Nothing happens unless first we dream.
Life is like an onion; you peel it off one layer at a time, and sometimes you weep.
Carl Sandburg (1878-1967) was an American writer and journalist. Many of his works centered around poetry (he preferred “free verse’) and writing biographies. One of his most well-received biographies was about American President Abraham Lincoln. He received three Pulitzer Prizes (two for poetry and one for his Lincoln biography). Sandburg was born in Galesburg, Illinois.
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
From Proverbs 15:15: “All the days of the poor are hard, but a cheerful heart has a continual feast.”
Life draining, more exhausted each day
Skies and mind, filling with darkest gray
Feet feeling locked, stuck in deepest mud
Fear turns on its spigot, now a flood
Advice shouts from all comers, all sides
Inner soul overwhelmed, faith divides
Daily walk, no longer stunning bright
Chaos reigns, becoming lasting night
Seasoned man, parked at Main Street’s corner
Life hits pause, who is this foreigner?
His thoughts and words, simple in their task
Holy Spirit reaches, to unmask
Keep it simple, fill your life with love
God’s peace, bringing comfort from above
In an instant, the wise sage departs
Night transforms to day, love fills this heart
From 1 John 5:3-4: “ For the love of God is this, that we obey His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome, for whatever is born of God conquers the world. And this is the victory that conquers the world, our faith.”
Originally published November, 2020.
Shadows’ mysteries
Night’s sobering distortions—
Dawn’s reality
False reality
Kaleidoscope’s fading hues—
Returning to gray
Steps without traction
Searching for reality—
Perhaps, turn day’s page
All roads lead to something you were predestined to do.
Everyone is a hundred different things, but in other people’s eyes we usually get the chance to be only one of them.
Fredrik Backman (born 1981) is a Swedish author, blogger, and columnist.
Morning’s gentle rain
Rinsing away dark outlook—
Sun rises with peace
Giant redwoods breathe
Quenching rains arrive onshore—
Coastline feeling peace
Mountain waters run
Chasing ocean far away—
Rivers’ flowing peace
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
Every individual matters. Every individual has a role to play. Every individual makes a difference.
The greatest danger to our future is apathy.
Jane Goodall (born 1934) is an English-born primatologist and anthropologist. She is considered the world’s foremost expert on the family and social interactions of chimpanzees.
Only I can change my life. No one can do it for me.
No one ever said life was fair. Just eventful.
Carol Burnett (born 1933) is an American actress, comedian, and author. She hosted her own television variety and comedy show from 1967 to 1978.
Autumn rains lasting for days
Covering the land with mist
Cleansing under cloudy haze
Rising pollen, now dismissed
Harvest pausing, farmers wait
Parking soybeans, left to take
Drying cornstalks, know their fate
Standing ready, combines brake
Creeks filling, slowly at first
Running water, sent ahead
Suspending reservoirs’ thirst
Pausing for now, winter’s dread
Nature’s perfect cycle breathes
Singing praises to the Lord
Watching as autumn unsheathes
Waking when spring comes aboard
Originally published October, 2020.
Big Sky Buckeye 