posting poetic prose
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
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
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
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
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
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
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!
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.
04 Sep 2016 Leave a comment
in haiku Tags: baby, cry, parents, peace
CDHK’s prompt from Jane Reichhold’s “Dictionary of Haiku”: peace
longest hour of day
crying baby falls asleep
parents enjoy peace
15 Aug 2016 Leave a comment
in free verse, magnetic Tags: belly breathe, caramel, eternity, fever, peace
28 Jun 2016 Leave a comment
in haiku Tags: harbor, peace, storm
Chèvrefeuille at Carpe Diem Haiku Kai hosts virtual tour of Europe this month.
find peace after storm
missionaries and martyrs
reach their safe harbor
(photo credit: CDHK)
24 Mar 2016 2 Comments
in tanka Tags: evil, peace, truth, violence
world of violence
when we tolerate evil
cultures in rubble
align to higher standard
pursue peace with sword of truth
For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. (Ephesians 6:12)
