photo by lynn
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!
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)
rest in peace, Rip!
31 Aug 2018 6 Comments
in haibun Tags: breath, death, emotion, grave, mercy, morning, peace
Dear God, why does everyone have to die? One by one, we leave this world cold and those left standing feel abandoned, depressed, hurt, and angry. We know that you understand deep emotion. After all, you lost your only Son…and that son wept at the grave of his friend. We believe you mourn with us. Yes, our final enemy wields a cruel stinger but you took the sting out of death for Uncle Raymond (“Rip”). You called him quietly in his sleep; he passed unexpectedly, without suffering. Thank you, Father, for your mercy, even in his final breath. We grieve but he rejoices, celebrating in your presence today; reunited with his wife, son, and sisters. He fell asleep in mysterious darkness and woke to a glorious morning!
breath of life recalled
death comes as thief in the night
sun will rise again
Raymond (right) died in early morning of brother Willis’ 90th birthday (8-18-18)
feathered peace
10 Aug 2018 8 Comments
in list poem, question poem Tags: dove, mates, paloma, peace, statue, wall
Weekly challenge at Ramblings of a Writer using words: paloma & imagination
do you hear birds cooing?
paloma blanca
rock dove
tumbler
common pigeon
turtledove
what do you imagine?
ear worm of once-popular song
nest in niche of ancient stone wall
performance of flying back flips
disrespected military statue in park
gentle hearts of monogamous mates
shine light in darkness
06 Aug 2018 7 Comments
in haibun Tags: atom bomb, civilians, lanterns, light, military, peace, war
Frank J. Tassone hosts haibuns at dVerse Poets on Hiroshima Day, 2018.
Hiroshima Memorial Ceremony
Reading a thin volume, Hiroshima, in high school, I experienced the mushrooming disturbance to our world. Horror, regret, tragedy and fear seared my mind as images of devastation burned into my imagination. An unthinkable calculation dropped this surreal weapon of ghastly power on unsuspecting civilians.
Visiting Pearl Harbor as an adult, I attempted to understand the whys of warfare. An over-reaching dictator and ultra-ambitious military attacked unsuspecting soldiers, provoking enmity. Havoc, death and destruction ensued, trailing a bloody wake across the “Pacific” (sadly ironic) theater.
Until it finally ended with not one, but two, atomic bombs. Who fully realized the fallout of unleashing such force? Acts of war escalate exponentially, beyond all expectations of reasonable retaliation. Let ugly history be our strict teacher and awful memory be our future deterrence.
land of rising sun
lanterns floating on water
lit with hopes for peace
personal notes on 23rd psalm
16 Jul 2018 4 Comments
in scripture Tags: evil, Jesus, Lover, peace, sheep, shepherd, table
The Lord is my shepherd,
i admit to sheepishness; like a foolish, fearful, lost lamb
I shall not be in want.
Jesus is all i really want, all i’ll ever need
He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters,
he restores my soul.
my provider sustains and renews me with peace for body and soul
He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
he leads me on the right path for my good and his honor
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil,
the world is a dangerous place but i need not fear evil’s threats
for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me
my shepherd is ready to protect, defend, and rescue me
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.
i will sit at the king’s table and enjoy his triumphal feast
You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
you raise me up to all i can be; my life spills your joy
Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life,
you are the Lover who pursues me… relentlessly
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
abiding in his presence is my true forever home
– Inspired by summer sermon series by Dr. Justin Bailey
lonely or alone is a choice
18 Apr 2018 6 Comments
in haibun, senryu Tags: alone, choice, husband, lonely, peace, sleep, wife
Linking to Carpe Diem Haiku Kai‘s “loneliness” haibun prompt.
My husband and I don’t sleep together anymore. Yes, it happened slowly and yet it was by choice…my husband’s but I influenced him. As newlyweds buying furniture, I encouraged him to pick out a recliner but, not wanting to be a “lazy boy” by association, he declined.
For years, I was a poor sleeper who desperately sought rest. I complained if awakened when hubby worked late (often), rose early (sometimes), or got up during night to check livestock (seasonal). My alert sensory apparatus took intense interest in all these nocturnal comings and goings. Worries about my husband’s apparent workaholism aggravated my insomnia. I was a co-dependent sleeper to a man who had little appreciation for circadian rhythms.
Fast forward to time our middle son broke his leg and the doctor suggested he sleep in a recliner with his leg raised. I called my husband from the surgery center. “Honey, if you ever wanted a recliner, now would be the time to buy one. Why don’t you go pick one out?” He did; it would be a life-changing decision.
Our son’s recovery led to my husband’s discovery…that recliner was comfortable! He could fall asleep to a movie without me grumbling about noise in bed. When calving season came, he would get up during the night, check cows, and spend remaining hours of darkness in the chair so as not to wake the queen. It eventually became a habit since we both slept better.
On vacation, camping or otherwise, we enjoy sleeping together…time apart seems to have a “honeymoon effect” when we reunite. And my husband knows he’s welcome to visit anytime!
ships pass in the night
wallpaperup.com
farmer snores in recliner
dear wife sleeps in peace
sign of his presence
14 Mar 2017 6 Comments
in ghazal Tags: cemetery, dove, love, peace, snow, watchman
Exploring new (old) form of poetry, the ghazal, at Carpe Diem Haiku Kai
symbol of peace whose spirit we know
surprised by shadow, white dove in snow
swift owl or coyote’s bloody salvo
moonlight reveals white dove, still, in snow
on pilgrim road, choose which way to go
follow the sun or white dove in snow
cemetery where winter winds blow
watchman on headstone, white dove in snow
soft, lynn, pure sign of his love to show
alights branch above, white dove in snow
hope for renewal
31 Jan 2017 15 Comments
in quadrille Tags: dawn, love, nation, peace, race, renewal
Linking a quadrille on theme of “dawn” with dVerse Poets this week…
now
aurora breaks
this fresh beginning
pink bud of day’s flower
best chance to start again
chosen expect a new dawning
resurrection of men and women
of every tribe, nation and race
new beings recreated, whole
tread gently on new earth
live together in love
speak peace
then
advent reading (4)
18 Dec 2016 Leave a comment
in free verse Tags: advent, candle, peace, shepherd
Light a candle on this 4th Sunday of Advent
We watch with eyes wide open.
What does a shepherd know of Peace?
God’s comforting word
in dark valley still heard
All: Since Christ is our Advent of PEACE!
sanctuary stones
02 Oct 2016 2 Comments
in haiku Tags: benediction, dove, peace, sanctuary, wall
cleft in ancient wall
rock dove coos benediction
peace rest upon us
Byzantine ruins at Avdat – photo by lynn
Carpe Diem celebrates 4th anniversary this month.
