Monday Memories: Then Came Light

woman stands on mountain over field under cloudy sky at sunrise

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To a formless world, shrouded in whole darkness

God brought forth light to remove the harshness

 

To a dark, foreboding room with no shape

Candles illuminate our morning landscape

 

From a barren, lifeless pine or Douglas fir tree

Christmas brings lights, and makes us feel free

 

To a cold, hostile land without any light at night

Early man learns of fire, to warm and offer sight

 

To a student, who feels frustrated in a lesson so dark

A teacher brings patience, and a smile offers a spark

 

To a darkened, isolated highway on a night with no moon

Bright headlights point us safely towards home very soon

 

To a world seeking guidance and a fresh start

Lady Liberty’s welcoming torch, sets her apart

 

To a frightened child, waking up in darkness of the night

Parents bringing a beam of light, to take away his fright

 

To a middle-aged adult, stricken with eyesight very poor

A doctor’s skill removes a cataract, so she can see more

 

To an empty and humbling manger, in a crowded stable

A bright star over Bethlehem, showing what is now able

 

To heal the broken, lost life of a desperate man

God offering a sustaining and hope-filling plan

person spreading hands against sun

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Haiku Series #66 (Life)

Daily Changes

Coronavirus

Learning to adapt each day—

World paradigm shift

blue banner sign posters

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Experience Counts

Cleaning and cooking

Being a baby boomer—

Fatherhood training

cleaning supplies

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Not Now

Muddy, rain-soaked road

Destination now delayed—

Changing a flat tire

shadow of person on water during daytime

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Quietness Speaks

I took a recent neighborhood walk, and the surroundings were definitely not the norm.  Quiet streets and hardly anyone outside on a gloomy, spring afternoon.  I crossed a busy road, without the usual volume of traffic.  The entire experience brought many thoughts to mind, some of which found their way into this poem.

grayscale photography of waiting shed near open road at night

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Morning rush traffic, missing in action

Downtown streets resemble empty ghost towns

All of this, most unusual for many

Life experiencing major breakdowns

 

Atmosphere of dark, winter gloom arrives

Quiet neighborhood lanes, filled with stillness

Sheltered-in-place covers the entire land

Fear and panic, with visions of illness

 

Households, overflowing with family

Quite unique for a midweek afternoon

Only essential employees at work

Life differs from a “Charlie Brown” cartoon

 

Spring’s portraits and sounds, arriving on schedule

Trees bud out, grass turning green, robins sing

God’s creation reminds us, He is near

His steadfast, faithful hope shall always ring

young grain

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From Lamentations 3:21-23:  “But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope:  The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.”

Life Looks Back

man in green jacket

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Dusty top of the kitchen fridge

No worries about cleaning

Unless . . .

Taller guests come to play bridge

 

Windshield wipers, broken and worn

Needing to be replaced

But never . . .

Attempt when rain becomes airborne

 

Congested and overmatched table

Keeping life healthy and in order

Looking like . . .

Walgreens, filled with pill labels

 

Remembering school days past

Time to take another test

Pausing . . .

Hoping the “ditto” smell will last

 

Self-driving cars, soon to be the craze

Sitting in one, with perplexed look

Pondering . . .

Will the back seat driver be unfazed?

 

Raiding the freezer for a midnight snack

Hunger disrupts blissful sleep

What’s this . . .

Cookie Dough ice cream has been hijacked

 

Installing a terrific app on her “hip” phone

Grandson helps his Grandma out

Meanwhile . . .

With his flip phone, Grandpa feels quite alone

 

Finding a parking spot is tonight’s mission

Free valet parking

Guaranteed . . .

When you drive a manual transmission

 

So many toilet paper choices and sizes

What ever happened to having just one?

Confusing . . .

Mega and Super Mega waiting in disguise

 

Enjoying a late night film on television

Fearful of falling asleep

Always prepared . . .

Setting an alarm, allows for night vision

 

Reading and proofreading, reading once more

Retired English teacher

Never satisfied . . .

Writing a “perfect” text with words to adore

 

If you have enjoyed this bit of fun

Wait for the next round

When . . .

Doughnuts and coffee for everyone

doughnut on white ceramic plate beside ceramic mug on brown wooden table

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Monday Memories: Poet’s Last Wish

white ceramic teacup with saucer near two books above gray floral textile

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Sitting alone at my trusty writing table once again

Wondering where the creative images have been

 

Touching the early morning peace and stillness

Writing with inspiring words, filled with richness

 

Crafting poetry, a pleasing journey to thrill

Seeking new ideas for a blank sheet to fill

 

Smiling as my loyal pen walks with haste

Hoping these words provide a rich taste

 

Dreaming of writing a poem that’s a big hit

Understanding that many will be left adrift

 

Pausing to think of outstanding poetry awards

Knowing that finishing may be my only reward

 

Finding more ambition from the morning light

Feeling my mind beginning to take long flight

 

Adding to a poem line by thoughtful line

Relishing the energy my words will find

 

Nearing the end of my writing journey, years from now

Looking back at my poetry, and taking a last, final bow

 

Realizing that long after I have left and been gone

Appreciating others reading my words, like a song

white cup on saucer

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Through Another Lens

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Waking up early on a darkened, rainy day

Unable to walk, disrupting my morn with gray

 

Turning off the news, craving a necessary break

Immersing in other blogs, with their unique take

 

Sharing thoughtful comments, here and there

Always reminded, so many people truly care

 

This stubborn mind stores much, obsolete clutter

Causing my mature engine to cough and sputter

 

Life’s music sometimes offers a stimulating tune

Witnessing other perspectives, into an afternoon

 

Discovering positive discussions, comforting my mind

Challenging me to see, steps lead to future grace to find

 

Life’s lens sometimes fails, entirely clouded over

Like searching for a four-leaf, in a field of clover

 

As a culture, broadcasting anew from many landscapes

Exchanging ideas, opening our lens to exciting escapes

 

Our Lord, fashioning in us a curious intellect to wear

Stepping out, witnessing life as others wish to share

 

Reading God’s Word, helping to clear the murky view

Seeing life through His lens, aligning honest and true

 

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Haiku Series #64 (Life)

Change

Moving clocks ahead

Life springs forward without stress—

The next day . . . Monday!

time for change sign with led light

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Let’s Go

Anticipation!

Anxious to see grandchildren—

Hitting the highway

arizona asphalt automobile automotive

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Annual Tease

Glorious weekend

Spring shares herself, at long last—

Monday, snow . . . again?

black and white bird on tree branch

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On a Street Corner

multi colored high rise buildings

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It is mid-morning on a nearly empty street corner in a remote, medium-sized town when Milt runs into one of his best friends, Fred.  Little do these two men know, but their improbable rendezvous will bring both of them inner strength and hope.

Both men are in their eighties, but each is blessed with good health.  Being retired, they don’t always have a chance to catch up on news.

Milt is a widower, who lost his beloved Sharon several years back.  Fred’s lovely wife, Judy, struggles with many chronic health concerns.

The two friends continue to visit on the deserted street corner.  Milt tells Fred, “I am really concerned about this virus news.”  As he speaks, both men realize they need to stand a bit farther apart due to reminders in the news about social distancing.

Milt replies back, “Me, too.  I guess we have lots of company.”  Both men have been overly cautious about being safe with their exposure to the disease.

Fred shares news from home about his bride of 61 years.  He continues talking to Milt, “I am really worried about Sharon.  Her health is very fragile, and I hope she can weather the storm ahead with this virus out there.”

Milt looks across at his friend, and he sees the deep worries of concern and anxiety in Fred’s face.  Milt asks, “May I pray for you?”  Milt nods in agreement.

In closing the prayer, Milt shares a special prayer with his long-time friend:  “God, grant us the serenity to accept the things we cannot change, the courage to change the things we cannot change, the courage to change the things we can, and wisdom to know the difference.”

Before the men depart and continue with their day’s journey, Fred shares a verse from one of his favorite Psalms (27:1):  “The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?  The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?”

The Serenity Prayer was originally written by theologian Reinhold Niebuhr.  The most common version of the prayer was published in 1951, but Niebuhr used variations of the prayer in sermons as early as 1934.  In the story, Milt adapted the prayer to fit the situation.

Monday Memories: Dreams Start Young

work hard dream big writing on glass case

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Bumping the ball, again and again without error

Dreaming of becoming a great volleyball player

 

A young girl aspires to play volleyball with her all

Setting eyes on her future, she answers the call

 

Almost daily it seems, she practices again in the yard

Bumping a volleyball back up on the roof, isn’t so hard

 

This determined and skilled lady moves up in her years

Realizing always, playing volleyball brings her little fear

 

As she enters middle school, she plays on her first team

Enjoying the competition, making her face always beam

 

Bumping the ball, again and again without error

Dreaming of becoming a great volleyball player

 

Her soft hands and calmness, make her a skilled setter

Roaming the back row, her ball-hawking is even better

 

With a purpose, she enters high school and plays a key role

Setting up her teammates with accurate precision—Whoa!

 

Her teammates rally around her confident leadership

Wearing #9, her unruffled play leads and rarely slips

 

Her team charts a perfect season and a trip to State

Falling just a bit short, second place will be their fate

 

Bumping the ball, again and again without error

Dreaming of becoming a great volleyball player

 

The team moves forward with her unselfish play

Becoming a volleyball dynasty, even to this day

 

A relaxed, confident smile masks her intense competitiveness

Elevating her game, encouraging her team to lofty greatness

 

Now her team looks more determined, than ever before

Bringing its school and town, a perfect season of scores

 

Returning to State, the setter and her mates are up to the task

Capturing the school’s very first volleyball State crown, at last

 

Bumping the ball, again and again without error

Dreaming of becoming a great volleyball player

 

The Wildcats secure two more trips to State, to complete her career

Continuing a rich and winning volleyball tradition, without any tears

 

As her high school career begins its closing, thrilling year

Tasting defeat so very few times, makes opponents fear

 

“Wow, she hasn’t graduated yet!”—An opposing coach winks

Playing in these final State matches, her skills remain in sync

 

An incredible volleyball player, will no longer pass and roam

Remembering those times of practicing, in the yard at home

 

Bumping the ball, again and again without error

Dreaming of becoming a great volleyball player

 

 

 

Transforming Life

From Romans 12:11:  “Do not lag in zeal, be ardent in spirit, serve the Lord.”

person standing on pathway

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Offering our bodies to our Father

As a living sacrifice to the Lord

Forever transformed, through His renewal

Bringing new life, by God’s sacred accord

 

Accepting God’s will with sober recourse

Remaining faithful, God living with us

His Word, always cleanses our sinful ways

With God’s plan, a Holy and perfect plus

 

God’s love is genuine, filled with His grace

Stepping forward, stoked with spirited zeal

Remaining steadfast, to all which is good

Serving God, escaping heavy ordeals

 

Steering ourselves, with total discipline

According to God’s proud expectations

Living and serving His Holy Kingdom

Avoiding the Enemy’s temptations

 

Remaining patient, despite life’s trials

Providing His strength, God leading us all

Walking in faith, taking the Lord’s high road

Living peacefully, following His call

road street sign way

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From the words of American pastor, Harry Emerson Fosdick:  “No horse gets anywhere until he is harnessed.  No life ever grows great until it is focused, dedicated, disciplined.”