In Trappe, Maryland
Sitting at the Coffee Trappe—
Great food and coffee
A former bank building is home now for the Coffee Trappe.
Maryland Blue Crab
Harvesting crab pots daily—
Delicious cuisine
Checking crab pots on the Choptank River near Cambridge.
Crossing the Bay Bridge
Eastern Shore welcomes us home–
Picture perfect scenes
Sites such as this abound all around the Eastern Shore.
Walking along an unknown, isolated trail
Hoping that this journey goes without fail
Watching skyward for some warm fun
Hiding behind clouds, escapes the sun
Hurrying along the narrow path against the windy cold
Seeking to not find too much adventure—yet be bold!
Traveling quickly, the brisk pace advances along
Thinking this morning hike, nothing can go wrong
Turning a corner, approaching a different place
Seeing a fork coming up and slowing the pace
Searching the mysterious routes of twin solitary trails
Feeling confidence slipping, suspense tips the scales
Deciding to journey down the unfamiliar path on the right
Adjusting the trip’s rhythm, accepting challenges in sight
Moving along another route, sometimes part of life
Aligning conflicting thoughts, without further strife
Finishing this satisfying walk, never feeling ready to fail
Realizing life’s unique treks, resemble being on this trail
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What is so special about simple rain?
Have you truly witnessed God’s gift of rain?
Everywhere, anticipation of rain
Withering crops crave God’s rainfall today
Farmers wait faithfully for rains to come
Without rain, hearts and plants start to decay
The farmland depends on these vital rains
Last year, little rain arrives to help out
Sunny skies chase away clouds too often
“Next year” cries out from thirsty lands of drought
Farmers sow their spring crops on faith alone
Waiting for nature to moisten the ground
Praying to the Lord, asking for His rain
Rain arrives, new life rising skyward bound
God sends righteousness, in the form of rain
Fulfilling prayers, easing farmers’ pain
From Isaiah 45:8: “Shower, O heavens, from above, and let the skies rain down righteousness; let the earth open, that salvation may spring up, and let it cause righteousness to sprout up also; I the Lord have created it.”
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Jesus gathers up His apostles from humble ground
Making up God’s team, their witness shall abound
God’s Word oversees the performance of this team
Standing as chief executive, seeing holiest theme
The Holy Spirit earmarks the hearts and brains
Serving as the binding glue, better than chains
Returning to the beginning of God’s creative time
Transforming a land, His Word continues to climb
The Creator conceives of a perfect place for man
Placing Adam and Eve in Eden, always His plan
But, Adam and Eve journey on a sin-filled path
Leaving the ample garden, under God’s wrath
From this moment, God’s team stumbles and wanders
Facing estrangement from God, His people squander
Jesus comes to bridge what separates us from God
Sitting at the right hand, coaching a humbled squad
God establishes His expectations, perfectly high
Faltering and imperfect mortals, will never satisfy
The team continues to collapse over and over again
Forgetting God’s Commandments, sin seems to win
Many teams measure success by the flashy show
Works by themselves, will never add much glow
But, Jesus shepherds His team on a brand new track
Following by faith alone, Jesus always has their back
He reminds us to always love our God in Heaven’s seat
Loving each other as you have loved Me, always repeat
A bloody, criminal’s Cross summons all to take a knee
Accepting Jesus as Savior, teammates look up to see
Our Father orchestrates, with infinite patience and love
Creating and molding, the Great I Am looks from above
Jesus remains alert at the Creator’s side
Carrying keys to eternal life, all bona fide
As team members, we must trust, follow, and abide
Playing for Jesus, His coaching is forever our guide
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Cherish your visions and your dreams as they are the children of your soul, the blueprints of your ultimate achievements.
From Habakkuk 2:2: “Then the Lord answered me and said: ‘Write the vision; make it plain on tablets, so that a runner may read it.'”
Snowflake
Brilliant white
Each one unique
Inviting more to come
Blizzard
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Hungry
Stomach growls
Something to eat
Sweetness fashions a surprise
Doughnuts
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Man
And woman
Husband and wife
Sharing life’s cherished journey
Love
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An Elfchen is a form of German-inspired poetry. It is sometimes referred to as an Elevenie. In German, Elfchen means “wee eleven.” The poem is constructed with a total of eleven lines, distributed among five rows. If you need more information, search the Internet for more about the basics of writing in this poetry genre.
Summer’s radiant warmth fills the morning air
Playing children scamper, filling simple cares
Park trees arising with lively hues, bounty of dreams
Dancing shadows flowing beneath, moving like streams
People come and go, some stay for more
Singing above, summer birds fly and soar
Empty benches welcome many, resting a spell
Inviting a gray-haired man to sit now and dwell
Images scurry around him, some only in his mind
Remembering yesteryears, when all felt defined
Career, money, and power once meeting his needs
Sitting all alone now, like ancient dried-up reeds
One detail has been missing in his life
Leaving God has wounded like a knife
Alone, feeling forsaken, helpless at times
Living a life, nothing richer than springtime
Laughing and carefree, small children bring him joy
Filling his empty heart, much like a brand new toy
At God’s chosen bench, now sharing with a stranger
Smiling, a lady shares about a stable’s Holy manger
She notices him here quite often, sitting all alone
Inspired by God’s love, now enters his quiet zone
This visit and chat create sweet treasures
Sharing God’s Word, true by any measure
Jesus’ message of Salvation brings honest light
Kneeling, the old man accepts his Holy might
This worn bench brings God to a lonely heart
Allowing this man, a fresh and bold restart
Her assignment being fulfilled, now time to travel on
Replenishing this man’s heart with Grace and a song
Many others arrive at this park every day
Missing out on what this angel has to say
Pausing and viewing
Photos on digital frame—
Lasting and unique
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Every Wednesday
High school faculty meeting—
Weekly poker game
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Around a campfire
Remembering good ol’ days—
Life’s recollections
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This poem was originally published in October, 2018, making it one of my earliest poems. The content drives the poem, and the format has been updated from its original style.
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Designed to carry a road or cross a ravine or river
Bridges are constructed to carry a load to deliver
Bridge designs range from very simple to complex
Some look very basic and daunting from the rest
More primitive bridges make one’s legs tremble and shake
Crossing them seems like a journey, certainly not to make
Scaling Everest, the world’s tallest and best known peak
Climbers use a crevasse bridge for the thrills they seek
Relishing a drive along many of America’s roads, without despair
Crossing a covered bridge that is unique and kept in good repair
More complex types are designed with beauty it seems
Trestle, arch, suspension, girder, drawbridge, and beam
Famous bridges are found nearly everywhere
Nearly all are built with a great amount of care
Sadly, a small number of bridges weaken and collapse
Due to flooding, earthquakes, or an engineering lapse
Pittsburgh proclaims to be the “City of Bridges” at last count
But, New York City possesses more bridges, without a doubt
Some bridges are named after people of notable fame
Benjamin Franklin and Andy Warhol, a couple to name
Other bridges are found in legends, films, and books
Golden Gate, Mackinac, and Brooklyn—take a look!
European designers have been busy in many places
Hamburg and Amsterdam’s bridges fill their spaces
Bridges comprise some of man’s grandest monuments of all
Designing impressive engineering marvels that shouldn’t fall
As some plan to demolish an old, downtrodden bridge
Expect others to stand and cry out, “Save Our Bridge”
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From Matthew 14:25-27: “And early in the morning He came walking toward them on the sea. But when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were terrified, saying, ‘It is a ghost!’ And they cried out in fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them and said, ‘Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid.'”
Following God’s commandments
Delivering steadfast courage
Building up one’s faith and trust
Go sends us forth, encouraged
Imagine walking each day
With Biblical superstars
Amazing stories with truth
God waiting near, not too far
Israel cries out in Egypt
God hears their anguish and pain
Moses’ courage answers prayers
Pharaoh’s heart, forever slain
God commissions a leader
Joshua destined to lead
His faith in God carries strength
His plan and vision succeeds
Daniel faces certain death
Overcoming his demise
God foils lions’ hunger
Courage arrives in disguise
Christ completes His final task
A Cross marks defeat, they say
His living breath creates light
Salvation, lives from that day
Boldness, defined by our Lord
Confronting uncertain pain
Faithful and steadfast courage
God’s love, never will abstain
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From American film actress, Dorothy Bernard: “Courage is fear that has said its prayers.”
