Monday Memories: Thanksgiving Memories

Today’s memory goes back to November, 2019.  Remembering past Thanksgiving gatherings with family long ago, creates images to last a lifetime in this updated poem.

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Remembering annual family gatherings from years past

Enjoying special, blessed times which will last and last

 

Filling Grandma’s packed house with people from near and far

Seeing aunts, uncles, and cousins—as numerous as the stars

 

Feeling the crisp, autumn air—possibly snow on the ground

Arriving with abundant food and family love to pass around

 

Pitching in, many helping hands prepare the meal

Eating together on Thanksgiving is a very big deal

 

Catching up on life from several corners of the state

Thanking the Lord that all arrived safely on this date

 

Listening to exciting conversation that fills the tiny house

Disappearing from a kitchen corner, a frightened mouse!

 

Preparing so many favorite and delicious treats

Tasting each will make today an awesome feast

 

Setting up Grandma’s sizable dining room table with care

Deciding where each family member will sit, here or there

 

Providing for extra places to eat in the living room

Anticipating that all of us will be eating very soon

 

Smelling the huge turkey roasting in the oven until finally done

Carving this bird and splitting the wishbone, most delicious fun

 

Pleasing everyone’s taste buds, with a gathering of yummy dishes

Adding stuffing, mashed potatoes, and yams to everyone’s wishes

 

Saving room for a sweet symphony of delicious pies

Savoring a slice of pumpkin or many others—Oh my!

 

Exchanging stories, playing cards, and watching football

Realizing too soon that the time says, “Goodnight to all”

 

Departing for home, before everyone’s bedtime arrives

Blessing our family time, this thanksgiving feels so alive

 

Smiling from her large window, Grandma feels so much love

Looking forward to experiencing peace, from the Lord above

 

 

 

 

Victorious Savior

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From Luke 24:1-3:  “But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they came to the tomb, taking the spices that they had prepared.  They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they went in, they did not find the body.”

A few believers stand in fear

God’s only Son dies a cruel way

Sorrow fills hearts so near

What will we now do and say?

 

Hope dies on a barren hill

Spotlighting a bloody cross

What happens—can’t be God’s will

Witnessing a life, now lost

 

Darkness fills a burial room

Feeling cold and forlorn

Sitting as an empty tomb

From here, hope is reborn

 

The sun rises on Easter morn

God’s Son fulfills His promise

Glorious Resurrection sets the norm

Even for a single, doubting Thomas

 

The greatest story ever told

We drop to a knee and pray

God’s action, never so bold

Victorious Christ, the final say

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A Writer’s Draft

This poem is inspired by the quotes featured in Suzette’s post at Suzette B’s Blog.  Her awesome post features wisdom and humor relating to writers.  Visit her site when you have a chance.

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Changing careers, a couple of years ago

Leaving the classroom, becoming a writer

Let’s just say, a writer’s living ain’t too full

 

Dreaming of my name on a bright marquee

Writing alongside . . . Twain and Hemingway

Let’s hope a dim light, stays positive for me

 

Piling up on my desk, many a “cold” draft

Feeling more like a frosty, Arctic breeze

Who ever said my writing is truly a craft?

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Expecting a bonus for my previous posts

Waiting, but no mail, call, or text as of yet

Most of my prose seems read by a ghost

 

Heading outside to start up the trusty car

Hearing only silence, the battery’s dead

Now must hitch a ride, if it’s not too far

 

Standing along the road, for hours on end

Being ignored has become a part of my life

A writer now a beggar, all alone in the wind

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Returning to my writing, it’s awfully bad

Writing a few minutes, my pen goes dry

A good thing, my mind’s empty and glad

 

Thinking of returning to my former classroom

Wishing my words would spark a young mind

Then Rebel says, “You came back too soon”

 

Looking at drafts, growing taller on my desk

Realizing now, editing isn’t really my game

Phantom words wait with patience and rest

 

Watching outside, realizing I’m truly blessed

Appreciating you, the reader, for stopping by

Just maybe, my writings meet the final test

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Sometimes, a crafty writer changes his tune

Words filled with sarcasm, fun to work with

Looking to see you another time, real soon

 

 

 

 

 

Special Remembrance . . . November 22

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Today marks the 56th anniversary of the assassination of American President John F. Kennedy on November 22, 1963.  Being seven years old at the time, my mind will forever hold onto memories of the entire series of events seen on numerous television news bulletins.

At the same time, the moments captured on film and in print showed a nation resolute in its purpose to march forward.  Little did we know what would lie ahead for America with the challenges of civil rights, Vietnam, and much more.

In January, 2019, I wrote about my personal memories as I watched a fallen President’s funeral procession solemnly marching down Pennsylvania Avenue.  The entire nation paused in mourning for its youthful leader.

Here is the link to the poem . . . A Nation Mourns

Haiku Series #37 (Life)

The Writer

Words coming to mind

Poetic wonders ignite—

A craftsman’s pen rolls

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Oh, yes!

Waking to aroma

What’s baking in the oven?

Fresh, delicious bread

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School Day

Walking to school each day

Forever uphill each way—

Looking for a ride

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Carry Our Burdens

From Matthew 11:28-29:  “[Jesus says] Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 

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Walking

With weariness

Life’s heavy burdens

Causing missteps and stumbles

 

Coming

With light

Our Lord shines

Trusting always in Him

 

Casting

Our burdens

Upon His shoulders

Jesus will sustain us

 

Gentle

In spirit

Humble in heart

He will deliver us

 

Righteous

Reigning above

Immovable spirit

Lessens our taxing burdens

 

Jesus

Sending protection

The Good Shepherd

Caring for His flock

 

Sin

Washed away

By Christ’s blood

Our burdens grow lighter

 

Accepting

His Salvation

Following Jesus Christ

Our Lord and Savior

 

Patiently

Jesus waits

We come forward

Bearing one another’s burdens

 

Praying

With devotion

For one another

Reborn again through Christ

 

Christ

We believe

Follow God’s Son

Victory over our sins

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From Psalm 55:22:  “Cast your burden on the Lord, and He will sustain you; He will never permit the righteous to be moved.”

Haiku Series #36 (With God)

Incredible

Our Lord and Savior

Scorned and cast as a loser—

Witness empty tomb!

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Moment with God

Prayer time at school

Meeting outside at flagpole—

Sharing God’s blessings

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Blessed Morning

Church bells ring with joy

Calling all to worship as one—

Praise God Almighty

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Monday Memories: Guardian of the Range

Welcome to another edition of Monday Memories.  This poem was originally written in January, 2019.  This version has been updated and edited, but it still tells the same story through poetry.

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Photo credit:  Jack Sorenson Fine Art, Inc.

A tardy, spring snowstorm assaults the grassy range

It provides a local rancher with extra work and pain

 

A newborn calf has lost her way in the heavy snow

She needs to be found soon before the wind blows

 

A solitary cowboy proceeds into the storm on his horse

He prepares to track down the stray calf in due course

 

An oversized winter coat protects him from the bitter cold

He pulls down a worn, black hat and looks ready and bold

 

The horse stands majestic and obeys each command

He and the cowboy will tackle the work hand in hand

 

The courageous pair rides together into the nasty storm

Both will be tested to rescue the lonely calf before morn

 

The snowflakes thankfully hesitate for a moment or two

Now the cowboy follows the calf’s tracks, totally in view

 

The stout horse plows through the snow so white

The lost calf may soon be discovered in their sight

 

The frightened calf huddles near a sheltering Ponderosa pine

She appears weak, cold, exhausted, and running out of time

 

The cowboy gathers the bawling calf in his brawny arms

He places her on the front of his saddle, away from harm

 

The threesome struggle to reach a much warmer place

Everyone looks forward to warm nourishment to taste

 

They journey to the ranch as quickly as possible

The loss of a vigorous calf is no longer probable

 

The cowboy dismounts and allows the calf to sprint free

She hurries to her waiting mother who is pleased to see

 

Mother and daughter stand together, united at long last

The calf nurses and sucks nourishment amazingly fast

 

The trusty and faithful horse is now saddle free

He devours extra oats with tasty hay with glee

 

The range’s guardian has returned home safe and sound

He finds his anxious wife and son, who no longer frown

 

The family of three feel graciously loved and blessed

The faithful shepherd has returned from a stern test

 

Bringing Comfort

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

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Preparing the way of our Holy Lord

Our God brings His comfort toward

 

His sovereignty reigns over all

From the mountains ever tall

 

To the fertile valleys below

His Word, permanently full

 

God’s Word levels life’s bumpy road

Smoothing rough patches, He molds

 

When the Lord speaks, change comes

His creation sings praises of welcome

 

Seasons arrive and fade away each year

God’s Word stands forever, without fear

 

Coming with His outstretched, mighty hands

God nourishes His flock across all the lands

 

We taste the sweetness, without strife

Forever, He delivers His Bread of Life

 

God’s comforting arms lovingly gather all

His rod and staff bring a comforting call

 

As a shepherd, He protects like none other

Caring for His lambs, better than a mother

 

His glory stretches endlessly across the heavens

Covering the earth with His manna, unleavened

 

Calling out each person by his or her name

God’s endless love covers us all the same

 

Our Lord never grows impatient, weary, or tired

His Word proclaims all eternity, never to expire

 

Rising on wings of eagles, nothing less

Sending new strength to the powerless

 

Delivering real power to the faint, indeed

Bringing tender comfort to those in need

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Haiku Series #35 (Life)

Switching

Summer leaves early

Autumn arrives with fanfare—

Glorious colors

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Like None Other

Meeting years ago

Time shared with one’s special mate—

Love for a lifetime

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Alone

Quiet days and nights

Feeling lost and forgotten—

Taken for granted

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