Buried among seeds of darkness
Fragile ember of light
Fractured so long ago
Breathing without hope this night
Surrounded by hidden shadows
Life searches for its peace
Emptied of hopeful thoughts
Whispering pain won’t decrease
Overwhelmed by hope’s icy breath
Tomorrow’s missing voice
Captured by someone else
Drifting, without any choice
Comforted by nurturing peace
Spirit scatters each cloud
Rescued by tender light
Trusting hope, darkness unplowed
From Hebrews 11:6: “And without faith it is impossible to please God, for whoever would approach Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who seek Him.”
Living without faith
Never pleasing to God
Scripture grows musty
Seeing life as a fraud
Lacking true knowledge
Missing God’s living Word
Whole heart feels empty
Running with the wrong herd
Callous attitude
Faith absent, lonesome walk
Mind unbelieving
AWOL from Shepherd’s flock
Holy Trinity
Faith’s long forgotten light
Father, Son, Spirit
Blessed angels take flight
From Proverbs 3:5: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own insight.”
Originally published December, 2020.
If you are in the midst of your own dark night, use the time wisely. If there are tears, let them water the words you pour out to God, remembering that joy comes in the morning.
From Psalm 17:3: “If You try my heart, if You visit me by night, if You test me, You will find no wickedness in me; my mouth does not transgress.”
David Jeremiah (born 1941) is an American pastor and Christian author.
Endless days
Rain with cold
Clouding ways
Hidden folds
Journey’s road
Whispers heard
Bearing loads
Past unblurred
Rhythm’s pace
Patience calls
Giving chase
Freedom stalls
Darkness reigns
Future waits
Changing lanes
Freshens fate
Clouds depart
Sun arrives
Thawing heart
Full of drive
Outlook warms
Boldness shines
Leaving storm
Day looks fine
Faith is a plant that can grow in the shade, a grace that can find the way to heaven in a dark night.
From Psalm 17:3: “If you try my heart, if you visit me by night, if you test me, you will find no wickedness in me; my mouth does not transgress.”
William Gurnall (1616-1679) was an English author and member of the Anglican clergy.
Tomorrow crashing
Storm coming
Apathy’s reign building
Grave doubts becoming
Challenges brewing
Storm coming
Intensity building
Darkness incoming
Opinions clashing
Storm coming
Confusion keeps building
Future’s shortcomings
All nations trembling
Storm coming
World’s grim outlook building
Frightened and numbing
Trusted light glowing
Peace coming
Storm no longer building
Hope-filled homecoming
From Psalm 55:22: “Cast your burden on the Lord, and He will sustain you; He will never permit the righteous to be moved.”
Life’s stumbling footsteps
Sullen heart weighed down
Darkness at doorstep
Day’s final breakdown
Burdens never light
Load much too heavy
Collapsing at night
Floodwaters’ levee
Spirit’s tiresome tone
Christ walks alongside
Merciful seeds sown
Faith breathing, clear-eyed
Shelter’s welcome place
Prayer’s trusted reach
Overflowing grace
Christ’s faithful outreach
With every new day
Worry taking flight
Christ’s open gateway
Now traveling light
From Matthew 11:28-30: “Come to Me, all you who are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light.”
Anguishing
Heaven’s tears
Sheep without Shepherd
Savior’s final breath taken
Death
Mourning
Overwhelming sadness
Convicted by sinners
Witnessing Calvary’s bloodied cross
Darkness
Discovering
Empty tomb
Christ has risen!
Eyes opened to truth
Resurrection
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.
Journey’s destination
Seeking life’s unknown
Coming to night’s station
No one answers phone
Voices remain muted
Chasing shadow’s trace
Feeling spirit looted
Darkness giving chase
Freedom’s ember cloaked
Walking toward peace
Igniting flame, well-stoked
Distant voice won’t cease
Tomorrow offers hope
Hearing wartime’s calm
Grasping sunrise’s rope
Listen, no more bombs!
Leaves falling early
Nature witnesses drought
Farmers’ harvest dwindles
Future seeming in doubt
Nation in crisis
Hopeful news faces drought
Today fills with darkness
Tomorrow seeks fresh route
World’s chaos deepens
Suffocated in drought
Actions for peace missing
Voices of anguish sprout
Leaves filling with green
Rainfall erases drought
Farmers’ outlook restored
Future transformed from doubt
Nation’s common ground
Compromise quelling drought
Hope’s spirit rekindled
Tomorrow walks new route
World commits to peace
Goodwill overcomes drought
Togetherness . . . one goal
Voices of courage sprout
Big Sky Buckeye 