Big Sky Buckeye

A writer's journey continues

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.

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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

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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.”

All Things

Posted on October 9, 2022 by bigskybuckeye

From Psalm 25:5: “Lead me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all day long.”

Living in God’s Kingdom

Providing all things

Sharing His steadfast peace

Grace forever springs

Healing our tattered souls

Witnessing our plight

Stirring up lasting faith

Eternity’s light

Filling hearts with mercy

Kindling each sunrise

Soaring on eagle’s wings

Glory in God’s eyes

Casting darkness aside

Saving every heart

Loving each child of God

New life now restarts

Blessing with His goodness

Hearing our sad cries

Raising us up in Christ

Salvation’s franchise

From Isaiah 40:31: “But those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.”

What Life’s All About (Elfchen Series #121)

Posted on October 7, 2022 by bigskybuckeye

Foundation

God’s

Endless wonders

Faithful, perfect design

Praising and giving thanks

Creation

Interactions

Relationships

Divine plan

Family, colleagues, friends

Leaning on each other

Recharged

Voyage

Approaching

Stormy seas

Righteous navigator leads

Guiding toward calmer waters

Faithfulness

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Sanctuary

Character

Restoration

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Sour Moment

Gift to Share

Rhythm’s Beat

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Foundation

Interactions

Voyage

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