28 Dec 2018
by lynn__
in free verse, lament
Tags: Erica, eyes, grief, heart, lament, suicide
hear our anguished cries, O God!
why do the loveliest ones die young?
she had her daddy’s perceptive eyes
that saw beyond this world’s pretense;
she had her mother’s tender heart
that loved beyond this world’s ache.
Erica belonged to a better, purer world.
depression’s demons
pushed her till she fell,
desperate to escape.
her mortal body broken but
her timeless spirit caught in
arms of compassion
and carried home,
like lost lamb on gentle
Shepherd’s shoulders…
Lord, carry us in our grief!
For my friend and family who lost their sweet daughter/sister. Read Erica’s obituary here.
12 Dec 2018
by lynn__
in free verse, list poem
Tags: chili, fur, huskies, icicles, mitten, snowflakes, winter
Link to dVerse Poets where Gina invites us to consider “the magic of ordinary things”
snow diamonds gliTTer in sunshine
icicle daGGers dangle from rOOf edge
pungent scent distiLLs from pine boughs
haPPy laughter sleDDing down big hiLL
soft faux fur hOOd brushes rosy chEEks
snowflakes sprinkle on kniTTed miTTen
cold hands caRReSS warm bowl of hot chili
29 Nov 2018
by lynn__
in free verse, scripture, worship
Tags: angel, annunciation, flame, glory, messenger
At heaven’s high command,
a white-hot beam of purest light
penetrates time and space
to touch our tiny blue planet.
In a peasant cottage,
silence is muted by
an alien presence; the
whispering whir of mighty wing.
Flesh crawls with palpable terror
as the dazzling creature, a holy flame,
fixes its piercing gaze on one
wide-eyed, trembling maiden.
“Do not be afraid.”
Surprising, melodious words
uttered by molten-gold messenger
to an ordinary girl who pales
in wonder, what can this mean?
Glory’s courier speaks favor—
words of prophets coming true
Spirit of I AM will overshadow you,
virgin chosen to mother Messiah.
Her eyes lower, palms sweat,
as dry lips answer from her
wildly-beating, totally yielded heart,
she burns but does not disintegrate.
“I am the Lord’s servant.”
(Originally posted in 2012 as “advent: trial by fire”; later, expanded and focused. I was privileged to read this at our church Christmas Eve service, 2016)
08 Nov 2018
by lynn__
in free verse, question poem
Tags: boxes, cats, holiday, humans, labels, stuffed
why shove live people into boxes?
for ease of handling:
tape flaps shut
apply (libel) labels
stack, shelve, and ship
boxes help us to:
stratify society
control communication
justify judgementalism
but humans are fluid (57-60% water)
leaking out of boxes, eluding labels with:
nuances of personality
unique life history
flow of opinions and
distilled philosophy
(even cats, who adore boxes, should not be forced inside
but rather choose which box to curl up in and when to exit)
considering final insult we sustain as body is finally laid in a box,
let us celebrate un-boxing holiday
let people out of cramped boxes
we’ve assembled and stuffed them in
in fact, let’s get rid of the boxes altogether!
Linking to dVerse metaphor/figure of speech prompt.
30 Oct 2018
by lynn__
in free verse
Tags: ginger, mountain, ponies, steppe, stew, yurt
Linking to dVerse poetics and Lillian’s prompt to write “once upon a …”
once upon a yurt…
out on the barren steppe
below snowy mountain peak
where mongolian ponies gallop
beside smoky cow-dung fire ring
stirring pot of seasoned beef stew
aromas of ginger and garlic wafting
tickle nose of almond-eyed baby boy
who sneezes mightily into shadows of
future as conqueror-to-be, Genghis Khan
27 Sep 2018
by lynn__
in free verse, poem for children
Tags: caterpillar, grandson, hike, pond, swim, woolie
A small story poem of 115 words linked to dVerse where Bjorn and friends are writing narrative poetry. Also inspired by Sarah’s earlier “mindfulness” prompt!
brave-heart caterpillar
three centimeters long
weighs all of a gram
spiky brown-black fur
humping along unaware
crosses grandson’s path
who grasps stray fuzzball
tickly in palm of hand
gently carried on hike
until trail ends at pier
where insect pupa is
plopped into pond
as fish bait—but wait,
does it know to swim?
fur floats, frantically
w-w-w-wiggles body
up/down like ripples
across water’s surface
until grandma, empathic,
fishes live catkin out
woolie happy at rescue
dries in sunshine and
casts an intimidating
spiked shadow across
pier’s knotted plank
grandson decides to
return him to tall grass
so newly cool cat can
retell adventures to his
sheltered larval friends
photo by lynn
30 Jul 2018
by lynn__
in free verse
Tags: dad, fourth, holiday, laugh, remember, spark
fourth of july
was his favorite
holiday when
dad, guardian
of hot punk,
would light
our sparklers;
we’d laugh and
dance in grass,
swirling
happy sparks
in waves of
patriotism.
now he comes
to iowa to
visit us, his
(temp) guardians,
and to watch
fireflies & fireworks,
celebrating his
independence
from assisted living;
he laughs aloud
at whistling stars
and deaf-defying
bangs.
how can i
bear the time
when dad’s
bright spark
explodes and
sizzles out,
smoking white,
and all my
holidays die?
i’ll remember
the laughter,
holding warm
embers.
24 Jul 2018
by lynn__
in free verse, list poem, Uncategorized
Tags: bluebells, foxglove, ivy, love, plum tree, roses, trust
my dear iris,
you left me with
dewdrop tears
on my garden anemone
how can i trust your foxglove love?
offer me bluebells and ivy…
perhaps i shall arrange them in a
vase with fragrant yellow roses.
ah, sweet william,
now that i’ve returned
it is best to plant pansies
in the windowboxes
come away with me and
enjoy the lillies of the valley
let us climb the ripe plum tree!
In the Victorian era, flowers spoke secret messages. Sarah at dVerse poets explains the meanings of different blooms (as used in my poem). Say it with flowers!
11 Apr 2018
by lynn__
in free verse, story
Tags: farm, grandson, ocean, puzzle, sea horses, sharks
i bought
a new giant
floor puzzle,
especially for
young grandson
a picture of
fascinating
creatures who
live under the
ocean waves
sharks, eels,
sting rays and
cute clownfish
anemones, stars,
and sea horses
but he chooses
the old favorite
floor puzzle of
familiar farm
animals…again
🙂
Joining Elsie at Ramblings of a Writer with theme”Under the Ocean”
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