Tuesday, December 30, 2014

I Stay



The road today did not diverge
To yellow wood or branches bare.
Caught, sought, me in the middle; urge
To run, to shun the path shown there,
Right in front of me.  Need to make
Via Delarosa, The Way
My only need, only answer.
In unfailing comfort, I stay.

Saturday, December 27, 2014

Born for Us



Christmas lights shining
Since Thanksgiving Day
On tree faithful, true,
Draped; loving array
Of Christmas Present,
Christmas Past. Renews 
In heart, light's promise:
Jesus!  Born for us.

Friday, December 19, 2014

They Lie in Wait



They lie in wait
With patience strong
Enough to break
Through defenses
Vowed, rigorous.
Still, they persist.
Will not give up.
Have learned the ropes.
Manipulate.
Agenda met,
Nothing stops them.
And we fall, fall,
Further.  Abyss
Looms.  Yawning beast
Consuming all,
And saving none . . .

Tuesday, December 9, 2014

When I Hide



When I hide,
You seek.
When I'm lost,
You find.
When I run,
You're there, 
Keeping pace
With all.
You race, sure
Of me.
Marathon
Of life.

Saturday, November 29, 2014

Story I Call Mine




Alarm this morning
Boasts of cheerful  bird-song bright;
I did not schedule.
I never touched the buttons.
For weeks, I ignore.
From whence it comes?  I'm doubting,
Yet perceiving how 
And, why, a message given
Pours into my soul:
A date set far ahead, far
Beyond my vision
Tells redemption's unmatched tale.
Story I call mine.

















Monday, November 24, 2014

Rainbow



Rainbow, bright, explodes,
Spills Heaven's hues in promise
Of eternal life.

Sunday, November 23, 2014

Angel Wings



Windswept angel wings
Adorn the skies. Witness to 
Earth needing Heaven.

Sunday, November 16, 2014

Stars



Milky Way cloaking
Familiar constellations
Renders all things new

Saturday, November 15, 2014

Saturday, October 25, 2014

Blessed Dream



I let it go
Because I know you're there. 
I let it go
Because I know you care
About me. 
I let it go
Because you, faithful, stand
Beside me.
I don't understand,
But, I believe
The promise made by you.
I let it go.
The dream unleashed and freed,
Blessed by you.

Wednesday, October 15, 2014

In Every Season



Fortunate and blessed
Beyond reason,
You appear, beloved
In every season.
Returning life in spring,
Fall, the clue,
That even in the autumn,
Your love's renewed.

Sunday, September 28, 2014

The Promised Rain



The promised rain begins,
Falling lightly, slowly,
Measured rhythm soothing
To the soul.  Holy
Droplets, sprinkling,
Christening the earth.
The place which craves renewal
In rain, knows its worth.

Thursday, September 18, 2014

Grey Speaks



Grey waves beneath  puppeteer's hand
To unsuspecting, startled passers-by.
Some ignore, or with smiles acknowledge;
Others, curiosity draws nigh.
Sharing story, interest deftly peaks;
Light observed in mutual exchange.
The Lord, Himself, with intimacy, speaks.

This poem was written after a wondrous day at a recent book sale/signing at the Atlanta Federal Center.  So many people fell in love with "Grey" today, I am beside myself, and I'm thanking the Lord for the many gifts this day has rendered.
Love and blessings to all!

Thursday, September 4, 2014

Tears Fall



Without warning, tears fall.
Held in check, profoundly spilling;
Unexpected provocation.
 I, withholding, God bids willing.
Shedding with complete abandon.
What I tightly hold, denying
Frailty and sinfulness; 
His course sets true my reckoning.
I will follow.
I will heed.
I will weep. 
I will, Him, need.
For in all things, He's ever there,
Drying eyes and answering prayer.

Wednesday, August 20, 2014

The Island Calls



I long to see
God's glory in a face
Met with death
Untimely, in a place
Where evil, rampant,
Rules by rule alone;
Dispensing justice
As a privilege honed.
Arrogant, proud,
The island calls:
'Why should I care
Who takes the fall?'

Monday, August 11, 2014

He Makes Us Whole



The journey, long before us,
Lies in wait,
Challenging our fears.
Will time abate
The doubts invading thoughts?
Will God control?
Only, when we let Him
Make us whole.

Friday, August 1, 2014

Trains



The train calls me forward;
Tells me, "Don't look back!
Trust in the journey
Forward!"  Room for slack?
Not on this watch
Where perils deftly lie,
And, lay in wait for those
Who question and defy.
Convenient answers strewn
Like wedding petals tossed
Fecklessly, carelessly scattered,
At feet of bride, then lost.
My journey, like no other.
Resounding trains, still calling,
Heart quickens to the sound;
Soul knows:  I'm not failing.
I'm redeemed.  I am found.

Tuesday, July 29, 2014

Saving Rope



The world, precariously held
On Atlas' shoulders, shakes
And, shudders.  Spins out of control.
What are we to make
Of changes, charges, clash, and chaos,
Threatening and real?
Life, so precious, in the balance;
Is there room to heal?
Is there time?  Is there time?
Or, have we squandered hope?
What will it take for climbing souls
To cling to saving rope?

Friday, July 18, 2014

Rain Drops



Rain drops soft, yet large,
Fall to earth from sky.
Quiet tears shed
From self-conscious eye;
Reminding me to mourn,
Reminding me to grieve
For loved ones who have passed.
God's grace, my one reprieve.

Saturday, July 12, 2014

Where Wild Birds Sing . . .


The house is empty.
Alone, I'm here.
The silence swells
To quiet.  Clear
Sound beyond sound,
As walls inhale
And windows sigh,
The roof exhales.
I open door
And walk outside
Where wild birds sing
And lives collide
With blessings pure;
God's presence, sure.

Wednesday, July 9, 2014

Raining Sand



"Look, Gammie, raining sand!"
Through Virginia's fingers slide
Moist grains, trickling tear drops
Effortlessly descend; glide
From embracing hands.  Set free
To be welcomed far below,
In sandbox rest, finding home.
The peace grains share, we yearn to know.

Saturday, July 5, 2014

Crown of Thorns



Among the living,
Death dwells.
Stalking, lurking
In the shadows,
For, in darkness,
Death fears nothing.
Shows its face.
Mocks believers.
Taunts and jeers.
Yet, there is light
Upheld on high
In crown of thorns:
Eternal life.

Friday, July 4, 2014

A Great Nation



I will make you
A great nation,
Says the Lord.
Under God,
United.  One.
Souls together,
Standing strong.
Yet, idols fashioned
Come between
Offered grace,
Redemption's plan.
Promise made
To us by God, 
We spurn, reject.
No comfort now
In once great nation
He would make
If we allowed.
We stand forlorn.
We stand alone.



Friday, June 27, 2014

Most Perfect Poem



Most perfect poem
Formed in my mind,
Dodged and rambled;
Words declined
As interruptions
Intercede.
Free fall, free will.
My desperate need
For perfect poem
Still intercedes.

Saturday, June 21, 2014

The Road to Damascus


On the road to Damascus,
My warrants in hand,
The mission is clear -
Against, none will stand.
On the road to damnation,
I taunt and I jeer.
Who needs The Way?
Humanism draws near.
On the road to Damascus
I'm suddenly blind!
I hear His voice calling,
"Seek, child, and find!"
On the road to damnation,
I suddenly see!
My Jesus, my Lord,
Is searching for me!

Thursday, June 19, 2014

Holy Spirit



He enters when I fail to invite,
Comes into my heart, unbidden.
And, stays with me whenever I write,
His gracious love not hidden.

Monday, June 16, 2014

Hide and Seek




I seek,
You find.
I hide,
You find.
I dodge,
You claim.
I run, 
You claim.
All things stand
Within Your name.
Nothing stands
Between us.

Sunday, June 8, 2014

My Name



I am named "Martha,"
And, I live up to it.
Serving without ceasing, 
Doing without thinking.
Assuming deeds will save
My soul which only wants
To be like Mary.  Is that
My white stone's name?
Still and rapt, kneeling
Before the Lord, my God?
I'd like to think so.
I pray to know so.


This poem was inspired by my dear friend, Glynn Young.  Please visit his Faith, Fiction, and Friends here

Wednesday, June 4, 2014

My Passion



Writing is my passion;
God gifts me through His grace.
Though world says, "Not the fashion."
Through Him, I know my place.
My soul longs for His presence,
And, in me, He does dwell.
For God's the very essence
In all my deeds done well.

Saturday, May 31, 2014

If I Miss . . .



If I miss the miracle
Of smile upon your face,
If I fail to recognize 
Your fingerprint and place,
Where will I be?  Where can we be?
When moments are esteemed,
For what they are: a present form.
We are, by love, redeemed.

Friday, May 23, 2014

Not Taken



Admonition, 
Not taken.
Advice with love, 
Not taken.
Soul's reflection,
Not taken.

Left to wonder
If parental
Advice ceases
Once the body
Leaves the home.


Thursday, May 22, 2014

Thy Will Be Done



Depressed, suppressed,
Yet, smile emerges
Like a weed
In manicured lawn.
I don't belong.
I know this well.
But, I offer
Solace when
It's the hardest;
Comfort when
 I need rest.
Loving when
Most undeserved
Ask prayers.
Trusting God
To save my soul,
And, souls of others.
When all is said,
Your will be done.

Friday, April 25, 2014

Dreaming Tree



Dreaming tree
Tree of Life
Tree of Knowledge
Tree of Reminder
To never cease to dream,
To imagine,
To let God in
When feelings taunt
He is not present.
Dreams affirm He Is
Ever, forever, always . . .
Let Him in,
Let Him in.

Tuesday, April 15, 2014

Trust In Me



Tired, worn
Heart torn . . .
What do I do?
Nothing?  Really?
That's the answer?
I need more.
Nothing?  Why?
Answer!
Where are answers?
Where is peace?
Illusive joy?

~

All is joy
When with me
You rest and breathe,
Trust and follow.
Thinking ceases.
Knowing begins.
Trust and follow .  . .

Trust in Me.


Saturday, April 12, 2014

Dear Mom

 My Mom at our wedding.  So beautiful!

Thinking you can endure
The impossible, you take your stand.
Brave?  Yes.  But, necessary?
When this moment begs more
Than a cursory format passed
Along to others.  We live
Within requirements given.
Have we not paid the price?
Are we not bereaved?
Are you not grieved?
"I cannot cry.  I just can't."
"Mom, please, let it out!"
With you, we are united,
One heart and soul and mind,
To claim the peace and glory
Of the Lord . . . He's there.
Grieve, cry, and mourn,
Then, celebrate the passing
Of the one you love,
The one God chose for you;
The one and only love
Your heart has ever known.


Saturday, April 5, 2014

Coming Home



Coming home from the cabin,
Blessed cabin in the mountains
Where time stands still.
Nothing matters but being
In the moment.
Being.
Being. 
Being . . .
The journey home,
Where everything matters,
When doing demands the thoughts,
Forget not the cabin,
And, the promise
Of life and love
Everlasting.
The present is illusion.
The eternal lives
In the cabin.

Sunday, March 23, 2014

The Maple Box


The ground prepared,
The entrance bared,
Maple box above.
Scriptures read.
Prayers said.
Maple box within.
Hands apace,
Dirt replaced.
Maple box concealed.
Tears and stories
Share the glory
Of a life well lived.


Monday, March 10, 2014

Noah's Prayer



Two by two, I walk the boards on our deck.
Two by two by two, then turn
And, retrace my steps, reversed, refined.
Wonder.  Will my heart learn?
Miracles, unexpected, shower blessings
Which eyes, alert, can glean, discern,
When open.  Captured by His holy presence, 
I realize grace I've never earned.
Two by two, I am on board your deck.

Thursday, March 6, 2014

Sunshine Memories



Daddy, sing that song again,
When I was your sunshine only.
At six-years-old, I listen, rapt,
In love with your guitar, your voice.
I absorb who you are, 
Father, Daddy, precious Abba.
Sing the song again, Daddy!
Through memories, my heart can hear.

Sunday, January 5, 2014

My Daddy



I am here, but you don't know me;
Just another caring face 
Facing yours.  Hands reaching.
Can I touch?  Can I embrace?
You quiver at the slightest touch,
As my mind wills redeeming grace,
I behold a bud to bloom.
You let us know when there is room
For understanding, delving deep
Into your soul, the one God keeps.
Hold my hand, my Daddy, trust!
This is the gift you give to us . . .


As many of you know, my family and I are struggling with my Dad's condition with advanced Alzheimer's.  Please feel free to share this with others who are going through or who have gone through the pain of losing a loved one to this horrific illness.  May these words bring you hope and peace and closure . . .