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Prismed Prisons. A poem about a wife visiting her husband in prison.

PRISMED PRISONS

She walks down cold, silent paths
Down corridors of steel
Through shackled prison walls
Houses husband to reveal.

Steps soft pace drear distance
Between spouse and spouse
Visiting today from separate lives
Each in a divided house.

His gnarled fingers worn by tests of time
Clasped in tough confusion
Cradles jaws tensed, stern
Views hard bred in seclusion.

“Be not bitter,” she tells her husband
In depression do not dwell
Remember us, your family
Live out your self-made hell.

Your children, poor and lonely
Miss close, warm family ties
Become prisoners real in walls
Unseen to agonize.

Think not that wide walls of freedom
Stand close to imprisoned few
Beyond gray bars, inside steel walls
Outside is a prison too.

– imelda dickinson

Prismed Prison a poem about a wife visiting her husband in prison inmate poetry
Prismed Prison a poem about a wife visiting her husband in prison inmate poetry

This poem is about a woman I saw, who was walking to meet her husband in a prison.

Majesty

It was late at night, I was watching the magnificent heavens deep in the woods at my home in Mason, WI  which inspired me to write this poem of constellations I was familiar with and those I researched.

Scripture explains it in brief: 

“I Chronicles 29:  “Blessed are You, Lord God, our Father, forever and ever.  Yours, O Lord is the greatness, the power and the glory, the victory and the majesty; for all that is in heaven and in earth is Yours,  Yours is the kingdom, O Lord, and You are exalted as head over all.” 

Psalms 8:4:  “What is man that You are mindful o f him?

Beautiful galaxy poem space NASA poetry Imelda Dickinson
MAJESTY
 
Man’s instruments in space probe God’s creation
God, in His Spirit spoke majestic dictation
Stretched out across heaven’s limitless expanse
Wondrous works create chambers grandiose dance
Sun’s 860,000 miles diameter glowing globe
His gas ball sphere beams in bright golden robe
Ten billion fuel supply years for us He planned
Planets, moons revolve around sun scanned
Made to survive five billion years, cooled by solar wind
Sun balances other heavenly bodies God disciplined
Explosive power of more billion hydrogen bomb’s power
Enormous sun spots as large as Earth it could devour
Planets named circle sun’s space motions raced glory
Yet God, in the beginning, breathes Creation’s story
No small wonder pagans worship its gleaming
On pathways through ages more brilliance streaming
Holy Bible remembers journey from Genesis to Creation
In the beginning God’s word formed every foundation
Night skies radiate stars known, or not yet found
Be in heavenly places or on planet Earth’s ground
In Your Majesty, God, you ride solar wind’s wings
As created each song of You creation sings
Stars to God of the universe chorus His wonders
Whisperings or bolts disciplined in praised thunders
Who shall ascend holy hills of spherical channels?
Who forms each pulse, trail way in sky’s panels?
Who can fathom God’s majesty of stellar rays?
Who can set planets to spin sideways?
Who can shout as God bolts loud thunder?
Who moves mountain peaks, volcano’s lava asunder?
Who can look upon luminous lightning’s face?
Who has 20,000 chariots in celestial holy space?
Who shall stand in God’s majestic place?
God, who is everywhere in heaven’s pathway ride
Shakes and drops Earth at His dimension wide
His strength spoken in planet’s cloudy face
In His majestic celestial heavenly place
Where is God’s knowledge, where His reservoir?
As He sets cloud heights or opens celestial’s door
Where is His sanctuary hid in chosen high dwelling?
Who counsels an Almighty in heavenly secrets telling?
Who in heaven is compared to Lord God evermore?
Heaven and Earth is Yours, works ever open to explore
Thou has set borders of all edges of Earth
Designed shapes of each star, each meteor birth
Thou has prepared daylight and nightfall for time
Thou wondrous works declare upward climb
Thou prepares lights blazing, blinding sun
Bursts of pulsars, burst bangs of radium
Windows of heaven God opens and shuts
Pathways of lights He neatly cuts
Possessor  of celestials is God, majestic most High
Majestic masterpieces Yours in Alpha Centauri
Who multiplies stars in night skies, gives dew moist morning?
Who moves ocean depths for dangerous warning?
Gates of heaven stretch forth at God’s beckoning hand
Frontiers vast in sized wonders each aura You command
Portrays panoramic stars multitude twinkling in view
Milky Way 200 billion starred colors of beauty You strew
9,000  miles a minute or arms reach out to You grand
Glistening, shimmering, lighting each strand
One side of heaven to the other side lighted walls
Respond to God’s creation, obedient to His calls 
Heaven invites Earth to witness complex spread
Precious things of heaven, studied from God head
Listen to God of Creation, he made you to hear
Sounds of His Majesty glittered sights as they appear
Who should go up to heaven for us?
Who but His Son, Jesus Christ, so glorious
Glance toward glimmering heavens to see
Why is God mindful of man, of you, of me?
Of erring mortal humans, degenerate refugee?
God looks down from on high, upon children of men
If there were any to understand, did seek Him, when?
Yet, man flatters himself with his prideful eyes
Words of deceit, mischief in his bed he will devise
His iniquity found hateful in thoughts of or he speak
His will selfish, he dwells on week after week
Wounds stink of corruption because of foolishness
His desire to know God finds no need to profess
Man, be more afraid of how unafraid you are
Long ago, the Messiah was born, announced by a star
Who returned as a man, heaven looks down on an only Son
Sent to this earth for evil to overcome
Will you cry out to heaven created Being Woman and Man?
Will you know your days short on earth, count if you can?
Will you know God can bear you up lest feet stumble afar?
Will you know God set His love on man spectacular?      
God of the Bible, out of a whirlwind to man Job said
As questions, spoke clearly in Bible read’
Where were you when I laid Earth’s foundation?
Where are your supernovas, sky islands in flotation?
Where were you when measurements were set in line?
Where were you when bases set foundations laid fine?
Who closed tombed seas with walled doors for returning?
Who made garments for clouds, dark, thick or churning?
Who made proud sea’s high waves to stop?
Who made Dawn waken bird song‘s melody eavesdrop?
Who commands each morning to know summits place?
Who entered curled springs or shimmered sea’s face?
Who walked watery deep recesses catastrophe?
Who measures light years, measures nebulae mystery?
Tell God, if you know all this?
Tell God of Creations’ metamorphosis!
Who has entered steep storehouses of snow?
Tell God time reserved for distress you do not ‘know
Who has seen dwelling place of iced stones hail?
Who knows days of war or battle to prevail?
Who knows paths Light has divided it’s way?
Who knows East wind’s scatting on tree tops to play? 
Who retains channel vaults for floods when they come?
Who knows father of rain soft or wild burdensome? 
Who knows from what womb came frozen cold ice?
Who knows frost of heaven, it’s birth Paradise?
Who knows deep prisons in caverns oceans vast?
Who splits plummeting stars bold brilliance blast?
Can you bind chain links of Pleiades star?
Can you loose cords of Orion’s expanse far?
Can you lead all constellations in its season?
Can you guide Bear Satellite for any reason?
Can you lift up your voice to clouds crowd on high?
So waters flow in abundance, pour down gray sky?
Can you send lightening that they  may say?
Here we are powerful to crack, split spans skyway?
Can you count clouds as they form drops for rain?
Can you tip jars of water from heaven’s domain?
When dust hardens into masses, clods together thick?
Can you bring rain torrents soft by God’s arithmetic?
Do you know all heaven’s ordinances as made?
Do you know how to fix them on Earth’s created shade?
I will ask you, says God, will you instruct Me?
Who will you contend with, mankind?  God almighty?
Will you annul My judgments when they arrive?
Will your voice thunder as Mine?  Will you survive?
Can you clothe yourself with honor, with majesty?
Who is he that will stand against God, or disagree?
Who has given to God to ask Him to repay?
Who can guide you in the Truth, Life and the Way?
Will calms wild, whirling winds of the sea?
Who makes south wind sky chambers for you or me?
Who makes wondrous works in vast sky without number?
Who brings stars in night skies shine while you slumber? 
Who will question Creator God, “What are you doing now”?
Who discovers depths of knowledge from God’s brow?
Who can disclose portals God’s feet have trod?
Who can reach heights of His heavens, this Father God?
Who can measure heaven depths, length of Earth’s measure?
Who finds His storehouses, His piled blessed treasure?
Who has ascended into heaven, who has descended?
Who gathers winds in his fists or Him defended?
Who has found descending waters in garment cascade?
Who has established ends of Earth’s creation made?
What is His name, what is His Son’s name?
If you know, go to books written of Creation’s claim!
Who discloses broad seas tempest or calms oceans blue?
Who weaves Heaven’s tapestry of rainbow colors hue?
Who can promise assurances like God as He speaks to Earth?
Who fights battles so great, knows armies before birth?
What is man that God should be mindful of him?
What is man whose likeness to God has become dim? 
Made, creation made, in God’s own image is man made
Made, lower than angels in heavenly places cascade
Made, each unique, like stars, planets dissimilar
Made, to shine brilliance as God’s earthly pillar 
Made, to know His Son Jesus tremendous in power
Made, to sing songs in night or day hour
Made, to enjoy all things God created in six days
Made, to have abundance, made to give Him praise
Made, to follow commandments God has written down
Made, to come to heavens He created starred gown
Made, to love each other like l9vers of self
Made, to search hearts for no other gods on a shelf
Made, to give to others in helpless need
Made, to guide and teach children of their seed
Made, to remember laws commanded, written to guide
Made, to follow His Son He gave to shelter, to hide
Made, to feed hungry, homeless or soul lost
Made, to do good works no matter the cost
Made, to glorify name of His Only Son
Made, to become man like man to become one
Made, to be just a bit lower than angels, what stance!
Made, to be honorable, holy, perfect at a glance
Made, fearfully and wonderfully, body and soul
Made, with spirit to desire balance, to be whole
Made, to be a triumph by God’s creative hand
Made, to discover heavenly designs majestic, grand
Made, to be protected, to have hiding place
Made, to be desirous to know Son, Jesus, His face
Made, to sing songs of deliverance when spent
Made, to ask for forgiveness, free to repent
Made, to speak of God… man does not mouth open here
Made, to have ears to listen… man deafens his ear
Made, to see things of God… man looks but sees not
Made, to follow Jesus… man His way has forgot 
Made, to smell creation, man chooses not to smell
Made, to look to heaven… man selects his own hell
Made, as mankind from dust of the earth
Made, poor and needy for God from his birth
If I, mankind, ascend to heaven… God you are there
If I, mankind, make my bed in hell chosen to prepare
If I, mankind, what kind of man will not out of depths cry
If I, mankind, does not know where to go when I die
If I, mankind, does not lift up to heaven my eyes
If I, mankind, will not admit my treacherous lies
If I, mankind, does not seek a Savior’s face
If I, mankind, will not recover, will know my disgrace
If I, mankind, die in my sins for which I choose
If I, mankind, does not forgive, then I will lose
If I, mankind, does not search heavenly purpose here
If I, mankind, will not repent my salvation insecure
Father, we have sinned against heaven where You are
Father, we need to love more Your Son, Morning’s Star
We need to reflect beauty Your character  on sky display
As stars in Your heavens reflect love night and day
Where great signs from majestic heavens parade
When your Son Jesus comes in clouds that You made
Where Your promise we will see heaven open in view
Where if we follow His directions will meet You too
Father, we ask Your forgiveness of sin we have done
Father, help us examine ourselves wrong doing, everyone
Father, dear Father, how could you even care for us here?
Father, our hope is blessed when You send Jesus to appear
Father, we will never understand why
His sacrifice was for us, leaves Your vast heaven to die
Jesus, dear Savior of our souls, loving kind and true
All creative generous love extended by You
Fill us with Your Holy Spirit to tell others of Your Grace
How you came to teach us wisdom, how to behold Your face
How to model and pattern our lives, like Yours in all we do
How to praise Your Father, Our Father, Holy Spirit too
Lord Jesus, Savior, Light of the World constellation
Who betrayed you in courts of persecution?
It was I, it was we, Your image, Your trait
Who slept while you prayed in Eden’s Garden of pain?
It was I, it was we, Your image, Your create
Who helped You with weight of cruel wooded cross?
Not I, not we, shameful pride was our boss
Who nailed spikes in Your hands and Your feet?
It was I, it was we, our sins on your mind beat
Upon You, Jesus, already weak, frail, weary, tired
Battling for us, for me, for all mankind hell fired
You said “It is finished,” in pain you expired
What is man that you are mindful of his being?
Who cried out in thunder when you died?
It was earth You created, not man in his pride
Who bolted from the sky lightning’s flashed cry?
It was lights You created, not men sorry You die
Did rocks crumble on earth protesting Your demise?
T was not I crumbling, my selfishness my disguise
Did bold sun You created refuse to shine rays?
As Your suffering, Jesus mounted last hours in last days?
Your unconditional love for mankind, we understand not
Showered forgiveness on us, if we confess our sad lot
Will we claim You, our Creator in heaven today?
As our way of life, in all that You say
I shall not die, but then I shall live
I shall know God of heaven all that He will give
I shall know His testimony, His statutes penned in stone
I shall live in peace upon earth, I shall not be alone
I shall lift up commandments, seek precepts of old
I shall gather treasures of heaven’s shimmered streets of gold
I shall know Creator God of heaven’s vast expanse
I shall know tiny stars viewed by naked eye’s glance
I shall study Psalms written by David King
I shall know God who made Pleiades, Orion and Bear sing
I shall know chambers of south made for you and me
I shall know great  things unfathomable in my humanness to see
I shall know I have sinned against heaven You made
I shall join ranks witness for Your Jesus’s crusade
I shall know to watch  heaven’s signs You foretold
I shall know Jesus, Your promise to come in Bible old
I shall know Jesus lifted  eyes to heaven when He prayed
I shall know prayers answered with clean heart displayed
I shall know true forgiveness for my own ugly sin
I shall know Jesus died for us on cruel cross salvation’s begin
I shall know God the Father loved me so much
I shall know Jesus’s garment my illness can touch
I shall know when I died, God calls me from grave deep
I shall know my soul immortal in heaven to keep
I shall know trumpet sounds when He calls me from rest
I shall know I loved Him most above all earth’s best
I shall know loved ones, those witnessed about Him
I shall know them saved as  I  from dread Satan’s sin
I shall know God can do all things, as I doubt not His will
I shall know His purpose is not thwarted, but to fulfill
As mankind, I declare that which I do not understand
I declare things too wonderful, I didn’t know His command
I declare all things in heaven and on earth, God’s possession
I declare Creation is too wonderful, I plead my confession
Wisdom must be known by  man, to know her well
Wisdom’s book is written in Bible books tell
Wisdom is precious, more than rubies or gold fine
Wisdom founded earth, established heaven’s stars line
Wisdom preserves them.  Love her, grace her ornaments many
Wisdom blesses you with years, stands atop high places any
Wisdom was the Lord from first beginning to today
Wisdom prepared heavens, God created their way
Wisdom set a compass on depths of heaven’s face
Wisdom established clouds, set earth’s foundation place
Wisdom rests in hearts where instructions not refused
Wisdom protects us from evil thoughts confused
Wisdom is God’s glory, it is His to conceal a matter
Wisdom walks on heavens where Milky Ways scatter
Wisdom is breath of all mankind understanding lifelong
Wisdom is if we tear down cannot be rebuilt as it was strong
Wisdom imprisons where there is no release
Wisdom  restrains waters, they dry up, they cease
Wisdom makes counselors walk barefoot or makes
Fools of judges, discernment of elders away takes
Wisdom brings darkness deep into daylight
Wisdom makes clean out of unclean sin’s blight
Mankind expires and where is he then?
He lies down, does not rise from grave or know when!
Prayers said for their souls knowing not wisdom no more
Until Jesus comes with shouts opens death’s door
So God In His wonder was mindful of man
So God in His wonder prepared salvation’s plan
In the beginning to  end of heavens as we know
We look to God our Creator where our life should go
To our Savior, our Refuge, our Strength, our Tower
In time of trouble, God is to us heavenly power
Beside Him there is no God, no other
Be you Mom’s child, father, sister or brother
He will create new heaves, new earth, as He pleases 
There will be  no more sorrow, no more dread diseases
His powers of the air, of planned planets, set stars
Speak of His glory, Jupiter, Venus or Mars
More majesty to search out, seek wonders misunderstood
Mankind, in God’s image, as majesty, bow as we should
To God of created Universe His glory to impart
Mankind….lift up holy hands, claim how great God Thou art.
 
BENEDICTION
 
Psalm 150
 
Praise God in His sanctuary
Praise Him in His mighty firmament
Praise Him for His mighty acts
Praise Him according to His excellent greatness
Praise Him with the sound of the trumpet
Praise Him withe the lute and harp
Praise Him with the timbrel and dance
Praise Him with stringed instruments and flutes
Praise Him with loud cymbals
Praise Him with clashing cymbals
Let everything that has breath praise the Lord
Praise the Lord
 
Creator God, who made the excellency of sky and spread out heaves and stars in their multitudes, thank you for being mindful of us, human beings, to have the privilege of being created in Your likeness of which we are not worthy. Help us to be grateful by the love of Your beloved Son Jesus and the power of the Holy Spirit that enables  us to be aware of our frailty and correct it. Give us power to witness to others about Your creative works and majesty.  Help us to realize each day the majesty of creation and dwell on Your beauty and holiness. Thank You for all You created in the handiwork  of Your hands for our pleasure. Help us to reflect every day, every hour and every  moment, God in Your majesty. 
 
Copyright Oct 26, 2011, Imelda Dickinson

My latest book is complete and here comes Spring!

Hello everyone! I’m very happy that winter on its way out. My daughter Julie and I watched the lovely sunset the other night.

My newest book “Personolly Yours Too” is complete, and I am looking for a publisher. For this book, I dressed and made outfits for 61 dolls in this book! It’s been fun. Make sure you follow me on my website and on Facebook if you would like to be alerted when my book is available for purchase.

My next project will be planting spring flowers.

During this cold weather I have been amusing myself with reading, poetry, music and watching some classic TV programs, like my favorite Mr. Ed, The littlest Hobo, The Honeymooners and green acres.

I would love to hear how you are doing.

Love as always, Imelda and her butterflies. 🦋🦋🦋

Beautiful Minnesota Winter Reflection Snowy Lake Pine Forest
This beautiful Minnesota Winter Reflection Snowy Lake Pine Forest comes from peakpx

A Carpenter’s carpenter

A Carpenter’s carpenter

Hearts hurt this mourning, echoes quiet grief

For a husband-father slipped beyond autumn’s leaf

Into winter’s winds so harsh, who can bear the pains?

Yesterday his nearness felt today only his remains.

Remember love like it was, unbroken circles knew

Life’s smoothness for time as it was, he and you

Recall family’s happiness given each a measure

A Carpenter of Scripture cradles a carpenter your treasure.


Poem written October 1986

For my friend June and her family in the loss of their grown son

Hammer-and-nails[1]

SOUNDS OF A SISTER

A Memorial of Kathleen Dickinson

image

SOUNDS OF A SISTER

Earth has music to those who will listen

Magic sounds make musical memories

Sounds of a Sister vault into family vision

Captures her warmth in late Summer’s breeze

Kathleen waves to America’s flag flying

Continue reading

Haiku Reflections

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HAIKU REFLECTIONS

In the bay fields expanse complete lake’s glimmered glance

Quiet lovers withdraw in solitude entrusting lake’s cleansing mood

Her tears drop into soft sea taking dreams noiselessly

Waterfalls haste below to autumn’s crisp ember glow

Autumn moon, subdued to me deep in clouds, winks on silver sea

Continue reading

TALENT

image

TALENT

Aid beyond Terror’s fear

Meet Talent, with her Gift

Unique are They

Behind

Beyond

Wisdom suggests

Reminder

Across Your path

In Counsel darts

Beauty

And the

Binder

 

Poem by Imelda Dickinson, www.imeldadickinson.com

FEATHERED FLIGHT

image

FEATHERED FLIGHT

Decorated dancing bar for five year olds

Staged premiere audition

One smallest ballerina features capered recognition

Excited, spirit bubbling, her Dad knows her role

Pretending to be a make-believe, golden oriole

Slim legs lace hose of tan, trimmed body feathered things

Closed curtain splits! Mom proudly sits

As her daughter’s dainty feet grown visionary wings!

Poem by Imelda Dickinson
www.imeldadickinson.com

OCEAN, SANDS, SHELLS

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OCEAN, SANDS, SHELLS

WHITE, BLUE CAP WAVES ROAR IN, PULL OUT

SWEEP DEEP OCEAN FLOOR

SHELLS SMOOTH, SHELLS ROUGH, POINT CURVED

PUSH ON BEACH AND SHORE

WAVES AND WINDS SHAPE

Continue reading

TO MY GRANDSON, BRADLEY

poem boy bikeTO MY GRANDSON, BRADLEY

You’d never guess

What I really like

It’s red and shiny

My new red bike

It does just what

I make it do

Just watch and see

You’ll enjoy it too

When I can go

On a long, dirt path

Continue reading

Patches

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PATCHES

Pink patches of clustered clouds hanging

On tree tops shadowed at dawn

Match puff pillows patrolling expecting

Sunrise’s splendor to look upon

Blue azure sky in heaven yawns

Continue reading

A DACHSHUND’S OTHER LOVE

A DACHSHUND’S OTHER LOVE

 

Dachshund drawn by Bradley Saint George

One day I left home of my doghood, taken to a woods real from my dreams

By a person not my mistress, having a cat falling apart at her seams!

I sniffed for a long time for familiar odors of family beloved taken from me

Soon I lay on a new blanket provided by this lady who was kind as could be!

We’d run by roadways together. Smelling, snorting in Continue reading

“To a Friend” a poem of appreciation

to a friend
TO A FRIEND, in appreciation

Your mixed spray of flowers lifted me at a time when spirits were low

Pastel beauteous petals extend out like a friend’s hands extend to know

Rosebud fragrance scent my office space. Once celestial Hands did form Continue reading

ANGELINA, little Teacher

ANGELINA, little Teacher

young bronze girl poemI entered Grande parlour of elegance where is placed bronze statue unique

Beside wide patio glass-paneled doors. “Shipped from Italy,” her Owner’s critique

Stepping closer, my curious nature sees child’s form, perhaps five, plus one

Clad poor, feet bare, head downcast. Continue reading

Barefoot on the Beach

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Billowed, vast ocean, immeasurable seashore sand

Whispers beloved couple’s big dreams wondrously grand

Visions held in their hearts shared alone with God Continue reading

“AUTUMN’S DRESS”

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Dawn’s mist fogs street silent alongside young maple tree

Shopping for approaching fall colors stationary marketing facsimile

Tweed gold filigree in earth tones weaves laced crimson colored leaf Continue reading

Poem about loss of a child.

 

I wrote this poem to my Niece Mary and her husband Scott about the loss of their newborn son.

image

If visions open vaults to see

Beyond Life to Eternity

Then, one small Stranger to you sent

Will always be a cherishment Continue reading

“Summer Surprise”

SUMMER SURPRISE

sunny beach walk

One lazy summer’s day, sunny Florida way

Sandy beach shores beckon me

Magnetized, my eyes see her mesmerized

By Creation’s Genius you’ll agree Continue reading

“CONSCIOUS CONSCIENCE”

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CONSCIOUS CONSCIENCE

Whispering in my conscience, faithful fiend to me

Discerns deceptions frock so false,,  truth’s narrow systole

Chief counsel companion, divine design to mind

Speaks infinite wisdom, forewarns falsehood blind Continue reading

“Daydreams”

imageDAYDREAMS

On a day dreaming a day upon my soul

My mind reflects quietly thoughts to console

Faint I heard a whisper murmuring to me

Tapping my mind’s window, wanting to be free

Opening shutters, there I see my child so wee!

Imelda smiling at Myself covered with curiosity

She skipped with imagination, jumped with fantasy

Reaches her hand for mine, I felt ecstasy!

We danced round castles crystal to sit upon

Vaulted visions behind Continue reading

“A Spirit Visited” poem about loss of son.

imageA Spirit Visited

Sad, dark paths sorrow leads

Where sorrow was not known

As death’s angel veiled takes away

A son, your very own

Years twenty given both of you

As parents this youth tender

Memories left now fill vaulted void

Cherish them. Remember.

Though sands of life were few

His prints are left behind

Upon your night and morning Continue reading

UNSPOKEN WORDS, by Terri Foss

Here’s a beautiful poem by Terri Foss, of Washburn, WI.


Where can I find the words to heal the sadness and the pain that has touched your heart.

When words are not enough to say, my heart will speak in many ways. I believe our lives are as God intended them to be.

Although we don’t understand his ways when times feel so unfair, try to remember God will always be there.

All your loved ones from above will guide you with their love. For someday you will see together you all will be.

Terri Foss

terri-foss-unspoken-words-fathers-dearth-poem-poetry-grief

EMPTY CHAIR

EMPTY CHAIR 

A man’s daughter had asked the local minister
To come and pray with her father.
When the minister arrived,
He found the man lying in bed with his head
Propped up on two pillows. image

An empty chair sat beside his bed.
The minister assumed that the old fellow
Had been informed of his visit.
“I guess you were expecting me, he said.

‘No, who are you?” said the father.
The minister told him his name and then remarked,
” I saw the empty chair and I figured you knew
I was going to show up.”

“Oh yeah, the chair,” said the bedridden man.
Would you mind closing the door?”
Puzzled, the minister shut the door.
“I have never told anyone this,
Not even my daughter,” said the man.

“But all of my life I have never
Known how to pray
At church I used to hear the pastor talk about prayer, but it went right over my head.”

I abandoned any attempt at prayer,”
The old man continued, “
Until one day four years ago, my best friend said to me, “Johnny, prayer is just a simple matter
Of having a conversation with Jesus.
Here is what I suggest.
“Sit down in a chair;
Place an empty chair in front of you,
And in faith, see Jesus on the chair.

It’s not spooky because He promised,
‘I will be with you always’.
“Then just speak to him in the same way
You’re doing with me right now.”

“So, I tried it and I’ve liked it so much
That I do it a couple of hours every day.
I’m careful though. If my daughter saw me talking
To an empty chair, she’d either have a nervous breakdown or send me off to the funny farm.”
The minister was deeply moved by the story and encouraged the old man to continue on the journey.
Then he prayed with him, anointed him with oil,
And returned to the church.

Two nights later the daughter called
To tell the minister that her daddy
Had died that afternoon.
Did he die in peace?” he asked.

Yes, when I left the house about two o’clock,
He called me over to his bedside,
Told me he loved me and kissed me on the cheek.
When I got back from the store an hour later,
I found him .

But there was something strange about his death. Apparently, just before Daddy died,
He Leaned over and rested his head on the chair
beside the bed. What do you make of that?”

The minister wiped a tear from his eye and said,
“I wish we could all go like that.”

Prayer is one of the best free gifts we give and receive.
I asked God for water, He gave me an ocean.
I asked God for a flower, He gave me a garden.
I asked God for a friend, He gave me all of YOU…
If God brings you to it, He will bring you through it.

Happy moments, praise God.
Difficult moments, seek God.
Quiet moments, worship God
Painful moments, trust God.
Every moment, thank God.

God bless you my friends and may you pass in peace, into the next life, when your time has come.

Written by: unknown

I’m nobody, who are you?

I’m nobody, who are you?
Are you nobody too?
There’s a pair of us, don’t tell!
They’d banish us, you know!

How dreary to be somebody!
How public like a frog,
To tell your name the livelong day
To an admiring bog!

 

NOTE:
imageThis is probably one of Emily Dickinson’s most famous poems. Knowing how tiny her life was you would think she wouldn’t have any “famous poems.” Emily’s style was what made her famous. She was a good observer. She wrote about tiny things you wouldn’t ordinarily notice. She had an interesting point of view. Her devices were similes and metaphors. She tended to favor them a little bit more. In this poem, she used similes. Like ” How public like a frog.” What I like about this poem is pretty much the idea. The idea of this poem sounds like a poem to cheer you up when you feel all alone so that you could know someone else is there in the same situation as you to defeat that loneliness. I observed she almost always in her poems uses “I.” instead of “he,she, or it .” My opinion of Emily’s poems is that they are very soothing. What we can all remember about her poetry is her “tiny” style.

I died for beauty, but was scarce. A poem by Emily Dickinson.

I diimageed for beauty, but was scarce
Adjusted in the tomb,
When one who died for truth was lain
In an adjoining room.
He questioned softly why I failed?
“For beauty,” I replied.
“And I for truth,–the two are one;
We brethren are,” he said.

 

And so, as kinsmen met a night,
We talked between the rooms.
Until the moss had reached our lips,
And covered up our names.

-Emily Dickinson

Because I could not stop for Death

Because I could not stop for Death,
He kindly stopped for me;
The carriage held but just ourselves
And Immortality.

image We slowly drove, he knew no haste,
And I had put away
My labor, and my leisure too,
For his civility.

We passed the school, where children strove
At recess, in the ring;
We passed the fields of gazing grain,
We passed the setting sun.

Or rather, he passed us;
The dews grew quivering and chill,
For only gossamer my gown,
My tippet only tulle.

We paused before a house that seemed
A swelling of the ground;
The roof was scarcely visible,
The cornice but a mound.

Since then ’tis centuries, and yet each
Feels shorter than the day
I first surmised the horses’ heads
Were toward eternity.

NOTE:
Emily Dickinson left several versions of this poem.
This is the way it appeared in The Complete Poems of Emily Dickinson by Thomas H. Johnson.  Regrettably, many early editors of Dickinson’s poems dropped the fourth stanza.  The above poem includes the sometimes missing 4th stanza.