string me a line

the sioux county archery club which has

to be their guest at their upcoming musical

(held on the third Tuesday of each month)

because it is an amazing experience —

being thrown out of a vehicle driving around,

(a little bit of inconvenience) and a strong dose of caution

stemmed from a report of an alcoholic beverage

found near the entrance building and the former

belle goes off to rescue her father; she encounters

unwanted marriage proposals from

about a dozen members and newcomers…

seating will be first come, first served!

image from freepik


These lines strung together from various articles in The Sioux Center News, Jan. 21, 2025 issue.

reflection on aging

Raymond McIntyre – Flowers with a Mirror (1968)

we plead, “mirror, mirror, upon the wall”
like vanity before snow white’s death fall
“what have you done to me? that’s not my face!”
bouquet of flowered beauty –not a trace
youth’s pink blush gone, now yellowing appears
and sleek combed hair sticks up in fern-like spears
sweet bloom arranged in lovely china vase
reflecting back some weedy basket case!
what once were tender buds, no blossoms brag
where perky petals peeked, dry sepals sag
sketchy mirror, you lie! –won’t tolerate
image alone does not determine fate
perhaps the mirror does reveal true age
but real wisdom’s grateful to reach this stage.


Linking to Melissa’s Fandango Flash Fiction challenge…check it out!

good to remember…

HE follows each of us…everyday, everywhere, every post!

uplifted

But you, O Lord, are a shield about me, my glory, and the lifter of my head. – Psalm 3:3 (ESV)

sun’s morning rays
lift eyelids awake
new day…i’m alive

open book of life
your words lift spirit
illuminate my mind

my body, a temple,
lift legs higher; time
to move lively now

thanks before meal
lift voice in prayer
given food for life

_______________

Quadrille (44 words) linked to dVerse Poets where De (whimsygizmo) gives us a “lift” 🙂

silky owl

whooo looks at whooom?

two bugged eyes STARtle

any potential predators,

< pause in puzzlement >

an impressive wing span

( yet So Soft and delicate )

evokes mysterious curiosity

is it bird or butterfly ??

quick flicker of wings…

disappear into shadows

of Palawan RAINforest.

photo by Michael Sammut, shared with dVerse

have you heard?

Small town: people around here love to talk about people around here.

mirrored image

Girl with a Pearl Earring by Johannes Vermeer, 1665

_____________________

art’s epiphany—

all light is borrowed from God

to reflect glory!

in chiaroscuro contrast—

we’re shadowed, yet drawn to light

______________________

Idea of “borrowed light” taken from book I’m reading, Rembrandt is in the Wind, by Russ Ramsey.

(im)mortality

“When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: Death has been swallowed up in victory.” (I Cor. 15:54)


stand by open grave

hear hallelujah chorus

death’s narrow doorway

hold the gift

My parents’ brought me a treasured gift from their memorable trip to Israel; hand-carved and sold by Palestinian Christians in Bethlehem. This small olive wood creche features the humble family of three under a dazzling star flourish over the stark stable. An angel bears “Gloria” banner with song from above while earthy shepherd watches from behind fir tree. Sentinel sheep guard the vulnerable Lamb of God.

Of course, I want the grandkids to touch and experience the texture of that biblical first Christmas; to be able to hold a bit of awe in their little hands. But I also feel protective, maybe even possessive of the delicate creche; this irreplaceable gift of Christmas. So I purchase a children’s version of stable with plastic figures they can move around, put in mouth, or drop.

Hopefully, we do not cheapen the real story in our efforts to make it accessible.

creches around world
all nations will worship him
Jesus has first place

kitsch?

omnivorous

iStock photo: raven in the wild

caw clawing murder

fight over limp carrion

crows can’t hide in snow

are they perpetrators or

black market opportunists?


bang on!

try (fitfully)
to sleep; i’m
depleted from
preparations:
hop, shop, clean,
bake, make room
in “mama’s inn
for (too late… or
too early?) arrival
so….. please (!)
don’t bang that
door (again) !!

yet, come & go,
and also know
you’re more
cherished
than sleep
to me .


My 44-word quadrille for dVerse as we end poetic year with a bang!

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