couplets

 

Intercessors

 

So glad you all are there

Ready to say a prayer

For anyone who is in need

Reaching Heaven with speed

 

I can count on you

To always see me through

In joy and in sorrows

In todays and tomorrows

 

We have seen God’s hand

Giving strength to stand

Giving help and healing

Receiving grace with feeling

 

Thank You for caring

And that burdens you’re sharing

In deep intercession

Your Heavenly mission

Afternoon poem

 In Passing

 

I had never met her before.

The clerk at the auto repair.

Plain looking girl,

brown hair, glasses.

She could have been me.

She was so very nice.

She took me home

and promised to come get me

when my car was fixed.

We chatted the whole way to my house

and, after a few hours, back again.

She was Kelly, married fifteen years,

had two middle grade kids,

resided in Utah before moving to Colorado.

I knew about her mother-in-law’s strokes,

her new puppy, part retriever, part lab,

her wish to visit Australia.

I knew more about her

than some people I’ve known for years.

Kind of a remarkable thing

and I may never see her again.

Anticipation Poetic Bloomings

 

It’s Kenya

 

I got the Visa and the shots

Plane tickets at a lower rate

I bought the stuff to repel bugs

It’s Kenya I anticipate

 

My passport’s not expired yet

Have luggage scales to know the weight

Malaria pills guard my health

It’s Kenya I anticipate

 

I got my camera and a spare

Binoculars to see the great

Adaptors so I can plug in

It’s Kenya I anticipate

 

I got the Visa and the shots

It’s Kenya I anticipate

Pensee 3

 

Sun hat

Polka dot bow  

Enjoying a sunny walk

Ocean beach in St. Augustine

I wish I were there now

Pensee 2

 

Pink socks

Fruit of the Loom

Cheering me up on gray days

Snuggled between my feet and shoes

Little things have impact

Pensee

 

Laptop

Thought conveyor

Words appear with a tap, tap

Here in my comfy recliner

Composing made easy

Haiku

 Carload of stuff

To Salvation Army

Feeling lighter

Kenya poem

 Preparations

 

I finally got my Visa.

It wasn’t an easy thing to do.

Now, my sister’s having problems

getting her application through.

 

The time is ticking on the clock.

The calendar pages are flipping.

As plans are made, I fear

that my memory is slipping.

 

I have a lengthy to-do list

of those things I mustn’t forget.

Praying that all things are done

and the requirements are met.

 

Excited to get on a plane.

Nairobi, Kenya’s our goal.  

Asking the Lord that things go well

and we’ll be sound and whole.

 

But now it all seems like a dream.

And some doubts I feel.

When we see elephants and giraffes,

then I’ll know it’s real.

shape Poetic Asides

 

Alzheimer’s

 

I watched Dad leap across a ditch.

“You’re in good shape,

for the shape you’re in,” I said.

 

And then I watched him

try to start up the wheelbarrow

and rake with a mop.

 

His body was in good shape.

His brain,

not so much.

Memory

 

A Tale of Three Dresses

 

When I was going into the seventh grade,

Sears had dresses on sale, 3 for $10.

I got a plain blue dress with buttons on the front,

purple plaid dress with a Peter Pan collar and

a knit suit—red, blue, gold, with a gold blouse.

I was acutely aware of their presence in my closet,

excited to start school wearing something new,

not hand-me-downs from my three sisters

or from second cousin so and so whom I never met.

I still avoid spending money on clothes.

But why? I think I’ll buy something new today,

maybe three somethings and hang them in my closet.

line from a poem Poetic Bloomings

 

My Spirit Rejoices

 

Mary’s Song, Luke 1:47-48: My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for has been mindful of the humble state of his servant.

 

From the baby in the womb

To the old man with his cane

God is able to love each one

And He knows them all by name

 

From microscopic elements

To the universe so grand

He’s able to fit each one of us

Into His wise and loving plan

 

From the plants and animals

To the stars up above

Our God is big enough

To extend to us His love

 

He’s mindful of our comings

And our goings and our trials

He is mindful of our quirks

Our sadness and our smiles

 

So my soul glorifies the Father

My spirit rejoices in my Lord

I delight in His holiness

He’s One to be adored

A Dream

 A Bomb

 

Last night, I dreamed

I was in a big, old church.

Some of my friends were there

from different times,

my highschool friend,

my friend when the kids were little,

others I can’t remember now.

 

Then I overheard a woman

say she was going to blow up the place.

She was thin, had dark hair and brown complexion.

She wore a red shirt,

which looked like there could be a bomb there.

I told the pastor. I said there’s, “A woman…”

And he blurted, “Running around naked!”

 

He thought he was being funny.

I looked at him, disgusted.

“She has a bomb.”

“Are you sure?”

“No, but I overheard her.”

I described her,

including the red shirt.

 

He said, “I’ll check into it.”

I was walking around nervously scanning the crowd.

I saw the woman change into a green shirt.

I saw the bomb strapped to her

and the control switch in her hand.

I started running

and telling everyone to run.

 

I saw the pastor and told him that

I was sure that she had a bomb.

I forgot to tell him she now wore a green shirt.

I woke up.

My mind was still trying to sort it out.

Should I be relieved that the bomb didn’t go off?

But if it did go off, I would have been proved right.

 

It’s kind of a Jonah situation.

He told everyone there’d be destruction,

knowing that if they’d repent

and God would have mercy,

he would look like a fool.

Better to be a thought a fool

if it means lives saved.

Immediate poem

 A Poem Perhaps

 

At a friend’s house,

ready to spend the night,

staying with a young man with autism.

 

The house is quiet,

except the ringing in my ears

and the soft tap of my laptop keys.

 

They just moved in recently.

Everything is in order

or it’s not.

 

She didn’t leave a schedule.

I have to remember from last year

or wing it.

 

She didn’t leave the wifi password,

so I’ll type away and see

if anything comes of this poem.

 

Sometimes just messing around

with words like this

will surprise you.

 

He just went to the bathroom

and back to his room.

Mustn’t be too hungry yet.

 

I might get hungry before him

and I didn’t bring anything.

I usually don’t eat anything that's theirs.

 

But today I might make an exception.

My tossed salad supper may not carry me

through the evening.

 

I may watch some TV

if I can figure out how

to turn the thing on.

 

Or maybe the Lord says,

Now that I got your attention,

read My Word and hear!

 

 

 

Rondeau

 I’ll Travel Soon, Lord Willing

 I’ll travel soon and that will make me smile\

I’ll be out of the country for a while

But I’ll first make my stops within the states

I found plane ticket prices at low rates

I am attacking to-dos by the pile

A government form can be quite a trial

Can’t do computers with finesse or style

If things will happen by appointed dates

I’ll travel soon

My trip encompasses many a mile

The lion, elephant and crocodile

The antelope, giraffe, and all the greats

I’ll learn new phrases and befriend new mates

I’ll buy some souvenirs of bright textile.

I’ll travel soon

break Poetic Asides #2

 

Break Up

I knew it was coming, but it still hurt
The pain and turmoil I could not avert
To split apart was a good thing to do
I knew my future did not include you
I knew it was coming, but it still hurt

break Poetic Asides

 Break

 

B rief relaxation and

R estoration of

E nergy, drive

A nd ambition to

K eep on keeping on

photo

 Kenya

 

Blue sky overlooking

Mount Kilimanjaro

Overlooking trees

Overlooking giraffes

Overlooking me

Drowsy Afternoon

 Drowsy Afternoon

 

Sleepy, sluggish

Stuck in my chair

Don’t feel like going anywhere

Set the timer

Try to get up

There’s no more tea in my cup

 

Count to three

Maybe ten

Then count to three again

Sit here a while

Just for a few

I think I’ll catch a wink or two

acrostic

 Garden

 

Garden, growing, bringing peace

Aware of His presence and sweet release

Realizing God plants a garden in your soul

Discovering love that makes you whole

Entering in holy worship and praise

Never abandoning the gift of grace

Ups and Downs Poetic Blooming

 

Ups and Downs

 

Yes, everyone has ups and downs

But that’s the amateur level

Bipolar’s pro in smiles and frowns

With moods from God or the devil

 

We question from one time to next

If he was contented or mad

When he returns, there’s no context

Will he be despairing or glad?

 

If he jumps from a place so high

All might think that he was depressed  

But he may have thought he could fly

And no one would have ever guessed

 

With him it is an ocean ride  

Take a breath and flow with the tide

Decuain

 Travel Plans

 

The Visa app makes me feel like a fool

The vaccines I received—they made me sick

A puzzle: how to cover and stay cool

To get our schedule in sync is a trick

We make our plans and hope that they will stick

I think my travel partner’s ‘bout to flip

I’m shopping and I don’t know what to pick

We’re thinking the whole thing might be a gyp

We’re wondering what things we need to skip

We’re tired before we even take our trip

Byron's sonnet

 A Hike

 

Tall pine trees swayed as if they were to dance.

Gray clouds crept quietly upon the blue.

We felt some raindrops tap us, just a few.  

We’d hike upon the trails and take our chance.

The storm seemed localized at our first glance.

We headed up the trail to see the falls.

The peaceful doves seemed calm with their soft calls.

The rough terrain grew steep at our advance.

 

We trudged and talked and laughed along the way,

While breathing in the fresh and scented air.

We reached the falls and rested for our stay,

And nibbled on some GORP, we carried there.

It didn’t rain, but cooled off by falls’ spray,

We ambled back down home without a care.

Avoidance Poetic Asides Divine Collins

 

Avoiding Overwhelm  

 

To-dos pile up like food on glutton's plate

I know that overwhelm is bad for fate

For it can stop me dead still in my tracks

So much to do that I become too lax

Like poets dare to come up with a rhyme

I’ll take each step of my to-do’s in time

 

And so my goal is to prioritize

All those great tasks that lie before my eyes

But it is easier to say than do

To keep what’s most important in plain view

From the mundane to the grand and sublime

I’ll take each step of my to-do’s in time

 

Some little things should not be overlooked

Take time for fun before you’re overbooked

Small kindnesses are icing on the cake

Great value for the little time they take

Yes, strengthening relationships is prime

So take each step of your to-do’s in time

Avoidance Poetic Asides

 

Vaccines

 

Typhoid, Hep A, COVID, flu

There is nothing I won’t do

Poke me prod me all you want

I am not so nonchalant

When diseases are in view

Aubade

 

Purple mountain ridges

Greet the morning sun

Aflame in yellows, oranges and reds

Storm Poetic Bloomings

 

The Passing Storm

 

She was late again.

She rushed past me several times,

gathering her glasses, her purse,

her cell phone.

 

She stopped,

looked at me and glared.

“Why aren’t you getting Jacob up?”

 

“I’m waiting for the storm to pass.”

 

“I am the storm,” she said.

 

“You are the storm.”

 

She left and I got Jacob up.

Minute poem

 

Taco Dinner

 

It takes so long, but goes so fast

So soon in past

Sauce, onions, cheese

Black olives, please

 

I chop, and fry and stir and sweat

Meat not done yet

Look at the time

Will things be fine?

 

The guests are knocking on the door

Make room for more

It takes so long, but goes so fast

So soon in past

Haiku

 

Kenya November

Hippos, lions, giraffes, me

Real-life fantasy

Reflection Poetic Asides

 An Abecedarian Reflection on God

 

A doring You my God, my friend

B elieving You’re with me to the end

C alling on You to hear my requests

D ear Lord, help me to pass the tests

E nveloped by Your love and grace

F aithful God, I seek Your face

G od, You are my all in all,

H elping me up each time I fall

I nspired by Your truth, Your Word

J esus, You’re clarity when lines are blurred

K ing of Kings, I yield to Your reign

L oving God, You help me stay sane

M ove on me now with Your Holy power

N eeding You, Lord, in every hour

O ne and only God, I worship You

P lease walk with me and see me through

Q uiet my heart in all of life’s noise

R eflect in me Your grace and Your joys

S avior, thank You for dying for me

T hank You for spiritually setting me free

U nderstanding and wise, on You I depend

V ictorious God, I look to You to defend

W hen I struggle, I reach for Your hand

eXpecting You to help me to stand

Y ou are my life, my joy and my love

Z ealously anticipating my home up above

Diatelle

 Sing!       

A song

Can’t go wrong

With some dear friends

A fun-filled sing along

The entire church group attends

How long and where and what—it all depends

In the mountains, around the campfire, is the thing

No one seems ready when the evening ends

Into the night our time extends

Midnight—still going strong

God’s dividends!

“Sacred throng”

Night’s long

Sing!

Time To Poetic Bloomings

 A Time to Wait

 

Tick tock

Waiting, waiting

For an expected call.

Waiting is throwing off my groove

Unexpected minutes

Writing some lines

Waiting