Waking at midnight
Blessed with moon-free sky
Peering into galaxy’s midst
Endless stars twinkle “hi”
Waking with silence
Moonlight dropping in
Feeling heavens’ distant light
Harmony’s smiling grin
Waking in darkness
Storm’s thunder crashes
Rolling over quiet thoughts
Lightning’s outburst flashes
Waking to calmness
Creek gently rolls by
Flowing with tranquil spirit
Landscape waving “goodbye”
Dreaming no longer
Each hour filled with rest
Composing nightly rhythm
Set for tomorrow’s quest
Fateful ember glows
Another shared memory—
Seeing tomorrow
Kindness extended
Grace added with every breath—
Character defined
Diploma in hand
Open road’s invitation—
Adventures ahead
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!
In tomorrow’s shadows
Worry waits to jump out
Disappointment crashes in
Filling waves with doubt
Aspirations seem dashed
Sunrise seemingly locked
Yesterday not forgotten
Seeing future blocked
Breath of sorrow surrounds
Hope seen flowing away
Another storm standing tall
Searching through its gray
Dreams no longer brightened
Today’s voyage postponed
Been at this moment before
Feeling self disowned
Freedom shares patient heart
Journey no longer drowned
Faithful love comes alongside
Sailing homeward-bound
I see nothing in space as promising as the view from a ferris wheel.
Hang on to your hat. Hang on to your hope. And wind the clock, for tomorrow is another day.
Elwyn Brooks (E. B.) White (1899-1985) was an American writer. He authored many classic children’s books, including CHARLOTTE’S WEB, STUART LITTLE, and THE TRUMPET OF THE SWAN.
Time is the coin of your life. It is the only coin you have, and only you can determine how it will be spent. Be careful lest you let other people spend it for you.
Yesterday is done. Tomorrow never comes. Today is here. If you don’t know what to do, sit still and listen. You may hear something. Nobody knows.
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.
Vastness of oceans deep
Swimming with endless wonders
Encouraging what world should keep
Heavens answer with thunder
Vastness of universe
Swimming with infinite stars
Encouraging nature’s free verse
Heavens address from afar
Vastness of instinct flows
Swimming to every shoreline
Encouraging children, let’s grow
Heavens praise learning’s outline
Vastness of human mind
Swimming toward tomorrow
Encouraging love, always kind
Heavens remove all sorrow
Vastness of creation
Swimming with unending light
Encouraging every nation
Heavens transform man’s foresight
Writing poetry allows the creator to take a theme and journey into the depth of its wonders.
Life is either a daring adventure or nothing.
Do not think of today’s failures, but of the success that may come tomorrow.
Helen Keller (1880-1968) was an American author and lecturer. Her own journey through blindness and deafness encouraged her to advocate for the rights of others who live with disabilities.
From Psalm 30:4-5: “Sing praises to the Lord, O you His faithful ones, and give thanks to His holy name. For His anger is but for a moment; His favor is for a lifetime. Weeping may linger for the night, but joy comes with the morning.”
Trials of darkness
Arriving today
Feeling faith challenged
Hope slipping away
Another mountain
Blocking path of peace
Taking Father’s road
Trust builds, piece by piece
Truth comes each sunrise
Breathing with His love
Delivering hope
Joy fed from above
Heart’s rainbow brightens
Finding peace from light
Refilling faith’s cup
Mercy taking flight
Father’s promised grace
Gathering each crumb
Leading to Jesus
Tomorrow shall come
From Psalm 30:11-12: “You have turned my mourning into dancing; You have taken off my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, so that my soul may praise You and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give thanks to You forever.
Shelving pride’s spirit
Infusing fresh, new outlook—
Filled with humbleness
Dreaming overnight
Reaching for another star—
Tomorrow refreshed
Character’s frayed rope
Integrity’s transformed strength—
Potential nourished
Big Sky Buckeye 