Friday, the 13th

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Does Friday, the 13th, bring on bad luck?

Breaking a mirror, let’s not make a scene

Crossing paths with a black cat, now fear struck

This Friday’s trying hard, to make us scream

 

Let’s focus on a different number

Twelve delivers a comforting meaning

Twelve Days of Christmas, never to shudder

Twelve Tribes of Israel, never demeaning

 

For some people, “thirteen” seems unlucky

Not really sure why others whine and fuss

Heading out the door with my dog Lucky

Snow flurries in June, now that’s treasonous!

 

So, what’s the big deal about the 13th?

Just change the calendar to the 14th

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Faithful Prayer

The words of this poem are inspired from some of my prayers for family, friends, and acquaintances here on WordPress.   Being a prayer warrior is an important element of my faith and witness.  

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From Psalm 86:5-6:  “For you, O Lord, are good and forgiving, abounding in steadfast love to all who call on you.  Give ear, O Lord, to my prayer; listen to my cry of supplication.

Praying for others through God’s love . . .

 

Praying with patience and care

Asking God with nothing to spare

 

Witnessing son’s lasting love for his Dad

Time spent together, making both glad

 

Bringing empathy and care to a young boy

Cancer rages, but medical staff deploys

 

Waiting for prodigal children to return

Inviting God, His lessons will be learned

 

Watching a lost mother, now showing love

Children feeling God’s mercy, from above

 

Allowing time to heal a brother’s relationship

Now picking up the phone, full of friendship

 

Battling health problems for years and years

Faithfulness and hope carry on, without fear

 

Nurturing a relationship, despite great distance

Love flourishes, with God’s constant assistance

 

Finding life no longer survives through a bottle

Weekly AA meetings turn up a man’s throttle

 

Moving to a new city, with its new demands

New job arrives, life settles in God’s hands

 

Feeling empty loneliness, each and every day

Woman discovers love, with so much to say

 

Revealing unconditional love toward a spouse

Love carries on, refilling this blessed house

 

Sacrificing His Son for our sinful ways

God offers Jesus, with Salvation today

 

Praying for others through God’s love . . .

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Enough Is Enough

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Harvest and Halloween, over and done

Autumn trying to hang on for some fun

 

November arrives, but what you say?

Christmas music begins to fill the day

 

Black Friday “Preview Sale” beckons us

To be shopping, without all of this fuss

 

Right on schedule, Thanksgiving arrives

Eating far, far too much, we’ll all survive

 

But wait . . . Pre-Black Friday calls

Following our feast, off to the mall

 

What’s absolutely annoying with this scene?

Leaving family to shop, a dreadful scheme

 

Oh!  My frosty enthusiasm, definitely not humming

This longer shopping season; totally mind-numbing

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Hold on to your horses!  There’s more to come

Political campaigns rolling, like a beating drum

 

Elections are months and months away

Too many candidates, with little to say

 

The rhetoric ramps up, the speeches too long

Hoping laryngitis will quell voices, with a gong

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Buried with mindless literature in the daily mail

Sales flyers and candidates’ bios, tip the scale

 

At least, there is one good thing with this mess

Plenty of excessive paper to start a fire, no less

 

While warming myself and trying now to relax

Please accept my apologies for all of this flak

 

Enough is enough, these changes are too extreme

Wishing now for more simple times, I shall dream

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Haiku Series #42 (Life)

Novelist

Words, words, and more words

Thrilling adventures crafted—

Gifts of a writer

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Mentors

Caring and thoughtful

Teachers make a difference—

For countless lifetimes

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Meditating

Car radio plays

Soothing and peaceful music—

Parked in the driveway

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Monday Memories: Still a Desperate Man

Country music artist, Eric Church, released “Desperate Man” back in October, 2018.  After hearing the song, his lyrics inspired me to write one of my earliest poems about a desperate man after hearing the song.  This poem has been updated from the original.  

Waking up in the morning much, much too late

My alarm clock was telling me to sleep and wait

I’m still a desperate man!

 

Opening my bank statement one afternoon

A positive balance won’t come anytime soon

I’m still a desperate man!

 

Looking forward to a hot shower early in the morn

The frigid, cold water tells me this is not the norm

I’m still a desperate man!

 

Forgetting to check my car’s fuel gauge

The gas runs out, and my emotions rage

I’m still a desperate man!

 

Turning on my bathroom light, around midnight

The bulb burns out, and leaves me in a fright

I’m still a desperate man!

 

Returning home after a long week on the road

Discover the fridge conked out, nothing’s cold

I’m still a desperate man!

 

Arriving at work on a cloudy, rainy, gray day

My boss tells me to permanently stay away

I’m still a desperate man!

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Ease This Pain

From Isaiah 49:13:  “Sing for joy, O heavens, and exult, O earth; break forth, O mountains, into singing!  For the Lord has comforted His people, and will have compassion on His suffering ones.”

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Does anyone truly feel my pain tonight?

Feeling run over, with nothing to gain

Nightly tears and torment, dark dreams take flight

Who can reach out with love to ease this pain?

 

Feeling without life, bleak and cold numbness

A distant, yet strong voice comes close to thee

Light creeps over the horizon’s darkness

Listen!  Hear His voice, kneeling on my knees

 

God’s Holy Word soothes agonizing pain

Turning to listen, He’s never been gone

Leaving oneself with so much love to gain

Now praising my Lord, life hums a new song

 

My Lord, my God—His mercy comforts thee

Lasting hope, opens eyes forever to see

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This poem was inspired by a few of the lyrics from the song “Comfortably Numb” by Pink Floyd.  A fellow blogger shared this song, and my poetic craft found a way to bring some of the song into this Christian poem.  God inspires!

 

Haiku Series #41 (With God)

Prayer

Praying together

Man and woman, close to God—

Strengthens a marriage

bench couple love bouquet

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Soaring

Feeling lost in hope

Rising up on eagle’s wings—

Never forsaken

an eagle flying in the sky

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Victory

Salvation arrives

The tomb is forever empty—

Accept Jesus’ love

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Take My Place

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Have you ever thought?

About the significance of a chair

Providing comfort and relaxing care

 

Chairs, many in number

Starring in all sizes and shapes

Making for countless escapes

 

Summertime in the backyard

A sturdy, relaxing hammock waits

Making afternoon naps an ideal fate

 

Looking for a cool place to sit

Bean bag chairs, ready for fun

Comfortable seats for everyone

 

A rocking chair seldom sits alone

Inviting story time for two

Grandma reads, right on cue

 

Every living room offers choices

A colorful sofa seats two, maybe more

Crowding together, let’s not try for four

 

Extra chairs needed at an event

Arriving much, much too late

A folding chair will be my fate

 

Summer sun, surf, and sand

Sitting at the beach, carries the day

Relaxing under brilliant, sunny rays

 

Energetic, little people arrive

Parking themselves in tiny banana seats

Rocking with laughter, enjoying some treats

 

An oversized recliner, in a corner

Always my best and most favorite place

Stretching out to relax, by the fireplace

 

Before you go, I have one request to ask

Will you please “take my place” in this special chair

The dentist is eager and ready, with genuine care

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I must be honest and admit.  Visiting the dentist isn’t one of my favorite places to be.  I’ve endured the removal of four wisdom teeth (in one visit) as well as the preparation needed for a crown.  How do you feel about going to the dentist?

Tireless Miracle Worker

“Miracle” defined:  An event occurs without any explanation through natural or scientific law.  Conclusion:  God’s love results in many miracles.

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From the unknown darkness, nothing of worth

God creates the lofty heavens and this earth

 

Tireless miracle worker

Witness God’s interventions

Lives transformed by His love

Never bound by earthly limitations

 

Too old one says, Abraham’s Sarah bears a son

Isaac will lead a nation with a Godly destination

 

God’s faithful Grace flows freely

His hands at work, all around us

Miracles arrive in many forms

Inspecting God’s handiwork, forever trust

 

With Pharaoh’s army closing in on the Red Sea

God shows He truly is God, forever this will be

 

Always trust in our Lord

When we begin to lose hope

He bolsters our shaky faith

God remains near, never remote

 

In the lion’s den, Daniel faces impossible odds

Power of prayer covers and protects his cause

 

Through our Lord and Savior, Jesus

God brings forth miracles, never few

Remember them and share them

God’s infinite love brings a new view

 

To a lost people, witness the birth of a Holy Son

Jesus, the Messiah, He will always be the One

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From John 10:32:  “Jesus replied, ‘I have shown you many good works from the Father.  For which of these are you going to stone me?'”

Haiku Series #40 (Humor)

Ugly

Charming afternoon

Errant shot finds the thick woods—

Golfing ain’t much fun

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Oh my!

Beautiful park bench

Offering a short respite—

(Absent) “Wet Paint” sign

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Greed

Black Friday looming

Stores now offer Preview Sale—

Coming a week early

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