taken in his time

26 Jun 2025 3 Comments

by lynn__ in rhyming verse Tags: , , , , , ,

A eulogy for our friend, Harlan Kooima, who died in farm accident while loading cattle…

______________

A farmer is a man with simple needs
who learns to follow weather in the skies
he watches corn grow tall from kerneled seeds
enjoys his morning coffee with the guys.

His wife beside him, faithful thru the years
she was his only chosen, youthful bride
and tho’ their troubles sometimes caused her tears
she listened to his stories, saved his pride.

They raised two lovely daughters, three strong sons
took them to church and taught them of God’s love
life on the farm made hard work seem like fun
grown green with rain and sunshine from above.

This farmer’s sudden passing came too soon
we’ll miss his presence here, his smiling eyes
he now whistles some bright celestial tune…
we trust God’s grace to keep us all our lives.

applesauce days

20 Aug 2024 17 Comments

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

As children, we used to pick tart green apples from the lone fruit tree in our city backyard and peel using a paring knife…slow, careful, deliberate and then slice into chunks by hand to cook. Mom filled glass quart jars and vacuum sealed them in the pressure canner.

As adults, we pick ripe red apples from tree of choice in farm orchard and use a mechanical peeler…set apple on spikes to hold in place, turn handle quickly to create curls of peelings, then remove naked fruit, already sliced. We cut, cook, cool, and spoon into freezer containers.

Family comes together to make applesauce memories in season…working to process the produce, we’ll savor the flavor the rest of the year. Counting filled jars or quart containers is pure satisfaction.

cinnamon sugared
pick, peel, core, slice, cook slowly
chunky applesauce

need thankful heart transplant

20 Nov 2023 16 Comments

by lynn__ in Uncategorized Tags: , , , ,

If we have access to clean water, adequate food, decent clothing, and a sturdy home, we should be thankful. Some people in our world walk long distances to draw contaminated water and many go to bed with hungry bellies. Homeless people shiver in ragged clothes out on cold sidewalks.

If we have family that loves us and we enjoy the companionship of good friends and neighbors, we must be thankful. Think how many people live alone or feel lonely in the wide world, wishing they had someone to be with or talk to. A warm touch, listening ears and understanding heart are treasures.

If we live in a nation that respects the life and liberty of its citizens with laws that recognize the worth and dignity of every individual, let us be thankful. Rule by tyrants or terrorists results in oppressive regimes where no one is safe. All people deserve a voice in their own government.

easy to complain

about food or politics

give me thankful heart

_________________

Frank encourages us to write a haibun on thankfulness today at d’Verse poets…not sure whether I’ve written a haibun or a grandmotherly sermon!

descent into hell

03 Dec 2022 3 Comments

by lynn__ in Uncategorized Tags: , , ,

no fault divorce

has nearly killed

marriage in america,

LGBTQ agenda

will nail coffin shut.

children — confused,

abandoned, impoverished,

scarred and/or enslaved —

pay the price for adults’

sexual freedoms.

family foundation crumbles

from failure to invest;

when amoral people

ruin a republic

chaos reigns.

_______________

Ten days after writing this, President Biden signed into law the so-called “Respect for Marriage Act”, codifying the “right” to same-sex “marriage” and repealing the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act.

Is marriage a “right” given to anyone by the government or God’s design for the family? Love may be love but real marriage is covenantal marriage and we should preserve it.

at home with homeless

06 Jan 2020 20 Comments

by lynn__ in Uncategorized Tags: , , , , , ,

 

ask a homeless person
what is home to you?

ideally, it’s a safe place
comfortable and pleasant
my sanctuary from the world
where people love you…family

home is peace, not just a roof
maybe a tent on an ocean beach
even a sleeping bag under a bridge
anywhere you lay your head to rest

people look right past me
have you ever felt invisible?

after mom died, no family left
now depend on disability checks
you know how VA ignores veterans
no shelters for people with pets

self-medicating mental illness
spent rent money on crack
nobody will hire an ex-convict
hard when you lose everything

maybe we’re all homeless
looking for the key to security

 

 

Inspired by documentary, “Signs of Humanity” (2016) available on amazon.com based on artist Willie Baronet’s coast to coast trip to collect (buy) signs from homeless people for his “We Are All Homeless” art exhibits.

in memorium

28 May 2019 6 Comments

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

We lament with this family suffering awe-ful grief. Beloved infants lost at 26 weeks gestation; twin grandbabies happily anticipated. Expectant mother, more than halfway through pregnancy, heard heartbeats and viewed ultrasounds but no more… no more expectations, no more movement, no more fast swooshing of babies’ hearts beating their distinct rhythms. Only mother’s lonely heart beats now, heavy with slow sorrow.

The relentless spring rains mirror this drowning grief. Tears falling in torrents, flooded emotions. Erosion of the soul. What kind of broken world is this, where little lives can be cut short by the cord that was their lifeline? We may ask “why?” yet not receive an acceptable answer to the anguished questions. We have only our faith in God himself to cling to. Lord, have mercy on your children. As we remember precious twins taken; remember us too, for we are dust.

 

grief’s painful journeyIMG_1344 copy

rosebuds fade…family mourns

inadequate words

 

 

 

 

 

 

departure’s aura

30 Apr 2019 1 Comment

by lynn__ in tan renga Tags: , , , ,

 

smoldering fireplace
the sweet perfume of burned herbsimages
loneliness grabs my throat

© Chèvrefeuille

 

my loved one’s scent lingers here
embers of family ties

© lynn__

 

 

Tan Renga challenge at Carpe Diem Haiku Kai…

 

a promise is to keep

06 Mar 2018 21 Comments

by lynn__ in rhyming verse, Uncategorized Tags: , , , , ,

double bands of shiny gold

worth more than karats

love’s forever promise bold

heartfire’s diamond facets

 

God witnesses our vow

joyful organ music plays

life as farmer’s wife now

better together…we stay

 

lost my wedding ring

after laying it down

while wall-papering;

forgotten with frown

 

replace with simple band

but heart hurt for a time

when mother passed away

her diamond became mine

 

set her lovely gem in gold

with another band below

blessings of our sons be told;

five small diamonds in a row

 

jeweled gift as valued token

from one lover to another

living out our pledges spoken

create family, father, mother.

 

 

 

Linking to d’Verse Poetics with Sarah’s “love token” prompt!