Poised with poet’s pen
Words painting winter’s landscape—
Creator-inspired
Sunset now descends
Night sky waiting to unfold—
Winter’s voice seeks rest
Pine trees covered white
Wilderness in slumber’s peace—
Winter’s dreams alive
Marveling at an American treasure
Outdoor movie screens offer nighttime pleasure
Drive-ins share their unique personality
Double features, hometown hospitality
Big screen stars on America’s movie night
Under the night sky, Hollywood’s best shine bright
Notable scenes from drive-ins come to the screen
Danny and Sandy from “Grease” making the scene
Winning combination fuels drive-ins’ success
Love of movies plus cars, who would ever guess?
Practicing social distancing, cars spread out
Another summer night, film-inspired blowout
Family piles into the station wagon
Good thing we traded that tiny Volkswagen
Mom and Dad, reservations in the front seat
Wearing pajamas, kids view from the back seat
Transporting all of us to a place of fun
Kids become quiet . . . fall asleep, one by one
Comfy family night under twilight’s stars
Slice of Americana, with movie stars
Practicing social distance before anyone knew what it meant, America’s drive-ins have been a fixture since arriving in New Jersey in 1933. Following World War II, the American landscape exploded with new drive-ins. By 1952, outdoor movie attendance exceeded indoor theaters for the first time. During the 1950s, the number of drive-ins peaked at 5,000 or so.
Originally published September, 2020.
From Hebrews 3:12-13: “Take care, brothers and sisters, that none of you may have an evil, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today,” so that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.”
Liberty shall be defined
Opportunity arrives
Sharing peace from Jesus Christ
Future’s hope breathing alive
Unconditional spirit
Encouragement’s blessed Word
Turning toward Father’s grace
Benevolence always stirred
Present sufferings shall fade
New creation waits for all
Finding joy in light’s freedom
Chains of sin’s bondage shall fall
Faith’s blessed door now opens
Love invites all to enter
Hearing Father’s steady voice
Mercy waits at room’s center
All peace shines from Son’s goodness
Justified by Father’s hand
Walking in darkness no more
Light’s hope will forever stand
From 1 John 1:5: “This is the message we have heard from Him and proclaim to you, that God is light and in Him there is no darkness at all.”
Foreshadowing
Sin’s forgiveness
Come unto my Lord
Kneeling, praying at Calvary’s
Cross
Surrounding
Sin’s darkness
Only one Light
Hope found my Savior
Peace
Embracing
Faith’s cornerstone
Set aside everything
Commit life to Jesus
Reconciliation
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.
Questions arriving
Between shadows of light
Escaping darkness
Answers soon begin flight
Reflective life pause
Mind’s daily traffic slows
Seeking fresh outlook
Instincts shall always know
Sunrise opens mind
Passion finds virgin route
Learning through new ways
Destiny set to sprout
Moment of failure
Part of life’s faithful quest
Dusting off oneself
Set to taste tomorrow’s best
Life’s transforming guide
Opportunity talks
Jumping right onboard
Confidence leaves dry dock
All men who have achieved great things have been great dreamers.
No one can make a real masterpiece of life until he sees something infinitely greater in his vocation than bread and butter and shelter.
Orison Swett Marden (1848-1924) was an American inspirational writer. He founded Success magazine in 1897. Many of his ideas were based upon the New Thought philosophy.
From Psalm 34:4: “I sought the Lord, and He answered me and delivered me from all my fears.”
Climbing faith’s gentle mountain
Every step blessed by God
Praising Him at all times
Life’s outlook no longer flawed
Seeking Spirit’s faithful light
Answers received from God
Bringing righteousness home
Love shatters evil’s facade
Escaping tomorrow’s fears
Never alone with God
Trusting His sacred Word
Hope’s frozen landscape now thawed
Feelings of loneliness cease
Heart warmed with love of God
Saving self from darkness
Goodness walks upon fresh sod
Turning to heaven above
Eyes now focused on God
Hearing faithful Spirit
Redemption forever shod
Finding joy on His mountain
Peace fulfills hope in God
Walking amongst faith’s saints
Shepherd guides with staff and rod
From Psalm 34:22: “The Lord redeems the life of His servants; none of those who take refuge in Him will be condemned.”
Remaining honest
Mirror’s objective vision—
Character’s guardrails
Life’s daily balance
Spotlight upon others’ work—
Self-pride takes backseat
Today’s challenges
Actions held accountable—
Tomorrow strengthened
Deserted, severed tree trunk
Shattered by storms long ago
Splitting this giant in two
Forsaken now in its woes
Nature’s hand calling the shots
Drawing dark cards from the deck
Standing alone, slowest death
Trying to salvage this wreck
Deformed snag appears lifeless
Yet, God calls this wildlife tree
Standing proudly, still on watch
Nature’s snack bar waits for free
Living nearby, log still lives
Covered with lichens and moss
Home for God’s smallest creatures
Termites, beetles . . . march across
Jagged stump remains on guard
Below the ground, roots still thrive
Life holds on, another year
Perseverance to survive
Around the dark, scuttled tree
Racing to reach sunlight first
Young saplings growing skyward
Cycle of life, marked to burst
All of the photographs were taken at Chestnut Ridge Metro Park, which is located just outside of Canal Winchester, Ohio. I frequently walk this park during the fall, spring, and summer months with an occasional hike in the wintertime.
Originally published September, 2020.
From Psalm 25:4-5: “Make me to know Your ways, O Lord; teach me Your paths. Lead me in Your truth and teach me, for You are the God of my salvation; for You I wait all day long.”
Darkness filled with stormy seas
Navigating all alone
Waiting and watching
Jesus witnesses man’s every groan
Better days surely coming
Spring forward, full of grace
Watching and hoping
Jesus shares righteous branch, now embrace
His way leads to higher ground
Bringing mercy’s salvation
Hoping and trusting
Jesus rebuilds faith’s new foundation
Moments of earnest prayer
Transforming grace taking flight
Trusting and praising
Jesus forgives with redemptive light
Faith nourished with comfort’s love
Raising Resurrection’s bridge
No longer waiting
Jesus offers way to heaven’s ridge
From 1 Thessalonians 5:9-10: “For God has destined us not for wrath but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep we may live with Him.”
Big Sky Buckeye 