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.

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.

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 . . .

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.

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.

Rainbow

Rainbow, bright, explodes,

Spills Heaven's hues in promise

Of eternal life.

Angel Wings

Windswept angel wings

Adorn the skies. Witness to 

Earth needing Heaven.

Stars

Milky Way cloaking

Familiar constellations

Renders all things new

Haiku

A sea of white clouds

Settle in the valley

Heaven comes to earth

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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?'

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.

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.

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?

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

Hide and Seek

Psalm 139

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.

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. 

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 . . .