Category Archives: Poetry

Experiencing Contentment

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Living in Christ brings believers true and faithful contentment.  Apostle Paul writes much about experiencing content with our faith and remaining true to God’s calling.  His writings inspire this poem.

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Encourage others as God encourages each of us

Be forgiving toward others, adding to life’s plus

 

Give thanks for all of Father’s grace

Be His prayer warrior at every place

 

Allow Christ to shine through in all we do

Be filled with the Spirit, faithful and true

 

Hold dear to our hearts, all that is good

Be thankful to God, as we always should

 

Fiery ordeals and daily trials will always challenge all

Be an eyewitness to Christ’s sufferings, never to fall

 

God is sovereign and forever in control of it all

Be aware, all things work together, forever tall

 

When God’s glory is finally revealed on that day

Be shouting with amazing grace, sing as we may

 

We bring nothing into this world we live

Be content with little, the rest God gives

 

The love of money brings evil times

Be taking nothing, not even a dime

 

Bring together godliness with contentment

Be willing to follow every Commandment

 

Despite our weaknesses, Christ dwells within thee

Be content with calamities and hardships we see

 

God’s Grace is sufficient for everyone

Be thankful for the sacrifice of His Son

 

Christ resides in our hearts, He yearns to save

Be strengthened with blood and body He gave

 

Always rely on God’s strength and mighty clout

Be content, following His Word, never in doubt

 

Love of Christ surpasses all that we ever see

Be grateful and shower blessings, take a knee

How does God’s Word bring you contentment?  Does a special verse of Scripture sing out to you?

 

Heavenly Tranquility

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The inspiration for this poem comes from a recent post from Leola who is an inspiring Christian writer and photographer.  Please visit her “Road Trip to Montreal” by way of the link below.  I thank her so much for allowing me to match her garden photography with my poetic words.

via Road Trip To Montreal #4 — mycreatorscreation

Enjoy an image from Montreal’s Botanical Garden, courtesy of mycreatorscreation.

Life sometimes motors along much too fast

Leaving us hungry for something that lasts

 

A journey to a big city, feeling so alone

Thinking I should have stayed at home

 

I am not used to being in the big city, yes

Realizing my Lord has put me to this test

 

The final morning arrives, thank goodness

Dreaming of any place, filled with fullness

 

My morning walk takes me to a hidden place

Parking itself near a stadium, comes a taste

 

A botanical garden erupts with vibrant color

Blossoming the landscape, like none other

 

Colors of every imaginable shade and hue

Beholding God’s brilliance, eternally true

 

My eyes capture incredible memories that last

Experiencing heavenly tranquility, what a blast

 

God brought me here today for a special reason

Planning to share His love, no matter the season

 

 

 

 

 

Memories

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Thanks for the memories

 

For sunrises, spectacular and refreshing

Feeling God’s creation, always fetching

Let me witness one more, very soon

 

Thanks for the memories

 

For teaching for forty years, now gone

Being retired, yet singing a new song

Each day feels precious and engaging

 

Thanks for the memories

 

For daughters special and sweet

Always making this heart tweet

You make me smile every day

 

Thanks for the memories

 

For travels across this vast land

Witnessing God’s creative hand

I look forward to seeing more

 

Thanks for the memories

 

For seeing grandchildren grow up

Their blessings overflow my cup

How truly marvelous they are

 

Thanks for the memories

 

For nights watching films from years ago

Classic stories and acting, tied in a bow

Enjoying movies and popcorn at home

 

Thanks for the memories

 

For finding love before growing old

God’s promises come true and bold

Never say never to His amazing grace

 

Thanks for the memories

 

For writing poetry and sometimes more

Allowing my new passion to fly and soar

Thankful for wonderful readers like you

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This poem’s theme is inspired by Bob Hope, one of America’s greatest entertainers.  He excelled in vaudeville, Broadway shows, radio, film, and television.  He may be best known for the many shows he did for American troops overseas.  In 1938, Hope and Shirley Ross performed the song “Thanks for the Memory” in the film “The Big Broadcast of 1938.”  Adapting lyrics in future years as needed, the song became Hope’s signature song whenever he performed.  Here are a few lines from “Thanks for the Memory.”  Enjoy!

Thanks for the memory
Of rainy afternoons, swingy Harlem tunes
Motor trips and burning lips and burning toast and prunes
How lovely it was
Thanks for the memory
Of candlelight and wine, castles on the Rhine
The Parthenon, and moments on the Hudson River line
How lovely it was
Many’s the time that we feasted
And many’s the time that we fasted
Oh well, it was swell while it lasted
We did have fun, and no harm done
So thanks for the memory
Of crap games on the floor, nights in Singapore
You might have been a headache, but you never were a bore
I thank you so much

 

Haiku Series #16 (Montana Prairie)

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Fleeting Speed

Prairie-fueled sprinter

Solitary wanderer—

Pronghorn speeds away

herd of brown doe walking on field

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Harvest

Gentle breeze blowing

Rippling waves of amber grain—

Harvest time awaits

sunset cereals grain lighting

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Summer Storm

Dark thunderclouds form

Bringing devastating harm—

Escaping storm’s wrath

lightning and tornado hitting village

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Back to School

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Another school year has arrived in America.  I can fondly remember the return of school both as a student and later as a teacher.  The classrooms will come alive with the energy of countless children under the instruction of caring teachers and staff.

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Store advertisements passionately proclaim

Ending another summer’s leisure and games

 

“Back to School” cries out across the land

Sounding like a hit song from a rock band

 

Lazy, easy days of summer are sadly ending

School days are approaching, no pretending

 

Summertime and kids at home will very soon end

Cheering parents welcome school, ready to begin

 

Teachers feel invigorated and all set to go

Preparing classrooms for learning to know

 

Families make ready for the kick off of school

Buying supplies and clothing—honestly cool!

 

Schools stand ready with a spotless shine

Cleaning, waxing, and repairs look all fine

 

Everything looks prepared for one more year

Learnin’ bout the three R’s, no reason to fear

 

Attention all children, wake-up and now hear

Ringing school bells announce far and near

 

“Back to School” has arrived for all

Moving forward from summer to fall

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Morning Blues

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My alarm clock thunders awake

How rude!  No peace you make

 

Monday arrives in its callous way

Why can’t the weekend just stay?

 

The snooze button enjoys a workout

Will be late for work, never any doubt

 

Stirring now, just barely able to see

The week ahead, won’t find me free

 

Turning on the shower with haste

Cold water freezes a tender face

 

Monday morning honestly, is no pleasure

Definitely feeling humble, without treasure

 

Tying my shoes causes scant joy

Breaking a shoelace now, oh boy!

 

No time for coffee or anything to eat

Planning a Starbucks stop for a treat

 

Starting the car and seeing a worry

Low fuel gauge adds to heated fury

 

Stopping quick-like for fuel on the run

This Monday doesn’t look like any fun

 

Driving like a crazy man on the road

Pulling into an empty lot, no one told

 

This Monday is a holiday, no work today

Why didn’t anyone remind me and say?

 

Could have slept in, you mindless fool

Being forgetful, honestly ain’t too cool

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Normally, I am an early riser in the morning.  So this poem doesn’t apply to me very often.  When I was teaching in a small Montana town years ago, we had a day off on the school calendar.  I  happened to be going into my building in the morning to catch up on some work.  What should drive up?  You would never guess.  A school bus!  Earl had dutifully driven his morning bus route, and the bus was, of course, empty.   I still laugh about this.

 

 

 

Haiku Series #15 (Life and Faith)

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Breathe!

Hurrying along

The day’s rate race continues—

Stop for a moment . . . breathe!

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Enduring Character

Life’s sufferings come

Produce lasting endurance—

Building character

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One Step

Keep taking on life

Despite its intense trials—

One step at a time

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Cautious Lookout

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Moving along the trail, sweat runs down my back

Suddenly . . . both feet hastily stop in their tracks

 

Mother deer and fawn walk into my view

My eyes check the scene for any clues

 

The pair ventures cautiously across

Deserting another doe, feeling lost

 

My body stands rigid, still, and tall

Not intending to panic them at all

 

Mother steps back, standing quietly still

Starring back, I am amazed at this thrill

 

Her young fawn follows with a few steps

Looking to mother for guidance, you bet

 

Feeling the pleasure of stopping to watch

These two deer pause . . . I feel caught

 

Time stands still for a few seconds longer

My eyes survey with an inquisitive hunger

 

Alas, my camera didn’t make this walk

Now, only this writer’s verses will talk

 

Prudently, the vigilant doe keeps an eye on me

Protecting her fawn from any danger she sees

 

The two deer meander back into the woods

Probably glad to be done with me for good

 

This moment in time creates delicious prose

Not often do deer pause briefly, just to pose

 

The mother proves to be a cautious lookout

When she and her timid fawn wander about

 

Dear readers, have you experienced any encounters with deer or other wild animals.  You are invited to share your experiences with a comment.  I look forward to reading and replying back.

Forever Proud

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His warrior image endures over the years

Witnessing a proud life, without any fears

 

His Native American culture continues to live on

Keeping rich and spiritual memories, never gone

 

Life’s simple ways will always shine bright

Displaying warrior bravery at every sight

 

Man and horse unite together as one

Riding his pony into the setting sun

 

Fierce in battle, defending his vast land

Adding to his legend, he does all he can

 

Younger men look up to him and follow in battle

Counting coup, his bravery becomes his mantel

 

This storied warrior transitions to an old man

Looking back proudly, honoring his last stand

 

His weathered face reveals a mighty, brave past

Lighting up eyes, with proud memories that last

 

The buffalo have disappeared for good

Ending a way of life, once proudly stood

 

Many of the old traditions are now gone

Reliving them through legend and song

 

The old warrior passes down past tribal history

Teaching a new generation, his ancient journey

 

The warrior no longer meets foes in battle today

Remembering his legacy, forever proud to say

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Montana is home to seven Native American reservations:  Flathead, Blackfeet, Crow, Cheyenne, Fort Peck, Rocky Boy, and Fort Belknap.  Across the United States, these proud people make up a “quiet” minority, often forgotten in the mainstream of the American way of life.  Here are two previously published poems about Native Americans: