Perseverance

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Perseverance is her nickname

Tenacity ignites her flame

A young gymnast spends hours sharpening her skills

Improving a challenging routine stirs up a giant thrill

Her practices have been going well thus far

Showing tireless energy to conquer the bars

Recent meets have brought a challenge her way

Missing the giant on the uneven bars both days

Perseverance is her nickname

Tenacity ignites her flame

This Level 7 gymnast travels to her next meet

Hoping the Warrior Challenge will bring a feat

She will compete today in three events plus the bars

Believing in her athletic destiny as she arrives by car

The judges will be looking for routines to score the best

Expecting to assess poise and skills that pass the test

Perseverance is her nickname

Tenacity ignites her flame

This determined gymnast competes with renewed poise

Warming up, she seems oblivious to the crowd’s noise

Her bars warm-up finishes exceedingly well

Feeling her inner confidence grow and swell

It’s her turn to show the best she can be

Nailing the giant at last for judges to see

Perseverance is her nickname

Tenacity ignites her flame

 

I have several grandchildren, whom all make me very proud.  This poem honors my then 11-year old granddaughter who is a very accomplished gymnast.  She has moved up to Level 7 and enjoys competing at this higher level.  

 

Perfection

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Perfection Defined:

The condition of being free or as free as possible from all flaws or defects.

 

Striving for absolute perfection proves to be elusive

Life provides few examples that are always conclusive

 

Perfection in bowling

Rolling 12 strikes in a row

 

Perfect school attendance

No absences during an entire school year

 

Perfect gymnastics performance

Scoring an “improbable” 10.0

 

Perfect school exam score

All questions answered correctly

 

Perfect completion of a crossword puzzle

Every square correctly filled in

 

Perfect game in baseball

Pitcher retires all batters—no one reaches first base

 

Perfect grades in school

All A’s . . .  4.0 GPA

 

Standards have been made to measure perfection

Challenging all to achieve for greater satisfaction

Individual actions and results to be told

Defining a level of perfection to behold

 

A “perfect” vacation

What makes it the best ever?

 

A “perfect” photograph

What makes this image so brilliant?

 

A “perfect” job

What provides the greatest satisfaction at work?

 

A “perfect” health report

What makes these results outstanding?

 

A “perfect” marriage

What moments are forever beautiful?

 

Subjective perfection is short-lived for a good reason

Definitions and expectations change with each season

When we think that our best efforts fall short

Allow Christ to bring us back to our home port

His unblemished life is perfection for sure

We follow His example for lives more pure

 

Haiku Series #6

Pumpkin Pie

Smelling pie baking

Pumpkin spice and anything nice

Tasting the first slice

 

Before Mealtime

Dinner is ready

Bless the family today

Feel again God’s grace

 

Love Lives Here

A marriage is blessed

Husband and wife together

Love will never fail

 

Amazing Grace

Grateful, thankful, blessed

Believe, pray more, worry less

Feel God’s love each day

 

Thankful Hearts

Giving thanks each day

Bless the true love between us

Carry grateful hearts

 

If you missed any of the previous Haiku posts, here are the links:

Haiku Series #1, Haiku Series #2, Haiku Series #3, Haiku Series #4, Haiku Series V.

Forevermore

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Standing and lifting eyes upward

Asking for help

But, from where will it come?

 

Reading from a cherished Bible

Finding the words

Of a patient and gracious Lord

 

Humbling images of God’s plan

Creating the heavens

As well as the earth

 

Feeling the grace of God

Providing shade

At one’s right hand

 

Sleeping is never His wish

Watching over

His people at every moment

 

Praying to a compassionate Lord

Listening now

His words bring comfort

 

Protecting us at all times

Witnessing Him

Forevermore

The background for this poem comes from the Bible; see Psalm 121.

Time on the Road

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Aging a bit and hoping to keep my driving days alive

I cannot help it, but laugh at how my troubles thrive

 

Driving on a dark, blackened road with high beams on

No dimming headlights, because I was singing a song

 

Driving on an icy road, too slippery for my car to fly

The windshield wipers shout and say, “Dumb Guy!”

 

Driving a bit too fast through a school zone

Sorry officer, at least I wasn’t on my phone

 

Creeping on a crowded freeway, feeling more like mice

Listening to car horns blaring out loud, never very nice

 

Navigating through a minefield of treacherous potholes

Pulling over to find a tire flattened from a massive hole

 

Driving home at the end of a long day, without even a grin

Stuck in slow, crawling commuter traffic, please not again

 

Parking at last, stress-filled driving finished for today

Hoping travels go a whole lot better, on the next day

 

 

A Whisper

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Hearing a far, distant whisper

Delicately spoken

Soothing words

 

Speaking in a special voice

Familiar sounding

Decades ago

 

Whispering over and over again

Barely audible

Peacefully said

 

Taking one on a journey

Distant city

Tranquil feeling

 

Listening for the whisper again

Silence now

Returning when?

 

 

 

Guardian of the Range

 

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Jack Sorenson Fine Art, Inc.

A tardy, spring snowstorm assaults the grassy range

It provides a local rancher with extra work and pain

 

A newborn calf has lost her way in the heavy snow

She needs to be found soon before the wind blows

 

A solitary cowboy proceeds into the storm on his horse

He prepares to track down the stray calf in due course

 

An oversized winter coat protects him from the bitter cold

He pulls down a worn, black hat and looks ready and bold

 

The horse stands majestic and obeys each command

He and the cowboy will tackle the work hand in hand

 

The courageous pair rides together into the nasty storm

Both will be tested to rescue the lonely calf before morn

 

The snowflakes thankfully hesitate for a moment or two

Now the cowboy follows the calf’s tracks, totally in view

 

The stout horse plows through the snow so white

The lost calf may soon be discovered in their sight

 

The frightened calf huddles near a sheltering Ponderosa pine

She appears weak, cold, exhausted, and running out of time

 

The cowboy gathers the bawling calf in his brawny arms

He places her on the front of his saddle, away from harm

 

The threesome struggle to reach a much warmer place

Everyone looks forward to warm nourishment to taste

 

They journey to the ranch as quickly as possible

The loss of a vigorous calf is no longer probable

 

The cowboy dismounts and allows the calf to sprint free

She hurries to her waiting mother who is pleased to see

 

Mother and daughter stand together, united at long last

The calf nurses and sucks nourishment amazingly fast

 

The trusty and faithful horse is now saddle free

He devours extra oats with tasty hay with glee

 

The range’s guardian has returned home safe and sound

He finds his anxious wife and son, who no longer frown

 

The family of three feel graciously loved and blessed

The faithful shepherd has returned from a stern test

 

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

 

Do You Ever Wonder?

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Receiving as a birthday gift a FitBit

Does it really get used or just sit?

 

Spending millions on ceaseless health care television ads

Why do rising drug prices make me feel like I’ve been had?

 

Eating at a restaurant that advertises a menu of “real good” food

Will someone explain the meaning of “good” to change my mood?

 

Hearing “Have a Holly, Jolly Christmas” again on the radio

Did I really see singer Burl Ives caroling out in the snow?

 

Watching commercials with animals who talk

When is enough really enough before I walk?

 

Viewing yet another rerun television show

Would anyone care if I played my banjo?

 

Finding tiny pill box in my small travel bag

Why does a missing pill want to play tag?

 

Seeing country music stars dressed up with extra glamorous glitz

Does anyone remember “Hee-Haw” and Roy Clark’s guitar blitz?

 

Reading a label on the side effects of my newest meds

How would I really know about being allergic instead?

 

Standing below the mistletoe on a freezing winter night

When was the last time anyone was kissed in its sight?

 

Resting quietly in corner of hodgepodge clutter’s garage

Why is new bicycle hiding behind junk’s camouflage?

                                                                   

Frustrating political ads, insulting my common sense

Honestly, do I need to feel that dimwitted and dense?

 

Assembling an “easy to build” children’s playground

Do the leftover parts mean that my work is sound?

 

 

 

Man-Cave Friends

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Exercising tonight on my stationary bike

Making me feel very much like a young tike

Listening to a playlist of songs from the past

Hoping that my strength and stamina will last

Setting a quick pace as the pedaling begins

Missing a day on the bike would be quite a sin

Biking regularly in this Man-Cave each night

Looking around the room, there is quite a sight

Sharing space with a sofa full of Teddy Bears

Watching and smiling at me as they all stare

Pushing and pulling the handles in front of my face

Pedaling with high energy at a fast and furious pace

My biking adventure will continue all of this week

Realizing these “beary” friends will be here to peek