Photo by Kristina Paukshtite
If I die tomorrow my sweet grandbabies won’t remember
how I held and rocked and loved them with all I’ve got.
They will not know I sang them songs made up just for them,
or how I prayed everyday of my life
that they will follow the call of God.
I hold you now with such unfailing love though
I will not be here to keep every grief at bay
I hope you’ll feel these arms holding you now
and know I am yours Forever and a day.
Photo by Lisa Fotios
This snow takes me back to Memphis.
A little girl with a crooked smile.
Oh how magical that Christmas was.
Boot prints of Santa on a snowy blue lawn.
So secure in the dreams of that gospel mile.
Daddy was my hero, such warm and simple times.
Of all the rooms my life has passed through,
Memphis was the sweetest time I ever knew.
Photo by Musa Ortaç
Shadow Boxer
glitters like gold!
Shapeshifter lies
have all been told!
His candy is poison
but sure taste sweet!
He shadow boxes
down on Deception Street!
Shadow Boxer betrays
with silver, he stole!
His beauty hides his
evil lust for control!
oh your fall from the heavens
like a burning star
shook the deep of this earth
what a falling was there!
Photo by MESSALA CIULLA
I remember the good and leave the worst
I fill all my pages with rhyme and verse
Not much of it will matter to most
But some will understand the cost
I see a good day and leave the night
I paint a picture of the Hope in God’s light
May it never be said that I didn’t try
to speak the truth and expose the lie
This is the message we have heard from Christ and declare to you:God is light, pure light, and in Him there is no darkness AT ALL! 1 John 1:5
Photo by Tainá Bernard
You thought I never noticed you
in those hallowed halls of high school angst.
Like Breakfast Club we each played a part
and everyone said I would break your heart.
You thought I was a Golden lady with no scars.
You said my blue-gray eyes shined like silver stars.
Truthfully I thought no one really cared.
Only you could see that I was a little scared.
You were my best friend and always true.
I went to the parties and always looked for you.
You were too afraid to come my way
and then you faded black one day.
Years came and went till we met again.
We talked and laughed until the sun shined in.
We professed our love and gratitude out loud.
Friends to the end we made that vow.
Now I am old and you have crossed the pale.
I can see the halls of heaven prevail.
Nobody ever was or had a friend more true.
How wrong you were to think I never noticed you.
(this is dedicated to Tim C.)
Photo by Andreas Wohlfahrt
Like a cloud scattered by a strong wind
All illusions of security have blown away
So now I must stand on the Faith I have professed
In The One that keeps me in his sight!
All illusions of control are laid bare
Idols crumble like sand castles in the air
Gratitude has pierced my soul
It leads me to The Cross of His might!
Palms up, letting go, cleaning the house of my soul
Rhetoric and cliches must be purged in the clutter
Returning to the purity of being His Child
I still Trust in Him, the Lover of my soul, who has already won this fight!
Photo by Miri
Standing on the highest sand dune people moved back and forth on the ground below. She no longer has their youthfulness of an unlined face but she knew she finally possessed the joy of ageless Grace. The pilgrimage called her to this beautiful place. The wind and the sun an old friend on her face.
Now she is the shell seeker in the wide brimmed hat, as a child playing in the sun she’d laughed at people like that. She remembers younger days when she grew weary but now the days of peace are what linger here. Emotions don’t obey the rules they are the heartbeat in being human. Like waves reaching the shore emotions can be kept for a moment but are better when given away.
The shell seeker’ s eye remains clear and adept while watching the children play. She knows that life is not going back but more of giving it away. The Truth is, life consists in learning and loving well with Grace underneath God’s sun. To remain whole in the midst of life’s ups and downs, to surrender all secrets and lies is anointing oil to the soul. To shed insincerity and live in the present, the waves echo behind her now compelling her to go on.
Photo by Trung Nguyen
Everything that used to be solid is suddenly fluid.
The mid-afternoon sky the color of hammered gold
Waves of heat rising from the horizon looks like water only to find a hard rock road
I do love living where the Sky is bigger
Somehow it feels tedious to have too many trees above
If I don’t know you then I don’t know anybody
It is like waiting to touch the bottom of a bottomless well
Photo by Nathan Cowley
The daybreak drizzle has moved out to sea.
The dawning clouds are steel gray.
The wind is about 10 knots up from the Gulf Stream.
Nations have risen and fallen, two world wars, more political unrest, man has gone to the moon and the World Wide Web has come along, but nothing much has changed on this little wedge of the island.
The tide goes in and out.
The gulls and cranes still swoop and dive and the dolphin still dance. The beautiful gold sea oats continue to hold the sand dunes together…
But now you… have been born!
Your little smile, your hands and feet have changed everything.
I cannot smile without you.
There are very few words of wisdom I will give you as you grow up and let me into your world of sticks, and bugs, and rocks.
You will sleep the sleep of the blessed each night and when I get the chance I will tuck you in.
What I will do my grandson is love you. Love you unconditionally with all of my being and spirit.
Long after I am gone I will still watch over you and love you with a love that has no end.
The daybreak is clearer now, the sea breeze cleansing. The wars and internet have no meaning to me now.
The tide is a beautiful dance and all of God’s creatures perform just for you.
The sand dunes are for you to climb and my whole world is golden.
Photo by GEORGE DESIPRIS
I stare out my window
Like a sea wife staring out the horizon
Time moving ever so slow
I have always felt set apart
Looking outside of dreams into the indigo haze
Time capturing the beats of my heart
This is what faith is
The hope of what can’t always be seen
Time cannot define where he is
Jill Autrey Dorman 