Past Favorites: Oceans

This  poem was  published in July, 2019, and features an early attempt at writing poetry using mystery-filled imagery.  It was originally written in March of the same year as an  entry for a poetic publication.  While the poem didn’t make the cut, it has been well-received here on WordPress.  

Photo by Sebastian Voortman on Pexels.com

A life can sometimes seem deep and dark

Just as the oceans’ waves find their mark

 

From season to season, a person splashes along

Just as the oceans redeploy, intense and strong

 

Hardships and misfortunes grudgingly arrive each week

Just as the oceans’ depths mask secrets, waiting to seek

 

Morning’s sunrise embraces, cheerful and bold

Just as the oceans splash water, much too cold

 

Today brings a bit of uncertainty and sadness

Just as the oceans bring a light of happiness

 

One wonders and dreams of a better life

Just as the oceans dispense little strife

 

A walk along the sandy beach sounds great

Just as the oceans’ tides deliver a final fate

 

The gentle waves engage loneliness for a swim

Just as the oceans’ surf arrives without a whim

 

A final desperate, draining breath takes one under

Just as the oceans stand still and start to wonder

 

 

 

 

Precious Time

Photo by Oladimeji Ajegbile on Pexels.com

Every hour

Holding precious time

 

Every day

Devouring life’s checklist

 

Every week

Running endless errands

 

Every month

Loving family time

 

Every year

Filling life up

 

Every hour

Cherished minutes

 

Every day

Another blessing

 

Every week

Career focus

 

Every month

Birthdays celebrated

 

Every year

Vacation time

 

Every hour

Savoring

 

Every day

Energizing

 

Every week

Achieving

 

Every month

Maturing

 

Every year

Remembering 

 

Photo by Anete Lusina on Pexels.com

Nature’s Calling (Haiku Series #138)

Captivating

Mountains to valleys

Earth’s blessed contrasts invite—

Highest to lowest

Photo by Mateusz Sau0142aciak on Pexels.com

Everlasting

Probing earth’s oceans

Endless waters reaching shore–

Never grows weary

Photo by Travis Rupert on Pexels.com

Spellbinding

Galaxy’s journey

Universe enriches life—

First contact with stars

Monday Memories: Are We Worthy?

Photo by Jose Aragones on Pexels.com

Feeling lost, alone, and unworthy

Walking forward to seek God

 

Questioning and asking, crying out

Gathering together, we trust God

 

Seeking Christ must come first

 

Contrasting himself to the Messiah

Foretelling of the One coming

 

Crying out in the wilderness

Baptizing believers at the Jordan

 

Sending John to baptize Jesus

Sensing himself to be unworthy

 

Finding Christ must come first

 

Expressing love now for family

Adoring father, mother, son, daughter

 

Returning from his sinful journey

Rejoicing, a prodigal son found

 

Suffering dishonor for Christ’s sake

Preaching, Apostles speak the Gospel

 

Loving Christ must come first

 

Accepting God’s gift of Grace

Blessing us as worthy Christians

 

Coming to believe Christ’s Salvation

Humbling praising His blessed truth

 

Creating all things, God cares

Receiving glory, honor, and power

 

Standing alone at the Cross

Ransoming His body and blood

 

Loving and accepting our Savior

   

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

This faith-based poem comes from my archives.  It was originally written and posted in September, 2019.

Wave After Wave

From Psalm 23:1-3:  “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.  He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside still waters; He restores my soul.  He leads me in right paths for His name’s sake.”

Photo by Ricardo Esquivel on Pexels.com

No matter how life plays out

Encountering sea of waves

Big, small . . . quiet, turbulent

Sin’s cunning waits to enslave

 

No promise of easy life

Struggles crashing, day by day

Never learned how to ride waves

Grace anchors hope at each bay

 

Thankfully, never alone

Riding God’s steady surfboard

Trusting Him, surfing each wave

Building up faith, love’s reward

 

Healing our souls from darkness

Guiding us through stormy waves

Refreshing peace from God’s Word

Navigating, His grace saves

 

Walking on calmest waters

Shepherd’s mercy comes to save

Protecting from evil’s doom

Faith conquers incoming waves

 

Photo by Abdullah Ghatasheh on Pexels.com

From Acts 4:11-12:  “The stone that was rejected by you, the builders; it has become the cornerstone.  There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among mortals by which we must be saved.”

Navigating Change

Photo by Alex Azabache on Pexels.com

Time’s ever-changing river

Hours flowing day after day

Navigating change, life’s song

Destiny travels our way

 

Tomorrow’s adventure calls

River flows with rapid pace

Navigating change, be safe

Ambition now giving chase

 

Facing Niagara Falls

Calling out new direction

Navigating change, new route

River journey’s correction

 

River experience counts

Night’s campsite, overcrowded

Navigating change, next choice

New site empty, not crowded

 

Life shadows shifting river

Requires flexibility

Navigating change, time calls

Now teaching humility

 

Photo by Valentin Antonucci on Pexels.com

From the words of American business pioneer and founder of Mary Kay Cosmetics, Mary Kay Ash:  “When you come to a roadblock, take a detour.

God’s Greatness (Elfchen Series #61)

Righteousness

Remember

God’s promise

Grace delivers goodness

Eternal life through Jesus

Love

Photo by Athena on Pexels.com

Faithfulness

Follow

Heaven’s light

Love’s shining grace

Eternity’s ticket fully paid

Jesus

Photo by Rahul Pandit on Pexels.com

Worthiness

Accept

God’s love

Promises eternal life

Savior pays our debts

Christ

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

Vanishing Prairie

Courtesy of Pinterest.

Vanishing prairie hangs on

Isolated town foregone

 

Time long ago, grand premiere

History fading each year

 

Showing up on highway map

Road’s wide spot, taking a nap

 

Middle of farming country

Seldom find even one tree

 

Boarded-up wood-frame schoolhouse

Empty, forgotten courthouse

 

No longer town’s pride and joy

Critters, varmints now employ

 

Railroad track hides in tall grass

Recalling past trains, first-class

 

Grain elevator hanging on

Memories live, town’s swan song

 

Single street light standing guard

Night’s shadows, lasting vanguard

 

Yesteryear’s grandest of homes

Mystery for Sherlock Holmes

 

Faded sign for Ruth’s Café

Long absent dinner entrees

 

Movie theater shuttered

Smelling fresh popcorn, buttered

 

Few remember town’s past times

Hearing nature’s windy chimes

 

Past glory days, now long gone

Dim sunset, well past its dawn

  

Courtesy of Pinterest.

During my teaching career, I taught 25 years in the eastern prairie country of Montana.  Today, many small farming communities struggle for survival while others such as the one in this poem live on only as memories.

Walking in Light

From 1 John 1:6-7:  “If we say that we have fellowship with Him while we are walking in darkness, we lie and do not do what is true; but if we walk in the light as He Himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.”

Photo by Tobi on Pexels.com

Traveling earthly journey

Living alongside our Lord

Following His path with trust

Feeling love, grace brings accord

 

Pursuing God’s righteousness

Confessing sins, big and small

Obeying Holy commands

Hanging up when evil calls

 

Trading former self for love

Abandoning temptation

Accepting Jesus’ new light

His way, life’s blessed station

 

Teaching life from Father’s Word

Steering lives in righteous ways

Walking in light, blessing faith

Rejoicing with lasting praise

 

Photo by Brett Jordan on Pexels.com

From the words of American pastor and Christian teacher, Charles Stanley:  “Are you trying to carry old baggage into your walk with the Lord?  The attitudes, habits, and conduct that were yours before Christ must be abandoned in order for you to walk with God.”

Life’s Better Way (Haiku Series #137)

Impression

Sounding like Eeyore

Winnie-the-Pooh listens in—

Stop this gloomy talk

Courtesy of Pinterest.

Renewal

Negative self-talk

Pessimistic attitude—

Life needs makeover

Photo by Blue Bird on Pexels.com

Crossroads

Look into life’s lens

Allow bright sunshine inside—

Turning a new page

Photo by Ono Kosuki on Pexels.com