Autumn’s fading pulse
Winter’s joy arrives
Bearing gifts from darkness
Morning’s sky alive
Welcome transition
Wood stove’s warmth alive
Sharing gifts from darkness
Morning’s peace high-five
Clearest eastern sky
Alarm clock shows five
Yielding gifts from darkness
Morning’s grace now thrives
Crisp winter sunrise
Treasured light now thrives
Raising gifts from darkness
Morning’s spirit drives
Clouds moving away
Distant light shall drive
Bearing gifts from darkness
Morning’s breath survives
From Jeremiah 31:2-3: “Thus says the Lord: The people who survived the sword found grace in the wilderness; when Israel sought for rest, the Lord appeared to him from far away. I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you.”
Brought out of wilderness
Darkness no longer speaks
Good Shepherd offers rest
Strengthened, no longer weak
Joyful journey of peace
Mountains singing with praise
Faith’s vineyards now planted
Harvest reaping God’s ways
Gladness fills every heart
Light rises to applaud
Good Shepherd gathers flock
Destiny’s Lamb of God
Redemption flows from love
Forgiveness sown from grace
Bethlehem bears God’s Son
Enemy gives up chase
Darkness replaced with hope
Mercy’s love fulfills peace
Good Shepherd quiets storm
Spirit transforms faith’s lease
From John 10:14-16: “I am the good shepherd. I know my own, and my own know me, just as the Father knows me, and I know the Father. And I lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd.”
Wishing to dine out
Reservations all filled up—
Home’s dinner for two
Morning’s coffee spot
No longer waiting in line—
Brewing cup at home
Gift-wrapped retirement
Immersed in new adventures—
Life’s blessed pairing
Pleasant, mid-winter day
Warm winds decide to stay
Touch of spring thaws the air
Ideal life, not a care
Hidden, in frigid North
Cold destined to call forth
Prairie living unaware
Grass uncovered, and bare
Few cowboys work the range
Life will soon see big change
Barren land, overgrazed
Cattle wander, unfazed
Calmness warns of trouble
Winter’s wrath comes double
Arctic-fed winds stir up
Wet snow creates pileup
Haunting storm now arrives
Few cattle will survive
Blizzard smothers this land
Conditions, out of hand
Cowboys wait out fierce storm
Snow and cold, nasty swarm
Waiting, hours become days
Prairie, now winter’s maze
Cattle’s cries go unheard
Snow-blinded, vision blurred
Storm’s cruel hand, plays its cards
Life stops, prairie graveyards
This poem attempts to capture the daunting winter of 1886-1887 on the prairies in the Montana Territory when the Open Range’s cattle industry collapsed from its near annihilation. Russell’s artwork says even more than words can describe.
Originally published January, 2021.
From 1 Corinthians 15:56-58: “The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brothers and sisters, be steadfast, immovable, always excelling in the work of the Lord because you know that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.”
Each advancing year
Blessed by Father’s love
Overcoming through faith
Joy’s praises soar above
Journey’s protector
Loved by Holy Son
Reconciling sin’s sting
Heaven’s work shall be done
Resurrection’s light
Powered by Son’s grace
Transforming forgiveness
Today’s peace to embrace
Steadfast in spirit
Encouraged by Son
Raising up hope’s outlook
Tomorrow’s rising sun
Mercy found in Christ
Discouraged no more
Witnessing Calvary
Redemption’s open door
From the words of English preacher, Charles Spurgeon: “By perseverance the snail reached the ark.”
Family’s
Earthly realm
Born of virgin
Son of skilled carpenter
Jesus
Destiny’s
Heavenly presence
Light replaces darkness
Fulfillment of God’s Word
Savior
Resurrection’s
Unselfish love
Rising with forgiveness
Shattering chains of sin
Messiah
Night’s gentle peace
Moonlight’s silhouette
Dreams dancing step by step
Playing harmony’s cornet
Night’s final act
Cloudless sky above
Memories at full tide
Editing script, filled with love
Night’s breathless tone
Voices gather round
Echoes escaping past
Transforming passion abounds
Night’s flaming light
Home’s welcome fireplace
Bright warmth breathes eternal
Kindling spirits to embrace
Night’s lasting charm
Upgrades at sunrise
Contentment rewritten
Savoring morning’s franchise
From Luke 2:8-11: “Now in that same region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid, for see, I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord.'”
Humble shepherds
Tending flocks at night
Angel sharing great news
Shining from Bethlehem’s light
Minds awaken
Praising with great joy
Hearts filling with wonder
Witnessing love in this boy
Promise fulfilled
Giving thanks to God
Savior comes to rescue
Raising hope, at last unthawed
Darkness conquered
Forgiving man’s sin
Forever, King of Kings
Locking redemption’s linchpin
From Colossians 1:13-14: “He has rescued us from the power of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.”
Quelling emotions
Welcome each blossoming change—
Sunrise sets table
Friend’s steady guidance
Tomorrow’s journey brightens—
Today’s welcome steps
Encouragement’s light
Harvest of welcome choices—
Resilience well-knit
From Romans 12:1-2: “I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God—what is good and acceptable and perfect.”
Imperfect humans
Walking darkest trails
World twists upside down
Christ calls, without fail
World crying out with
Endless, empty claims
Filled with dead end thoughts
Christ drowns looming flames
Noisy distractions
Countless temptations
Follow His footsteps
Christ’s supplications
Waking to darkness
God’s will lights each day
Struggling with life’s sin
Christ bridges the way
Share genuine love
Holding fast to good
Serving the Father
Christ transforms driftwood
Zealous in spirit
Rejoicing in hope
Walk with humbleness
Christ’s love helps us cope
Marked with our Lord’s truth
Walk with Christian steps
Soul and mind renewed
Follow Christ’s footsteps
From Hebrews 6:19-20: “We have this hope, a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters the inner shrine behind the curtain, where Jesus, a forerunner on our behalf, has entered, having become a high priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.”
Originally published January, 2021.
Big Sky Buckeye 