Big Sky Buckeye

A writer's journey continues

Where is Hope?

Posted on February 24, 2019 by bigskybuckeye

Photo by Lukas on Pexels.com

The location of Hope County can’t be found on any maps

Perhaps hope resides in our caring hearts ready to tap

Last year’s drought

Brings misery and dried-up hope

Optimistic farmers seed spring crops with unwavering hope

A nearby processing plant

Will close soon with vanishing hope

Hurting families look to God for new hope

A nation’s inner fiber

Torn and ripped apart with faltering hope

Martin Luther King proclaims a message of rebuilding hope

A man sits despaired and forlorn

Being laid off with a future that offers spiritless hope

Receiving a new job brings praise to a God of immense hope

A crime-ridden neighborhood

Breathes each day with an absence of hope

Community spirit and love return with true hope

A charred Apollo spacecraft

Dashes an American moon journey with little hope

Neil Armstrong walks on the moon with restored hope

A scorned and forgotten child

Feels left out at school with fading hope

A passionate teacher smiles and brings refreshing hope

A middle-aged woman

Receives news that her body is filled with cancer and no hope

Prayers intercede filled with cancer-free and grace-filled hope

A sin-filled world

Awaits a Savior with never-ending hope

God sends His Son to deliver eternally-filled hope

Our world contains many places

Where hearts are filled with everlasting spirit and hope

Let’s never turn-off for a second our amazing hope

The Bible speaks a great deal about hope. Search for numerous examples such as from Romans 15:13: May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Spirits Haunt the Land

Posted on February 20, 2019 by bigskybuckeye

Montana 2016 108

Their spirit soars across the brilliant Big Sky

Like an eagle spreading wings, ready to fly

Enriching man’s dreams in this last best, special place

Montana spirits continue to haunt the Treasure State

Following the sacred buffalo across the vast land

Native Americans roam the plains in small bands

Setting traps in beaver-rich streams during wintertime

Fur trappers pursue thick pelts for men’s hats very fine

Panning for gold along streams such as Alder Gulch

Miners rush to another strike on Last Chance Gulch

Building tracks for iron horses that seem to go forever

Railroads build mighty empires for men rich and clever

Pushing the unselfish Native Americans brutally aside

Their culture slowly fades away, but never their pride

Riding the cattle range from dawn until dusk

Cowboys work tirelessly in a life they trust

Toiling in an arid, unforgiving land that feels hostile

Homesteaders struggle and sometimes feel futile

Digging around the clock in copper mines deep underground

Miners work where safety is not much and accidents abound

Cutting the western forests’ tall pines down to size

Loggers harvest miles of timber as their final prize

Looking back at Montana’s past with much to relive and say

Many memories of the past fade, but a few remain today

Their spirit soars across the brilliant Big Sky

Like an eagle spreading wings, ready to fly

Montana uses two nicknames, Big Sky Country and Treasure State. Montana became the 41st state admitted to the Union in 1889.

Where’s My Spark?

Posted on February 19, 2019 by bigskybuckeye

Photo by Ivan Obolensky on Pexels.com

My ears hear the wind chimes at play

Their music brings little value to say

My mind tries to listen closely, but cannot

The emotions pile around me, tied in a knot

My melancholy spirit remains dismal and sad

The gray skies never ever make me feel glad

My heart is filled with much loneliness

The day’s outlook fills with emptiness

My emotions have been left too bare

Life’s troubles bring much to scare

My eyes only notice the bad and the ugly

The good has never made me feel snuggly

My heart aches from many past wounds

So many others’ words make me swoon

My body needs to begin moving soon

No! Let’s linger in bed til’ afternoon

My room remains motionless and dark

Please God, help me to find my spark

Many of us have experienced infrequent bouts of depression. Sometimes life’s challenges can overwhelm any of us. Others deal with depression as an illness that follows him or her like a persistent shadow. If you know of someone who battles depression on a long-term basis, you probably have a great deal of empathy for this person.

Comic Book Super Heroes

Posted on February 17, 2019 by bigskybuckeye

Photo by Alfredson Jr on Pexels.com

Remembering that a few friends read comic books

For me, I seldom even considered a passing look

Seeing many Super Heroes on display

I would rather venture outside to play

Imagining now the priceless treasures to be found

If I had buried these comic books under the ground

Superman’s nemesis, Lex Luthor, wants to take him down

Watch out Superman! Kryptonite always makes you frown

The Man of Steel remains a long-time favorite to many

Batman pursues the horde of villains in Gotham City

The Joker and Catwoman will shudder—what a pity!

His caring human side chases many sinister fools

Wonder Woman brings a feminine touch to the scene

But her crime fighting skills make her no villain’s queen

She’s always dressed in patriotic red, white, and blue

The Flash frequently searches for Professor Zoom

Hopefully he won’t make Flash run too fast, too soon

Running too fast could atomize the speeding Flash

Reading comic books remains popular even now

Their Super Heroes always win and take a bow

Hiding behind everyday names: Kent, Wayne, Prince, and Allen

Identities secretly hidden and unknown so none are ever misfallen

Facing a myriad of despicable villains each time

Young minds lost in many adventures so fine

Every Super Hero battles evil to the end

Villains, all of them, to jail they will send

Have you ever collected anything? I am curious so please send me a note. Thanks for reading and commenting.

Nightly Sentinels

Posted on February 16, 2019 by bigskybuckeye

silhouette of light house under gray dark sky

Photo by Vladyslav Dukhin on Pexels.com

Silent darkness arrives along the lake’s shore

Bringing beauty, but there is danger and more

Nightfall’s murkiness shrouding any potential peril

Hiding exposed reefs and shoals that may imperil

Loaded vessels silently lumber toward their destinations

Navigating through the gloom to reach their final stations

Danger lurking along a concealed shoreline in the empty dark

Demanding the skipper to plot a course so steady on its mark

A lighthouse stands alone by the shore’s breakwater

Warning of unexpected hazards so ships don’t falter

For years, Lake Erie’s travel routes have been patrolled

Providing warning lights and fog sirens, bright and bold

Numerous nighttime sentries light up along Ohio’s coast

Protecting ships and crew at locations that harbor a post

Ashtabula, Sandusky, Conneaut, Marblehead, and Lorain

Marking safe passage for crossing Erie’s shipping lanes

A misty fog blanketing the rocky shore this lonely night

Synchronizing light with sound, a lone sentinel’s might

Today’s ships cruise with improved navigational systems

Sparking too many lighthouses to decline and fall victim

Some guardians along Erie’s shore are preserved

Reminding visitors of a rich, past history to serve

Unique and fascinating designs still live to shine

Preventing accidents and calamities for all time

Foggy Rain

Posted on February 15, 2019 by bigskybuckeye

Morning arrives filled with much rain and fog

The view outside looks more like soggy smog

The arrival of another day brings a new, fresh start

Hopefully a writer’s words will be like a work of art

Twinkling street lights appear through the wet haze

The sun’s illumination will remain hidden all this day

Sounds of rain splashing against the window’s glass

This morning mist looks to find a home at long last

Perhaps the intense rain will inspire a pen to write

Maybe words will arrive with impressions so right

The calmness evaporates as a gentle wind arrives

The steady rain matures as its intensity thrives

Rain hurls through the air in a sideways manner

The large drops sound as loud as a jackhammer

Lightning flashes across the foggy, gray sky

Rumbling thunder echoes as if a jet flies by

The worn, wooden planks of the patio deck shine

A slippery sheen generates added beauty so fine

The sky lightens up for a moment or two

Nature’s own light offers a beautiful view

Now the rain restarts with amounts far too much

Flooding may bring for some an absence of luck

The day will continue to be soggy and wet for all

At least this poem has answered a writer’s call

Sweetest Love

Posted on February 13, 2019 by bigskybuckeye

Photo by Ylanite Koppens on Pexels.com

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

Photo by Skitterphoto on Pexels.com

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

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

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.

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this: