Unknown's avatar

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.

Forgiving Wind

big wooden cross on green grass field under the white clouds

Photo by David Dibert on Pexels.com

God has used the wind for His purposes since the very beginning of time.  From Genesis 1:2-3:  “the earth was a formless void and darkness covered the face of the deep, while a wind from God swept over the face of the waters.  Then God said, ‘Let there be be light.'” 

The wind chimes sing this morning with so much to say

Playing inspiring music that turns calmness aside today

The music brings warm comfort to one’s heart

Reminding at dawn of past memories to restart

These rich images from the past arrive so clear

Blessing one’s spirit with nothing ever to fear

With a renewing spirit bursting from God’s mighty fame

Sending forth meaningful counsel in His glorious name

The day’s agenda stands ready to roll out once again

Traveling faithfully forward with no desire to ever sin

Yet, this blessed life may again stumble today

Asking for God’s forgiveness with little to say

The old rugged Cross comes forward into one’s sight

Witnessing Christ’s red blood brings courage to fight

Just as the wind chimes tell again of God’s loving soul

Walking with Christ refurbishes a life that is now full

 

 

Fairy Tale Dream

woman reading a book

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

Jack hurriedly climbs the lofty beanstalk

Hoping to take Cinderella out for a walk

 

Cinderella looks out her window, slightly bitter

Left with Little Boy Blue, her tiny, glass slipper

 

Little Boy Blue feels like enjoying an afternoon nap

Hearing Snow White calling awakens him in a snap

 

Snow White hopes the Seven Dwarfs hurry back

Fearing the Big Bad Wolf will hide her in his sack

 

The Big Bad Wolf plans to enjoy a scrumptious feast

Hiding from Little Jack Horner who lives in the East

 

Little Jack Horner feels too full to devour a pie

Leaving the sweets for Jill who says, “Oh my!”

 

Jill loses her footing, tumbling down and down

Causing Jack to wake up, with a sleepy frown

 

Little Jack’s wonderful dream felt pleasing and fine

Reminding him that more stories wait for next time

 

 

Graceful Precision

 

agility balance beautiful girl dancer

Photo by Kokil Sharma on Pexels.com

Music accompanies daring tumbling moves

Elegance and personality match the groove

 

Connecting a back layout with a back handspring

The floor exercise generates applause that rings

 

A most challenging event brings a fearless test

Strength, agility, and balance need to be best

 

Moving from the lower to the upper bar with such ease

The uneven bars finish with a dismount sure to please

 

A front handspring explodes from the springboard

Elongated body soars high to earn a worthy score

 

Twisting with a half or a full displays superb skill

The vault produces athleticism to deliver a thrill

 

Forward and backward walkovers with such poise

A 360 degrees pivot creates a hush with little noise

 

Connecting all the rhythmic moves with no doubts

The balance beam ends with a precise dismount

 

A spectacular gymnastics meet delivers the very bold

The crowd watches in amazement, nothing seems old

 

Competing for a high score and a gold medal, too

Such graceful precision will see this girl through

 

 

 

Haiku Series #7

Where?

Hope County is near

Cannot be found on a map

Resides in our hearts

 

Breakfast

An egg is a hit

Fame can be over-easy

Such a funny yoke!

 

Hubby’s Job

Wife shopping at mall

Hubby carries heavy bags

Yes, he is my mule!

 

Walking with Trees

Smelling fresh pine scent

Walking in peaceful shadows

Magnificent white pines

 

Schoolchildren’s Prayer

Dear God, please listen

We ask for more snow tonight

Tomorrow—Snow Day!

 If you enjoy Haiku’s, check out some of these past Haiku postings:  Series #5 and Series #6.

Engineering Marvels

 

brooklyn bridge new york

Photo by Chris Molloy on Pexels.com

Designed to carry a road or cross a ravine or river

Bridges are constructed to carry a load to deliver

 

Bridge designs range from very simple to complex

Some look very basic and daunting from the rest

 

More primitive bridges make one’s legs tremble and shake

Crossing them seems like a journey, certainly not to make

 

Scaling Everest, the world’s tallest and best known peak

Climbers use a crevasse bridge for the thrills they seek

 

Relishing a drive along many of America’s roads, without despair

Crossing a covered bridge that is unique and kept in good repair

 

More complex types are designed with beauty it seems

Trestle, arch, suspension, girder, drawbridge, and beam

 

Famous bridges are found nearly everywhere

Nearly all are built with a great amount of care

 

Sadly, a small number of bridges weaken and collapse

Due to flooding, earthquakes, or an engineering lapse

 

Pittsburgh proclaims to be the “City of Bridges” at last count

But, New York City possesses more bridges, without a doubt

 

Some bridges are named after people of notable fame

Benjamin Franklin and Andy Warhol, a couple to name

 

Other bridges are found in legends, films, and books

Golden Gate, Mackinac, and Brooklyn—take a look!

 

European designers have been busy in many places

Hamburg and Amsterdam’s bridges fill their spaces

 

Bridges comprise some of man’s grandest monuments of all

Designing impressive engineering marvels that shouldn’t fall

 

As some plan to demolish an old, downtrodden bridge

Expect others to stand and cry out, “Save Our Bridge”

2018 August Montana Trip 211.JPG

The Great River Bridge spans the Mississippi River at the Iowa-Illinois border.

2018 August Montana Trip 208.JPG

Entering Burlington, Iowa, a closer view of the Great River Bridge.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Journey to America

statue of liberty new york

Photo by Mat Brown on Pexels.com

Images of immigrants arriving at America’s shores

Families hope the United States offers much more

 

Huddled and crowded together on ships bound for another  land

Dreaming of moving forward and receiving an outstretched hand

 

Most Americans trace immigrants back to their family roots

Their ancestors arrived ready to energize lives with a boost

 

 

 

Singer Neil Sedaka proclaims the immigrants’ anxious arrival

“The Immigrant” sings of America waiting, without any denial

 

Coming to America is immortalized as Neil Diamond sings

“America” tells a fascinating story that only his lyrics bring

 

Both Sedaka and Diamond write beautiful and appropriate text

America can do better than people shouting, “You are not next”

 

 

 

Imagine the excitement felt upon seeing Lady Liberty

She has welcomed people to America for an eternity

 

Her torch offers a brilliant beacon of new hope and light

America extends a welcoming hand, ending their plight

 

This openhearted Lady, gifted from France, stands solemn

She invites the less fortunate to disembark in long columns

 

 

 

Emma Lazarus, an offspring of immigrants, expresses it best

Her poetic words in “The New Colossus” surely pass the test

 

Her inspiring words paint an ironic and emotional image for all

To see how a mighty Lady and America will forever stand tall

 

 

 

America’s melting pot overflows from a gentle and peaceful place

Tales from immigrants deserve to be heard without undue haste

 

Immigration has recently become a passionate, national debate

America’s history shows patience in opening its welcome gate

 

The lyrics of “The Immigrant” can be found at Neil Sedaka.

The lyrics of “America” can be found at Neil Diamond.

The verses of “The New Colossus” can be found at Emma Lazarus.

Wild Violet

bloom blooming blossom blur

Photo by PhotoMIX Ltd. on Pexels.com

She returns annually to announce the arrival of spring

Heart-shaped flowers will bring vivid beauty that sings

 

She loves the cool and damp spring air

Shaded from the sunlight brings no cares

 

She possesses a cute and dainty look

Green fields invite a walk along a brook

 

She adores the color purple, dark is best

Sadly, others see her beauty as a pest

 

She loves to pause in gardens for relaxation

Butterflies seek her as a beautiful attraction

 

She experienced vigorous growth in her younger days

Ancient Greeks consider her a symbol of love that stays

 

She meanders now as a traveler seeking only fun

Looking out at a calm creek called Wild Violet Run

 

There really is a small stream called Wild Violet Run near Pickerington, Ohio in Violet Township, which is located in northwestern Fairfield County.

Final Lap

red racing car on race track during daytime

Photo by Daniel on Pexels.com

Destined to command the pack around the track

The shiny and high-speed race car never slacks

Fine-tuned to outrun and outmuscle every foe

This car will sprint to the finish, never too slow

Racing for a championship with 200 grueling laps

The experienced driver is favored to win in a snap

Waiting all week for race day to finally arrive

The rest of the field wonders how to survive

Handled with precision, the favorite speeds onward

The driver’s bubbling confidence shines forward

Taking the lead from the start of the 500 mile sprint

The cool, poised driver stays ahead as others flinch

Hearing the engine competing at its maximum speed

Four, three, two laps and one more to finish the deed

Running razor-close to the edge of the wall

The driver knows the competition shall fall

Entering the final corner of today’s dominating ride

The car fuels excitement with nothing ever to hide

Anticipating the checkered flag waiting at the finish line

The driver applies a final burst of speed for the last time

 

Victory ahead . . .

 

CRASH!!!

 

Crushed into the outer wall takes away smiles

This car won’t be racing for quite a long while

Saddened by a single error and a disastrous mistake

The driver grimaces at his unfortunate luck and fate