a poem in my pocket

In the back bedroom of a hospitable home

on sprawling shaded lot in Magnolia, Texas,

lies an adult little girl; disabled but beloved,

dear daughter and sweet sister named Kim.

She’s a redhead, age 52, curled in bed, mute;

a child of God, reflecting his image; like Him,

her eyes always seeing (open even in sleep)

and her ears always hearing (primary sense).

What a privilege to meet Kim, touch her hand

as she rests in sanctuary of clean sheets and

sunny windows; surrounded by hum of vital

equipment, carried gently by sacrificial love.

Holy ministry happens here on a daily basis,

offered by her mother, who dedicates all her

nursing skills, the tenderest days of her life to

care for, love on, feed, turn, and talk to Kimmy.

Dedicated to Kim Feenstra, who lives with her precious family (and a condition called micro-encephalitis).

Challenge at Poetics Pub to use drinking words (listed) for a non-drinking activity…

last call for dirty laundry as granny

loaded tumbler for one more round,

tipping a bodacious shot of bleach.

“c’mon, help tie one on the clothesline,”

she says, hanging three sheets to the wind.

then turns sour, seeing hair of the dog on

whites;  kamikaze-like, she yells straight-up

“choose your poison, we gotta rewash ’em!”

photo by lynn

in history’s shadows,

dark curl of demonic horn

prods power-hungry men.

lips curled in sneer,

King Herod of Judea

sealed fate of innocents

in scroll uncurled by

soldiers with bloody spears.

Bethlehem’s baby boys

and toddlers ripped from

warm curl of mama’s arms.

Quadrille (44 word poem) on dVerse Poets prompt of “curl”

We were blessed with 2 new grand daughters in May, 2016! 

(for Rebecca Joy)

Oh, precious one

you bring us joy!

Tripled the fun

as sisters alloy.

Mama’s almond eyes

Daddy’s strong chin,

give brightest smiles

our hearts to win.

Dimpled cheek

dark, styled hair

Blessing your sleep

we say a prayer:

If world may break

your heart someday

Held close to Jesus

may you ever stay!

(for Ruth Ellen)

Baby Ruth, we love you, in truth!

Sweet smiles, warm hugs;

you’re our dear “cuddle-bugs”

Deep dark-eyed look is all it took,

our hearts can’t help but melt.

We pray you will stay faithful to faith

of your father and mother;

grace shown your grandparents.

Like biblical Ruth, may you say:

Your God will be my God,

your people my people,

where you stay, I will stay;

Close to Jesus always.

Christmas goes on…forever in our hearts because of Emmanuel, “God with us”.  Take this gift for you, as shared by Ann Voskamp.

Light a candle on this 1st Sunday of Advent

We watch with eyes wide open.

What does a shepherd know of Hope?

Sin brings down a curse

Death will threaten its worst

All:   But Christ is our Advent of HOPE!

credit:  worshiphousemedia

A tan renga is a poem in tanka form written by two poets.  Here is a classic haiku by Matsuo Basho (translated from Japanese) and my response.  A group of crows is not a flock; it’s called a murder.  Linking to Carpe Diem Haiku Kai prompt.

on a bare branch

a crow lands

autumn dusk

© Basho (Tr. Jane Reichhold)

murder happens upon tree

whose responsibility?

(lynn)

credit:  free stock photos