughter

This young girl’s act of faith inspires so many others

Opening eyes to witness, every sister and brother

I recently witnessed the baptism of a young girl who was ready to make her walk of faith public in front of the congregation. It was a very inspiring and emotionally-rich moment.

Perfect Seat

Posted on February 7, 2019 by bigskybuckeye

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

Circus shows once filled with excitement to delight

Few spectators now attend circus magic each night

Generation ago, numerous children experienced it all

Now mighty Big Tops have vanished with a huge fall

Sitting in the crowd with a perfect seat

Thrilled to adore another tasty treat

The ringmaster keeps the thrilling show moving along

Audiences soon realize that each act lasts only so long

Three rings keep crowd’s enthusiasm mounting with ease

Here come zany clowns, filled with foolishness to please

Dazzling jugglers and daring acrobats delight

Children dream of being in the circus spotlight

Sitting in the crowd with a perfect seat

Eagerly watching performances so sweet

Lions, tigers, and bears—Oh, what a sight to behold

Bravery shown by animal tamers, awesome and bold

Always pleasing are gigantic elephants from afar

Their majestic presence makes them the stars

Evening’s ultimate act flies high above three circus rings

Trapeze artists dangle with suspense from their swings

Sitting in the crowd with a perfect seat

Looking forward to each astonishing feat

Fewer circus companies still travel the globe

The “Greatest Show on Earth” needed to fold

Audiences once filled the Big Top’s nightly crusade

Now dying out, precious memories stumble and fade

New generation of young children shall never wonder

How circus night brought applause as loud as thunder

Sitting in the crowd with a perfect seat

Recalling circus images that will repeat

The “Greatest Show on Earth” shut down its operations in 2017 due to declining attendance and revenue shortfalls. The Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus was, without a doubt, the greatest circus show of them all. As a footnote, John Ringling, one of the circus-owning brothers, arrived in a small town in central Montana in the early 1900s. He planned to invest in cattle ranching and a local railroad. The tiny, quiet hamlet of Ringling is still on the map today along U.S. Highway 89, but you would never know that it can trace some of its history back to the “Greatest Show on Earth.”

Nourishing Love

Posted on February 6, 2019 by bigskybuckeye

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

A beautiful garden planted in the spring with great love

Flowers and vegetables blessed with peace from above

Every detail carefully planned and tenderly done

All this fertile soil needs now is water and sun

The first few weeks bring excitement and growth

Green buds and a bit of color are amazing both

One week goes by without any tender loving care

The young, immature plants now seem a bit scared

I am thirsty for a drink, can’t you see!

Why have you forgotten all about me?

Another week passes along without feeling a human hand

The fragile plants begin a slow march back to the land

I am thirsty for a drink, can’t you see!

Why have you forgotten all about me?

A third week arrives with unhappiness and despair

The once promising garden can’t surely be repaired

I am thirsty for a drink, can’t you see!

Why have you forgotten all about me?

From high above comes His promise to bring rain

Soon a gentle, nourishing mist reduces the pain

Humans need to be fed from above by Him

We must ask Him gently like singing a hymn

Without loving care, the garden and people will perish

The Lord adores all of His creation with love to cherish

Let us never, ever wonder and say . . .

I am thirsty for a drink, can’t you see!

Why have you forgotten all about me?

To have little faith isn’t part of our day!

Wintertime Blues

Posted on February 4, 2019 by bigskybuckeye

woman with blue eyes wrapped in a pink cloth

Photo by Jenna Hamra on Pexels.com

Winter arrives on schedule every year

Bringing too much snow and cold I fear

An ice storm starts off the winter season

Staying off of the roads for good reason

Later snowfall begins to pile up outside my door

Growing deeper and deeper, please no more!

Now a polar vortex is hammering my home

Blowing Arctic air all the way to my bones

For some, they say winter is truly a paradise

Thinking to myself, winter surely ain’t nice

I bundle up in many snug and warm layers

Trying to move outside without any cares

The snow has buried the sidewalk and my car

Shoveling cannot be healthy when it’s this far

I retreat back inside to be near a toasty fire

Deciding to remain in bed until winter retires

Like a bear, I stay warm while we both hibernate

Waiting for spring’s early arrival will be our fate

Buddha Quote

Posted on February 4, 2019 by bigskybuckeye

You, yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe, deserve your love and affection.

Moving Forward

Posted on February 3, 2019 by bigskybuckeye

Photo by rawpixel.com on Pexels.com

Facing disappointment for many months and more

Feeling frustration and despair starting to soar

Realizing that this journey needs a mid-course correction

Pointing an unsteady compass in a totally new direction

Tiring from how many others have treated thee in the past

Looking forward to a future that brings happiness at last

Beating up thyself for any past, painful mistakes

Needing renewed courage for a new life to make

Knowing that this life needs a helping hand

Wanting to scan for a nurturing place to land

Reaching out comes the helping hand of thy God

Sending forth His grace to be thy staff and rod

Shielding eyes from brightest sun at a new dawn

Walking forward with energy that’s never gone

Mountaintop Wedding

Posted on February 1, 2019 by bigskybuckeye

Montana’s Lone Mountain stands above most peaks

Providing skiing challenges and thrills for all to seek

Today brings sweet, special time on this tallest mountain

Witnessing marriage joy, more beautiful than any fountain

On cloudless and frigid Friday, love will indeed arrive

Blessing God’s joining of two people, to forever thrive

This loving couple enjoys their shared passion to ski

Planning to tie marital knot, wedding party shall see

Carried to lofty summit, gondola ride quite soaring

Bride and groom cement their love at mid-morning

There’s no more beautiful moment than a wedding

Linking of two lives as one, in this majestic setting

Wedding vows exchanged in blusterous, bitter cold

Sharing their simple words of love, special and bold

Precious wedding rings left at home, safely hidden

Dropping them in deep powder, would be forbidden

Brief ceremony proceeds to its eventual conclusion

Watching husband kissing wife, seals God’s union

Newly married couple, outfitted in finest skiing attire

Skiing as husband and wife, before daylight expires

Easy to find, youthful bride finishing her downhill run

Wearing white veil on top of her helmet, just for fun

Husband and wife, skiers with remarkable skill

Sharing and enjoying further runs, sharing thrills

Holy Father sanctifying this couple’s wedding day

Smiling at faithful love, with beloved words to say

My youngest daughter and her wonderful husband were married on February 2, 2018. Yes, they were married just below the summit of Lone Mountain in southwestern Montana. I honor their union with this poem. The picture was taken by a member of the wedding party, and it captures the newlyweds completing their first ski run as husband and wife.

Walking the Trail

Posted on January 31, 2019 by bigskybuckeye

2019 May 24 Walnut Woods and Chestnut Ridge 038.JPG

Walking along an unknown, isolated trail

Hoping that this journey goes without fail

Watching skyward for some warm fun

Hiding behind clouds, escapes the sun

Hurrying along the narrow path against the windy cold

Seeking to not find too much adventure—yet be bold!

Traveling quickly, the brisk pace advances along

Thinking this morning hike, nothing can go wrong

Turning a corner, approaching a different place

Seeing a fork coming up and slowing the pace

Searching the mysterious routes of twin solitary trails

Feeling confidence slipping, suspense tips the scales

Deciding to journey down the unfamiliar path on the right

Adjusting the trip’s rhythm, accepting challenges in sight

Moving along another route, sometimes part of life

Aligning conflicting thoughts, without further strife

Finishing this satisfying walk, never feeling ready to fail

Realizing life’s unique treks, resemble being on this trail

Season’s Final Match

Posted on January 31, 2019 by bigskybuckeye

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

An early morning wind blows glacial-like air on this day

One final match these soccer boys have come to play

An adamant, northwest onslaught delivers an icy, Arctic blast

Will the team harness enough stamina and energy to last?

Players dressed warmly in layers, gloves, and stocking hats

In their final match, they look ready to conquer this and that

Looking more like Eskimos, parents and families huddle near

Hoping to see the resilient boys score goals without any fear

The spectators cheer the boys to play hard and to be bold

But they agonize and confirm—“Oh my, it’s way too cold!”

Sheltered beneath layers of blankets, the crowd surveys the field

The opposing team advances the ball, but the boys form a shield

No goals will be scored against them on this day

The boys’ defense hustles and continues to play

Halftime arrives with the team playing tough

Will the season end well in weather so rough?

The second half continues under adverse conditions

The team finishes with a season filled with tradition

While the rest of the players hustle to stay warm

The talented goalie stands all alone as ice forms

A woman’s hot coffee has transformed into cold slush

She clasps tightly to a heavy blanket, deep and plush

The match marches to its finish with winter as its final foe

Frozen spectators ask, “How many minutes are left to go?”

Icy faces, shivering bodies, and numb fingers

Plus ice blocks for feet—all continue to linger

Spirited boys ignore cold and continue to play

Their five goals will deliver last and final say

At match’s end, players and families hurry to their warm cars

All wondering how they survived the cold and made it this far

For two grandparents who were amazingly fearless and bold

Tomorrow morning, will be glad there is no soccer in the cold

This season-ending soccer match was played in November, 2018, by one of my grandsons. The wind chill temperature was 10 degrees Fahrenheit. He and his teammates completed a remarkable season with an unblemished record.

Grandpa’s Front Porch

Posted on January 31, 2019 by bigskybuckeye

Recalling an amazing moment many years ago

Looking forward to seeing Grandpa—let’s go!

Sitting on his front porch for endless times

Allowing a special grandson to feel so fine

Bouncing on Grandpa’s knee was such fun

Laughing and giggling until there was none

Seeing Grandpa’s old, rustic rocking chair

Bringing back memories of us being a pair

Enjoying another warm, yet peaceful summer night

Listening to Grandpa’s stories, full of fun and fright

Watching the fireflies dancing above the tall, green grass

Hearing through the screen door, radio shows long past

Observing neighbors walking down an endless sidewalk

Pausing to spend a magic moment with us while we talk

Tasting Grandma’s freshly baked, sweet treats

Arousing taste buds and sweet tooth to meet

Spending time together for an hour or maybe two

Witnessing life from a porch presents quite a view

Sitting in the proud and mature rocking chair once more

Observing the years have been generous and restored

Smiling now as the porch hasn’t changed too much

Adding a new floor with fresh paint as a final touch

Recalling Grandpa on this comforting porch

Carrying on for him, with a brightly lit torch

Passing on an ageless and honored family tradition

Listening again to Grandpa’s most favorite renditions

Filling childish lives with memories of nurturing love

Lifting thoughts upward to Grandpa in heaven above

About bigskybuckeye

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