It’s Poetry to My Ears

The great moments of your life won’t necessarily be the things you do.

They’ll also be the things that happen to you.

Now. I’m not saying you can’t take action to affect the outcome of your life.

You have to take action, and you will, but never forget, that on any day, you can step out the front door and you whole life could change forever.

You see, the universe has a plan kids, and that plan is always in motion.

It’s a scary thought, but it’s also kind of wonderful, all these little parts of the machine constantly working, making sure you end up exactly where you’re supposed to be, exactly when you’re suppose to be there.

The right place at the right time.

Poetry to my ears from the television show “How I Met My Mother.”

More Birthday Poetry From My Daughters

Besides lots of love and birthday wishes, the card inside read:

“For I know
The PLANS I HAVE for you,”
Declares the LORD,
“Plans to PROSPER YOU
And not to harm you.
Plans to GIVE YOU HOPE
and FUTURE.”

Jeremiah 29:11

Birthday Poetry from My Daughters

Yesterday was my birthday. I received a wonderful card from my two daughters. I want to share it with you over the next couple of days. Here’s installment one — the front of tomorrow.

You’re a CHILD OF GOD created in HIS image
and created to be wonderfully unique—
He knows EVERYTHING there is to know about you,
even words you’re going to say BEFORE YOU SPEAK.
And HIS PLAN for you unfolds with every birthday
as HE PREPARES NEW PATHS for you to walk—
He leads you to the joys
He’s set before you and HELPS you over
EVERY STUMBLING BLOCK.
He’s given you a life, a hope, a future,
GIFTS DESIGNED specifically FOR You.
. . . and friendswho feel
especially GLAD AND GRATEFUL
to have YOU IN THEIR LIVES
the way I do.

Thought Provoking Poems

Charles Bernstein is an American poet, theorist, editor and literary scholar. His poems are very thought provoking; I can spend hours relishing in thought over one. Here are two of my favorites. They are from his book Girly Man. I recommend adding to your collection.

The Honor of Virtue
What I say is what I meant
& what I saw is what I said
But neither seen nor spoke
Is what I think I thought

Untitled
every lake has a house
& every house has a stove
& every stove has a pot
& every pot has a lid
& every lid has a handle
& every handle has a stem
& every stem has an edge
& every edge gas a lining
& every lining has a margin
& every margin has a slit
& every slit has a slope
& every slope has a sum
& every sum has a factor
& every factor has a face
& every face has a thought
& every thought has a trap
& every trap has a door
& every door has a frame
& every frame has a roof
& every roof has a house
& every house has a lake

Another Verison of Psalm 23

In an earlier post, I shared two versions of Psalm 23 — a traditional version and a more modern version. I ran across another version, which I really enjoy. Here it is, I wanted to share it. Reflective and relish in the joy and peacefulness.

Psalm 23
The Lord is my pace-setter, I shall not rush,
He makes me stop and rest for quiet intervals,
He provides me with images of stillness, which restore my serenity.
He leads me in the ways of efficiency; through calmness of mind,
And his guidance is peace.
Even though I have a great many things to accomplish each day,
I will not fret for His presence is here.
His timelessness, His all-importance will keep me in balance.
He prepares refreshment and renewal in the midst of my activity
By anointing my mind with His oils of tranquillity,
My cup of joyous energy overflows.
Surely harmony and effectiveness shall be the fruits of my hours,
For I shall walk in the peace of my Lord, and dwell in his forever.

Happy Anniversary Margaret and Harold

If you read my last post, you know April 11th is Margaret’s birthday. Well guess what, it is also her anniversary. Margaret and Harold, my home away from home parents, celebrate many years of love to each other and for others. I feel blessed to have received some of that love. Here’s my gift to you and, oh . . .Happy Anniversary!

Happy Anniversary
Anniversaries come and go,
They pass by each year.

We celebrate them,
We recognize them.
We say Happy Anniversary.

But what is it all about,
It’s a celebration of love.

With Harold and Margaret,
It is deep felt love.

But not only with each other,
But with others.

Love pours,
Love radiates,
From them.

And though I am miles away,
I feel it each and every day.

God blessed them with each other,
God blessed me with them,
Me with them.

So I wish Margaret and Harold
Happy Anniversary!

And thank the heavens,
That I have shared in their lives
And, more importantly,
They have shared in mine.

Loving, motivational, caring,
Inspirational, soothing, giving,
Words to describe our friendship.

Margaret and Harold,
Models in life, in living, in love,
Who I try to be like each and every day,

So with all my heart,
With all my love,

I wish to them . . . Happy Anniversary!

Happy Birthday Margaret

A good friend, a very good friend of mine celebrates her 89th birthday today. (Though the saying that 60 is the new 40 applies to her; Margaret is much younger, years younger than the calendar age.) I can’t be with her. Geographically, we are hundreds of miles away. But spiritually we are next to each other and I hope she can feel the love this poem for her radiates.

Margaret
Margaret,
A friend,
A good friend.

Margaret,
Family,
More like family than blood.

Margaret,
A teacher,
By thoughts, questions alike.

Margaret,
An inspiration,
I want to be like her.

Margaret,
A motivator,
She keeps me thinking, moving.

Margaret,
A music lover,
That love has rubbed off on me.

Margaret,
Young beyond her years,
Open to new, eager to learn.

Margaret,
I like to be with,
I like to talk with.

Margaret,
God Blessed with you
So I could say . . .

Happy Birthday!

Psalm 23 – Modern or Tradition

A few days ago, I attended a “modern” church service; it was my second time to attend a modern service. I guess my age shows, as I like the traditional service better. I don’t know why: maybe it is because I grow up with tradition. Regardless, I find the traditional service much more soothing and peaceful; I feel much more serene when it is over.

This all got me to thinking of the Bible’s poetry. So I looked at two versions of my favorite biblical poem – Psalm 23. Below is the Good News Bible version which sets forth the poem in standard everyday English. Further is the King James version, which of course is in historical terms. While both are beautiful, I still find myself preferring tradition.

Psalm 23 – Good News Bible Version
The Lord is my shepherd;
I have everything I need.

He lets me rest in fields of green grass,
And leads me to the quiet pools of fresh water.

He gives me new strength.
He guides me in the right paths,
As he has promised.

Even if I go through the deepest darkness,
I will not be afraid, Lord,
For you are with me.
Your shepherd’s rod and staff protect me.

You prepare a banquet for me,
Where all my enemies can see me.
You welcome me as an honored guest,
And fill my cup to the brim.

I know that your goodness and love,
Will be with me all my life;
And your house will be my
Home as long as I live.

Psalm 23 – King James Version
The Lord is my Shepherd;
I shall not want.

He maketh me to lie down in green
pastures: he leadth me beside the
still waters.

He restoreth my soul:he leadth me
in the paths of righteousness for his
name’s sake.

Yea, though I walk through the valley
of the shadow of death, I will fear no
evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and
thy staff comfort me.

Thou preparest a table before me in
the presence of mine enemies: thou
annointest my head with oil; my cup
runneth over.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow
me all the days of my life: and I will
dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.

Poetry in the Bible

An often overlooked source for poetry is the Bible. There are many poetic verses that can bring meaning regardless of faith. Below is a lesser known Prayer for Help (Psalm 57). It is so appropriate in today’s hard times. (It is from Today’s English Version, which is translated into a standard, everyday, natural form of English.

Psalm 57 – A Prayer for Help
Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful,
because I come to you for safety.
In the shadow of your wings I find protection
until the raging storms are over.

I call to God, the Most High, to God,
who supplies my every need.
He will answer from heaven and save me:
he will defeat my oppressors.
God will show me his constant
love and faithfulness.

I am surrounded by enemies,
who are like man-eating lions.
Their teeth are like spears and arrows,
their tongues are like sharp swords.

Show your greatness in the sky,
O God,
and your glory over all the earth.

My enemies have spread a net to catch me;
I am overcome with distress.
They dug a pit in my path,
but fell into it themselves.

Take me to a safe refuge,
for you are my protector,
my strong defense against my enemies.

Let me live in your sanctuary all my life;
let me find safety under your wings.
You have heard my promises,
O God,
and you have given me what belongs to
those who honor you.

Add many years to the King’s life;
let him live on and on!
May he rule forever in your presence,
O God;
protect him with your constant
love and faithfulness.

So I will always sing praises to you,
as I offer you daily what I have promised.

Rachel’s Thesis

My youngest daughter graduates from college this May with a degree in photography. As part of the program, she has to shoot a series of photographs as a themed thesis. She chose to do a set that illustrate the impact of current economic downturn. The situation we find ourselves in impacts us all; it clearly impacts my daughter. Just read. Below in poetry fashion is her thesis statement. It makes me very proud of her. Further, in reading it and digesting it gives me hope for our younger generation, the country and the world.

My Thesis
It all began a day before the elections, November 3, 2008. I found out about it on the day of the elections November 4. Chaos ensued on the 5th.

We live in a world filled with bloodshed. Hate walks the streets. Racism still shines. We live in a world that babies war. That feuds murder and people starve. We live in a world that kills for material values.

I live in America. I am an American.
I am Greed.
I am Spoiled.
I am Selfish.
I want more.

America is greed, spoiled, selfish. Did you ever think this would not backfire?

I am Change.
I am New.
I am One.
I am becoming a better person

-Rachel