Category Archives: Poetry

Silent in Darkness

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abstract art black background blur

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Sitting in darkness

Feeling so lonesome

Dealing with sadness

Silence still fearsome

 

Waking at night

Harsh dreams exist

Silent images in sight

Dark visions persist

 

Feeling infinitely restless

Nearly every day

This mind will confess

Nothing but gray

 

What voices speak

To a lonely heart

No one to greet

Needing a restart

 

This world filled

With eerie muteness

No longer a thrill

Never a kindness

 

Who hears at all?

Silence sadly grows

Landing with a fall

No embers glow

 

Forget this life

So long ago

No more strife

Waiting to go

 

Too much “stuff”

To deal with

Darkness is enough

This life drifts

 

Special love lost

Many years ago

A ring is tossed

Away it goes

 

Empty, shattered heart

Now freezing cold

Alone in the dark

No longer bold

 

My Lord, my God

Bring light to bear

Be an awesome God

Help one to care

 

In total blackness

Of a lost night

Words of brightness

Feeling so right

 

God’s truthful voice

Speaks loud and clear

Brings a perfect choice

No longer in fear

 

Cutting the quietness

Like a warm knife

God brings sunniness

Saves another life

 

Falling to knees

Now in prayer

Sad emotions flee

This soul cares

 

Kneeling at the Cross

Laying down sins

Repentance, now costs

Accept Christ within

 

Beholding Christ’s Salvation

Help to break out

Heart fills with elation

Lighting a shout

man with fireworks

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Haiku Series #17 (Life and Nature)

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Nature Calls

The Ridge beckons me

Bringing forward praise to God—

His Cathedral waits

2019-may-24-walnut-woods-and-chestnut-ridge-013.jpg

 

Let’s Walk

Morning walk awaits

My favorite lady goes—

Sadie on a leash

black dog close up photography

Photo by Ana-Maria Roseanu on Pexels.com

 

Backyard Pal

On the backyard deck

Feverishly eating more—

Tiny chipmunk sits

brown squirrel

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Monday Memories: Morning Coffee

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Hello readers, here is a new weekly feature on Big Sky Buckeye.  I will repost a previously published poem every  Monday.  Today’s post was one of the first poem’s written by yours truly.  Enjoy a newly edited version about “Morning Coffee.” 

white ceramic mugs

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Smelling the rich aroma on another early morn

Anticipating the initial taste, like being reborn

 

Certainly one cup will not be enough today

A second cup causes worries to fade away

 

As Dolly Parton sings, “Pour myself a cup of ambition”

Coffee will definitely be my regular morning addiction

 

Waking up on a chilly, frosty, dark day

Jumping out of bed to be on one’s way

 

Hurrying down to the kitchen, what is this?

No coffee?  An empty morning without bliss!

 

 

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.

boy in brown hoodie carrying red backpack while walking on dirt road near tall trees

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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

photography of parking lot

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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.