Regarding Poets

The balm of poetic words, 

beauty to the ear and hope for the soul, 

restoring what trials and tragedies stole, 

lifting you above the pain, 

mending the mind to be sound and whole.

In Memory of a Beautiful Friend and Woman of God: Debbie Krebs

Whenever I think of Debbie
I see her smiling;
I hear her cheerful voice.

She's telling someone,
"Way to go! You can do it!"
and so many other joyful words of blessing.

She's giving a hug,
holding out her hands
to give help, healing, hope.

I may not see her for a long, long time.
We didn't know she'd be leaving so soon.

Now when I think of her
I'll get that ache in my heart
and wrestle again and again with
how things are and how I wish they were.

It should not be this way.
She should have stayed
and lived and loved a little longer--
so much longer!

But Jesus will make it up to us,
and when he brings us back together,
we won't remember the time apart.
We'll talk of how he rescued us
and walk together always
on a road that never ends...

Be slow to speak...

A beautiful poem from Bonnie Chase...

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Be slow to speak, quick-sp...: "Be slow to speak, quick-speaking mouth. Your pride and self-seeking are fading. Purity and life echo from you. Filth and dust, dirt and..."

Maryland Forsythia in April

Hybrid branches blend
spring's yellow and summer's green
blooms between seasons.

Awkward looking like
my life. Transitions obscure
past joys and new hopes.

Poem on Song of Solomon 8:7

Everyday words and
worries drip one drop at a
time on hopeful hearts.

Spring showers soak us;
summer storms wear us down, but
joy girds fainting hearts.

Fall torrents followed
by blinding blizzards fiercely
freeze our frantic hearts.

Faith's flames revive us.
As tsunamis overwhelm,
love grips grace-bathed hearts.

"Many waters can
not quench love. Rivers can not
wash it away." Song of Solomon 8:7

A Poem on Galatians 2:20

This is all I know:
Jesus saved me from my sins.
Nothing else matters.

I'm Thankful For Brushes and Brooms

For Christmas 1991, our oldest daughter, Melissa, received this gift from her Grandma and Grandpa Crawford:

Precious Moments Through the Year Stories by V. Gilbert Beers and Samuel J. Butcher

She was, and still is, Daddy's Precious Moments Girl in every way. Not long after that we had three in our quiver--Melissa, Malachi, and Cherith.

On Thanksgiving 1992, and on every Thanksgiving Day since then, I have read this poem from her book before dinner.

"I heard Mom say as she scrubbed today,
'I'm thankful for brushes and brooms.
I'm glad to clean my cozy house
That's filled with cheerful rooms.'

I heard Mom say at the washing machine,
'I'm thankful for dirty clothes.
I'm glad that I have a healthy child
Who can play each day she grows.'

I heard Mom say at the sink tonight,
'I'm thankful for dirty dishes.
I'm glad we filled our plates with food
Instead of empty wishes.'

I heard Mom say in her prayers tonight,
'I'm thankful for problems today.
If life never got a little bit rough,
I might forget to pray.' "

Happy Thanksgiving!

When Clouds Are Thick and Ominous, or A Real View of a Beautiful Church On a Dark, Windy Day

Blankets of clouds loomed
darkly above this church as
light lavished below.

Dismally covered,
cheerfully radiating
rays of resistance.

Autumn's Ornaments

When I parked the car today
at the grocery store,
I was surprised by bright red and green
decorations in the parking lot,
not hung by a stock boy on the light posts
to welcome Christmas--
not in September, no!--
But miraculously mixed on maples' branches
by our loving Lord...

A View of Berry Mountains on Tuesday Morning, September 7, 2010

Golden foilage brushed
the tips of Berry Mountains
meeting autumn skies.

Green's grip is released
as summer stretches to rest
from her warm watch soon.

The House Sleeps

The house sleeps here while
faraway friends fight for a
way home desp'rately.

We rest by still streams
recklessly, but our brothers
find this peace in pain.

"He who dwells in the shadow of the Most High
will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.
I will say to the LORD, 'My refuge and my fortress,
my God in whom I trust.' " Psalms 91:1-2

"Remember those who are in prison, as though in prison with them, and those who are mistreated, since you are also in the body." Hebrews 13:3

Summer break is over...

Snacks are all cleaned up
now. No more scattered books or
laundry warm this space.

Summer Break

Scattered snacks litter
space that waited all year for
dormancy to end.

Conneaut Lake Sunset Illustrated

Conneaut Lake sun-
set obscured by lacy tufts
sheds rose rays on waves.

**********
Photo by Bill Danielewicz

Conneaut Lake Sunset

Conneaut Lake sun-
set obscured by lacy tufts
sheds rose rays on waves.

On the Eve of Independence Day

Songbirds serenede
While Bill washes the gray car
And I prune roses.

Unconventional Date

The doctor's office was very busy today.
Almost all of the seats in the waiting area were taken.
But we found two together
Just for us.

Then the room seemed almost empty
And we were like a couple seated in a booth at a restaurant
During the dinner hour,
Surrounded by many,
yet just we two.

Untitled

Irritative specks
frustrate sweethearts sworn to love.
As tears fall, pearls grow.

Each tear, sigh, earnest
plea for understanding, strings
lustrous, living strands.