Monday Memories: Incessant

This poem takes a different route from much of my usual poetry.  It begins with the word “incessant” and carries this meaning throughout the poem with various synonyms.  Using free verse, the number of syllables remains consistent with seven in the odd-numbered lines and ten in the even-numbered ones.  Thanks for reading and enjoy!

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Early in the morning’s peace

Welcoming the incessant quietness

 

Predawn light creates shadows

Enjoying their unending playfulness

 

Cool, crisp air signals autumn

Witnessing the season’s ceaseless nature

 

Solitary doe walks nearby

Looking for tender grass, endless craving

 

Neighbor walking her collie

Moving with an uninterrupted pace

 

Front porch provides morning roost

Dreaming now of countless, unbroken thoughts

 

Past memories parade on by

Watching an ongoing video show

 

Former students fill the room

Flourishing with unflagging attention

 

Grandchildren always gather

Hearing constant laughter, bringing a smile

 

North wind gusts with icy chill

Feeling winter biting with nonstop bliss

 

Frigid cold invades the porch

Warming now, by persistent fireplace flames

 

Life has been kind, a blessing

Spending everlasting time with our Lord

 

From the front porch, one can sit and watch the entire day unfold.

Originally published September, 2020.

Faith in Christ

From Matthew 14:25-27:  “And early in the morning He came walking toward them on the sea.  But when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were terrified, saying, ‘It is a ghost!’  And they cried out in fear.  But immediately Jesus spoke to them and said, ‘Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid.'”

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Facing life’s darkest times

Tempest sweeping over thee

Hiding from storm’s anger

Light’s shadow approaching thee

 

Fearing who comes forward

His tenderness touches thee

Rising from death’s darkness

His body’s blood saving thee

 

Recognizing Jesus

His hand reaches out to thee

Quieting surging tides

Joy now rushes upon thee

 

Hearing His faithful voice

Savior’s grace now covers thee

Forgiving life’s missteps

Redemption now awaits thee

 

Witnessing faith in Christ

Eternal love surrounds thee

Securing hope with peace

Tomorrow brightens for thee

 

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From Matthew 14:28-30:  “Peter answered Him, ‘Lord, if it is you, command me to come to You on the water.’  He said, ‘Come.’  So Peter got out of the boat, started walking on the water, and came toward Jesus.”

Trusted Witness (Elfchen Series #239)

Transforming

Seeds

Of faith

Nourished with grace

Spiritual journey fulfills hope

Growth

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Enabling

Hands

Of faith

Body unites soul

Endurance for tomorrow blossoms

Healing

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Connecting

Lessons

Of faith

Sisters and brothers

Absorbing daily “live” teachings

Togetherness

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This series of poems (written in the German-inspired style of Elfchen or Elevenie) shares a total of eleven words in each poem, with a sequence by line of one, two, three, four, and one words.

Winter’s Steady Quest

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Morning sky awakens

Peace fills nature’s outlook

Landscape’s fresh, white blanket

Winter’s cozy look

 

Horizon full of gray

Light tries to brighten

Sun waits for tomorrow

Winter’s grip tightens

 

Hope’s disappearing breath

Tranquility’s free-fall

Each snowflake multiplies

Winter’s sudden squall

 

Wind churns with whitest sky

Brief storm now taking rest

Clouds open with sunlight

Winter’s steady quest

 

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Mighty Deeds

From Psalm 77:14:  “You are the God who works wonders; You have displayed Your might among the peoples.”

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In days of trouble

Enemy’s darkness flees

Hearing heavens’ thunder

Father’s grace, always free

 

In midst of trials

Trusted light shall arrive

Feeling comforting peace

Father’s passion alive

 

In deepest abyss

Hopeless, yet not alone

Reaching for mercy’s hand

Father’s mighty deeds sown

 

One more miracle

Absent of His footprints

Transforming with wonders

Father’s breath offers hint

 

Another sunrise

Joy found in heaven’s love

Restoring fragile health

Father’s touch from above

 

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From Psalm 77:19:  “Your way was through the sea, Your path through the mighty waters, yet Your footprints were unseen.”

Maturity’s Reflections (Haiku Series #315)

Motivation

Making smart choices

Embracing healthy lifestyle—

Bold steps every day

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Destination

Morning exercise

Cycling for hundreds of miles—

Journey’s wholesome joy

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Jubilation

Another birthday

One more candle to blow out—

Today’s brightest smile

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February is my birthday month.  These Haiku themes are self-reflective as I recently added another year to my previous 68.  The photos were selected from the WordPress library.

Monday Memories: Love Triumphs

From 1 Corinthians 13:13:  “And now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; and the greatest of these is love.”

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Living hollow life without love

Nothing but emptiness, thereof

 

Disconnected faith fills our veins

Minus love, tall mountains remain

 

Mankind’s meaningless possessions

Forgotten in life’s recessions

 

Worldly knowledge, means so little

Love gently binds, never brittle

 

Love arrives with Holy kindness

Patience without any blindness

 

Never arrogant or hateful

Without envy, always grateful

 

Jesus teaches, love each other

Sincere love, sisters and brothers

 

Caring God so loved this dark world

Christ’s own unselfish love unfurled

 

From a blood-stained Cross comes His Grace

Love speaks out, sin falls on its face

 

Our Lord offers His Holy gift

Faith, hope, love . . . no longer adrift

 

God’s Word delivers life’s new lease

Love triumphs, building lasting peace

 

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From the words of Christian theologian, Reinhold Niebuhr:  “The cross symbolizes a cosmic as well as a historic truth.  Love conquers the world, but its victory is not an easy one.”

Originally published September, 2020.

Deep Roots

From Job 14:7-9:  “For there is hope for a tree, if it is cut down, that it will sprout again and that its shoots will not cease.  Though its root grows old in the earth and its stump dies in the ground, yet at the scent of water it will bud and put forth branches like a young plant.”

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Born with innocence

Nurtured by mother’s love

Filled with newfound wonder

Shadow of Christ above

 

Tomorrow shall wait

Savior’s love comes this day

Nourished through grace from God

Faith follows hope’s walkway

 

Peace fills daily breath

Sprouts from living waters

God’s love feeds faith’s deep roots

For each son and daughter

 

Age gathering years

Yet, spirit remains strong

Love nourishes outlook

Christ writes salvation’s song

 

Joy fills every day

Darkness fades into light

God’s Word speaks of His love

Righteous faith knows what’s right

 

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From Psalm 1:2-3:  “But their delight is in the law of the Lord, and on His law they meditate day and night.  They are like trees planted by streams of water, which yield their fruit in its season, and their leaves do not wither.  In all that they do, they prosper.”

Encountering Faith (Elfchen Series #238)

Commitment

Knocking

Each day

Seeking Father’s voice

Perseverance follows trusted choices

Praying

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Encouragement

Asking

Yet, nothing

Humble thy heart

Now aligned with Father

Answering

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Fulfillment

Finding

Father’s light

Adopting fresh attitude

Growth in spiritual landscape

Trusting

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Yesterday Forgotten

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Traveling in darkness

Every winding road

Always going uphill

Bearing heavy loads

 

Filling with emptiness

Sadness ruptures heart

Simply seeking healing

Searching for fresh start

 

Collecting memories

Hope sheds one more tear

Often feeling numbness

Overwhelming fears

 

Witnessing tomorrow

Been here once before

Every step well-traveled

Waiting at backdoor

 

Envisioning sunrise

Source of everything

Yesterday forgotten

Knowing peace shall sing

 

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