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Sometimes your medicine bottle says, “Shake well before using.” That is what God has to do with some of His people. He has to shake them well before they are usable.
Vance Havner Quote
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Category Archives: Poetry
Community of Ville’s
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The French language uses the suffix of “ville”
Five unique letters deliver geography a thrill
Several notable references survive in films and more
Amityville brings horror, Pleasantville’s drama scores
Other Ville’s convey fascination, charm, and renown
Writer Dr. Suess creates Whoville as a fictional town
Across America, adding “ville” to a settlement’s name
In the Appalachians, this suffix spawns greater fame
Singer and actor Dean Martin calls Steubenville home
The Ohio River flows next door, free to sing and roam
The unique Y-Bridge spans the confluence of two rivers
Zaneville’s rich history fascinates with much to deliver
Television land creates Hooterville as a fictitious place
Now, all aboard the speedy Cannonball train with haste
Yesteryear’s canals transport goods to Ohio towns
Lockville preserves canal locks, easy to be found
Once known as the “Dry Capital of the World” to all
Westerville forbids alcohol sales with a resolute call
The Great Depression brings suffering on a great scale
Shanty towns called Hooverville’s offer no hope and fail
Its largest pumpkin ever, amazingly weighs nearly a ton
Circleville’s Pumpkin Show offers annual food and fun
Denison University stands proud and resides in Granville
Legendary Woody Hayes begins a career filled with thrills
Many other communities use “ville” at the end of their names
Do the readers have more to add so we can play a quiz game?
Especially in the United States, there are many communities with names that end with “ville”. Do you know of one to add to Big Sky Buckeye’s list? You are invited to write a comment. In closing, I should remember and thank Mrs. Will, my 7th grade geography teacher, for a job well done!
Sometimes . . .
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Sometimes . . .
A heart and soul experience nothing but emptiness
Searching for a life overflowing with more happiness
Family and friends stop over, sharing bushels of love
Extending God’s righteousness, working from above
Sometimes . . .
A body no longer feels as young as it once was
Declining, outdated, and ancient, just because
Changes in a lifestyle produce renewal of life
Experiencing energy again, without the strife
Sometimes . . .
The day fills with shadows of darkness, without light
Questioning why this life no longer continues to fight
Next day’s sunrise brings a sustaining change
Illuminating the way, because God is His name
Sometimes . . .
This job generates nothing, only constant distress
Feeling passed over by others who perform less
Then one day, opportunity knocks at the door
Receiving that promotion, evens up the score
Sometimes . . .
Life feels like walking the treadmill all day
Ending out of breath, with nothing to say
Faithfulness enters a heart with a new intention
Accepting God’s grace, a total transformation
When life brings us challenges, our faith is sometimes challenged. We just need to remember that our God is a righteous and faithful one filled with immense love and thanksgiving.
Here are some previously published poems that explore a variety of life’s challenges. May we always remain faithful towards our Lord.
God’s Masterpiece
From Isaiah 65:17: “For I am about to create new heavens and a new earth; the former things shall not be remembered or come to mind.”
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From the beginning of time
God’s creation changes each day
This eternal blueprint conveys mastery
His design takes center stage
His earthly canvas presents wonder
Artistic palette of colors astonish
His imaginative mind never ceases
Earth’s treasures continue to impress
Traveling around this awesome planet
Breathtaking venues await our call
Majestic mountains loom high above
Immense beauty reaches the clouds
Rolling plains shine with beauty
Grasslands thick with green tapestry
Swift rivers travel for months
Mountain-fed water reaches blue seas
Dense forests blanket the terrain
Trees of every description stand
Endless oceans bombard distant shores
Continuous tides frolic with beaches
Wide canyons stretch above rivers
Featuring amazing sculptures and hue
Desert sands infinitely scatter themselves
Continually sifting from God-inspired winds
Days launch with illuminating sunrises
Nights commence when the moon rises
God continues molding and shaping
Praise His incredible creation forevermore
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Rejoice with more from our Lord in these previously published poems:
Standing Alone
Disheveled in appearance, this mansion has long stood
Waiting silently in a long forgotten town’s neighborhood
The spreading sagebrush peeks out and feels alone
Lacking any proper care, the yard appears overgrown
Years ago, sophistication resides here with its appeal
Bringing people to dinner parties, glamorous and real
The walls still remember, offering all guests a seat
Listening to stories of wonder that continue to speak
The family appreciates their glittering life of pleasure
Living with opulence from a wealth of gifted treasure
Then the Great Depression delivers hard, uncertain times
Drying up bank accounts, from thousands to a few dimes
A life of splendor and privilege, now forever gone
Sending lives into financial ruin, no longer strong
A great town collapses into isolation and despair
Causing the grand home to fade without repairs
The once-proud family packs up and departs
Moving on to an uncertain future, falling apart
Now the mansion of grandeur stands alone and tattered
Allowing Father Time to leave her final years battered
The town remains deserted, quiet, and dark
Surviving as a ghost town without any spark
Sometimes the wind blows, bringing past voices to hear
Remembering better times without any shattered tears
The photograph is of an abandoned mansion found in Nevada City, Montana. This townsite is located a short drive outside of Virginia City in Madison County of the Big Sky state. Both of these communities are worth a visit when you travel to southwestern Montana. In 1863, Montana’s second major gold strike centered along Alder Gulch, which runs through the area. For additional information about this gold strike, visit Alder Gulch.
Jerry Seinfeld Quote
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Loyalty to any one sports team is pretty hard to justify, because the players are always changing; the team could move to another city. You’re actually rooting for the clothes when you get right down to it. You’re standing and cheering and yelling for your clothes to beat the clothes from another city.
Haiku Series #11
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Blue Crab
Maryland Cream of Crab Soup–
Dreaming of blue crab
Always delicious!
Drawbridge going up along Maryland Avenue in Cambridge, Maryland.
Waiting
Cars all in a line
Waiting, seems like forever–
Drawbridge raised up high
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Quiet River
Twilight in darkness
Lights dance on water’s surface—
Tranquil and undisturbed
Elfchen Series #5
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Maryland
Blue crab
Cheesy appetizer dip
So many tasty recipes
Yummy!
Choptank
River’s name
Crab hunting paradise
Jimmies and sooks invite
Maryland
Preserving His Saints
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When life’s eventual calamities gather and appear
Providing safe refuge, God emerges without fear
Our Lord remains sovereign over His domain
Assembling Christians to worship in His name
Rock of infinite refuge and mighty fortress to see
Hearing God’s Holy words, coming to rescue thee
Dark and evil situations linger and wait to thrive
Offering worthless promises, the Enemy strives
His hollow assurances hide a dishonest net
Waiting to capture us, continually a threat
Righteous wisdom and truth reside with our Lord
Witnessing our sinful afflictions, like a river to ford
God never gives up on anyone, never makes a fuss
Standing between the Enemy and his devilish lust
Our Lord commands us to deposit trust in Him
Allowing His countenance to shine through sin
Abundant goodness will reach out from Heaven
Hearing our supplications and prayers, so driven
Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ comes to save
Defeating forever sin’s darkness and the grave
His glory spreads to cover each corner of the earth
Saving our resurrected lives with a heavenly berth
All confidently march in spirit to accept His grace
Seeking Christ’s salvation, with rich mercy to taste
Our Lord comes again to preserve His saints
Prompting all Christians to be faithful mates
God stands ready, listening to everyone’s cause
Sacrificing Jesus for us, we kneel without pause
Our Father wants His children to be saved
Desiring that all will return to Him one day
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The foundation for this poem comes from Psalms 31 and 51. Here are a few of my favorite verses from them.
- Psalm 31:3-4: “You are indeed my rock and my fortress; for your name’s sake lead me and guide me, take me out of the net that is hidden for me.”
- Psalm 51:2-3: “Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me.”
Do you have a favorite verse or verses from any of the Psalms? You are invited to share it in the comments.
Waterfront View
Maryland is a welcome location to visit, and the city of Cambridge provides several beautiful and relaxing waterfront views. Big Sky Buckeye’s bride grew up on the Eastern Shore. Enjoy the poem as well as the photographs.
Maryland’s Eastern Shore beckons one and all
Traveling to Dorchester County as its final call
The immense Chesapeake Bay patiently awaits nearby
Inviting the spacious Choptank River to always drop by
Choptank refers to a former Native American tribe
Assimilating into society, today they no longer thrive
Night’s darkness transports stillness into the chilly air
Raining lightly as water flows into a creek with care
Cambridge Creek stands ready around the clock
Creating a home for numerous small boats to dock
The inner harbor used to play host to larger ships
Processing seafood and more to load at a fast clip
Morning light arrives at the peaceful creek
Waking up waterfowl and people who greet
Canvasback ducks convene at their winter home
Sharing space with seagulls, never being alone
Activity stirs up quickly around the picturesque creek
Preparing crab boats, for delicious treasure to seek
A small sailboat motors quietly down the water’s chute
Passing beneath the raised drawbridge with a salute
Peace and tranquility return there every night
Illuminating the calm harbor water with lights
While the impressive Choptank drives its waters along
Advancing always toward the majestic Bay, like a song
You are invited to read a previously published poem dealing with nature’s waterways:
Big Sky Buckeye 