Hi folks. I have had some followers of my blog inquire about me since I haven't posted anything recently, so I thought I'd let everyone know that because summer's here, I took some time off from my writing, but hope to get back to it soon.

I've been gardening and busy with weeding the grass in our back yard. What a chore that has been, but well worth the aches, callouses and perspiration. At least most of the weeding I did when the temperatures were still in the 80's to low 90's. Now the weeding is minimal and I do the weeding in the early evening when it isn't so blistering hot.

The weeds had taken over the lawn and I was determined to launch a counter attack and win the battle without using chemical herbicides. I'll add a before and after picture. The grass is turning out to be a thick, plush elegant forest-green carpet. :-) Just lovely!

So many thanks to those who were asking about me, and I'll be getting back to writing soon.

Set Free

I crawled along the dusty road to touch the bloodstained tree,
And hurled myself on towards the hill with hopes I’d be set free.

My bloody knees were cut and scraped, the ground became my fate;
Both palms were scratched and caked with dirt, I heaved and flung my weight.

I told myself to not loose heart, move on and reach your goal;
I wept and cried, endured the pain, I had to reach the knoll.

I’m almost there, I see His form, it’s just an inch or so;
There’s light, a beam about His head, arraying Spirit’s glow.

My eyes were locked upon His face, I heard the Savior speak;
His raspy words were hard to hear, His breathing was so weak.

The mass below heard what He said, forgive them Father, please,
They do not know the things they do; their sin I will appease.

And as He hung upon that cross, the Lamb, God’s only Son -
Afflicted, crushed, the Lord proclaimed, “It’s finished”, all is done.

The time was noon, and all turned black, the sky had lost its hue;
The rocks were split, the earth had quaked, the curtain tore in two.

The saints of old who were at rest, tombs opened, they were raised;
They marched into the city's square, and crowds looked on, amazed.

Then when the Lord rose from the earth, and sat upon His throne,
My heart rejoiced, I understood, His death was to atone.

My soul is filled with newfound faith, I'll serve Him with my all,
My legs aren’t healed, I can not walk, but I can always crawl.

He took my pain, I bear His cross, His love has set me free;
And soon I'll see my Lord because I touched that bloodstained tree.

The Joy of Illumination

Heaven’s sparkles, bright by night

against a blackened canvas, immeasurable,

proclaiming praise to the Most High,

the I Am of all creation.

Panoramic display of timeless beauty,

the splendor of His glory

stretched from east and west, north and south.

Every eye gazes at His loveliness,

majestic in holiness,

never ending, limitless, boundless.

Magnificent falling stars,

streaks of light

disappearing into the vast darkness of the unknown.

Brilliance radiates the creative power of Yahweh,

declaring His greatness.

His grace and mercy pours forth speech,

the still, soft voice,

silent, peaceful calm.

Spirit’s flight

soaring,

touching

Supernatural love

overflowing.
The joy of illumination,

a sanctuary for the lost soul.

Life – Eternal – Forever.

Just An Ordinary Child?

Baby lies within the hay,
Looks like others some would say.

Just a child like one of us,
A common boy - what's the fuss?

Come look closer you will see,
Reasons for the joy and glee.

Shepherds watch their sheep by night,
Angel’s presence quite the sight,
Praising God Emmanuel,
Christ the Lord they did foretell.

Babe in cloths to be a sign,
Savior, Christ, the Lord divine,
Good news, great joy, to proclaim,
Kindness, mercy, feels no shame.

Peace on whom His favor rests,
All are called to be His guests.

Gone to Bethlehem to see,
Witness of divine decree.

Shout to Him who dwells on high,
God with us, come see, draw nigh.

Mary, Joseph, babe asleep,
Crowded ‘round a cow and sheep.

Shepherds joy, they spread the news,
Of the Savior to the Jews.

Thankful for things seen and heard,
Startled over what occurred.

Mary pondered all these things,
In her heart, her spirit sings.

Prophesied some many years,
In the night a star appears,
Leads the Magi to the spot,
Gifts for Him, the little tot.

Glory to our God and King,
Open palms to Him we bring.

Just a simple, common child?
I think not I said and smiled.

Advent by Keith Wallis

Still some weeks off ‘til glory day,
child and manger, God and hay.
Angels, shepherds, gifts and kings
wait impatient in the wings.
And me and mine ? What of us ?
Do we engage in all this fuss,
or do we, as we ought to do
use this time to prepare for You.

If you enjoy this poem, please visit the website of Keith Wallis, a word sculpture. I've learned a lot from him.

http://wordsculptures-keith.blogspot.com/

Fourteen-year-old Shelly looked at the empty chair, the first Thanksgiving without Grams. She bit her lip as a tear trickled. The lit candles’ warm and tranquil ambiance dimmed at the memory of Gram’s death.

Shelly looked down her nose at Sheldon, her brother-in-law who sat across from her. He licked his lips and patted his protruding belly as his wife Carrie piled his plate, adding the turkey leg, his favorite.

Carrie, avoiding the FTD floral centerpiece sloshed gravy on Grams handmade tablecloth. Shelly bristled throwing Carrie a look that made Carrie’s heart sink. Carrie reached for napkins to sop up the mess.

Meanwhile, Susie, Shelly’s half sister sneezed, grabbed a tissue and blew her nose at the table. Her husband Frank’s hand bobbed the air as he retold a joke. Chuckling, he slapped Shelly’s back, his hand lingering. Shelly rolled her eyes and shrugged out of his grip.

Ma’s lips pressed together. Her eyes became slits. She wagged a meaningful finger at Frank in response to the off-colored joke.

Pa lifted a glass, and thanked God for the blessings of food and family.

Afterwards, everyone shoveled food into their mouths while Shelly, elbows on the table, glared. Gramps lifted from his chair, walked over to Shelly and whispered, “If Grams is in your heart, she’s always with us”. Shelly gazed into his soft, understanding eyes.

Hugging Gramps, Shelly stood, raised and clinked her glass. When everyone grew silent, she smiled and said, “To Grams, who’s with us today.”

A Big Heart

I watched Johnny out my living room window. What’s that little terror up to now?

The phone rang. “Hello.”

“Hey, Susie. You busy?” It was Sally, two houses down.

I sunk into the couch. “No, not really. What’s up?”

“I just saw Johnny coming out of the Franklin’s. They left for vacation a couple of days ago. Johnny’s feeding their cat and he had a blanket with him when he left. What should I do?”

I crossed my knees; bounced my foot. “Let me think on it.”

“I think we need to talk to his parents, don’t you? He’s getting to be such a nuisance.”

“That’s a nice word. I can think of others. I had to spend hours in my garden after he got through with it.”

“Sally, hang on a sec. I heard a noise outside.” I pulled back the sheer. I saw Johnny pulling his radio flyer. He had fruit, and what looked like more of my flowers. Great. Hmm, looks like a gasoline can. “Sally, get over here, now.” I folded my cell phone and threw it on the couch.

I slipped out the front door. I strode over to Johnny; caught Sally scurrying over out of the corner of my eye.

My hands squeezed my hips. “Okay little man, just what are you up to?”

Johnny looked up at me with wide brown eyes, and tightened his grip on the wagon.

“Nothin,” Johnny said.

“Nothin, what do you mean nothin? Where did you get all of this stuff?” I leaned over and grabbed the blanket. “Sally, is this the blanket?”

Sally nodded. “It sure is.”

Johnny scratched his head. His eyes began pooling. “I . . . I just borrowed it.”

“Johnny, you’ve been taking stuff from the whole neighborhood.”

Johnny’s lip quivered; he palmed his tears leaving smeared dirt behind.

My heart pierced when I realized I was angry, yelling and picking on a kid. Convicted, I knelt before Johnny and rubbed the back of his head. “I’m sorry Johnny, I didn’t mean to be so harsh, but you need to ask people for things and not just take them. You’ve destroyed some of my garden when you took my flowers.”

“I’m sorry,” Johnny choked. I know it’s wrong. I wasn’t doing it for me. It’s for an old lady who lives next to me. She’s lonely, needs stuff. I visit her. I don’t have a Grams, but she loves me like she was mine.”

I glanced at Sally. I felt like a jerk.

“Johnny, you need to return all this stuff you took, okay. And apologize too.”

Johnny’s face dropped.

I lifted Johnny’s chin. “Cheer up. We’ll help Grams. She won’t go hungry,” I said. “From now on, ask alright? We’ll always help if you need it. Just let us know, okay?”

I hugged Johnny and gave his shoulders a squeeze.

Johnny’s eyes sparkled. He grinned. He reached over and returned my hug. The “little terror” wasn’t ornery after all. He just had a big heart.

Torn Curtain

I watch from behind the torn curtain. Minutes pass. I hear the tick, tick, tick of the clock on the wall in front of me. The pitch-black room closes in on me.

I hear soft footsteps coming towards me. As I peer through the ripped material, my eye darts from right to left, scanning as much of the room as possible. I crouch lower in case Esh sees my eye. The footsteps stop.

I raise my body, eye level with the opening in the curtain. The air, heavy, sucks at my breath. My lungs narrow. I take in a short breath. My whole body shakes, my skin crawls. I rub my arms to smooth out the goose bumps.

Is it Esh? I can’t see. I hear soft footsteps, again. My heart races; beating against my ribs. My blood rushes, pulsates – pounding my eardrums. Will Esh find me? The tap of feet cease their contact with the floor. I hold my breath. I let it out slow, quiet. My forehead beads. I should run.

The drapes glide to the left in slow motion. I raise my eyes to the dark form towering me. Esh glares, his gaze stabs my heart. Oh no. It’s him. He's going to kill me.

Black-coal eyes afire with hate pierce my soul. I dash to the right of him, but his gloved hand grabs my arm and pulls me to his chest. He grabs my neck with his viselike claws. He squeezes pressing his fingers into my throat. I gasp. He jerks me to the left, then right; my head bobs, rolls and flops backward. I drop to the floor.

I lay there on the cold-planked floor. Seconds pass. I wait. I don't hear anything except heavy breathing.

Then, I hear applause. Esh grabs my arm. I’m under his spell, he pulls me towards him. I allow him to lift me from the floor. I have no choice.

More clapping. We bow in unison, raking in the applause, hearing, “bravo, encore". I scan the crowd, glance over at Esh, smile and bow again.