We wish our loved ones in our arms could stay
but sovereign God upon the throne he sits.
As long as we have breath, life’s stage we play,
performing to extent of strength and wits.
We take (or miss) our cues by starts and fits;
laugh at ourselves in life’s strange comedy.
Joy of our moment in the spotlight flits;
last curtain calls for death’s dark tragedy.
As lights go dim, the end brings tear to eye;
the pain of letting go stings oh so smart.
Remembering best scenes will make us cry;
lead actor’s lines forever in our heart.
Around me gather when life ends with moan,
when God directs, I’ll rise from vault of stone!
-Dedicated to memory of Lisa Wielenga, taken at age 29. She believed!
Bouts-Rimés (pronounced Boo-ReeMay) is French for “rhymed ends” and is the name given to a rhyming game of poets. I wrote this sonnet using a list of ending words for each line, to be used in order given (more info at: dVerse Poets)
a poem in my pocket 
Mar 18, 2016 @ 16:20:35
A beautiful “prayer”
Mar 18, 2016 @ 16:00:23
What a lovely tribute to your young friend Lynn ~ Though this is sad, there is hope in the ending:
when God directs, I’ll rise from vault of stone!
Mar 18, 2016 @ 16:24:12
Our hope is in Him!
Mar 18, 2016 @ 14:49:19
Your “bouts” was well constructed as a beautiful elegy to your friend. It progressed with grace and solemnity. Beautiful.
Mar 18, 2016 @ 14:53:59
I’m grateful for your comment, Gay.
Mar 18, 2016 @ 10:53:55
Beautiful writing and tribute to one who went before us at such a young age. Nice work with the form, Lynn
Mar 18, 2016 @ 12:05:21
Thank you, Victoria.
Mar 18, 2016 @ 06:22:32
Beautifully poignant ❤ love your response to the bouts-rimes 🙂
Mar 18, 2016 @ 04:52:13
Truly elevating write Lynn… Hope you enjoy threads when it arrives… It will be making its way across the pound this wknd, I’m sure… x
Mar 18, 2016 @ 04:06:43
Such a magnificent Sonnet that could be written by Spenser himself… This is a piece of art (though bitter-sweet to part)
Mar 18, 2016 @ 07:16:15
I am honored by this comment, Bjorn. Thank you.
Mar 18, 2016 @ 01:45:04
Wow lynn but such a sad poem and of a young lady taken so young. I loved the way your words flowed and in places echoes of Shakespeare.
Mar 18, 2016 @ 01:13:57
29 is far too young to go! But I like echoes of Shakespeare in your verse and the use of rhyme. So hard to not make rhyme sound too jaunty and inappropriate, but you succeed.
Mar 18, 2016 @ 07:21:23
Thank you, Marina. Indeed, Shakespeare was the master of serious sonnet!
Mar 18, 2016 @ 00:21:02
between an earthquake and a koan, where for art thou plates and spines beneath the skin and bones of a soul digging into its life…why, in a poem of course…in a poem…très bon