Calendar page turns
Hello Summer, my dear friend—
Makin’ memories
Another refill?
Do you really need to ask?
Pour one more cup please
Life’s daily puzzle
So many empty spaces—
Piece waits in the wings
Photo by John-Mark Smith on Pexels.com
The text used for this poem is based upon Proverbs Chapter 10, with the 10th verse taking center stage: “The wise lay up knowledge, but the babbling of a fool brings ruin.”
Seeks God’s wisdom
His words bring wealth
A benevolent father
Welcomes a wise child
Virtue always delivers
Never going hungry
The judicious of heart
Follows the Commandments
Always walks in integrity
Makes for a secure life
Boldly calls out trouble
Brings peace to life
Use righteous words
Builds a fountain of life
Hate stirs up trouble
Love heals our offenses
Craves absorbing wisdom
Ignores a blathering fool
Leads an honorable life
Shuns sinful behaviors
Be prudent when speaking
Uses a blameless tongue
Seeks the Lord’s blessings
Comes in reverent prayer
Follows our heavenly Father
His stronghold protects us
Originally published June, 2019.
From Colossians 3:2: “Set your minds on the things that are above, not on the things that are on earth.”
Temptations swirl all around
Feeling peace turning sour
Life spinning out of control
Facing another hour
Distractions overwhelm hopes
Setting each one aside
Wisdom’s courage reaches out
Becoming journey’s guide
Darkness fading before Light
Seeing evil no more
Character nurtured with grace
Aiming for heaven’s shore
Blessings from Father above
Warming each heart with praise
Courage flowing from wisdom
Lasting spirit ablaze
From the words of British writer and lay theologian, C. S. Lewis: “Aim at heaven and you will get earth thrown in; aim at earth and you get neither.”
Hungering
For Father
Whole heart prays
Finding Him always near
Faith
Coming
To Father
Focusing on Light
Following His trusted wisdom
Peace
Gathering
With Father
Restoring tomorrow’s hope
Climbing up mercy’s steps
Love
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.
Browsing life’s sketches
With another day
Searching for patterns
Something waits to say
Framing every word
With another thought
Discovering joy
Something ties each knot
Tasting sweet moments
With another page
Blending heartfelt dreams
Something comes of age
Leaving nest empty
With another flight
Seeking novel themes
Something waits to write
Plotting new sketches
With another scene
Finding new patterns
Something stirs, unseen
Every morning I take a few quick minutes to complete a mini crossword puzzle. The short journey helps to focus the mind on my next task. Of course, my thoughts may be pulling together a theme for a new writing sketch as a poem or short story.
From Lamentations 3:22-23: “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.”
Rising up every morning
Forgetting life’s messy side
Praying for much brighter day
God’s grace reverses high tide
Believing in God’s goodness
Guiding life’s vessel shoreward
Conversing with Lord Jesus
Blessed daily steps forward
Spending one more hour with God
Finding tomorrow’s new hope
Feeling seed of faith growing
Life discovers ways to cope
Walking away from dark past
Accepting changes through God
Witnessing grateful mercy
Life no longer feeling flawed
From James 1:17-18: “Every generous act of giving, with every perfect gift, is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. In fulfillment of His own purpose He gave birth to us by the word of truth, so that we would become a kind of first fruits of His creatures.
Morning’s dawn arrives
Hilltop meadow’s peacefulness—
Ancient voices speak
Enchanting flowers
Saying “hello” each sunrise—
Precious day’s escape
Stunning scenic view
Quilt of so many colors—
Daylight’s mountaintop
Sunrise at Walnut Woods Metro Park in central Ohio.
Every day, filling with precious moments
Life’s simple pleasures, love-filling treasures
Never again, take any for granted
Traveling life’s long road, each step measures
Darkened dawn sky, erupting with bright hues
Granddaughter taking first tentative walk
Life sometimes slows down, bringing a replay
Neighborhood sidewalk, hopscotch drawn in chalk
Neil Diamond lyrics, harmony through song
Mother calls, reminding me her love cares
Favorite novel, author’s words smile back
Trio of daughters, sweeter than a pair
Evening sunset, brings awesome pleasures
Tomorrow, witnessing simple treasures
Sunset in Columbus, Ohio.
Originally published April, 2020.
From Romans 5:5: “And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us.”
Without love, faith remains empty
Absent of faith, all hope dries up
Lacking hope, tomorrow grows dark
Grace waiting to fill every cup
Man’s works never earn salvation
Imperfection fills heaven’s eyes
Seeing dimmest light on one cross
Christ’s love opens faith’s new franchise
Holy Spirit pours into hearts
Love cascades from Living Water
Witnessing Father’s endless grace
Mercy’s hope for sons and daughters
Father’s love rescues each sinner
Debts paid in full through Savior’s death
Unlocking redemption’s closed door
Love’s faithful hope stirring each breath
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit
Springs of faith rising in each heart
Sharing their spontaneous love
New hope’s energizing restart
From 1 Corinthians 13:13: “And now faith, hope, and love remain, these three, and the greatest of these is love.”
Love
Inspiring tomorrows
Trusting Father’s vision
Today, suffering no more
Faith
Faith
Overcoming darkness
Endurance molding character
Jesus filling another heart
Hope
Hope
Pouring out
Patient Spirit prevails
Fulfilling faith’s daily peace
Love
Big Sky Buckeye 