peace | a poem in my pocket

rest in peace, Rip!

31 Aug 2018 6 Comments

by lynn__ 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)

shine light in darkness

06 Aug 2018 7 Comments

by lynn__ in haibun Tags: atom bomb, civilians, lanterns, light, military, peace, war

Frank J. Tassone hosts haibuns at dVerse Poets on Hiroshima Day, 2018.

hiroshima_peace_memorial_ceremony_peace_message_lantern_floating_ceremony_01

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

by lynn__ in scripture Tags: evil, Jesus, Lover, peace, sheep, shepherd, table

wikimedia commons

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

by lynn__ 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