I am a fish and wish to abide
Close by the sea and edge of the tide
But the fish in me is never sure
If my atmosphere is foul or pure
And swims about with no aim in sight
As I float to make it through each night.
I am a fish and wish to abide
Close by the sea and edge of the tide
But the fish in me is never sure
If my atmosphere is foul or pure
And swims about with no aim in sight
As I float to make it through each night.
My world seems covered by a frozen glaze
Like frosting dripped upon vanilla cake.
The snow drifts down to coat the ground
There’s not a spot left to be found
Without its masquerade of white
That glows and sparkles in the night.
The stars above shine clear and bright
They cast their luminescent light
And hearken to the crystal sound
As frozen flakes swirl all around !
I know a place where seaweed grows
In quiet and secluded coves
Where sea air whines its plaintive song
And we somehow can sing along
While waves and shore do gently kiss
Having found their unfettered bliss.
Bold seagulls here and there may fly
And dive and swoop and cloud the sky
With sights and sounds that scold the tide
Beside the beach where seashells bide
And hide in shallows tossed between
While God reviews this magic scene !
Our lives begin imagining
While we are young and expanding
With dreams and hopes and something more
That waits outside the cottage door.
It’s then begins the fantasy
Of what we wish or plan to be
Who thinks that life will go astray
When we’ve just begun its first day ?
We stumble, fall and make mistakes
Learn to avoid most small heartbreaks
And travel on lifes busy road
With someone who helps share our load.
How grateful that our lives might be
If we should wed our destiny
To lifetime goals of peace and joy
And courage that we need employ
With love of God walk hand in hand
One day into the promised land.
There was a child so long ago
Born in a manger, cold and low
That gentle child became the man
To carry out God’s master plan.
I wish I had been there that day
When He was born so far away
To celebrate that happening
The birth of our beloved King !
Can you perceive each shadows movement in the hall
Distorted shapes that spring and bounce along the wall ?
These need to wait till day is done and loses sight
Before they cavort and dance and play by firelight,
And so each eve they leap and bound upon the stairs
So thin and tall their prancings catch you unawares !
They frolic up and down the cabinets and sides
Grotesque shapes and sizes you don’t recognise.
I think that shadows are great fun to watch at night
That is if you remind yourself, switch on the light.
Here in our world the truth reacts in manner same
Phantoms of a lie twist your vision and your aim
The truth at best will keep your earthly values straight
Its shadows will not echo in your life or fate !
Where do all of our memories go
Recalling things we knew long ago
To remember when I was so small
And my world about seemed ever tall.
These remembrances still fill my mind
Days sometimes glad and sometimes unkind
Some days when I felt lost or confused
Others as we laughed and were amused.
Plain and simple joys that used to be
Committed now to each memory
That won’t be lost and keeps flowering
With its virtues overpowering.
The night is dark and lonely too
I cannot breathe what shall I do
No plans are made no thought taken
I’m feeling lost and forsaken.
It’s true I’ve felt this way before
This emptiness and nothing more
I can’t recall a constant cure
The path is rocky and unsure.
Come join me let us seek the way
It’s time to meet a brand new day !
The frost that clouds my window pane
Left over from the icy rain
Fogs the view from my balcony
Posing this deep dark mystery
That begs an answer loud and clear
I can’t remember why I’m here.
Remind me Lord what I must do
To keep in harmony with You.
Be fair and just and kind and wise
Remember truth discard the lies
Help the poor and defend the weak
And thank the Lord each time I speak.
The snowflakes flutter to the ground
They do not make a single sound
But rushing down they seem to crowd
Our world with joy more than allowed.
Their swirl of white a veil intense
That covers errors with defense
And makes this place a wond’rous sight
Bedecked in every shade of light
As God envisions all the while
Perhaps the view evokes His smile !
What obstacle is there for me
To serve my God for thought is free ?
I need not wave my flag on high
For enemies of God to spy.
They learn enough from day to day
And shadow those who grateful pray,
They hope to turn us from our faith
And bend us to the devils wraith.
I will not bend or turn or twist
Release me from this traitors list !
To all of those who know and care
Please be assured that God’s still there
Behind a crowd of works and deeds
Invisible when He succeeds.
He hears them while these mortals scheme
And hovers over the lost dream
He boosts our strength as faith survives
The world outside wrestles and writhes.
Our wish remains within His eye
Though plots and plans oft go awry
He knows what’s true and what is not
What we recall and have forgot
His love is sure and full of grace
But once it’s lost cannot replace.
It pleases me to think that I
Can spread my wings and to you fly
Across the oceans great expanse
Perhaps to take another chance
To make new friends and socialize
In this strange world each occupies.
These miracles that we have found
Did change our lives and still astound
Where will they lead us in the end
Beyond the keeping of a friend ?
A song of joy he brings to you
The notes he sings from out the blue
Will hang in air so gently sweet
This serenade of love complete,
Phrases that emerge unbroken
With esteem its tender token.
Listen closely and you will hear
A sprightly tune too full of cheer
That lends to life its special edge
Melodic bird on windows ledge.
Dear God above take hold my hand
I wander aimless through this land
I do not know how we will fare
Where shall we go, who will be there ?
The lessons that my life has taught
And dreams I’ve dreamt have come to nought.
The world seems caught in some sad plight
Shall we survive through this bleak night ?
Stretch out Your hand to guide us there
We need Your love and help and care.
I wish I were a happy song
Whose merry tune played all night long
I’d like to be a story old
With ending bold and twice retold.
If I could climb a tall, tall tree
And find a bird who’ll sing with me
Or take a turn upon a swing
To spy upon what’s happening,
I’d try to reach up to the sky
To touch the clouds as they drift by
Or speak to God with His own Word
So He may know that I have heard.
Who is the faithful Father gentle, kind and true
Knowing all that you need and what is good for you
Pushing at your core but never quite too far
Helping you discover exactly who you are ?
You realise the truth that you are not alone
To lift the weight from your heart, heavy as a stone
Is there another reason you may have a doubt
The time to query faith and what it’s all about ?
You may accept this answer longer than today
Believe, God comforts you all through each night and day !
Familiar words we’ve heard before
We wait without we seek no more
Though waiting can be hard to take
Because with time there is no break.
Repeated words that pique the mind
What will it be we cannot find ?
A faithful heart a kindly way
The help to face another day ?
Reprise in prayer and music blend
There’s but one life for us to spend.
I wish you love and hope and joy galore
And add to that good health and wealth and more
I pray you are an asset in your life
Example set for husband, child or wife
And furthermore to seek and find that space
In which your faith and deeds will carve a place
Of honor and respect and happiness
There with your God to treasure and possess !
The church bells rang so sharp and clear
Sweet peal of music on the ear
Echoed nightly from the steeple
Calling all the faithful people
To worship with the Christmas child
Who blissful sleeps in manner mild.
His arms reach out to woo them in
Help rid us all of vice and sin
This simple babe brings worldly peace
And from our grief grants us release.
Where is our help, where is our care
What should we do if God’s not there ?
We’ll slog along with a full pack
Upon the breadth of our own back.
We’ll carry on as though He were
We’ll keep our faith and hope in stir
He will not fail that cannot be
God is with us eternally !
I woke this morning full of joy and love, so much that I was impelled to share and sharing is what I shall now do ! The words in my head were “My mind to me a kingdom is such perfect joy therein I find, as far exceeds all earthly bliss that God or nature hath assigned”, the poet, Sir Edward Dyer, died 1607. I must admit that I cannot recall when or where I encountered those words, as you must know by now, my long life has been blue-collar, middle American soon approaching its close. Mind and heart, both precious gifts from our creator who gifted us with free will to utilize both, either or none ! Such freedom ! Such joy ! Such love ! One month from now will be the 25th year of my confinement to a wheelchair due to a long ago accident however I continue to live alone and unassisted quite happily among my books and dreams. Walking is exceedingly difficult and a bit painful at best not to mention the snails pace, sometimes worse than others depending upon divers weather factors. I am ready to turn another page in life’s book and appreciate your tolerance and input. I can only hope that you find my thoughts soothing and may be able to help me uncover information about the “Legend” as in Francis Bacon’s “I had rather believe all the fables in the Legend and the Talmud and the Alcoran than that this universal frame is without a mind”. Sincerely, Claire B.
Oh blessed Lord, please hold my hand
As I traverse this barren land
The peace I need no longer here
Replaced by doubt and dread and fear
I know not what my heart will do
I won’t feel safe till I’m with You !
The snake has left its skin behind
In hope that those who watch are blind
To cuckold all before their eyes
And speed their cultures quick demise
All values lost the powers lag
Who will defend the heroes flag ?
I miss my mom I loved her so
I’d like to think that when I go
To join her in the promised land
She will be there to take my hand.
But if this hope cannot be so
I’m sure that I will never know
And little matter does it make
If this belief is a mistake.
Here is the message we may save
There is no mem’ry in the grave !
I love you Lord, this much I know
I’m thankful for the trees that grow
The flowers that will all spring forth
As winter winds escape due north,
The raucous clouds that bring us rain
To help implode great fields of grain
And snow that melts into the stream
Where schools of fish will spawn and teem.
I’m grateful for the air that sings
And carries life upon its wings
The gull, the dove, the sparrow small
Belong to God as do we all !