Tag Archives: poetry

Life’s Changing Seasons

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The leaves are turning yellow,

the grass with stunted growing,

is changing with the seasons,

no longer needing mowing.

Fall is falling into place

awaiting winter’s cold,

spring and summer…come and gone

like winter’s transient snow.

And life goes on…

or sometimes doesn’t;

does it really matter what was…

or what wasn’t?

What matters most is that we know

how much to love, how deep to grow;

just a few of many reasons

to appreciate life’s changing seasons.

If you are in the spring of life

or summer’s slowing pace

be prepared for autumn

to usher winter’s grace.

Though leaves are turning yellow,

And grass is withering,

summer, fall and winter await the birth of spring.

©2016

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Balm, Not the Blister

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Why do we say the things we say

that cut to the core of another’s

very essence…their heart and soul.

Why do we do the things we do

that boldly trample another’s

right to civility and compassion?

Why do we perceive an injustice

that was never the intent

of the friend, the sibling, the parent

the child, to whom we credit the deed.

Why not look into ourselves…

be the healer of the hurts.

Why not walk the high road and be

the balm….not the blister.

©Patricia Ann Boyes

Romans 12:18  If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. NIV

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The In Between

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The following is a poem by Linda Ellis and contains her copyright at the end of it. It is a lovely poem about life and death and everything in between.

The Dash
by Linda Ellis
 
I read of a man who stood to speak
At the funeral of a friend
 
He referred to the dates on her tombstone
From the beginning to the end
 
He noted that first came her date of her birth
And spoke the following date with tears,
 
But he said what mattered most of all
Was the dash between those years
 
For that dash represents all the time
That she spent alive on earth.
 
And now only those who loved her
Know what that little line is worth.
 
For it matters not how much we own;
The cars, the house, the cash,
 
What matters is how we live and love
And how we spend our dash.
 
So think about this long and hard.
Are there things you’d like to change?
 
For you never know how much time is left,
That can still be rearranged.
 
If we could just slow down enough
To consider what’s true and real
 
And always try to understand
The way other people feel.
 
And be less quick to anger,
And show appreciation more
 
And love the people in our lives
Like we’ve never loved before.
 
If we treat each other with respect,
And more often wear a smile
 
Remembering that this special dash
Might only last a little while.
 
So, when your eulogy is being read
With your life’s actions to rehash
 
Would you be proud of the things they say
About how you spent your dash?
 
© 1996 All Rights Reserved, Linda Ellis
 This entry was posted on Friday, July 28th, 2006
My reason for sharing this poem today is for the many people in my life sphere who are grieving the loss of a loved one…a daughter, a sister, a husband, a wife. May it also serve as a reminder that those we love have a dash as do we ourselves. May this lovely poem be the blessing that I’m sure it’s author meant it to be.

My Writing Space

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My writing space is rather small

a desk, a chair, but that’s not all;

A glass door offers nature’s view

of birds and squirrels and flowers too.

As I write I often see the bounty

of God’s harmony.

It makes me thankful for this place

that has become my writing space.

An Inspirational Find

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Pablo Neruda is the pen name of a Chilean poet who was in this world from 1904 until 1973. Yesterday, a poem by this writer came my way on Facebook, and I immediately liked it because of its content of life lessons. It reminded me of another poem which I have had in my possession for many years and read daily. It too, is full of advice on living. Desiderata was written by Max Ehrmann (1872-1945) around 1920. Today I will share Desiderata and on Monday, Pablo Neruda’s poem. Both poems are for me, an inspirational find.

 

 

 

 

 

I AM ONLY ONE

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It was a conversation with a friend that brought this little poem to my attention yesterday. It made me aware of how helpless we sometimes feel when things happen beyond our control; things like suffering, wars, crimes, accidents, lying, cheating, stealing, needless hurting, senseless behavior; you get the picture. And we think, that’s terrible but what can I do about it? Examining the words of this little poem, provides food for thought, and poses the question, “What is the something I can do?” And then we realize that not all things are beyond our control, and indeed we should not refuse to do the one something we can, however humble it may be.

I am only one
by Edward Everett Hale

I am only one,
But still I am one.
I cannot do everything,
But still I can do something;
And because I cannot do everything,
I will not refuse to do the something I can do.

Edward Everett Hale (1822-1909) was an American author, historian, and Unitarian minister.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Let’s Give Christ Back to Christmas

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The reason…and there are many of them…that we celebrate Christmas on December 25th is secondary. Celebrating the birthday of Jesus every year is really what Christmas is all about. It is remembering that he was born, lived an exemplary life, for approximately thirty-three years, and died an agonizing death. It is remembering not that he lived and died, but that he died and lives…lives in the hearts of those of us who believe, lives to reach out to those who do not believe, and lives to give real meaning to the event that is the most widely celebrated on our planet…Christmas. Let me share a poem I wrote in 1995 while pondering the idea that Santa Claus seemed to be the the reason for the season in many minds.

THE WONDER OF CHRISTMAS

The wonder of Christmas,

The birth of a Child,

The angels are singing His praises,

The people rejoice

At the sound of His voice

Echoing down through the ages.

Hope, love and laughter,

Peace and goodwill,

The message resounds loud and clear,

The birth of God’s Son,

His gift to us all,

This is the wonder of Christmas.

©1995

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good life.