Nourishing landscape
Radiating at sunrise—
Creator’s spirit
Enduring sunrise
Wakening morning’s treasures—
New day beginning
In early dawn’s light
Nighttime passes her baton—
Horizon’s sunrise
Waking up on a cold, frigid, winter morn
Looking like one more day with a storm
Pulling the warm covers over my bare head
Let’s fast forward to a new season instead
Always dreaming big at night
Never alone, perfect delight
Fast forward to a hot summer day
Sensational, unblemished blue sky
Feeling an urge to jump up, shout and say
Have you ever seen a more beautiful sky?
Seeing a Big Montana Sky
Morning sun climbs high
Traveling to Montana brings pure pleasures
Experiencing a saddlebag full of treasures
Shining high above, a cloudless view
Bringing a smile to God, always true
Always dreaming big at night
Never alone, perfect delight
Western hospitality, the Big Sky way
Filled with warmest smiles, no haste
Be certain to come back as we always say
Montana’s Big Sky, the Last Best Place!
Seeing a Big Montana Sky
Morning sun climbs high
Both photographs come from my private collection of images from southwestern Montana.
Originally published June, 2019.
Sunrise at Walnut Woods Metro Park in central Ohio.
Every day, filling with precious moments
Life’s simple pleasures, love-filling treasures
Never again, take any for granted
Traveling life’s long road, each step measures
Darkened dawn sky, erupting with bright hues
Granddaughter taking first tentative walk
Life sometimes slows down, bringing a replay
Neighborhood sidewalk, hopscotch drawn in chalk
Neil Diamond lyrics, harmony through song
Mother calls, reminding me her love cares
Favorite novel, author’s words smile back
Trio of daughters, sweeter than a pair
Evening sunset, brings awesome pleasures
Tomorrow, witnessing simple treasures
Sunset in Columbus, Ohio.
Originally published April, 2020.
Wonders of nature
Endlessly magnificent—
Leaving us speechless
Exploring today
Nature’s defining lessons—
Always teaching us
Delightful buffet
Appreciate nature’s fare—
Nothing can compare
Accepting
Christ’s teachings
Humble and gentle
Reaching out to others
Grace
Receiving
God’s love
Eternal, flowing grace
Let ours always shine
Patience
Sharing
Father’s grace
Following His example
Our turn to share
Love
This series of poems (written in the German-inspired style of Elfchen or Elevenie) shares a total of eleven words in each poem, with a sequence by line of one, two, three, four, and one words.
Reasons to finish
Overcoming challenges—
Never giving in
Time’s quiet moments
Opening each memory—
Never forgotten
In searching life’s depths
Finding intended nuggets—
Few others shall see
Don’t neglect the gold in your own back yard.
A dream can be the highest point of a life.
Ben Okri (born 1959) is a Nigerian-born poet and novelist. Much of his writing focuses on African post-modern and post-colonial traditions.
When our top priority is to please God with our life, we can expect treasure in heaven.
From Luke 12:20-21: “But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life is being demanded of you. And the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’ So it is with those who store up treasures for themselves but are not rich toward God.”
If we are children of God, we have a tremendous treasure in Nature. In every wind that blows, in every night and day of the year, in every sign of the sky, in every blossoming and in every withering of the earth, there is a real coming of God to us if we will simply use our starved imagination to realize it.
From Isaiah 40:26: “Lift up your eyes on high and see: Who created these? He who brings out their host and numbers them, calling them all by name; because He is great in strength, mighty in power, not one is missing.”
Oswald Chambers (1874-1917) was a Scottish evangelist and Christian teacher. Following his death from an illness while in Egypt during World War I, his wife took on the task of transcribing the detailed notes she had written from his lectures and sermons. Gertrude Hobbs Chambers’ efforts resulted in the publication in 1924 of MY UTMOST FOR HIS HIGHEST. I frequently read from this devotional, and it has greatly deepened my faith and understanding of God’s Word.
Remember that wherever your heart is, there you will find your treasure.
One is loved because one is loved. No reason is needed for loving.
Paulo Coelho de Souza (born 1947) is a Brazilian lyricist and novelist. He has published over two dozen books, with THE ALCHEMIST being an international best-seller.
Big Sky Buckeye 