Cascade: Each line of first verse are last lines of subsequent verses

When Women Pray

When women pray as one

Our love shows heart to heart

The Holy Spirit flames

And hope is born anew

Forget the grievances

And seal the gossip lips

Identify with hurts

When women pray as one

Beseech the Lord for good

To come to each beloved

We share the smiles and hugs

Our love shows heart to heart

We wait expectantly

We're still and know He’s there

We feel His love’s embrace

The Holy Spirit Flames

We pray with strength and grace

The words are not our own

We know He’s heard our prayers

And hope is born anew

Byron's Sonnet a-b-b-a a-c-c-a; d-e-d e-d-e.

I Must Have Been Dreaming

Last night I dreamed about a friend

I’d never met him face to face

So everything was out of place

And in this dream that had no end

The last we met was sixteen years

He greeted me with joy and tears

Sobriety was a godsend

He told me he was doing fine

He had a gadget on his belt

That kept his habits right in line

His how are you was quite heartfelt

And then his gadget became mine

So I ate right and then grew svelte 

Bref Double Quatrain 1 a/x/b/c Quatrain 2 x/a/x/c Quatrain 3 a/x/a/b Final couplet a/b (x doesn't rhyme)

Taking Heart

Afraid to go to shopping mall,

Or anywhere where there’s a crowd.

Quick look around to see who’s there.

Take a deep breath and carry on.

Mass shootings happen frequently.

Has my own life slowed to a crawl?

Are days of peace completely through?

To travel just for those who dare?

No longer standing brave and tall,

But waiting for the next bad news.

When will the bombs begin to fall?

Our days are shadowed by a shroud.

In Christ, I find my wherewithal.

I’ll sing His praises long and loud! 

Alouette 557557 aabccb

Christmas Time

Sing of Christmas time

Let silver bells chime

And shoppers tramp through the snow

Decorate the tree

So joyful and free

Let cheery Christmas lights glow

A time of giving

And for hearts to sing

Time for magic, love, and friends

A time to recall

The best gift of all

On One whom our hope depends 

PA shopping, Shardorma 3 5 3 3 7 5

Christmas Shopping

Some people

Are shocked at crazies

They’re fighting

They’re screaming

But I often wonder why

More folks don’t lose it

Rhyming pattern of Alouette

The Best Tree Ever

We drag the tree from the yard

For Dad, it isn’t very hard

It looks much bigger in the house

Mom gets trimmings from the attic

Yes, the children are ecstatic

Now, to scurry like a mouse

Twinkling lights go round and round

With an angel, tree is crowned

Homemade crafts that look so clever

Shiny ornaments from here and there

Memories hung with tender care

I swear this is the best tree ever

L’Arora a, b, c, d, e, f, g, f. At least 4 stanzas

The Death of Me

These kids will be the death of me

While one cries, the other destroys

While I clean one end of the house

They’re making a mess in the other

Their noise overpowers a rock band

I play doctor, maid, umpire, cook

While they torment me all day long

I’d much rather sit and read a book.

These kids will be the death of me

I must run them to all their games

Teachers conferences, recitals,

Plays. Don’t forget their costumes.

Where are their shin guards?

Why can’t mismatched socks be in style?

Why can’t I ever be anywhere on time?

Can’t we just do nothing for awhile?

These kids will be the death of me

One minute ecstatic, the next they’re morose

Past midnight and they’re still not home

I worry, then ground them. I’m the bad guy.

They’re rooms are messy and posted “Keep out”

Dare I go in there and see what they’re up to?

I wonder if they’ll survive their teen years.

Aren't there things in this life more fun to do?

These kids will be the death of me.

Their grown now, but need my support.

Will they call? Are they okay? They’re on their own.

I survived young adulthood despite my stupidity.

Surely they will do fine. But what if they don’t?

It’s not up to me to meet their every need

I’ll just entrust them to the Lord, and what?

I have about five hundred books to read.