Do You Feel that Breeze Blowing Forth?

Do You Feel that Breeze Blowing Forth?
3/31/13 Easter Sunday

Do you feel
that breeze blowing forth?
Be still and listen closely.
There's life breathing
once again,
death has been defeated.
So long silence
So long darkness
Where have you now to dwell?
He lives again
forever conquering
death, evil, pain, Hell.
Do you feel
that breeze blowing forth?
Reach up and feel its embrace.
There's life breathing
once again
salvation has come by grace.

You're Not Welcome

You're Not Welcome
3/30/13

Worry, you're not welcome
you steal my happiness.
Like a thief
you plot and plan
holding me hostage and afraid.
My hope is diminishing
into death's trap.
Worry, you brought me here.

Gratitude and remembrance
Will slowly snuff you out,
and life will thrive once more.
Knock again
to find no answer.
Peace will win; it must.
Worry, you're not welcome
you steal my happiness.

Won't I Take Care of You?

Won't I Take Care of You?
3/29/13

Look at the bird
it's singing there
not worrying
not begging
just living.
And doesn't the grass come back to grow?
Gaze upon the wildflowers
dancing colors long and slender
not one of them fretting
not one of them concerned
just thriving year after year.
And doesn't the sun rise again?
Sweet child of mine
Why do you fear?
Why do you wonder in anguish?
Rest in my presence
Sigh in my comfort
And won't I take care of you?

Day Meets Night

Day Meets Night
3/24/13

The bell has rung
The time has come
For day and night to meet.

Birds fly home
Stars reappear
It's time to rest your weary soul.

Sun goes down once more
And crickets calmly declare
Twilight has finally come.

That old familiar stillness drifts in
Settling upon the heavy laden.
The town deeply sighs once more.

Silence is welcome
Rest embraced
Fears lie down
Peace echoes
When day meets night.

So Long, Sunshine

So Long, Sunshine
3/24/13

So long, Sunshine
I hope to see you soon.
So long, Sunshine
I will wait for you.
Please, dear Sunshine
Return quickly and stay
I need you, Sunshine
Hurry back to play.

Coming Home

Coming Home
3/24/13

Don't leave me now, we've just begun
there's so much still to learn.
Your presence is needed, craved, invited.
In you I find healing.
Rest.

Together with you my worries fade
into the shadows of the night.
My mind is free, open, confident.
Doubts have no dwelling.
Trust.

Yet when I return, I worry that
your voice will become faint.
Can I keep this gift we've got
even in the rainy weather?
Believe.

Breathing deeply, I remember
your promise is true and lasting.
I cannot rely on my own power
but you, my strong Redeemer.
Surrender.

So when life gets loud
and other voices vie for my affection,
I'll remember this time of renewal and peace
and grasp tightly to your hand.
Faith.

Deep Blue Sea

Deep Blue Sea
3/22/13

Deep blue sea, mysterious, undiscovered
No one knows of your life
Teeming with creation, color
Unscathed by expectation.

Freely you flourish each day and night
true to yourself, never settling.
Greed, anger, shame, and fear are foreigners, uninvited.

Deep blue sea, so raw, so rare, so effortless
Your natural beauty a gentle song.
Constant, selfless, constrained, strong
Your loyal depths are grace eternal.

I See You, Cloud

I See You, Cloud
3/22/13

I see you, wispy cloud
floating freely across the sky.
You're light, carefree, alive.
All is well, and time moves quickly.

Now the sky darkens,
unexpected storms arrive.
You're dark, burdened, carrying a heavy load.
Time inches by through this perilous season.

Your rain has run dry
and a rainbow promises relief.
Yet scars linger in your gray hues.
You begin to move again, and time follows your lead.

I see you cloud, large and full
dancing into dusk.
Colliding with the sun, your time-healed wounds
create a masterpiece of purples, oranges, blues
and time stands in your stillness.

Sunshine

Sunshine
3/19/13

Sunshine, sweet Sunshine
So warm, so constant, so bright.
You're good for my soul.

I breathe easy now
Your rays are healing; they mend.
My skin soaks you up.

Your golden light shines
Darkness has nowhere to go.
Only truth is seen.

Sunshine, please stay now
My soul is thirsty for you.
I sigh with relief.

Sunshine, sweet Sunshine
So warm, so constant, so bright.
You're good for my soul.

Weathered Grain of Sand

Weathered Grain of Sand
3/18/13

Do you ever look upon a grain of weathered sand
and think to ask just how it came to be?
Perhaps it started out a boulder in the desert
or maybe a shell deep in a stormy sea.
Could it have once been at the peak of a mountain
or down in the blackest abyss?
A wandering pebble down the Mississippi
a stone lightly skipped o'er Lake Isis?

Whatever the journey of this weathered grain of sand
it's clear it was a crushing fight.
Years of toil, storms, wind, and rain
have produced this perfect grain refined.
Soft to the touch, this warm powdered sugar
is smooth, soothing, new.
Time has passed, and life's been hard
but this weathered grain of sand stands true.

The Best Day of the Year

The Best Day of the Year
3/17/13

Grab your frisbee, ball, and glove
and pack a cooler, too!
Hurry, c'mon, it's starting now
the best day of the year.
Dust off your cap, throw on some shorts
the sun is out to play.
We've waited all winter long for this
the best day of the year.
Old man Sevier welcomes warmly
his lawns glisten green with life.
Puppies and children race to join in
the best day of the year.
Watch out for speedy scooters and meandering passersby
finish that popsicle, it's melting.
Throw some burgers on, have the family over and enjoy
the best day of the year.
Slow down, breathe deeply, and enjoy the warm rays
Catch up on lost time.
It's the first day of Spring, and we all agree,
it's the best day of the year.

Midnight Train

Midnight Train

3/16/13

The midnight train comes howling through

the silence of the night.

Just miles away sleeps the town,

not a soul disturbed.

Yet there is an ear who hears the cry

it's the Watchman, ever-present.

Not a whisper, thought goes unanswered

and the train glides ever onward.

Barren Tree of Winter

Barren Tree of Winter
3/10/13

Oh barren tree of winter
your branches hang in fear
They're bare, scarred, wounded
desperate for the Sun.
Upward you look for a sign
of Spring's faithful return.
But months of despair, darkness, dread
leave you weary and alone.
Questions unanswered, cries returned void
Will this winter ever cease?

Look barren tree of winter
at the light coming upon.
Just a touch of the Sun's gentle kiss
is water rushing through your soul.
Are you here to stay
and mend my brokenness?
My branches look upward
while hope flows faintly within.
Far too long have I stood in solitude
Can I trust you again?

Feel barren tree of winter
new life takes root once more.
Sun's rays prove loyal
with his warm, familiar embrace.
Hope and trust bloom on branches
their aroma sweet and still.
Though clouds and rainstorms appear
fear of winter's return does not invade.
Yet fruit springs freely forward
to reveal the measure of grace.

Sing barren tree of winter
your branches outstretched in praise.
They're full, mended, healed
after months with the faithful Sun.
Backward you look as you recall
Winter's ruthless fight.
You recall the despair, darkness, dread
with tears of gratitude and life.
You're stronger now, rooted deeper than before.
Will this song ever cease?
Oh barren tree of winter.