Monday Memories: Under the Big Sky

Looking westward toward southwestern Montana’s Tobacco Root Mountains, with the Madison River flowing through the valley below.

God’s creation under the Big Sky

Treasured landscape covers this vast land

Immense prairies flow into mountains

Few places on earth looking this grand

 

Rugged backbone of the continent

Chiseled spine of the Rocky Mountains

Stray mountain ranges dotting the plains

Cascading streams flowing as fountains

 

Three distinct rivers form its headwaters

Mighty, boundless Missouri River

Eastward, collecting the Yellowstone

Precious mountain rains move downriver

 

White-tail and mule deer camp in thickets

Pronghorns graze in the midst of grasslands

Mountain valleys gather elk and bears

Ducks and geese pilot into wetlands

 

Frequently titled the Treasure State

Montana shines under its Big Sky

People flocking to witness its gems

You just might meet a Buckeye nearby

 

Montana’s Yellowstone River continues its eastward journey, eventually flowing into the Missouri River.

I could probably write something about my native state of Montana every day.  It will always be a very special place to me.  Watch out, you just might run into a Buckeye returning to the Big Sky.

Originally published December, 2020.

Passion’s Expressions (Haiku Series #336)

Breathtaking

Precious butterfly

Creator’s natural art—

Fragile, yet strengthened

Photo by Zett Foto on Pexels.com

Fulfilling

Summer’s final days

Another field ripening—

Harvest’s bounty waits

Photo by Anna Rynkowska on Pexels.com

Everlasting

Calendar’s page turns

Landscape knowing its schedule—

Morning’s autumn peace

Photo by Le sixiu00e8me ru00eave on Pexels.com

Our Creator’s Truth

From Psalm 139:13-14:  “For it was you who formed my inward parts; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.  I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.  Wonderful are your works; that I know very well.”

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

Our Creator’s breath

Inescapable

Molding each precious gift

Earth’s dynamic facelift

 

Our Creator’s touch

Undeniable

Crafting nature’s landscape

Tenderness fills each shape

 

Our Creator’s works

Unfathomable

Filling with Heaven’s light

Harsh darkness taking flight

 

Our Creator’s grace

Insurmountable

Offering love’s embrace

Patience marking each space

 

Our Creator’s faith

Undebatable

Delivering life’s hope

Atop each mountain slope

 

Our Creator’s way

Inseparable

Leading to Promised Land

His plan forever grand

 

Our Creator’s truth

Unequivocal

Writing Scripture’s story

Destined for His glory

 

Photo by Joshimer Biu00f1as on Pexels.com

From Psalm 139:23-24:  “Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my thoughts.  See if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”

Wilderness Backpack

Central Ohio’s Chestnut Ridge Metro Park (June, 2020).

Hidden in forest’s depths

Creator’s kingdom reigns

Moving with quiet breath

Feeding nature’s unbroken chain

 

Spontaneous landscape

Creator’s rhythm sings

Breathing beauty’s freshness

Witnessing all that summer brings

 

Trees towering above

Creator fills each scene

Overflowing with peace

Reaching to heavens, grass so green

 

Tranquil waters roam free

Creator’s grace gives back

Nourishing youngest plants

Equipping wilderness backpack

 

Busy traffic drives by

Immune to forest’s sigh

Missing treasures within

Creator frames sunset’s goodbye

 

Photo by Ahmet Yu00fcksek u272a on Pexels.com

Hal Borland Quotes

Photo by Lisa from Pexels on Pexels.com

Knowing trees, I understand the meaning of patience.  Knowing grass, I appreciate patience.

A frontier is never a place; it is a time and a way of life.

Hal Borland (1900-1978) was an American writer, journalist, and naturalist. 

Tranquility’s Landscape

Cloudy shadows dance upon a Montana summer landscape.

Creator’s gentleness moves

Ability to reshape

Another day, now embrace

Tranquility’s landscape

 

Creator’s eternal eye

Hint of tomorrow takes shape

Daily treasures, just embrace

Joyfulness fills landscape

 

Creator’s vision gathers

No longer covered in tape

Nature’s portrait, soon embrace

Harmony paints landscape

 

Creator’s elegance breathes

Images fill each dreamscape

Trove of delights, let’s embrace

Time’s patience frames landscape

 

Creator’s quiet outlook

Peacefulness never escapes

Innocence, always embrace

Silence sketches landscape

 

Gentle silence frames another sunset in Ohio.

Postcard’s Keepsakes (Haiku Series #316)

Tranquility Shared

Glorious morning

Creator’s comfort surrounds—

Amongst blue heavens

Photo by Maximilian Ruther on Pexels.com

Lofty Heights

Giants reach skyward

Creator’s breath welcomes rest—

Capturing stillness

Photo by Ryland zweifel on Pexels.com

Evening Twilight

Night’s invitation

Creator’s landscape finds peace—

Slumbering sunset

Photo by Fatih Dou011frul on Pexels.com

Winter’s Steady Quest

Photo by Ivan on Pexels.com

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

 

Photo by Michelle Chadwick on Pexels.com

Breath of Life

Photo by Simon Berger on Pexels.com

Season to season

From love’s treasured heart

Every breath of life

Landscape’s fresh restart

 

Nature’s life cycles

Reborn every spring

Yet, autumn mourns loss

Winter’s darkness stings

 

Throughout life’s phases

Hope’s fateful ascent

Never to wither

Love always present

 

Always on schedule

Life’s permanent breath

Winter fades away

Spring overcomes death

 

Eternal love lasts

Cold ground warms again

Life breathes as He planned

Creator’s “amen”

 

Photo by Viktory Sim on Pexels.com

Winter’s Breath (Haiku Series #310)

Encouraging

Poised with poet’s pen

Words painting winter’s landscape—

Creator-inspired

Photo by Aliaksei Semirski on Pexels.com

Reflecting

Sunset now descends

Night sky waiting to unfold—

Winter’s voice seeks rest

Photo by Tom Fisk on Pexels.com

Unbounding

Pine trees covered white

Wilderness in slumber’s peace—

Winter’s dreams alive

Photo by u0410u043bu0435u043 on Pexels.com