Category Archives: Poetry

Writer’s Void

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Sometimes a writer’s well of words runs dry

Just as a wildcat oil well yields none this try

A writer’s words can be challenging to find

Why won’t more words be a friend of mine?

Life brings distractions that take away

Gone for a while is the freedom to say

Perhaps memories of the past come to bear

Ambushing a desire to write without a care

Searching for inspiration to write

A morning walk clears one’s sight

Reading others’ blogs charges the mind up

Their words arrive to fill an exhausted cup

Viewing a distinctive, older film brings bliss

The storyline relaxes a mind, to foster a list

A list of impressive ideas begins to churn

Now feeling more confident at every turn

Thankfully, this sorry condition won’t last

Soon words will be flowing, what a blast!

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If your appetite is ready for more about the challenges of writing, check out these previously published poems.

 

God Remains True

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My Lord steadies me like a solid rock

From the horizon, His devotion walks

As soon as dark clouds form, He stands tall

Leaning on Him in moments, large or small

The Enemy menaces nearby, keep me safe

Free me from wickedness, that’s never late

You bring light to a world so all can see

Grasping my hand, offering rescue to me

You brought me forth in awesome birth

Saving me when I stumble on the turf

As my strength wavers, you remain true

Never tiring of me, needing to lean on you

The text is inspired by words from Psalm 71.  From Verse 4:  “Rescue me, O my God, from the hand of the wicked, from the grasp of the unjust and the cruel.”

Haiku Series #10

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Love Is . . .

Lasting promises

Always unconditional—

Till death do us part

 

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Stewardship

Stabilize our earth

Honor God’s great creation—

Denial no more

 

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Motivation

Needing to write more

Reaching for novel ideas—

Keep the coffee hot

 

If you are in the mood for another Haiku series, check out a previously published set at Haiku Series 9.

Elfchen Series #4

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Fatherhood

God’s gift

Brings three daughters

Daily blessings from all

Legacy

 

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Abraham

Civil War

The Great Emancipator

Saved a grateful nation

Lincoln

 

If you wish to read another Elfchen series, check out Elfchen Series 3.

God’s Miracle

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God always manages an astonishing plan

He stretches His hands across the land

 

 

He spends six days building His creation

Then, He smiles at His brilliant sensation

 

Again and again, God shows He is in charge

His Holy presence looms, caring and large

 

His Book of Life satisfies with infinite pages

He sends His Son as a sacrifice, for the ages

 

When our Savior rises on Easter morn

God proving, His love will always adorn

 

 

A woman grows up, dreaming of more

She longs to be a wife with love to soar

 

She looks forward to being a mother

God would have it this way, no other

 

A devoted man with his son, will now deploy

Her sacred marriage brings to her much joy

 

She becomes a wife and mother in one day

Wow!  God’s plan brings much delight today

 

 

Alas, something is missing in a life filled with peace

An unfilled yearning to bear a child, the final piece

 

Through much prayer, faithful words to offer

This couple places their trust with the Father

 

A young girl appears, needing a loving place

They become her foster parents, with haste

 

Over time, this girl discovers love, with such vastness

Her home permeates with love, without any sadness

 

 

But wait—the story carries on for a year

Now adoption lies ahead, without fear

 

Father, mother, son, and now a daughter

God’s love touches all, thicker than water

 

Praise God, our heavenly Father this day

Praise His miracles that astound and say

 

God always manages an astonishing plan

He stretches His hands across the land

 

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This poem honors a family very dear to Big Sky Buckeye.  Their story has been a true and rewarding journey of faith with our Lord.

These previously published poems were also inspired by this wonderful family. 

What’s in a Name?

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“What’s in a name” people frequently ask

Let’s explore some just for fun, as our task

Their names represent fame and success

Bringing inspiration to people, nothing less

 

The Belle of Amherst crafts amazing prose

Emily Dickinson pens magnificent poems

With beauty as exquisite as a painted rose

 

The Little Corporal conquers many, from his view

Napoleon leads armies across the continent

Only to sustain decisive humiliation at Waterloo

 

The Yankee Clipper glides across center field

Joe DiMaggio calmly leads the baseball Yankees

Winning nine World Series, never one to yield

 

The Little Tramp generates many laughs

Charlie Chaplin affixes his comic genius

To a motherlode of silent films that last

 

The Wizard of Menlo Park perfects light

Thomas Edison invents much to enhance life

With amazing innovations, forever bright

 

The King of Rock ‘n Roll carries us into a new age

Elvis Presley flips the music world upside down

With singing and dancing from a jailhouse cage

 

The Lady with the Lamp takes up her cause

Florence Nightingale demonstrates her resolve

To improve nursing and health without pause

 

The Chairman of the Board conquers Hollywood

Frank Sinatra sings, dances, and acts his way to fame

Entertaining as few other performers ever could

 

The Wizard of Westwood toils at his craft for many years

John Wooden finishes his coaching career with a flourish

Winning ten basketball championships, incredible to hear

 

The Maid of Orleans becomes a French heroine

Joan of Arc, during a time of extreme conflict

Restores hope and boosts morale for all within

 

Nicknames bring admiration to people of fame

But even ordinary folks enjoy their nicknames

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Do you know other famous people (past or present) with nicknames?  Feel free to write a comment.

Here are some links to previously published writings that relate in some way to this poem.  All of these are non-poetry posts.

 

Buzz Saw

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Soccer brings out his passion and his finest game

Dedicating hours of practice kindles a bright flame

This teenage midfielder plays with his all

Bringing grit and determination as his call

Displaying intensity and hustle to define

Upsetting the opponent’s ability to shine

He warrants a special nickname from a loyal fan

Watching how he disrupts the other team’s plans

His play reminds eager fans of a buzz saw in motion

Working at high speed with feet creating commotion

Cutting through the challenger’s attack lines

Relentlessly shadowing the action he finds

Providing a link between the defense and the attack

Passing accurately to his teammates, right on track

Saturating play explodes like lightning and thunder

Resembling a buzz saw, rendering others to wonder

A midfielder never finds any moments to take a rest

Running constantly, his physicality passes the test

Remaining humble about his dynamic play

Supporting his teammates each match day

He understands his intended mission on the field

Flashing buzz saw quickness becomes his shield

A 13-year old grandson plays soccer for a traveling team at a very competitive and demanding level.  This poem is dedicated to his unselfish, courageous, and inspiring play.

If you want to enjoy more sports-themed poems about my grandchildren from previously published posts, check out the links shown below.

Why?

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On the morning news, I was watching a young girl bravely and calmly give an account of the carnage at a San Diego, California synagogue shooting that took place recently.  Around the world, people of faith have been attacked in their houses of worship.  I stopped and asked my Lord . . . Why?

Psalm 26:5:  “I hate the company of evildoers and will not sit with the wicked.”

Psalm 68:1:  “Let God rise up let His enemies be scattered; let those who hate Him flee before Him.”

Dear Lord

Sitting here

Watching news

Wondering again

 

Why?

 

Darkness comes

Another shooting

More violence

 

Why?

 

Godly people

With faith

Under attack

 

Why?

 

Where does

Such hate

Come from

 

Why?

 

Turning to

Reading scripture

Praying fervently

 

Why?

 

Our Father

Bring all

Faithful strength

 

Amen!

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As I was preparing this poem, I took a moment to go back to a previous poem about prayer.  I found some peace from Morning Prayer.

Enduring Character

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Horace Greeley writes:  “Fame is a vapor, popularity an accident, riches take wing, and only character endures.”

 

Never forget our Lord’s profound teaching

Shelter faithful hearts each and every day

God renews our strength, always reaching

He positions loving hope to follow His way

 

Jesus reminds us daily to love one another

His fresh commandant reaches out to all

He truly wants us to witness to each other

Entrusted to make a better walk is our call

 

Protect integrity at each of life’s stops

Love God’s commandants, follow each

A person’s character should be tops

Christ’s working spirit will always seek

 

Maintain genuine discipline in one’s faith

God’s goodness and holiness arrive on time

Step forward to say “yes” to free grace

Encouraging us to obey a light that shines

 

The text for this poem is inspired from reading the following Bible verses:  

Psalm 119:165:  “Great peace have those who love your law; nothing can make them stumble.”

Proverbs 3:1:  “My child, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments.”

John 13:35:  (Christ is speaking) “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

 

If you are looking for more Christian-based poems, here are a couple of previously published poems that you will find enjoyable to read:

 

Across the Street

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My retirement years usually produce a smile

But some days sink my spirits deep, by miles

My childhood sweetheart and lovely bride

Now rests with God, absent from my side

I stay occupied with my yard each morn

Discovering pleasure from nature’s form

 

There is a fine lady across the street

She emerges looking nice and sweet

She stays active around her place

Her yard definitely fits her tastes

The grass is mowed and trimmed

I wonder how she stays so thin

 

There seems, between us

A subliminal connection

Inviting her for coffee

Is my dreamy confession

 

Her petunias appear superior to mine

Perhaps I’ll ask for her secret, in time       

She smiles when my puppy is outside to play

I wonder what her plans will be for this day

I imagine what she might think about me

Watching me hang a bird feeder in a tree

 

There seems, between us

A subliminal connection

Inviting her for coffee

Is my dreamy confession

 

We both come from the same generation

Her beauty creates a wonderful sensation

I’m thinking of walking across the street

Meeting this fine lady would be a treat

She steps back inside from the dry, summer heat

Perhaps tomorrow morning, we can finally meet

My Grandfather lost his childhood sweetheart and bride, but believe it or not, he found love again . . . across the street!

This real-life experience, along with Jen Goldie’s story about “The Man Across the Street”, inspired the writing of this poem.  Visit Jen’s very creative story with the link shown below.

The Man Across The Street — Jen Goldie – A little this, a little that, some real and some imaginings.