Light
Overcoming darkness
No longer hurting
Binding up each wound
Jesus
Landscape’s
Gentle breeze
Spirit’s encouraging breath
Trusting each righteous whisper
Peace
Sunrise
Trust always
Calming journey’s storms
Navigation welcomes God’s steering
Deliverance
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.
Shifting seasons frame change
Visions color each page
Windmill’s faithful turning
Always prepared to engage
Stirring with day’s sunrise
One more painting to view
Autumn’s awakening
Colors ink nature’s tattoos
Circling within each hour
Landscape reveals fresh start
Winter’s white fills sketches
Snow-covered quilt warming hearts
Waiting with eagerness
Tender green sprouts share love
Spring’s quenching refreshment
Precious gifts rain from above
Enjoying lazy days
Filled with endless sunshine
Summer’s relaxation
Flowers color each headline
Sharing seasons’ rhythm
Time to exchange baton
Windmill’s faithful turning
Pleasantly awake at dawn
This poem was inspired by the reflective lyrics found in “The Windmills of Your Mind” as sung by English actor and singer, Noel Harrison (1934-2013). In 1968, the song became a top-10 hit in the United Kingdom. He was the son of acclaimed English actor, Rex Harrison.
From Psalm 92:12-13: The righteous flourish like the palm tree and grow like a cedar in Lebanon. They are planted in the house of the Lord; they flourish in the courts of our God.”
Witnessing early morning’s light of peace
Feeling Father’s presence, always nearby
Descending tranquility, never cease
Wiping away tears from yesterday’s cry
Harvesting faith’s sustaining, living bread
Accepting Savior’s forgiveness, now freed
Receiving Father’s grace, hope shall be fed
Thriving with righteousness, sowing her seeds
Praying with thanks, praising Father most high
Sharing eternity’s light, nourished with love
Sending Spirit, among bluest of sky
Scaling merciful path, heavens above
Called to discipleship, with Jesus Christ
Purchased at Calvary, blood sacrificed
From Psalm 92:1-2: “It is good to give thanks to the Lord, to sing praises to Your name, O Most High, to declare Your steadfast love in the morning and Your faithfulness by night.”
Grandpa shares wisdom
Now, enjoy life’s tomorrow’s—
Grandson’s eager ear
Overnight’s deep snow
Children’s appetite for fun—
Now, nowhere in sight
Dad making breakfast
Eggs now scrambled left, then right—
Last night’s football game
We shouldn’t teach great books; we should teach a love of reading. Knowing the contents of a few works of literature is a trivial achievement. Being inclined to go on reading is a great achievement.
Education is what survives when what has been learned has been forgotten.
B. F. (Burrhus Frederic) Skinner (1904-1990) was an American psychologist, behaviorist, and social philosopher. He served as a professor at Harvard University from 1958-1974, and was a well-received writer.
From Psalm 85:8-9: “Let me hear what God the Lord will speak, for He will speak peace to His people, to His faithful, to those who turn to Him in their hearts. Surely His salvation is at hand for those who fear Him, that His glory may dwell in our land.”
Uncertain darkness
Surrounds me this day
Humbly take a knee
Bowing now to pray
Prayers calling God
Remain unhurried
Unanswered questions
Never be worried
Christ’s teachings feed thee
With the bread of life
This eternal gift
Blessings without strife
Lord of life and love
He feeds and frees all
Through His Holy Word
Never builds a wall
Allow me to pause
God prods thee along
Hearing His questions
Answers make me strong
God everlasting
Faith remains with thee
Through life’s harsh chaos
Calming stormy seas
From Romans 10:10-13: “ For one believes with the heart and so is justified, and one confesses with the mouth and so is saved. The scripture says, ‘No one who believes in Him will be put to shame.’ For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; the same Lord is Lord of all and is generous to all who call on Him. For, ‘Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.'”
Originally published September, 2020.
From Philippians 4:4-5: “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near.”
Waiting hope, in darkness
World absent of peace
When will joy truly arrive?
Faith’s brokenness must cease
Trusting God without fear
His comfort coming
Joy draws salvation’s water
Messiah forthcoming
Leading to Bethlehem
Hope shall be restored
Peace overflowing with joy
Heaven’s angels onboard
Praising with humble hearts
God’s gentleness seeks
Joy’s rejoicing voices sing
Shepherd’s emotions speak
Proclaiming hope’s presence
Repentance brings peace
Faith’s witness fills lungs with joy
Love opens heaven’s lease
From Isaiah 12:5-6: “Sing praises to the Lord, for He has done gloriously; let this be known in all the earth. Shout aloud and sing for joy, O royal Zion, for great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel.”
An Advent hymn accompanies this poem, “God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen.” This traditional English carol was first discovered in an anonymous manuscript in the 1650s.
Witnessed
Discipleship’s faith
Always take courage
Christ offers His peace
Love
Trusted
Father above
Rising above darkness
Christ’s light delivers peace
Hope
Seasoned
Spirit descends
Righteousness fills journey
Guided by Christ’s peace
Joy
Gentle morning rain
Afternoon transition
Cold front moving in
Winter’s new edition
Season’s first snowflake
Forecast’s memo on track
Innocent at first
More join in, welcome back
Chorus of voices
Barren landscape, now white
Autumn forgotten
Nature’s fresh acolyte
Darkness shines at night
Moonlight’s bright reflection
Each snowflake twinkles
With timely perfection
Peace shrouds silent realm
Time wanting to stand still
Another postcard
Sketches winter’s playbill
From Psalm 118:1: “O give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His steadfast love endures forever!”
Giving thanks, praising Father
His enduring, steadfast love
Faith today, hope tomorrow
Embracing grace from above
Kneeling in daily prayer
Father listens with patience
Faith today, hope tomorrow
Transforming our impatience
Taking refuge with Father
His righteousness leads forthwith
Faith today, hope tomorrow
Overcoming evil’s myth
Surrounding witness of light
Father blazes road ahead
Faith today, hope tomorrow
Nourishing with daily bread
Grasping wisdom of Father
Skies no longer full of gray
Faith today, hope tomorrow
Directing our best, His way
From Psalm 118:24: “This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.”
Big Sky Buckeye 