Music has been called the speech of the angels; I will go farther and call it the speech of God himself.
From Psalm 29:3-4: “The voice of the Lord is over the waters; the God of glory thunders, the Lord, over mighty waters. The voice of the Lord is powerful; the voice of the Lord is full of majesty.”
Charles Kingsley (1819-1875) was an English-born pastor who also shared his thoughts and actions as a historian, poet, novelist, and social reformer.
Silence is as deep as eternity, speech as shallow as time.
It is the heart that always sees, before the head can see.
Thomas Carlyle (1795-1881) was a Scottish-born essayist, historian, and philosopher. He was a leading writer of the Victorian era.
The photos shown with this poem come from my private collection. They desire to complement each stanza with nature’s voice.
Toes filled with white beach sand
Eastern horizon brightens
Morning’s sunrise glowing
Feeling life’s burdens lighten
Face stings with winter’s cold
Mountain ski run offers thrills
Freshest powder waiting
Energy flowing downhill
Sunset viewed from front porch
Peace adds footnote to this day
Tomorrow always dreams
Thoughts sketching blessed essay
Morning’s wilderness lake
Fisherman’s heart set to cast
Man and nature as one
Sunrise ascends to full mast
Moments with nature’s voice
Thankful for each treasured gift
Every day welcomes home
Spirit no longer adrift
Facing overwhelming odds
Single voice stating its case
Stepping out from shelter’s light
Today, darkness loses race
Standing alone with courage
At last, time for change arrives
Trampling down twisted darkness
Today, faithful light survives
Clinging to truth’s conviction
Multitude of pain erased
Extinguishing all darkness
Today, humble light embraced
Understanding life’s purpose
Human rights boldly proclaim
Recalling depth of darkness
Today, light forgives all blame
Learning from history’s past
Actions taking direct route
Offering nation new light
Today, darkness falls—no doubt
History has amplified the single voices shown below as a testament to taking a stand, respecting the value fellow man, and putting others above self. Top left and moving clockwise: 1989, Tank Man stopped tanks at Tiananmen Square in China; 1877, Nez Perce Chief Joseph surrendered to American cavalry near Bear Paw Mountains in Montana Territory; 1955, Rosa Parks refused to give up her front seat on a segregated bus in Montgomery, Alabama; 1930, Mahatma Gandhi led peaceful protest during India’s Salt March; 1945, Anne Frank used her diary’s voice as her final witness of living under the brutality of war. (All photos courtesy of Pinterest)
The very voices of the night, sounding like the moan of the tempest, may turn out to be the disguised yet tender voices of God.
From Psalm 85:8: “Let me hear what God the Lord will speak, for He will speak peace to His people, to His faithful, to those who turn to Him in their hearts.”
John Ross MacDuff (1818-1895) was a Scottish pastor and prolific Christian writer.
Morning now surrounding
Feeling never alone
Confidence shining through
Harboring writer’s backbone
Questions’ answers stirring
Knowing mind remains full
Sometimes sweetness arrives
Savoring every spoonful
Reality writing
Filling story’s plotline
Harmony’s cautious breath
Sailing to distance shoreline
Silent voices hiding
Reaching out to each one
Script drawing from choices
Hanging out with wordsmith’s fun
Interactions blooming
Finding forgotten time
Pages empty of gaps
Coaxing distant thoughts to climb
Hidden by daytime’s blindfold
Nightly mysteries unfold
Unseen by small, sleeping town
Abyss of darkness won’t drown
Mythical legends stirring
Wind’s voices always purring
Heavy clouds cover moonlight
Twinkling stardust taking flight
Quiet tremors rolling out
Silent breathing’s faithful route
Landscape frozen at midnight
Escape rides with winter’s knight
Forest sentinels stand tall
Every tree shall never fall
Battle raging, nature makes choice
Night after night, peace shares voice
Running out of life’s fructose
Harshest memories now close
Writing danger’s forewarning
All forgotten by morning
Hearing past voices
Filling another pathway—
History stirring
Heart’s ultimate strength
Finding untapped devotion—
Precious gentleness
Endless harmony
Life’s free-flowing spirit—
Every ocean tide
Morning’s dawn arrives
Hilltop meadow’s peacefulness—
Ancient voices speak
Enchanting flowers
Saying “hello” each sunrise—
Precious day’s escape
Stunning scenic view
Quilt of so many colors—
Daylight’s mountaintop
From Psalm 4:8: “I will both lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O Lord, make me lie down in safety.”
Lying awake in night’s darkness
Hearing promises from voices
Most too good to really be true
Filled with countless, empty choices
Tackling another stressful day
Witnessing contrasting voices
Thoughts quite overwhelming again
Faltered in making best choices
Retreating into quiet place
Searching, listening to voices
Father’s Word opens mind and heart
Found at last, His trusted choices
Hearing each righteous cry for help
Nurturing Father’s faithful voice
Enemy’s plan reduced to dust
Raised His Son, salvation’s sole choice
Harvesting empty void no more
Walking in step with Savior’s voice
Jesus cries out, journey finished
Saved man with mercy’s final choice
Seeing truth in these promises
Extending Father’s righteous voice
Grace deepens His Son’s love for thee
Accepting Christ, life’s blessed choice
From John 19:29-30: “A jar full of sour wine was standing there. So they put a sponge full of the wine on a branch of hyssop and held it to His mouth. When Jesus had received the wine, He said, ‘It is finished.’ Then He bowed His head and gave up His spirit.”
Big Sky Buckeye 