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light of the world
21 Dec 2018 Leave a comment
in haiga Tags: candle, face, God, night, starlight
winter’s daZZle
12 Dec 2018 13 Comments
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
to citizens of secret kingdom
04 Dec 2018 19 Comments
in quadrille, quote, scripture Tags: cheer, fear, grace, injustice, Jesus, peace, trouble
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” – Jesus (John 16:33)
what have you to fear?
suffering betrayal and injustice by ones you trusted
evil gaining power to wreak havoc and violence
what have you to cheer?
love, grace, forgiveness…received and given
good stands stronger than evil and will overcome
peace has your back!
A quadrille with the word “cheer” and something secret…linking to dVerse poets pub!
time to shine
03 Dec 2018 4 Comments
in decastitch, rhyming verse Tags: angels, candles, carolers, fire, light, moon, stars
Decastitch poem of 10 lines, 10 syllables each; see Elsie at Ramblings of a Writer.
angels illuminate this holy night
wreath of candles on table flickers bright
white lights twinkle from pine branches in snow
winter moon on velvet night sheds soft glow
joyful gleam in children’s eyes wait to see
shimmering garlands encircle the tree
carolers who sing under lamp post’s glare
gather near fire’s hearth with stories to share
each window mirrors shining stars’ array
celebrate light of the world born today
Decided to expand it for smoother reading out loud…at our Christmas Eve service!
As angels illuminated this holy night,
we light wreath of candles flickering bright.
White lights twinkle from pine branches in snow,
winter moon on velvet night sheds softer glow.
Joyful gleam in child’s eyes waiting to see
shimmering tinsel garlands encircle the tree.
Carolers, who sing under lamp post’s glare,
will gather near fire’s hearth with stories to share.
Each window reflects a star pointing the way
as we celebrate the Light of the World today!
so says Sophocles
01 Dec 2018 6 Comments
in distillation, quote, tanka Tags: free, gift, old, peace, relax
A distillation of passage from Plato’s Republic linked to Carpe Diem Haiku Kai. Sophocles was a Greek playwright and here’s a quote from his play “Antigone”:
“Many are the wonders of the world but none is more wonderful than man.” — Sophocles
_______
this gift of old age
when strength of passions relax,
free to be at peace…
but elderly who complain,
were they happier in youth?
- Sophocles bust (public domain)
annunciation
29 Nov 2018 7 Comments
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, 2018, 2019!)
waiting for Christmas
28 Nov 2018 12 Comments
in haibun, senryu Tags: advent, boys, Christmas, Emmanuel, stockings, tree
As newlyweds, we’d spent our money on the wedding and honeymoon so our budget was limited. We found an artificial tree on sale and put it up together. I had a few simple ornaments I had made in years past which we used to decorate the branches. We had no gifts under the tree but were happy celebrating our first Christmas together.
When our sons were little boys, they could hardly wait for St. Nick’s Day when we’d open our stockings…what gifts would be inside? I hung them high, out of reach from eager eyes and curious fingers. Our neighbor bought the boys each an Advent calendar. They opened a window every day to find a little chocolate treat inside; counting down the days until Christmas.
Now that we’re older, we enjoy the waiting…listening to music, looking at light displays, attending grandchildren’s programs. The season of Advent is a special time of holiday concerts and worship services, culminating in the celebration of Christmas Day. We don’t really need any gifts except the presence of Emmanuel, God with us.
anticipation
waiting for return of king
our advent journey
_______
A traditional haiku refers to a season and nature so here’s another…
small creatures waiting
under snow’s winter mantle
for coming of spring
Linking to Imelda’s haibun prompt of “waiting” at dVerse Poets Pub
fencing after harvest
26 Nov 2018 2 Comments
in fusion haiku Tags: fall, fencing, geese, goodbye, pampas grass, south
Create a “fusion” haiku from the 2 original haiku for CDHK crossroads…
Waving the pampas grass,
At the Shinjuku station,
I said goodbye.
© Yamaguchi Seison(1892-1988)
The migratory birds
Make the wind blowing down to Asaka
From mountains frequently.
© Kawahigashi Hekigoto(1873-1937)
pampas grass waving
migrating geese all flown south
fall’s windy goodbye
© lynn__
beauty chillin’
26 Nov 2018 Leave a comment
in tanka Tags: frost, glitters, holiday, prisms, sunshine
frost sparkles on trees,
catches prisms of sunshine
and glitters landscape;
i stare in admiration
of God’s holiday lighting!
fuyu no tsuki
25 Nov 2018 7 Comments
in classical haiku Tags: cold, moon, night, tree, winter
winter moon shining
framed by silhouette of tree
caught in cold night’s web
Linking to Frank Tassone‘s prompt on classical “winter moon” kigo…
feast of faith
24 Nov 2018 8 Comments
in rhyming verse Tags: gratitude, greed, pilgrim, providential, Thanksgiving
Let us remember this Thanksgiving day
how our forefathers walked the pilgrim way
forgive our greedy attitude
and give us hearts of gratitude
for providential blessings, Lord, we pray.
*Listen to brief podcast by John Piper on Giving Thanks here
Quintet of 5 lines (in iambic meter and AABBA rhyme scheme) for dVerse.
a poem in my pocket 
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