Big Sky Buckeye

A writer's journey continues

Sweetest Love

Posted on February 13, 2019 by bigskybuckeye

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Love springs eternal in many, beautiful forms

Helping to ease some of life’s angry storms

A mother focuses on her handsome new boy

Rocking him fast to sleep, she’s filled with joy

A teacher reaches out to his unsettled class today

Filling the room with learning, discovering a way

A nervous man asks a pretty woman for a date

Dreaming, could marriage be their future fate?

A son calls upon his ailing mother quite often

Bringing love that helps her illness to soften

A mature couple capturing romance from afar

Tying ribbons of love, reaching heaven’s stars

A young girl eagerly waits by the window all day

Jumping into her father’s lap with much to say

A caring wife prepares a meal by candlelight

Inspiring a time of love with her man tonight

A family cherishes togetherness for all

Adding gentle love that will never fall

A romantic husband brings flowers to his bride

Adding fragrance and beauty, their love amplified

A young couple ties marriage’s knot with “We do”

Cherishing their love, feeling deeply rich and true

God sends His Son, offering His greatest gift

Washing away our sins, lives no longer adrift

The First Tree Is Mine

Posted on February 12, 2019 by bigskybuckeye

Photo by Craig Adderley on Pexels.com

Farmer Fred lives near an insignificant, small town

His atrocious driving skills are very well renowned

He pops into town usually once a week

Leaving his farmhouse to take a peek

After a day filled with nothing and too much fizzle

Fred stops over at a local tavern to wet his whistle

He orders a cheeseburger and a sweet sarsaparilla

When a wayward woman spots this handsome fella

Marge is a forgotten classmate from their high school

She navigates quite well when playing a game of pool

She stumbles over and sits down—a bit wobbly

Ordering another drink seems to be her hobby

Fred informs Marge that his driving is now restricted

He has been crashing too much and been ticketed

Marge asks, “How do you then drive that old Ford truck?”

Fred replies, “I just need a navigator to bring me luck”

He asks her, “Interested in helping me one final time?”

“Sure my dear friend! But . . . the first tree is mine!”

Everlasting Road

Posted on February 10, 2019 by bigskybuckeye

landscape photo of pathway between green leaf trees

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I am a solitary man traveling on an empty road

My life journey’s been an awfully heavy load

I yearn to walk a few more miles by the end of this day

My battered and worn shoes have so very much to say

I survive by myself after all of these long years

My past is filled with disappointments and tears

I have met few along this road who even say “hello”

My disheveled appearance keeps eyes looking low

I look ahead to what this day will offer to me

My weakened eyes make it challenging to see

I would welcome a hot meal and a warm shower

My bag of jerky will need to nourish for hours

I feel my energy running low on fuel just the same

My mind tries to stay alert as if playing a new game

I wish to stop by this large sycamore tree

My eyes can rest under its shade for free

I will rest and relax in peace along this quiet road

My journey will soon be finished, yet I never slowed

I will continue my peaceful trek down a lonesome route

My days are numbered, but I remain strong and stout

I am ready to meet my Lord on His righteous terms

His everlasting spirit brings much for me to affirm

Walk of Faith

Posted on February 9, 2019 by bigskybuckeye

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From the Bible: For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit. (1 Corinthians 12:13)

Public baptism by immersion occurs on this date

Young girl reveals her guided walk to faith’s gate

Scripture speaks of baptism at every turn

From this girl, we all have so much to learn

Believe, be baptized, and continue to be brave

For Christ arose and escaped from His grave

All are baptized into one body so pure

Made to drink one spirit, totally for sure

Christ’s baptism launches His ministry, rich for all

In God’s presence, His words forever stand tall

Scorned persecutor of Jesus’ faithful, Christian way

Saul baptized as Paul, with Lord’s forgiveness to stay

Believers baptized under God’s authority of thee

Through Father, Son, and Holy Spirit which see

Baptism generates life’s faithful walk, filled with newness

Youthful girl accepts Jesus as Savior, blessed trueness

Feeling transforming spirit of Father’s Holy, living water

Accepting God’s purpose, living as newfound daughter

This young girl’s act of faith inspires so many others

Opening eyes to witness, every sister and brother

I recently witnessed the baptism of a young girl who was ready to make her walk of faith public in front of the congregation. It was a very inspiring and emotionally-rich moment.

Perfect Seat

Posted on February 7, 2019 by bigskybuckeye

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Circus shows once filled with excitement to delight

Few spectators now attend circus magic each night

Generation ago, numerous children experienced it all

Now mighty Big Tops have vanished with a huge fall

Sitting in the crowd with a perfect seat

Thrilled to adore another tasty treat

The ringmaster keeps the thrilling show moving along

Audiences soon realize that each act lasts only so long

Three rings keep crowd’s enthusiasm mounting with ease

Here come zany clowns, filled with foolishness to please

Dazzling jugglers and daring acrobats delight

Children dream of being in the circus spotlight

Sitting in the crowd with a perfect seat

Eagerly watching performances so sweet

Lions, tigers, and bears—Oh, what a sight to behold

Bravery shown by animal tamers, awesome and bold

Always pleasing are gigantic elephants from afar

Their majestic presence makes them the stars

Evening’s ultimate act flies high above three circus rings

Trapeze artists dangle with suspense from their swings

Sitting in the crowd with a perfect seat

Looking forward to each astonishing feat

Fewer circus companies still travel the globe

The “Greatest Show on Earth” needed to fold

Audiences once filled the Big Top’s nightly crusade

Now dying out, precious memories stumble and fade

New generation of young children shall never wonder

How circus night brought applause as loud as thunder

Sitting in the crowd with a perfect seat

Recalling circus images that will repeat

The “Greatest Show on Earth” shut down its operations in 2017 due to declining attendance and revenue shortfalls. The Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus was, without a doubt, the greatest circus show of them all. As a footnote, John Ringling, one of the circus-owning brothers, arrived in a small town in central Montana in the early 1900s. He planned to invest in cattle ranching and a local railroad. The tiny, quiet hamlet of Ringling is still on the map today along U.S. Highway 89, but you would never know that it can trace some of its history back to the “Greatest Show on Earth.”

Nourishing Love

Posted on February 6, 2019 by bigskybuckeye

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A beautiful garden planted in the spring with great love

Flowers and vegetables blessed with peace from above

Every detail carefully planned and tenderly done

All this fertile soil needs now is water and sun

The first few weeks bring excitement and growth

Green buds and a bit of color are amazing both

One week goes by without any tender loving care

The young, immature plants now seem a bit scared

I am thirsty for a drink, can’t you see!

Why have you forgotten all about me?

Another week passes along without feeling a human hand

The fragile plants begin a slow march back to the land

I am thirsty for a drink, can’t you see!

Why have you forgotten all about me?

A third week arrives with unhappiness and despair

The once promising garden can’t surely be repaired

I am thirsty for a drink, can’t you see!

Why have you forgotten all about me?

From high above comes His promise to bring rain

Soon a gentle, nourishing mist reduces the pain

Humans need to be fed from above by Him

We must ask Him gently like singing a hymn

Without loving care, the garden and people will perish

The Lord adores all of His creation with love to cherish

Let us never, ever wonder and say . . .

I am thirsty for a drink, can’t you see!

Why have you forgotten all about me?

To have little faith isn’t part of our day!

Wintertime Blues

Posted on February 4, 2019 by bigskybuckeye

woman with blue eyes wrapped in a pink cloth

Photo by Jenna Hamra on Pexels.com

Winter arrives on schedule every year

Bringing too much snow and cold I fear

An ice storm starts off the winter season

Staying off of the roads for good reason

Later snowfall begins to pile up outside my door

Growing deeper and deeper, please no more!

Now a polar vortex is hammering my home

Blowing Arctic air all the way to my bones

For some, they say winter is truly a paradise

Thinking to myself, winter surely ain’t nice

I bundle up in many snug and warm layers

Trying to move outside without any cares

The snow has buried the sidewalk and my car

Shoveling cannot be healthy when it’s this far

I retreat back inside to be near a toasty fire

Deciding to remain in bed until winter retires

Like a bear, I stay warm while we both hibernate

Waiting for spring’s early arrival will be our fate

Moving Forward

Posted on February 3, 2019 by bigskybuckeye

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Facing disappointment for many months and more

Feeling frustration and despair starting to soar

Realizing that this journey needs a mid-course correction

Pointing an unsteady compass in a totally new direction

Tiring from how many others have treated thee in the past

Looking forward to a future that brings happiness at last

Beating up thyself for any past, painful mistakes

Needing renewed courage for a new life to make

Knowing that this life needs a helping hand

Wanting to scan for a nurturing place to land

Reaching out comes the helping hand of thy God

Sending forth His grace to be thy staff and rod

Shielding eyes from brightest sun at a new dawn

Walking forward with energy that’s never gone

Mountaintop Wedding

Posted on February 1, 2019 by bigskybuckeye

Montana’s Lone Mountain stands above most peaks

Providing skiing challenges and thrills for all to seek

Today brings sweet, special time on this tallest mountain

Witnessing marriage joy, more beautiful than any fountain

On cloudless and frigid Friday, love will indeed arrive

Blessing God’s joining of two people, to forever thrive

This loving couple enjoys their shared passion to ski

Planning to tie marital knot, wedding party shall see

Carried to lofty summit, gondola ride quite soaring

Bride and groom cement their love at mid-morning

There’s no more beautiful moment than a wedding

Linking of two lives as one, in this majestic setting

Wedding vows exchanged in blusterous, bitter cold

Sharing their simple words of love, special and bold

Precious wedding rings left at home, safely hidden

Dropping them in deep powder, would be forbidden

Brief ceremony proceeds to its eventual conclusion

Watching husband kissing wife, seals God’s union

Newly married couple, outfitted in finest skiing attire

Skiing as husband and wife, before daylight expires

Easy to find, youthful bride finishing her downhill run

Wearing white veil on top of her helmet, just for fun

Husband and wife, skiers with remarkable skill

Sharing and enjoying further runs, sharing thrills

Holy Father sanctifying this couple’s wedding day

Smiling at faithful love, with beloved words to say

My youngest daughter and her wonderful husband were married on February 2, 2018. Yes, they were married just below the summit of Lone Mountain in southwestern Montana. I honor their union with this poem. The picture was taken by a member of the wedding party, and it captures the newlyweds completing their first ski run as husband and wife.

Walking the Trail

Posted on January 31, 2019 by bigskybuckeye

2019 May 24 Walnut Woods and Chestnut Ridge 038.JPG

Walking along an unknown, isolated trail

Hoping that this journey goes without fail

Watching skyward for some warm fun

Hiding behind clouds, escapes the sun

Hurrying along the narrow path against the windy cold

Seeking to not find too much adventure—yet be bold!

Traveling quickly, the brisk pace advances along

Thinking this morning hike, nothing can go wrong

Turning a corner, approaching a different place

Seeing a fork coming up and slowing the pace

Searching the mysterious routes of twin solitary trails

Feeling confidence slipping, suspense tips the scales

Deciding to journey down the unfamiliar path on the right

Adjusting the trip’s rhythm, accepting challenges in sight

Moving along another route, sometimes part of life

Aligning conflicting thoughts, without further strife

Finishing this satisfying walk, never feeling ready to fail

Realizing life’s unique treks, resemble being on this trail

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