vulnerable-ability

12 Sep 2016 1 Comment

by lynn__ in free verse, scripture Tags: , , , ,

we come needy,
“damaged goods”
in pretty wrapping
eager for relationship
a safe place to unpack
the assortment of our
mismatched baggage
yet we unintentionally
wound each other
with wary words both
spoken and unspoken
gestures misconstrued
whether subconscious
malice or callous
thoughtlessness
we’re here together
with scars and scabs
as we pretend to
search for fresh
bandages even as
we hope for real
healing found only
in true forgiveness.

“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” (Ephesians 4:32)

children of God

18 Aug 2016 Leave a comment

by lynn__ in american sentence, scripture Tags: , , ,

(written as “american sentences” of 17 syllables each)

 

Yes, Paul quoted poetry in his speech at the Areopagus —

As even your own poets have said, “For we are indeed his offspring” *

Athenians made many gods, even built an altar to “unknown god”.

(Ever wonder how people who knew so much, understood so little?)

Man cannot create God; his Spirit moves, unconfined to our image.

 

 

*from Cilician poet, Aratus, in Phaenomena, and also Cleanthes, in Hymn to Zeus.

Taken from historical/biblical account in Acts 17:16-31. Beth Moore’s Portraits of Devotion gives fresh insight (sentence #4 is hers).

 

transpiration

27 Apr 2016 13 Comments

by lynn__ in haibun, scripture Tags: , , , ,

As for man, his days are like grass; he flourishes like a flower of the field; for the wind passes over it, and it is gone, and its place knows it no more.  Ps. 103:15, 16

 

Death does not discriminate but believes in equal opportunity for all.  Flowers and weeds, sinners and saints…each granted a brief cycle of seasons on the earth.  Life begins as a seed, planted in sanctuary of womb. Cells divide, cotyledon splits; embryo develops limbs, groping in darkness.  Birth breaks through to sunlight!  Youthful stem grows, green with life’s energy, curling out curious leaves.  Powered by nutrients through roots and pollinated by buzzing ideals, adolescence buds into flowering adulthood.  A productive life spreads, shades, bears nourishing fruit until the final harvest.  Life’s wisdom fades to delicate lace, leaving precious seed for the generation to follow.  How one lives determines how one dies.  May it be at peace, in the presence of the good and gracious Gardener.

 

life’s full breath expires

vein beauty in brevity

flower cut from field

 

veins

Link to dVerse Poets haibun prompt featuring photography of Susan Judd

but Ava knew Jesus

02 Nov 2015 5 Comments

by lynn__ in scripture, tanka Tags: , , ,

-with prayers for family of Ava Dieleman

 

why four-year-olds die?

life brittle as frosted grass

bleak october day

God listens to our lament

frozen tears in his bottle

 

_______

“Surely the people are grass.
The grass withers and the flowers fall,
but the word of our God stands forever.” Isaiah 40:8

photo credit: CDHK

photo credit: Carpe Diem Haiku Kai

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