Bagels and cream cheese
Delicious breakfast or snack—
Sweet carbs explosion
Triple chocolate
You bake it, then I eat it—
Decadent cheesecake
Buttermilk pancakes
Dreaming of breakfast’s sweetness—
Oh no! Diner closed!
This poem is a guest post from my then 11-year old granddaughter. She wrote this poem for her Language Arts class, and she has given permission to post her untouched words just as she wrote them. Enjoy the gratitude that she shares.
This warm bed
that is really comfy and soft
that is only payed off
by my parents and their jobs
that is filled with
blankets, pillows, and stuffed animals
that is around me as I
dream off to sleep
I lay there at night
to recharge my body
I lay there to rest
my body
I lay there if I am sick
to help heal my body
I lay there to wake up
to get ready for the day
As we get ready to
dream off again
I lay there ready to fall
asleep
Soon I am fast asleep ZZZZZZ
From Ephesians 4:31-32: “Put away from you all bitterness and wrath and anger and wrangling and slander, together with all malice, and be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ has forgiven you.”
Life’s battered bucket sometimes overflows
Facing daily challenges, too immense
One challenge standing apart from the rest
Using forgiveness seems much too intense
Our righteous Father teaches forgiveness
Extending His mercy through earnest hearts
Breathe every truth in its entirety
Receiving His grace with humble hearts
Take in God’s Word, His Holy Commandments
Burying bitterness, it lifts the heart
Always best to forgive, forget, move on
Beating with freedom’s light, opens the heart
As humans, reacting much too quickly
Expressing heated anger, fixing blame
Slow to forgive, even more to forget
Stepping now with humbleness, drowns the flames
No longer in the enemy’s darkness
Praying the sun does not set on one’s rage
With our Lord’s truth, filling with righteousness
Following God’s way, life writes a new page
From the words of American pastor and Christian author, Jim Cymbala: “Looking back over my life, all I can see is mercy and grace written in large letters everywhere. May God help me have the same kind of heart toward those who wound or offend me.”
From John 8:32: “And you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.”
Blessed land stretching from ocean to ocean
Spacious skies wink at fields of abundant grain
Framed in by towering, majestic mountains
God’s Grace covering the land like fruitful rain
Lady Liberty extends her message of hope
Calling out, only demanding to breathe free
Ensuring freedom for the huddled masses
Keeping her torch lite, from sea to shining sea
Asking God to mend a nation’s ills and flaws
Lifting praises up to the Father above
His glory be forever praised here below
Liberty and freedom shall ring, filled with love
Forgiving our nation’s errors and transgressions
Healing hearts of discord, peace now safeguarded
Leading this nation out of its dark wilderness
Remembering an old path, long discarded
Nation founded from scratch, with lasting vision
“All men are created equal” crying out
Endowed from the Creator, come certain rights
Life, liberty, pursuit of happiness shout
“America the Beautiful” is a beloved song. You are invited to listen to this familiar song, as sung by Lee Greenwood
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
