Nature sending love
Despite social distancing—
Smelling sweet flowers
Deep in the forest
Harmony reigns over all—
Are we listening?
One, two, three, four, five
Their heads bobbing up and down—
Turkeys in tall grass
A very early poem of mine was entitled “Still a Desperate Man” which was inspired by Eric Church’s top country music hit of “Desperate Man.” If you missed the earlier poem, follow the link. I want to thank Jim Borden of Borden’s Blather for encouraging me to write this sequel. I encourage you to check out Jim’s blog with its wonderful and inspiring variety of posts.
Waking up each morning, right on time
My alarm clock allows this day to climb
Feeling happiness—this life now rhymes
Driving to work in a brand new set of wheels
With low monthly payments, my wallet squeals
Feeling joy—kicking up these dancing heels
Returning from work, this day’s in the books
Satisfied with how that hefty, new raise looks
Feeling elation—inviting a new life’s chinook
Opening up the fridge, filled with favorite delights
Dinner tonight, taking taste buds to new heights
Feeling serenity—life marches in bright lights
Opening the mail one quiet afternoon
My love’s note makes this heart swoon
Feeling peace—love takes us to the moon
Looking forward to seeing her this weekend
Her love will always be a blessed godsend
Feeling humility—life no longer at loose ends
This incredible life now follows a new game plan
Sailing calm waters aboard life’s catamaran
No longer will I ever feel like a desperate man
Freedom
Many examples
Sheltered from fear
Basic human need for
All
Liberty
Different meanings
Across a nation
Finding common ground as
One
Trust
Competing views
Seeking the light
Finding balance for a
Nation
The German-inspired poetry style of Elfchen (or Elevenie) contains five lines of poetic verse, usually without the use of rhyming verses. A total of 11 words are used with a sequence of one, two, three, and four words before ending with a single word in the final verse.
Silent darkness arrives along the lake’s shore
Bringing beauty, but there is danger and more
Nightfall’s murkiness shrouding any potential peril
Hiding exposed reefs and shoals that may imperil
Loaded vessels silently lumber toward their destinations
Navigating through the gloom to reach their final stations
Danger lurking along a concealed shoreline in the empty dark
Demanding the skipper to plot a course so steady on its mark
A lighthouse stands alone by the shore’s breakwater
Warning of unexpected hazards so ships don’t falter
For years, Lake Erie’s travel routes have been patrolled
Providing warning lights and fog sirens, bright and bold
Numerous nighttime sentries light up along Ohio’s coast
Protecting ships and crew at locations that harbor a post
Ashtabula, Sandusky, Conneaut, Marblehead, and Lorain
Marking safe passage for crossing Erie’s shipping lanes
A misty fog blanketing the rocky shore this lonely night
Synchronizing light with sound, a lone sentinel’s might
Today’s ships cruise with improved navigational systems
Sparking too many lighthouses to decline and fall victim
Some guardians along Erie’s shore are preserved
Reminding visitors of a rich, past history to serve
Unique and fascinating designs still live to shine
Preventing accidents and calamities for all time
From Ephesians 6:10-11: “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His power. Put on the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.”
God’s people under attack
Roaring lion on the prowl
Looking for prey to devour
Evil presence brings a scowl
Days becoming the darkest
Running away from the Lord
But, hope waits like eagles’ wings
Holy Spirit comes aboard
Remaining strong with our Lord
Under His mighty power
Wearing protective armor
God’s Word will carry the hour
Our Father’s righteousness speaks
Spirit with us on this day
Withstanding what evil brings
Defeating darkness His way
Time to witness hope-filled faith
Praying daily for action
Quench evil’s flaming arrows
Calling for man’s retraction
Behind His truth, standing firm
Urging others to repent
Proclaiming Gospel of peace
Our Holy God will relent
From Psalm 85:6-7: “Will you not revive us again, so that your people may rejoice in you? Show us your steadfast love, O Lord, and grant us your salvation.”
I feel so fortunate to have so much of nature’s treasures not far from my front door. Two metro parks are a short drive away, and their endless song always beckons me to return. The photos used with this poem were taken in central Ohio at various times of the year.
Nature will never sing the blues
Her beauty sends out blessed clues
Walking with her in tranquil woods
Sharing her soul, always feels good
Moments cherished, singing with joy
Her spirit brings much to enjoy
Spending endless hours in her care
Filling with melodies to share
Life’s journey follows nature’s tune
Her endless smile reaches the moon
Smelling the essence of tall pines
Tasting better than vineyard’s wines
Cycle of living never fades
Nature coyly playing charades
Changing seasons bring new décor
Hearing symphonies, voices soar
Autumn sets up winter’s game plan
Spring fading into summer’s tan
Composing its endless, ageless song
Hearing nature, singing along
Angry, stormy seas
Nature’s spirit at its worst
Fear of tomorrow
Across the horizon comes
Peace and love in a new light
Darker and darker
Harshest words shouting through clouds
Louder and louder
Sunshine opening these skies
God’s rainbow showing His peace
Nature’s harmony
Unbalanced and falling down
Lightning splitting peace
Sudden calmness comes to all
Rebuilding broken pieces
A Tanka is a Japanese form of poetry, which is related to its cousin Haiku. The poem uses 31 syllables covering five lines (with syllable counts following a 7, 5, 5, 7 and 7 sequence). An effective Tanka uses personification, metaphors, and similes in its construction, and it performs well in expressing a mood, a thought, or a feeling.
From the words of Dr. Martin Luther King: “Courage faces fear and thereby masters it. Cowardice represses fear and is thereby mastered by it.”
Worry arrives with concerns never to come
Building upon past fears, stoking future ones
Life’s landscape fills with looming mountains
Instead of gentle molehills, fear gathers and stuns
Concerns about future challenges come forth
Transforming into worries, fueling more fear
Darkest clouds come together and gather
Who will grab the wheel and start to steer?
Waiting for our Lord, He renews our strength
Living by faith, His Word restores our soul
Rejoicing in hope, patient in suffering
Renewed by the Spirit, we feel more whole
God always walks with us, seek Him in prayer
Darkest valleys ahead, His love casts out fears
With compassion for our sufferings, hear His Word
Comforted by His rod and staff, God never veers
Asking of our Father, seeking His counsel
Bringing clearer witness, through His precise scope
His guidance renews our hearts, calming fears
His wisdom touches minds, filled with Gospel hope
From Mark 5:35-36: “While He was still speaking, some people came from the leader’s house to say, ‘Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the teacher any further?’ But overhearing what they said, Jesus said to the leader of the synagogue, ‘Do not fear, only believe.'”
From recent editions of The Columbus Dispatch, here are some headlines pulled together into a poetry format. We are blessed in the United States to experience the presence of a free press. I am blessed to be able to read a local newspaper which does an effective job of being objective in its reporting.
School funding equity reform continues to vex lawmakers
Economic downturns, budget cuts turn into deal breakers
Racism proclaimed as a public health plague
Insuring equitable policies, no longer vague
Spare bedrooms shouldn’t be a home for junk
Cleaning and decluttering this neglected funk
Underpaid, essential workers feeling pushed to the brink
Working under conditions, where danger doesn’t shrink
Books delve into joys, thrills, mysteries of living
Rediscovering one’s love to read, always giving
Peaceful protest awakens a small community
Exercising constitutional rights, walk for unity
Expectant women consider giving birth at home
Fearing pandemic at hospital, isolated and alone
Protest arrives in another small town
Rumors and hatred stir up all around
Cool investment of money can buy posh LA chateau
Dazzling, skyline residence requires hefty cash flow
Local man walking the state, one step at a time
His reflections leading to a quiet, new paradigm
Crippled postal service tackling financial woes
Pandemic cutting usage, usual revenue slows
Walking, marching together—freedom as one
Tired of hatred and discrimination—never fun
Stormy clouds approach
Life’s storms threaten with darkness—
Christ quiets the wind
Jesus promises
Another Advocate comes—
The Holy Spirit
Jesus walks ahead
Emmanuel, God with us—
Coming to save us
Big Sky Buckeye 