Big Sky Buckeye

A writer's journey continues

Nourishing Faith

Posted on October 19, 2022 by bigskybuckeye

From Isaiah 30:15: “For thus said the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel: In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and in trust shall be your strength.“

Faith’s glowing spark

Tiny to see

Strength filling heart

Grace to foresee

Strength facing tests

Unknown as yet

Nourishing faith

Quieting threats

Challenges come

Darkness creeps in

Boosted in strength

Faith, life’s linchpin

Kneeling to pray

Faith never peaks

Fulfilling strength

Humbleness speaks

Always trust God

Mercy lifts up

Source of faith’s strength

Filling life’s cup

Embers of faith

Fed by courage

Blazing in strength

Shall encourage

From Father’s rock

Spirit connects

Lasting faith grows

His strength protects

**Photo by Nika Zhorzholiani on Pexels.com**

From Psalm 28:7: “The Lord is my strength and my shield; in Him my heart trusts; so I am helped, and my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to Him.”

Season’s Trademarks (Haiku Series #200)

Posted on October 18, 2022 by bigskybuckeye

One by One

Another leaf falls

Bridging summer and winter—

Turning autumn’s page

**A fallen leaf takes center stage (from Walnut Woods Metro Park, Ohio).**

Finally . . . Relief!

Breathing much improved

Allergy sufferers’ praise—

Fall’s frosty morning

**Photo by Curioso Photography on Pexels.com**

Landscape Salutes

Photographer’s dream

Autumn’s bursting colors wave—

Camera smiles back

**Bright burst of red (from Walnut Woods Metro Park, Ohio).**

Note: Being red-green color blind, I couldn’t recognize the contrast in colors until I looked at this photo.

Monday Memories: Quirky Team Names

Posted on October 17, 2022 by bigskybuckeye

Written in June, 2019, this light-hearted poem takes a curious look at names of professional sports teams.

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

Sports teams abound

Loyal fans cheer on

Unique names astound

What is a Laker?

Honoring “Land of 10,000 Lakes”

Minnesota becomes Los Angeles Lakers

What is a Dodger?

In Brooklyn, dodging the trolley tracks

Becoming baseball’s “Dem Bums”—the Dodgers

What is a Canuck?

Referring to a French Canadian

Now hockey’s Vancouver Canucks

What is a Celtic?

Honoring Irish, Welsh, and others

Now a trademark of the Boston Celtics

Who are the Knickerbockers?

Remembering Dutch settlers’ trousers

NBA Knicks shortened from Knickerbockers

Why the Wizards?

Depicting violence as the NBA’s Bullets

Transformed into the energized Wizards

What is the meaning of the Mets?

Official team name of baseball’s Metropolitans

Becoming New York’s “Amazin’ Mets”

What’s with the Jazz?

Utah certainly doesn’t fit today

Formerly in New Orleans as the Jazz

Why the Cleveland Browns?

Sounding like such a simple name

Founded by their coach Paul Brown

Pausing now to catch an exciting game

Let’s hope their name brings them fame

United as One

Posted on October 16, 2022 by bigskybuckeye

From Proverbs 27:17: “Iron sharpens iron, and one person sharpens the wits of another.”

As believers, called to One

Worshipping our highest Priest

In faith, united as one

Jesus leads Salvation’s feast

Iron sharpens iron, grace tapers

Guiding every trusting step

Righteousness, heart’s bold shaper

Christ waits at Heaven’s doorstep

Trinity’s unity molds

Breathing with eternal peace

Mercy reaches out and holds

Redemption signs life’s new lease

Spirit fills patience today

Bearing each other through love

Together, joining to pray

Single voice reigns from above

**Photo by Tima Miroshnichenko on Pexels.com**

From Ephesians 4:3-4: “Making every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace: there is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling.”

Famous and Rich

Posted on October 15, 2022 by bigskybuckeye

**Photo by Yelena Odintsova on Pexels.com**

Growing up with little

On life’s other side of

Prosperity’s tracks

Feeling little love

Orphaned and now alone

Facing endless trials

Not famous and rich

Walking distant miles

Mansion never lived in

Dreaming of special place

Emptiness drains time

Leaving drifter’s race

Searching for happiness

Another evening fire

Nomad’s life stirring

Finding what inspires

**Photo by Nipan Chawcharernpon on Pexels.com**

Interventions (Elfchen Series #122)

Posted on October 14, 2022 by bigskybuckeye

Sanctuary

Witnessing

New day

On eagle’s wings

Soaring to Father’s refuge

Grace

Character

Substituting

Bitter tongue

Walking with Jesus

Righteousness fills each word

Kindness

**Photo by Ketut Subiyanto on Pexels.com**

Restoration

Receiving

God’s mercy

Filling our spirit

Overflowing with His goodness

Forgiveness

**Photo by RODNAE Productions on Pexels.com**

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.

Steadfast Assurance

Posted on October 13, 2022 by bigskybuckeye

From Psalm 121:1-2: “I lift up my eyes to the hills—from where will my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.”

Dark perils come knocking

From where will “real” hope come?

Dreaded illness stalking

Hearing death’s haunting drum

His steadfast assurance

Calvary’s lasting love

Heavenly insurance

Breathing from God above

Forever life’s keeper

Never pausing to rest

Eternity’s doorkeeper

Refilling life with zest

Tomorrow’s sunrise beams

Hope reborn and glowing

Healthy spirit fills dreams

Believing and knowing

This poem touches upon a personal reflection of my own Dad, who contracted Covid several months ago. Despite being vaccinated, his underlying health conditions put him at great risk from the disease. I give thanks every day that he has recovered and can look forward to his upcoming 87th birthday.

Nature’s Retreat

Posted on October 12, 2022 by bigskybuckeye

The writing of this poem is inspired from the works of American poet, Walt Whitman (1819-1892).

Escaping life’s hectic pace

Finding nature’s retreat

Breathing her refreshing air

Freedom’s open love seat

Waking to blessed sunrise

Living off nature’s land

Sowing seeds, fertile harvest

Freedom’s new motherland

Pursuing nature’s rhythm

Feeling never alone

Answering only to God

Freedom’s sturdy jawbone

Sleeping under nightly stars

Filling mind, mellow dreams

Sharing nature’s melodies

Freedom’s harmony beams

Experiencing new joy

Tasting nature’s flavor

Discovering Father’s gift

Freedom’s grace-filled favor

**Photo by Syed Qaarif Andrabi on Pexels.com**

Journey of Contrasts (Haiku Series #199)

Posted on October 11, 2022 by bigskybuckeye

Sour Moment

Life’s thorny issues

Tainting our experience—

Tasting bitterness

**Photo by Govinda Valbuena on Pexels.com**

Gift to Share

Sitting down to write

Rediscovering lost art—

Letter to dear friend

Rhythm’s Beat

Sooner or later

Actions bringing correction—

Life’s daily cadence

**Photo by u0410u043bu0435u043au0441u0430 on Pexels.com**

Monday Memories: Always Our Friend

Posted on October 10, 2022 by bigskybuckeye

This poem is inspired by a favorite hymn of many, “What a Friend We Have in Jesus.”

Photo by Peter on Pexels.com

Living weak in character

Laying at the Cross, past torts

Jesus, always our friend

Hearing our troubling reports

Stepping humbly to our Lord

Dumping these tribulations

Jesus, always through His love

Building our life’s foundation

Facing polarizing darkness

Bearing pain, feeling alone

Jesus waits, always trusting

Welcoming us to His own

Taking us, lifting us up

Rescuing us from sin’s shame

Jesus, always rebuilds faith

Saving through His Father’s name

Photo by Rodolfo Clix on Pexels.com

From 1 Peter 1:21: “Through Him you have come to trust in God, who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory, so that your faith and hope are set on God.”

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One by One

Finally . . . Relief!

Landscape Salutes

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Sanctuary

Character

Restoration

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Sour Moment

Gift to Share

Rhythm’s Beat

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