We speak to them of courage and we hope within its speech
We find the very thing that we are striving thus to teach
Life’s laughter and lament, love’s learning-curves
amalgamate
Within the eye; hello-good-bye; time never bars its gate
As daughters become us and we stare long at our skin
And wonder who we are; the image not the girl within
Where dying ways that life inflicts upon our gaze reflects
The nature of all nature and the climax of all flesh
Our lips, once filled with answers suddenly are dumb and
numb
While merry moment-dancers seem to disregard the sum
Of all that they become as we peruse their aftermath
Where tragedy and triumph meld in glimmers on dusk’s path
Still, onward, ever onward, we commence again, again
The learning is not over until God declares, Amen
And so we speak of courage and we hope within its speech
To find the very thing that we are striving thus to teach
© Janet Martin
Our pastor, Dale Ward, encouraged students to take this verse with them as they return to school...
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do
not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you
go." Joshua 1:9
From Tennyson's Tears, Idle Tears...
Tears, idle tears, I know
not what they mean,
Tears from the depth of some divine despair
Rise in the heart, and gather in the eyes,
In looking on the happy autumn-fields,
And thinking of the days that are no more...
Tears from the depth of some divine despair
Rise in the heart, and gather in the eyes,
In looking on the happy autumn-fields,
And thinking of the days that are no more...
Happy first day of school, Janet!
ReplyDeleteWe had ours yesterday. It's not bad to get back into routines, but it does make you reflect on everything that is no more..
Wonderful pictures. I remember those of Victoria and the bubbles. And the way you've arranged them is very creative. Love the field, too.
Thank-you Sasha, Yes, I'm ready for routine too:)
ReplyDeleteI searched for one of my photo-fav's to put with this poem. Melissa was the photographer and she is the gal Victoria and I are helping to move today. She is excited and nervous as country meets city...(or is it me that's excited and nervous;)?
Oh Janet, I LOVE this one and so very much relate to it, having walked the college walk with both of our girls.
ReplyDeleteThe college walk'...I like that!
ReplyDeleteLove it! Couldn't wait to read your thoughts today:)
ReplyDeleteHope it all went well!
XO
thank-you sis. yep, all moved in and back home. miss her already. I thought I heard her chatting with Matt upstairs a few minutes ago and then realized, 'no, she's not here!' sigh...I know she is excited and that makes us excited too.
ReplyDeletep.s. just came back downstairs after hugging a weeping sister (Victoria)...then I thought i heard a noise in Melissa's room so I asked to its dark, 'is someone there?' and I heard Matt snickering. I turn on the light to see him curled like a fat cat in Melissa'a bed. 'she would FREAK if she saw you', i told him and he said he took a picture and sent it to her!! ah, let the good times roll. There's nothing like a good laugh after tears!
ReplyDeleteOh that is so funny and sweet.
ReplyDeleteSo touching...
I ache for Victoria because she is quite introspective isn't she?
I am praying for all of you.
Let me know if I can do anything else.
Wishing you a sunshiny day...
Jassy is off to highschool intro day.
She could use some prayers for her nerves...
will do!
ReplyDeletep.s. When i asked Matt what Melissa said about the photo he sent he confessed he didn't send it after all:) I guess his big softy-heart' prevailed...
ReplyDelete