Mister Sycamore

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Far older than every one of the neighboring trees

Standing taller than many, all take notice and see

 

The prized King of Walnut Woods reigns today

Calling him Mister Sycamore, his subjects say

 

With branches elevating up towards the sky

Measuring his girth, takes many hands to try

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Visitors pause to salute nature’s monarch

Standing in reverence as park’s landmark

 

The Woods change from season to season

Watching over all, is the King’s main reason

 

He holds on to his leaves longer in fall

Guarding the land in winter, always tall

 

His leaves take some time to fill out in spring

Providing ample shade in summer is his thing

 

His expansive canopy of branches spreads wide

Peeling off sections of bark, creates whitish sides

 

His heir, the Prince, waiting in the wings

Rising lean and tall by a creek, he sings

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Farther away, a thick grove of younger ones wait

Dreaming who will grow to be the tallest, so great

 

Mister Sycamore loves many Bible stories

Lifting Jesus up in total and brilliant glory

 

The story of Zacchaeus climbing a Sycamore tree

Being much too short for Jesus to find, there he be

Ohio’s biggest recorded tree is an American Sycamore found in Ashland County near Jeromesville.  The tree is at least 200 years old, stands 88 feet tall, and measures 326 inches around its circumference. 

Monday Memories: Cat with a Fiddle

Here is another edition of Monday Memories, where Big Sky Buckeye brings back a previous post from months ago.  Today’s poem was written back in October, 2018, and the content has been updated just a bit.  Enjoy some fun with this short, yet humorous poem.

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Down the road skips the cat with the fiddle

Singing and playing, but ready with a riddle

 

Feeling happy and joyous on a sunny morn

Always looking at his life without any scorn

 

Passing by, a child asks the friendly cat

Why don’t you trade that fiddle for a bat

 

Replying back, a bat was used many years in the past

Playing as a member of a regretfully bad baseball cast

 

Leaving a life on the ball diamond without a smile

Skipping to an exciting destiny to walk many a mile

 

Now days are filled with music and merry vibes

Feel free to join me on my journey and be alive

 

Thirsty for Living Water

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Like deer at a flowing stream

I wake thirsty from a dream

Tears feed me, night and day

“Where is your God?” people say

 

My spirit is cast down low

God’s faithful, trusty love, He shows

Nightly, Psalms sing to my heart

Praying for my life to restart

 

My flesh cries out in thirst

God’s love will always arrive first

In the middle of dry land

His love extends from His hand

 

Sometimes life brings bitterness to drink

Thirsty like parched land, I think

The Gospel brings forward good news

Living water quenches, like morning dew

 

The Enemy taunts me once more

“Where is your God?” he implores

He has left and forsaken you

Your tiny life should be through

 

Glory of God fills the streams

Desert sands become pools, no dream

Grass thickens across the vast plains

Springs arise, thirst never to wane

 

Jesus, the Lamb, shepherds me now

Providing living water, kneel and bow

Come, take this water of life

Receiving God’s grace, without any strife

 

Waking in the darkness of night

Thirsty for God’s message of might

Making water flow from a stone

Split open by God’s blessed tone

 

The Enemy’s spirit no longer swarms

Thirst for righteousness, defeats any storms

All who thirst, seek God’s altar

Holy Spirit’s living water, never falters

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Photo by Ali Hassan on Pexels.com

 

Coast to Coast

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Photo by Jamie McInall on Pexels.com

Sightseeing from Atlantic to Pacific coasts

Experiencing America, with much to boast

 

Lady Liberty’s gleaming torch welcomes all

Blazing autumn colors define Vermont’s fall

 

Appalachians conceal valleys, nestled with small towns

Nashville plays music for biggest “Country” hoedown

 

Florida’s Everglades house gators galore

Across America’s skies, bald eagles soar

 

Commanding Mississippi River slices through the land

Florida and California beaches offer up surf and sand

 

Interstate highways transport autos everywhere

Great Lakes provide a waterway, here to there

 

New Orleans offering its French Quarter to entertain

To the South, Rio Grande River creates a watery lane

 

America’s breadbasket reaps harvests from the Great Plains

Loaded grain, freight, and more journey on mile-long trains

 

Towering Rockies sing of marvelous beauty up high

Visiting out West, appreciating a Big Montana Sky

 

Seattle’s Pike’s Market, a distinctive place to treasure

California’s redwoods, their height is one to measure

 

Arid Southwest rains bloom flowers throughout the land

Grand Canyon’s brilliant scenery plays a winning hand

 

Finally reaching the Pacific coast at long last

The Golden Gate Bridge arrives much too fast

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Praying for America

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Being a Christian with benevolence residing in my heart, I pray daily for America.  With a positive outlook, let us never forsake our nation or any nation.  Because we can learn and apply many lessons from America’s roots; may we, as a nation and as a global community, reach out with renewed hope.  

Some proclaim America is drifting away

But God is great, He will point the way

He totally understands our weaknesses—yes!

From them come God’s strengths—no less!

 

God sees our miscalculations and missteps

Our Lord observes the discord we’ve met

God hears and sees all, He lets out a sigh

May He fill us with His wisdom from high

 

The Lord hears harsh words, we regret

They are but, an utterly empty breath

God will not forsake us or any nation

He won’t abandon our grave situation

 

The righteous experience the arrival of hope

Those upright in hearts, follow God’s scope

When our nation’s footing continues to slip

God’s steadfast love marches, without a skip

 

Look up, always trust, and continue to believe

Allow Christ’s assurance to shine and please

God reigns faithfully, compassion so awesome

His love prevails with Spirit, always to blossom

 

We, like Christ’s Disciples, occasionally lack faith

Recall the feeding of five thousand on that date

Jesus brings the Gospel forward, front and center

Soften our harsh rhetoric, allow the Gospel to enter

 

God’s House shall not be divided, nor torn apart

United, a nation stands resilient, God in its heart

The Lord is our stronghold, gather together

Allow His safe refuge to be our rock forever

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Haiku Series #19 (Humor)

Good Morning

 Hey you, wake-up man

It’s Monday morning, again—

Hit the snooze, repeat!

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Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

 

Traffic Jam

 Cars backed up on road

What’s holding up traffic now?

Pair of geese fighting

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Photo by STANLEY NGUMA on Pexels.com

 

Confused

 Home of the Whopper

Welcome to your Burger King—

What’s with the tacos?

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Photo by Vinícius Caricatte on Pexels.com

Monday Memories: Buckeye Football Fans

 

Here is another installment of Monday Memories.  This poem was first published back in October during the middle of the college football season.   He enjoys following and cheering for his two favorite college football teams

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Filling the huge Horseshoe in their scarlet and gray

Cheering on their beloved Buckeyes each Saturday

 

Watching mascot Brutus fire up the thousands of fans

Experiencing tailgate parties from the back of a van

 

Sitting elbow to elbow in the bleacher seats

Seeing that the Buckeyes are hard to beat

 

Experiencing another remarkable Michigan victory

Wondering what Coach Woody would want to see

 

Go Buckeyes Go!

Conquer another foe!

Special Note:  The reference to Coach Woody honors the greatest of all Buckeyes’ football coaches, Woody Hayes.  He coached the Buckeyes from 1950-1978.  His teams won five national championships and 13 Big Ten conference titles.

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Another college football season is upon us.  Now you know where my football allegiance stands:  Montana State Bobcats and Ohio State Buckeyes.  I need to hurry along now to stay ahead of rivals Montana Grizzlies and Michigan Wolverines.

My Lovely Lady

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Each morning, she waits with calmness

Her attitude reflects poise and kindness

 

She cherishes conversation, sitting at my knee

Listening attentively, she enjoys being with me

 

Her appearance shows off beauty and her shape

Inviting me to meet her for another special date

 

She has become an independent thinker

Dreaming of new adventures, she tinkers

 

She doesn’t mind others taking a mid-day nap

Sleeping for a few winks, she’s out in a snap

 

She welcomes the weather on sunny days

Frowning when rain clouds gather to stay

 

She looks forward to sweet morning walks

Experiencing nature, she seldom ever talks

 

Sometimes at dusk, she lets out a fright

Watching out a window, deer in her sight

 

Allow me to introduce this loyal and lovely lady

She’s been a perfect friend, her name is Sadie

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Sadie is an English Lab, and she is a dear friend to her family.  Sometimes, I am invited to help watch her when family is away.  As you can see, she loves her nap time.

Here is a link to the first poem featuring Sadie.  It was published back in November. 

Morning Praise

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From Proverbs 3:26:  “For the Lord will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being caught.”

This early morning time

Brings moments of praise

Spirits gather to climb

Warmed by the sun’s rays

 

God’s Word speaks out

With wisdom and clout

 

Another day appears ready

Feet will not stumble

God’s Word marches steady

Never afraid to tumble

 

God’s Word speaks out

With wisdom and clout

 

For the humble receive

God’s favor and love

Avoid those who deceive

Look to Heaven above

 

God’s Word speaks out

With wisdom and clout

 

Arise, prepared for the Lord

He’s endlessly in control

Arming all with His sword

Leading us out on patrol

 

God’s Word speaks out

With wisdom and clout

 

This morn sings a song

Filling with God’s praises

One cannot be wrong

With Salvation, He raises

 

God’s Word speaks out

With wisdom and clout

 

Nourish us right now

God’s manna is ready

Take a knee and bow

He keeps us steady

 

God’s Word speaks out

With wisdom and clout

 

Our day comes alive

From God’s trusting light

Allowing us to thrive

‘Til day becomes night

 

God’s Word arrives at dawn

Always full, never gone