guilt weighs bitterly
self chokes on confession but
forgiveness tastes sweet
real repentance turns around
God delights to show mercy
Look around, even within, and recognize the brokenness of sin. Look up to Jesus and find a fresh start…again!
fresh start
06 Feb 2026 3 Comments
in tanka Tags: confession, forgiveness, guilt, Jesus, mercy, repentance, sin
lenten witness
30 Mar 2025 2 Comments
in tanka Tags: gethsemane, Jesus, lent, resurrection, suffering
human olive press
squeezes sweat as drops of blood
pleading with Father
“remove this cup from me yet
not my will but yours be done”
sleepers in garden
cannot stay awake to pray
soldiers with torches
betrayer kisses cheek as
followers flee to shadows
scourged, mocked, tortured
spikes pounded into wood beams
asphyxiation
forgives ignorance of
cruel executioners
king breathes agony
sees dear woman’s salty tears
groans, “behold, your son”
beloved disciple stands near
shares inconsolable grief
darkness cancels light
his earth and heavens protest
bones left unbroken
battle cry: “it is finished!”
first fruits of all who must die
hard seed in cold ground
his lifeless body buried
decomposition
after three days, he breaks forth
tremor cracks open life’s tomb!
may we bear witness
broken open by great love
well-watered with truth
growing freely in his light
as resurrection people
attitude of gratitude
03 Dec 2024 1 Comment
in nove otto Tags: bread, cattle, food, God, grateful, gratitude, greed, Jesus, neighbor
Recently, Grace hosted a dVerse prompt featuring the “Nove Otto”. This poetry form was created by Scott J. Alcorn. It is a nine-lined poem with 8 syllables per line. The rhyme scheme is: aacbbcddc.
God is the giver of all good;
He provides his creatures with food
his loving care supplies our bread
grazing cattle content to eat
in turn, they will provide our meat.
“Love your neighbor,” Jesus has said;
are our cold hearts so full of greed
that we won’t share with those in need?
if grateful we are to be fed!
rock collector
18 Mar 2024 2 Comments
in scripture Tags: Jesus, masonry, Passion, rock, stone, tomb
swaddled baby lay in stone manger
boy grows skills as carpenter mason
learns plumb, rule, chisel from father
is tempted to turn stones into bread
but will not live on devil’s hard tack
rabbi whets hunger of discipled hearts
prompts petra’s rock solid profession
weeps on palm littered road into city
children and stones cry out his praises
but hard hearted crowds yell “crucify!”
he stumbles with cross on same pavers
as suffering hones his mission’s passion
earth quakes, rocks split, he yields spirit
wrapped body lay in stone cold tomb
he leaves grave clothes folded on slab
now actively quarries with measured cuts
to raise new temple built of living stones
stars of christmas
25 Dec 2023 3 Comments
in Uncategorized Tags: advent, Christmas, Jesus, light, star
We welcome glad Christmas, O joyous day!
We remember and celebrate Christ’s birthday.
Light of the World who lit stars, sun, and moon,
Planets and angels sing his praises in tune.
God’s promise to humanity as seen in the sky
The Child of blessing invites us to draw nigh.
The glory of Heaven has come down to earth;
His majesty mangered in barn-humble birth.
The prophets have spoken, their words are fulfilled,
a Savior is born; for our sin, his blood spilled.
Wherever we wander, whether nearby or far,
King Jesus, shine on us! Be our guiding star!
________________
I wrote this poem for Christmas Day as part of our church advent readings. Photo from Unsplash.
searching
12 Sep 2023 4 Comments
in tanka Tags: Augustine, enough, Jesus, rest, restless
we’re often restless
life’s fulfillment not complete
what will satisfy?
we can find our rest in God
Jesus is more than enough
______________
“You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our heart is restless until it rests in you.”
– Augustine from his Confessions
“body piercing saved my life”*
12 Jun 2023 14 Comments
in quadrille Tags: blood, body, bread, cross, Jesus
______________
when we partake of
the bread and wine,
we accept the gifts of
his body and blood,
(soul-nourishing essence
offered by living presence).
my broken heart kneels
thankful for a broken
savior who loves us with
his arms stretched wide,
present in our suffering.
______________
*T-shirt title quote for quadrille on “present” prompt by Lillian at d’Verse Poets
holy week triolet
05 Apr 2023 5 Comments
in scripture, triolet Tags: cross, crucifixion, Jesus, life, love, resureection, sin
if we believe, we will be saved
remember how God loves us still
although it’s true we live depraved
if we believe, we will be saved
from idols that keep souls enslaved
we can’t be freed by our own will
if we believe, we will be saved
remember how God loves us still
dear Jesus offered life on cross
blood of pure lamb is shed for sin
sin brings us death, despair, chaos
dear Jesus offered life on cross
estranged from Father, such a loss
when God turned face away from him
dear Jesus offered life on cross
blood of pure lamb is shed for sin
Christ is risen, he lives today
come look, the grave is now empty!
women witness what angels say
“Christ is risen, he lives today!”
our heavy stone is rolled away
john and peter run fast to see
Christ is risen, he lives today
come look, the grave is now empty!
war no more
27 Feb 2022 1 Comment
in Uncategorized Tags: fear, grass, Jesus, kings, war
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…
quote worth its salt
22 Feb 2022 11 Comments
in Uncategorized Tags: Jesus, preservation, quadrille, salt
Quote taken from Matthew 5:13. A quadrille linked to dVerse Poets.
______________
Jesus said to his followers…
his words should pique our imagination
“You are the salt of the earth.”
necessary for culture’s preservation
“But if salt loses its savor…”
to enhance flavor without reservation
Can it be salty again?
without salt, rot is final destination.
state of the world (2)
12 Jan 2022 Leave a comment
in Uncategorized Tags: hope, Jesus, love, tanka
do not be afraid
we cannot see whole picture
love shall overcome
we must look beyond ourselves
Jesus Christ offers us HOPE!
destination: jubilation
02 Jan 2022 2 Comments
in Uncategorized Tags: Jesus, journey, joy
You have shown me the path of life;
in your presence is fullness of joy,
with eternal pleasures at your right hand. Ps. 16:11
Jesus, JESUS
you are my JOY!
fountain of Life,
Lover of my soul
you shine the Way
as Alpha and Omega
(Beginning to End) of
my earthly JOURNEY…
…another Year past is
yet a Day closer to
Father and YOU!
Speed us on with
your Spirit, protect
us by your Angels,
and bring us safely
home, FREE at last!
“Free at last” phrase from Dr. Martin Luther King’s “I Have a Dream” speech.
a poem in my pocket 
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