Haiku Series #15 (Life and Faith)

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:

Love Conquers

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Love Conquers

Finding its way

With words to say

Boundless and rich

 

Love conquers

Despite distances great

Unlocking its fate

With faithful hope

 

Love conquers

Awakens each morn

Feels like being reborn

Lasts and lasts

 

Love conquers

Between two hearts

Eager for new start

Together at last

 

Love conquers

Each special day

Adventure comes our way

Exciting and endless

 

Love conquers

Thoughts to savor

Bringing each a favor

As sunrise arrives

 

Love conquers

Arriving without sound

Loving actions abound

Every special moment

 

Love conquers

Forgetting life’s past

Bringing smiles to last

Faithful and forgiving

 

Love conquers

God’s at hand

Footprints in the sand

Reigns into Eternity

 

Love Conquers

Finding its way

With words to say

Boundless and rich

 

Love conquers

Despite distances great

Unlocking its fate

With faithful hope

 

Love conquers

Awakens each morn

Feels like being reborn

Lasts and lasts

 

Love conquers

Between two hearts

Eager for new start

Together at last

 

Love conquers

Each special day

Adventure comes our way

Exciting and endless

 

Love conquers

Thoughts to savor

Bringing each a favor

As sunrise arrives

 

Love conquers

Arriving without sound

Loving actions abound

Every special moment

 

Love conquers

Forgetting life’s past

Bringing smiles to last

Faithful and forgiving

 

Love conquers

God’s at hand

Footprints in the sand

Reigns into Eternity

Big Sky Buckeye has written several poems which express love in different forms and with their own unique meanings.  Here is a sample of three of his favorite ones.

A man and a woman find love in their own way in Across the Street.

A family finds God’s love in bringing a special daughter into their presence in God’s Miracle.

A man and a woman reach out to each in a long distance relationship in Love’s Destiny.

Oceans

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A life can sometimes seem deep and dark

Just as the oceans’ waves find their mark

 

From season to season, a person splashes along

Just as the oceans redeploy, intense and strong

 

Hardships and misfortunes grudgingly arrive each week

Just as the oceans’ depths mask secrets, waiting to seek

 

Morning’s sunrise embraces, cheerful and bold

Just as the oceans splash water, much too cold

 

Today brings a bit of uncertainty and sadness

Just as the oceans bring a light of happiness

 

One wonders and dreams of a better life

Just as the oceans dispense little strife

 

A walk along the sandy beach sounds great

Just as the oceans’ tides deliver a final fate

 

The gentle waves engage loneliness for a swim

Just as the oceans’ surf arrives without a whim

 

A final desperate, draining breath takes one under

Just as the oceans stand still and start to wonder

 

 

 

Haiku Series #14 (Life and Nature)

Crisis 

Morning coffee time

What, no coffee to be found—

Epic home crisis

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Floodwaters

Floodwaters recede

Noah’s son sees land—

Must be Ohio

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My Friend

Mr. Chipmunk pauses

Enjoying his friendship now—

God’s creatures impress

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At the Door

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Jesus stands ready

 

He understands life

With its hardships

 

He’s walked there

Experiencing it all

 

His body bears

Marks of death

 

Hands forever scarred

Feet harshly pierced

 

He defeated death

Empty tomb proclaims

 

He understands thee

Life’s never-ending turmoil

 

He offers hopefulness

Encouraging and loving

 

His reassuring voice

Calming all worries

 

Life’s sufferings appear

Generating lasting tenacity

 

Trusting in Him

Rock of Salvation

 

Sending steadfast love

From heaven above

 

Faithful and righteous

Extending into Eternity

 

Never be afraid

Always trust Him

 

Hearing His words

Praising and soothing

 

Giving peaceful strength

Against harsh times

 

Open one’s heart

Closed door opens

 

Jesus stands ready

opened brown wooden french door

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Here are two other Christian-based poems that have been previously published from a few months ago.  

 

Stormy Seas

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Most days, life experiences calming seas

Witnessing each moment, steady to see

 

God provides for us, through it all

Picking us up, even when we fall

 

Life moves along at its normal pace

Taking for granted, God’s free grace

 

Then, stormy seas appear in the west

Bringing worried looks, never the best

 

Life’s ship now encounters the storm

Feeling the sea’s fury, totally reborn

 

Panic and worry fill helpless hearts

Asking God, may we try a restart?

  

Our boat takes on water, brisk and cold

Overwhelming our spirit, no longer bold

 

Has our Lord forsaken us at this time?

Sinking ship, as faith no longer climbs

 

Across the tempest sea, comes a voice

Calming the storm and sea, His choice

 

Our Lord and Savior walks over to thee

Releasing the terror caused by the sea

 

In an instant, the dark storm is gone

Restoring faith and hope, now strong

 

God prompts us to maintain our hope

Remaining faithful, steadies our boat

 

Calm or stormy seas, look straight ahead

Accepting God’s grace, always best said

 

Thank you Lord for being with us each day

Reminding us, Your Word points the way

 

 

Purty

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“Purty” is a regional variation of the word “pretty.”  It sounds a bit more folksy, and it works well with this short, funny poem.

On a purty summer day

Driving a purty sports car

Down a purty wide avenue

Listening to purty radio tunes

 

Hey, it’s a purty life

 

This purty flashy, speedy car

With its purty big engine

How does purty fast feel?

 

Yes, cruisin’ purty fast now

 

With purty bright lights flashing

Seeing a purty police car

 

Hmm, this speeding ticket ain’t purty

 

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