disconnect & despair

whose eyes are windows to the soul
why do dark orbs seem lifeless?
where does one go to find comfort
when look away, turn inward?

cannot escape matrix of mind
confused thoughts circle nowhere
conflicted feelings cloud the heart
consequences prove painful

leave parents; later, spouse and home
lean into self-reliance
learned fear of real intimacy
lest empty self be disclosed

force cannot move one to love or
form friendships deeper than surface
for communication requires
foundational integrity

______________

Traditional Mongolian Meter requires quatrains written in lines of 7 to 8 syllables, each line head-rhymed with alliteration being a prominent element of the form. Grace at dVerse explains a head-rhyme as being “the first consonant of each line matching.

war no more

winds of war blowing

fear mongers grab for power

all men are as grass

someday every knee will bow

before Jesus, King of kings


This past week Russia invaded Ukraine. Posting for CDHK time challenge here

all must die

“Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” Psalm 90:12

note gray hairs
another wrinkle
an ache in bones
or problems with
private plumbing

forget a name or
why (oh why?) you
came into the room
then go back again
to seek missing key

the key to wisdom:
remember you die
but why (oh why)?
death comes by sin
it’s without & within

fear of death and
God’s wrath; we
deserve both yet
He bore worst of
both for you, me

believe in Son
sent from the One
in whom justice
and mercy meet;
our Father & home


Inspired by sermon on Psalm 90 today by Pastor John Lee.

to citizens of secret kingdom

“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!

 

hope surprises

Keeping hope alive with dVerse Poets in a “quadrille” of exactly 44 words…

 

hope dangles around courage’s neck,

name etched on soldier’s dog tag.

IMG_4069

image by lynn

 

hope throbs within young love’s heart,

hands held in first awkward clasp.

 

hope gazes into future’s eyes,

grandchildren carry family name.

 

hope laughs in fear’s masked face,

dove flies home after violent storm.

falling UP

This simple poem reads like original McGuffey Reader style!

 

“TRY one small Bite,”

hissed snake to Eve;

By APPetite,

they were DeceiveD.

 

It was our FALL

when parents fell;

As rebels ALL

were Doomed to heLL.

 

Adam hid from God

in Guilt and Shame;

His Son walked sod,

JESUS, his Name.

 

His Mission here:

Be Reconciled,

relieve our FEAR,

make me God’s Child

 

By FAITH we can

know Love, hold Peace

and from our bond-

AGE find Release !

 

 

 

 

 

no fear in love

There is no fear in love.  But perfect love drives out fear… I John 4:18

 

I’m not afraid of people who live with a mental illness. I feel empathy and compassion for them in their struggle. Most are not dangerous but very gentle, if overly sensitive souls. Instead of lashing out, they often desperately turn inward. They need to be listened to and comforted. Fears, both real and irrational, plague them. I know friends and relatives who’ve suffered mental illness. My father experienced a psychotic break at age 74 when his life circumstances produced the perfect storm. His disturbed mind, suddenly snapped into suicidal mode, which scared us all. A police officer saved him, family rallied around him, and he responded to treatment for bi-polar disorder. Thanks be to God, he is doing well in recovery with medication and a balanced lifestyle. No, I’m not afraid of a person with a mental illness…but I do fear suffering a serious mental illness myself.

 

secret storm swells dread

losing control of mind’s eye

uninvited guests

 


Participating in dVerse Poets haibun Monday on topic of fear…

conflagration = heat + light

A quadrille (poem of 44 words) on De’s theme of “spark” at dVersePoets  


the

essence of

Love

broke into

this broken world

held hostage by

Fear

to cast it out:

let go and

Believe!

holy Fire

inflamed

disciples to

witness to Word

fearlessly;

now spark a

new reformation

of Body

as living organism

ignited by

Spirit’s

wildfire.

birth announcement

God is light; in him there is no darkness at all.  (1 John 1:5)

 

messenger of light

alien voice speaks good news

bright winged radiance

 

trembling shepherds shade wide eyes

angel commands, “Do not fear!”

 

 Link to CDHK “Angel” theme

angel-of-light

trust lets go

Inspired by photography of Brooke Shaden at:   http://brookeshaden.com/gallery/

8116527962_d3200e4fd0_z

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Photo credit: Fear of Falling by Brooke Shaden

 

 

we paste rags, dead leaves

on pathetic cut-paper wings

then tie them to our backs,

flap arms and hope like mad

to fly away from barren cliffs.

 

a dangerous fog of smug

self-sufficiency muddles

our minds and fills us with

secret, dark, well-founded

fears of crashing on rocks.

 

if we open our hearts and

minds to receive his Spirit

to dare believe in a Love

who is wiser and stronger

than us, to bow in humility

 

his face will shine through

thick fog, remove our fears

(except healthy fear of him)

fit us with love’s living wings

and raise our spirits to soar!