Saturday, June 30, 2012

June 29, 2012 A villanelle mutant

Time to Pray 

When flames rage, fire burns, and smoke fills the air 
is not the time to get on your knees and pray, but fight;
but times of peace and calm are fertile for prayer. 

The Lord said prayer is like a widow who’d bare
her soul to a man who cared not of her plight,
but since she was persistent he would declare,  

“I’ll help, lest her nagging fills me with despair.”
Only God knows why prayer takes time to ignite
His heart to move His hand to show He does care.  

When the air is fresh and clean and the day fair,
when the land is well-watered and the sky bright,
thank Him for His love and appeal to Him there 

for Him to continue His grace and to spare
you from trials and troubles’ fiery bite.
Pray for rain when there’s more than plenty to share. 

Yes, He does hear when deadly disasters dare
to threaten to overtake you in the night,
when flames rage, fire burns, and smoke fills the air, 
but times of peace and calm are fertile for prayer.

Thursday, June 28, 2012

Writing to God -- Praying with Senses

Sense of Thanksgiving

Thank You for the things I see—
words on a page,
my son and daughter clowning around,
my calico cat pattering around the house. 

Thank You for the things I hear—
my husband’s deep voice,
contemporary Christian music,
the clink of chess pieces as my daughter sets up the board. 

Thank You for the things I smell—
cherry blossom shampoo,
eggs cooking on the stove,
orange spice in my cup of tea.

Thank You for the things I feel—
the soft chair cradling my body
cool air from the air conditioner,
smooth computer keys underneath my fingertips. 

Thank You for the things I taste—
grainy toast,
sweet spicy tea,
satisfying meat and veggie omelet. 

Thank You for the things I sense spiritually—
Your love,
Your grace,
Your holiness.

Thank You for creating my senses
that I may delight in Your creation,
and be reminded why I should delight in You
and trust You to grant me the desires of my heart.


Poetic Asides Prompt--something pitted against something else

Man versus monster

Roaring, striking, devouring

Wind, lightning, fire

Wednesday, June 27, 2012

June 26 Writing to God Uncertainties

Locomotive—Loco with No Motive 

Feeling like
an unused train in the roundhouse.
Lord, spiff me up.
I need some drive,
purpose, spiritual steam.
May the load I’m carrying do some good in the world.
Help me stay on track
and get others where You want them to be,
with a determined chug-chug
and a cheery whistle.

Monday, June 25, 2012

For a Friend

Two Peas in a Pod 

Some feel no sympathy.
They think if you just do things right,
you wouldn’t have the problems you have.
Ah, but they never let you in on the secret
of why when you do all the right things,
life still goes off kilter.
 I am human.
I’ve been underneath a stack of circumstances
like the princess’s pea beneath her mattresses.
May you have friends that help you,
not judge you for being where you are.
And may I be one of them.

Sunday, June 24, 2012

Poetic Bloomings Prompt: photo of earth in hand

Big  

We humans think we’re bigger than we really are,
walking proudly as if we have the whole world in our hands.
Yet, we know compared to the universe
and eternity we’re not blips on any screen.
Yet God sees us,
loves us,
hears us and answers our prayers.
That’s big.
That’s really big.

Saturday, June 23, 2012

Wordle: times, inquisitive, clouds, intercepted, brave

Fortified Faith

At times, her inquisitive spirit
birthed trouble, and clouds of fear
engulfed her mind and being
until it seemed agents of evil
intercepted every prayer, but she
was not only curious, but brave
and adventurous. Her faith 
stood firm like a fortress in war.
This is the way she became strong,
wise and intimate with her Creator.

Friday, June 22, 2012

details

Southwest Colorado 

Footpaths crisscross the canyon.
Sage, cactus, substantial rocks cover the slopes.
Cattails guard a stream under a shady cottonwood.
Boulders bridge its banks.

Mesa Verde with its tented green ridges to the southeast
Sleeping Ute to the southwest
Peaks of Monticello to the northwest
Majestic LaPlatas to the east 

Brilliant blue sky overhead,
I trudge, feeling my heart tap,
listening to the whispers of nature.
I breathe in the fresh air, and am thankful.

Thursday, June 21, 2012

Poetic Asides Prompt straight line

Mouse

As the moon lightens the night sky
and owl wings whisper by
diving a straight line toward its prey
we have one more night of peace
and maybe hope that we will escape,
but we won’t completely.

Wednesday, June 20, 2012

Poetic Asides prompt : Line


What’s Your Line? 

Byline, Skyline, Beeline
Way to shine
Clothes line, straight line, dotted line
In the pine
Dividing line, grocery line, ticket line
All the time
Killer line, poetic line, finish line
Like new wine
Railway line, product line, fashion line
Growing vine
Deadline, breadline, redline
It may be mine
Fine line, fishing line, Bottom line
Feeling fine
To the Husband


Today’s the day you say a sad goodbye
To one you loved though your shared time was brief
And yes, you figured she’d be first to die
And though you are consumed with searing grief
There is a sense of bitter-sweet relief
Please, don’t feel guilty with this secret joy
The horrible disease stole like a thief
With little left you worked in its employ
And like a small seed dies and gives new life
You’ll thrive despite the death of your dear wife




June 18, 2012 The poetic form Luc Bat


Equalizer  

He feels his way each step
Back and forth with his “yep” and “doe”
They pass him to and fro
But it is great to know when he
Floats in the pool, he’s free
Bobbing confidently, his eyes
Beaming laughter—my prize
Water does equalize—what joy!

June 17, 2012 Poetic Bloomings Fire


Flames 

F lames
L eaping, threatening, engulfing
A ngrily attacking
M onstrously moving nearer
E ating houses whole
S cattering in the wind

June 16, 2012 Shannon Family Reunion and PA Prompt





Family Reunion 

We met in Sedona
where the red rocks hover and cuddle the town,
Oak Creek gurgles through providing hours of entertainment,
where a steep path leads up to Devil’s Bridge
and children worry mothers,
where we wonder, along dark sidewalks, if we’d meet Javelina,
those lumpy creatures with stick legs and long tusks,
where sky is brilliant blue and hot sun burns, browns, bubbles skin,               
where houses match the rocks and lights are dim to allow the stars to shine,
where we shop on shady pathways paying far too much for hand-crafted trinkets
where we bounce along in gaudy pink jeeps
and learn agave makes  tequila and prickly pear cactus makes ice cream,
where we gather on a mountain top with a cross
and memories of the one we lost and release white helium balloons.
Then after a week of marvels we go back to Ohio, Pennsylvania,
Nebraska, Colorado, Arizona, Texas, Louisiana, California
and plan to meet again two years later in Delaware.

June 15, 2012 Shannon Family Reunion


Sitting on a camp chair
In my daughter’s living room
First house


June 14, 2012 Shannon Family Reunion

Long day of hiking
And playing in the water
Muscles ache
Hot tub calls my name
But I perch on a high stool
bidding my beans for trinkets.

June 13, 2012 Shannon Family Reunion


We clambered down the rocks
to the natural water slide.
“They didn’t design this right,” one man said.
I guess he’ll have to take it up with God.

June 12, 2012 Shannon Family Reunion

Letting Go

I remember looking at the picture of devil’s bridge,
people walking out with sheer drops all around.
Nevertheless we hiked/ climbed up.
My heart hammered in my stomach.
My legs quivered.
It wasn’t as bad standing on it
as it was seeing someone else stand on it.
No place for mothers and their children.
I turned my back on my grown son and descended.

June 11, 2012 Shannon Family Reunion


Amazing—these cell phones,
until we try to unite seven car loads
in an Arizona State Park, with spotty signals.
Two car loads make it and have a fun afternoon
splashing in Oak Creek.
The rest go back to the resort and have fun
splashing in the swimming pool.

June 10, 2012 Shannon Family Reunion


The Grand Canyon stretches out in its awesomeness.
We imagine exploring its heights and its depths,
adventuring on a rustic raft down the Colorado river.
We get lost in the parking lot.

Jne 9, 2012 Family Reunion


Incongruous  

He tells us of Sedona’s standards.
Each house has to be in earth tones.
Lighting has to be minimal
so not to spoil the starry sky.
He goes on about the red rocky landscape,
agave, juniper, pinons, yucca plants
as he bumps along in his gaudy pink jeep.

June 8, 2012 Shannon Family Reunion

First Mishap 

Looking in the rearview mirror.
Realizing husband isn’t following.
Knowing he doesn’t know address.
Wondering if he knows cell phone number.
Arguing with the navigator, getting lost, getting a call.
Hubby’s waiting at the visitor’s center.
Feeling foolish, but thankful.

June 7, 2012 Shannon Family Reunion

Right On Target 

 I wish I could see
a bird’s eye view of the United States
today and tomorrow
as planes, vans, rental cars
head from the north, east, south and west
and converge on Sedona, Arizona
like arrows to a bull’s eye.
Family Reunion.

Wednesday, June 6, 2012

Poetic Asides Camp

Camp



C arefree days

A spens, a quivering roof

M arshmallows toasting on the fire

Please pass the chocolate and grahams



Camp



Creatures in the night

Aware

Midnight

Predator. No, only a raccoon.





Camp

Careful,

All, there

May be a scorpion in your

Pillow

Tuesday, June 5, 2012

Writing to God- God is with me

God is with Me
They shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us). Mt. 1:23 

When to-dos are in a muddle
God is with me.
When I feel befuddled
God is with Me
Though my days are in a mess
And I feel depressed
I always will confess
God is with me.

When nothing comes out right
God is with me.
Or the answer’s not in sight
God is with me.
Though things aren’t exactly hopping
And I don’t feel like popping
His love won’t be stopping
God is with me.

When the world makes no sense
God is with me.
Or when life lacks suspense
God is with me
Though life takes its toll
And I have no control
He will make me whole
God is with me.

Monday, June 4, 2012

Writing to God Past Stories

Tiny Footprints of a Big God

You have proved Yourself
over and over in lives
throughout history—
Miriam, Mary, Rhoda.
You often worked
in the bitty details of life—
tambourines, songs, doors.
Help me see Your hand
in the minutia of my life
and rejoice knowing
You love me, even me.

Sunday, June 3, 2012

Poetic Bloomings In the Air

Snap, Crackle 

It’s in the air
like lightning ready to flash,
Pressure
Tension
Stress.
But I’m going to think
Butterflies
Gurgling creeks
Laughter.
For what else can I do
when writing deadline
and first day of summer vacation
is in five days?

Saturday, June 2, 2012

Writing to God

Footprint

I am very human
and my time here on earth is short-lived.
So many generations have passed before me,
with their cares, concerns and troubles
which were all-important to them at one time--
but now aren’t even memories.
Yet, they left their mark.
Our lives reflect a lot of decisions they made
and the way they lived their lives.
Lord, help me live in such a way
that I leave a positive footprint—
a footprint that many future generations,
if there are many,
will be glad to follow.

Friday, June 1, 2012

Children's Poem

A Girl Named Nell 

There once was a girl named Nell,
And though she could color well,
Her drawings were quite a sight,
So caused a story to tell. 

When she drew people she knew,
Kids didn’t know what to do.
They said it wasn’t quite right
When folks were red, orange or blue. 

Teacher says, Nell would explain,
It matters not in the main
If skin is brown, black or white
To care about skin is vain. 

Color is all what I think.
Skin can be purple or pink,
Striped, polka dot, dull or bright,
Nell said with a smile and wink.