Here's To Today's Measure of Gladness

Here's to spring rain; it’s drops unchain a well of poem-ink...

Here’s to morn’s feast, mercy-released, that bids us eat and drink

After a beautiful sunrise yesterday it clouded over and

rain, previously forecasted for today, altered my plans;

mowing lawn, weeding and edging.

But, as of now, 

today is sunny 

and I am glad

(because there are weddings happening💖

one in our neighborhood

with an outdoor service planned!)

Today's poem is inspired in part, as I ponder 

the funeral I attended the other day; 

as husband/daddy and children broke 

their eulogy into three categories;

mad, sad and glad.

They each shared a reason they were mad and sad

acknowledging these two very real emotions

that come with loss, especially sudden loss,

but then they focused on glad for the remainder because

there is SO much they are glad aka grateful for!!

Please, keep these dear people in your prayers 

as they begin moving forward without beloved wife/mom.

Here's to today's portion of gladness...

from my vantage point.

From your vantage point details may vary but gratitude

is a universal common ground🙏

Here's to spring rain; it’s drops unchain a well of poem-ink

Here’s to morn’s feast, mercy-released, that bids us eat and drink

From the buffet we call today, by God’s kind grace unfurled

A treasure-trove of hope and love outpoured to all the world

Here’s to a bite of sheer delight, a crumb of happiness

Here’s to the bliss of smile and kiss and laughter’s blessedness

Here’s to the blooms that burst from looms beneath and overhead

Here’s to the joy that shouts ‘ahoy’ after grief’s tears are shed

Here’s to the sad, that makes the glad much gladder than before

Here’s to He who makes all things new and who all should adore

Here’s to the cup that we hold up; faith’s chipped and scarred affair

Mementos earned through lessons learned, turned into humbler prayer

Here’s to ‘hello’ and yellow daffodils; here’s to sweet May

Here’s to the limbs that throb with hymns of green and feathered lay

Here’s to the splurge of leaves and birds to cheer us where we are

To boughs festooned with blossoms spooned from nature’s perfume jar

Here’s to the child, pure, undefiled, wide-eyed and curious

Here’s to we who teach them to be true and industrious

To revere He who cares for we, instilled with deathless soul

Here’s to God’s Word; truth undeterred as ages wage and roll

Here’s to the earth in spring as birth wakens the slumb’ring sod

Here’s to the sky that you and I oft gaze on, dumbly awed

Here’s to the sea that sweeps the lea yet by the shoreline stayed

Here’s to each voice as we rejoice in this day God has made

Here’s to ‘us’, dear, the now and here that slip-slips through our touch 

Here’s to (un)common wealth of health and happiness and such

Here’s to the kings of simple things that never lose their thrill

As seasons run beneath the sun in ink that poet’s spill

Here's to each 'glad' to counter sadness with meek gratitude

Here's to the cares that mortal bears by God's mercies renewed

His Word assures, His grace secures the final curtain-close  

Here's to God's love, the treasure trove from whence all blessing flows

© Janet Martin

Aren't you glad

because of salvation's plan

when we believe and receive

the gift of the promise 

there is no futility in life

and no fear in death.

Thank-you, dear Heavenly Father

Here’s to the blooms that burst from looms 

beneath ...

and overhead...

Here’s to the sky that you and I oft gaze on, dumbly awed...

Here’s to the child, pure, undefiled, wide-eyed and curious...

Here's to a bite of sheer delight...

Here’s to the splurge of leaves and birds...

This is the day the Lord has made.

We will rejoice and be glad in it!

Psalm 118:24

As Long As There Is 'Us'

Yesterday morning my mom, sisters and sister-in-laws 

gathered in a joyful celebration; a birthday...

Happy birthday, Karen 🎂🌷

(picture used with permission; photographer my sister, Lucy)

(click HERE for a record of some of the prayer requests

shared over the years for Karen and my brother Dave, her husband.

 

We were each invited to bring approx. 6 stems of white, pink and/or purple flowers to

create one big bouquet from all of us💗💜💗

Yesterday afternoon a community of mourners gathered

(after a tragedy mentioned HERE and HERE)

to remember the life of a dearly beloved woman; 

a wife, mother, daughter, sister, sister-in-law, neighbor, friend, 

mentor, counsellor, etc. to so many...

Gatherings like this are a solemn reminder to all of 'us' 

to be more mindful (once again) 

of something we can easily take for granted; 

each other.

As grieving friends and family shared

there was a common theme; to choose, above all else-

gratitude for the gift of her life 

and love they shared with her.

As long as there is ‘us’; mom, dad, spouse, sister and brother

Neighbors, friends, both far and near, we have a gift; each other

No two of us are quite alike, created tenderly

By He who's written all our days before one comes to be

As long as there is us, until that day when death doth part

We ought to live to love each other with all of our heart

Because life is a fragile thing; we cannot see how far

From farewell’s fond and unrelenting, rending reach we are

So then, let’s love each other without verbal fist-a-cuff

Let’s recognize the gift of now, and make the most of love

Because life grants no guarantees, let’s be patient and kind

For no one knows who next will leave love’s gaping hole behind

As long as there is ‘us’ let’s write Our Story with love’s ink

Rather than take for granted what can be gone in a wink

Let’s look each other in the eye and hold each other near

Before the gift of ‘us’ frames joy in sorrow’s tender tear

As long as there is ‘us’ let’s keep each other in our prayers

Let’s make moments to cherish in the thick of common cares

And be more humbly mindful of the gift we call today

Then, be a living ‘thank-you’ to the Giver, while we may

© Janet Martin

Psalm 139:16

Your eyes saw my unformed body; 

all the days ordained for me were written in your book

 before one of them came to be.

Yesterday evening this post (click link in title)

 from Ann Voskamp was in my inbox!

Especially profound in the light of recent events...

How Is Loss a Gift?

( About grief, gratitude and the gifts of God )

Daybreak Begets...

I can hardly comprehend the haste of moments meting/melting months, 

but here we are, ready or not!!

Happy, happy May!

Before our eyes, beneath our feet, beyond Bygone’s snuffed tolls

Daybreak begets a gleaming street teeming with living souls

Daybreak begets a fallow field, soon strewn with words and deeds

Daybreak begets the sacred yield of yester’s scattered seeds

Daybreak begets the fiery forge where earnest faith is tried

Daybreak begets Mercy restored and hope still on our side

Daybreak begets the helping hand of He who never fails

Daybreak begets the unveiled land as heaven’s darkness pales

Daybreak begets refurbishments of strength and energy

Daybreak begets the evidence of opportunity

Daybreak begets another try from time’s replenished fount

Daybreak begets our reply for which we give account

Before we rush headlong into the fray that soon grows dim

Let’s pray the Lord to lead the way, and we to follow Him

Because daybreak begets far more than naked eye can see

Daybreak begets the Corridor into eternity

© Janet Martin

Ps.23:3

He restores my soul; 

He leads me in the paths of righteousness

 For His name’s sake.

On Sunday mornings before we start the lesson 

my class of grade 4-6 girls and I recount highs and lows of the week.

I am learning so much through this exercise

resulting in humbler thankfulness for

each other and God.

April's lows-

A terrible accident in the community claiming two lives💔

A frightening farm accident next door resulting

in what 2 1/2 old told me was

'a ride in the sky' (a ride she can't remember but was told about)

these two events make the rest of April's lows a little pale in comparison;

like, another carbon tax

 burnt muffins,

undone to-do lists

needing new summer tires

missing my small group get-togethers 

April highs~

~survivors in an accident that could have been so much more tragic...

~watching the eclipse

~Deepened relationships/friendships with neighbors

~Tulips from my daughter Victoria

~Lunch dates with my mother-in-law,

and daughter and youngest grandson

~A precious budding friendship with above-mentioned 

2 1/2 yr. old as she spends evenings at my house while her parents

do dairy farm chores

~Adventures in faith resulting in

being speechlessly awed by God

~Enjoying spring outdoors with grandchildren

Finished painting and assembling spare room, begun a month before

~Discovering a bit of orange rind makes

the ordinary bran muffin extra-ordinary

~nice visit with mechanic and his wife when I picked up the car

dapper in new tires😂

~a new granddaughter for my friends (both grammas are friends of mine)

~first cup of fresh mint tea

~Feeling the prayers of my small group

~seeing my first Northern Flicker

Spring's first splendors, like daffodils and gorgeous greens

Some new song releases!

Below a few 'high' photos 

Northern Flicker (maxed out my zoom lens to get this shot!!)

tulips from Victoria (my youngest daughter)

Daffodils

Budding friendship/s...

below, one cutie cropped from photo to protect privacy💗💛

Spring opulence...

Finished spare bedroom, much to granddaughter's delight😉💖

Dresser from my Aunt and Uncle

Bed frame from my cousin

Quilt from my mother

The patchwork is pretty too, but for spring I chose the backside)

(hoping to add a few more family mementos)

Some new song releases

What Would Jesus Do?-

Cycle of Life

I Turn to Jesus

Dear April...a Love letter of Relinquishment

Final prompt for April's poem-a-day challenge from Robert Lee Brewer @ Writer's Digest!

For today's Two-for-Tuesday prompt:

Write a The End poem, and/or...

Write a Beginning poem.

One evening as I listened to this glorious piece of music below...

HAUSER - Tristesse

  

....it seemed as if it played the heart of April

and I began to pen an April love song that was never completed

This April, my joy as been visited by its inevitable counterpart; sorrow💔 

 calling to mind these words of old

from Eccles. 3:1-4

There is a time for everything,

and a season for every activity under the heavens:

 a time to be born and a time to die,

a time to plant and a time to uproot,

 a time to kill and a time to heal,

a time to tear down and a time to build,

 a time to weep and a time to laugh,

a time to mourn and a time to dance,...

***

Sorrow makes sweeter every joy.

It makes sacred every opportunity to love

It rouses in the poet a meeker awareness

of the potency of ink endurance

and the voice that spills from a page long after

the breath of said author has ceased

***

This is the Love Song, revamped

because this is the last day of April...

Dear April,

Don't leave me yet,

I didn't get my fill of thrills

that the soul bares

Into sonnets of snared quadrilles

From violet-starry thoroughfares

or driveways dimpled with plip-plop

of raindrops wakening the dell

I didn't spell first swells of green

into an April doggerel 

or waltz enough, across a world

that somersaults with joy's spent grief 

because of little puddles pearled

like jewels on a newborn leaf   

I didn't tame to page the rush

of hope as winter disappears

from the austere, north-facing slope

as the forlorn countryside cheers

beneath sun-kisses, warmer now

where mild zephyrs counter the chill

that sneaks into the winds that blow

but cannot thwart the daffodil

Dear April,

Don't leave me yet, 

Because, it feels like we just met  

now we must part

before I satisfy the thirst

that almost bursts the poet's heart 

with art that you alone bestow;

the calm, that crowns the countryside

like a prelude before the show

before a creaking gate swings wide

to gardens tickling soft, bare feet

to fields mantled in dusty haze

to busyness we gladly greet

yet meet with half-reluctant gaze 

because Time never takes a rest

beneath the yellow willow tree

where the robin has tucked its nest

within its sighing filigree

where April showers spill and splash

to wake flower-worlds held at bay

And I would be too sad to laugh

But for your sweet successor, May

Janet Martin

because of little puddles pearled

like jewels on a newborn leaf 

I love this poem by John Clare

so fitting on this last day of April...

April

Sweet Synchronicity (of endings and beginnings)

Final prompt for April's poem-a-day challenge from Robert Lee Brewer @ Writer's Digest!

For today's Two-for-Tuesday prompt:

Write a The End poem, and/or...

Write a Beginning poem.

The trees are beginning to don sheer, green chiffon!

A welcome sign that surely now

Old Man Winter has gone 😏😊

A breathless beckoning appeals 

It throbs in barren limb

Until the bud relents its seals

And frees a flower-hymn

As a Baton we cannot see

Conducts a mighty choir

And homage to God's Majesty/fealty

Resounds in every spire

Each lilting gold-green note unfolds

A lacy leaf  'hello'

Earth's eager audience beholds

Glimpses of spring's Maestro 

And hails, with humble gratitude

The Author of the song

That spills from hill and dell and wood

In winter's sweet so-long

In subtle synchronicity

Of hugs and tugs unfurled

On farewell's heels a symphony

Of welcome sweeps the world 

~Janet Martin

Until We Love Each Other More...

 From Robert Lee Brewer @ Writer's Digest...

Tomorrow is the final day of this challenge, but remember:

This challenge ain't over until it's over, so...

For today's prompt, take the phrase "Until (blank),"

replace the blank with a new word or phrase,

make the new phrase the title of your poem,

and then, write your poem.

It's easy to love the 'easy to love'.

But, not everyone or everything is

easy to love, in turn, turning life into a

big lesson-book!

Until we love each other more and cling to grudges less

And take care never to ignore or neglect promises

Until we gently contemplate our words before we speak

And rather than retaliate, we turn the other cheek

Until no envy-twinges sting when others steal the show

That we worked very hard to bring about. Until we sow

Aware that we will reap. Until the onus of return

Impacts the seeds we spill; it seems we still have much to learn

Until we live to give all that we can to life’s demands

With empathy for fellowman, with open hearts and hands

Until we pray more than we do and fret a little less

And weigh the wants that we pursue for more than happiness

Until we kindly reverence the Giver of our days

Mindful of worship’s Recompense by what our actions praise

Until we do not slight or spurn the things that God esteems

We still have so much yet to learn, of hopes and plans and dreams

Until we have mastered the art of humble gratefulness

Until we are purer in heart and start to grumble less

Until we smile more than we pout/shout and befriend more than feud

And walk a second mile without reluctant attitude

Until we cherish what we have while it is within reach

And, unafraid of mistakes, brave the lessons life must teach

Until kindness does not keep score or wait for its return

Until we love each other more, we still have much to learn

Until we want for others, more than we want for ourselves

Until no secret cupboards groan with miser’s laden shelves

Until love has nothing to hide, each motive boldly bared

Until longing is satisfied because blessing is shared

Until we realize that joy is the flipside of grief

Until the pursuits we employ are rooted in Belief

Until we recognize Dawn’s Door is hinged to Twilight’s Urn

And start to love each other more, we still have much to learn

© Janet Martin

John 13:34
A new commandment I give you: 

Love one another. 

As I have loved you, so you also must love one another.

John 15:17
This is My command to you: Love one another.

Romans 12:10
Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. 

Outdo yourselves in honoring one another.

Romans 13:8
Be indebted to no one, except to one another in love.

 For he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law.

Romans 13:10
Love does no wrong to its neighbor. 

Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law