Abiding Treasure

The beauty of a word remains

Long after youth’s ephemeral dance

Or its passive and pleasant glance

The beauty of a word remains

Speak to me that treasure then

Far better it than transient fray

For when I am old and gray

I will smile with pleasure, then

Some strive for fame and fortune’s gold

Dross does not leave the spirit stirred

But oh, the splendor of a word

Is such a wondrous thing to hold

The beauty of a word remains

Long after youth’s ephemeral gasp

It will soothe our wanton clasp

The beauty of a word remains

J~

Fulfilled

Lord, let me never want for naught

The things that you have deemed not mine

In every moment, deed and thought

Not for a neighbor's blessing pine

Lord, teach me how to live and love

And never disregard my lot

Because of what I do not have

As in some greener field I sought

A thousand, thousand blessings, Lord

Daily pass before my gaze

In every thought, action and word

May I live to give You praise

© Janet~

My Mother

Queen of the mending basket

And stretching a dollar

And loving ten children

Each the best

My mother

Eye of an artist

Heart of a poet

Hands of a farmer

Patience of Job

My mother

The butcher, the baker

The tireless meal-maker

The gardener, landscaper

The seamstress and quilter

The tutor and teacher,

The nurse, the maid

The most beloved

Mother

Her name is Grace~

© Janet Martin

I'm thinking about my mom today (snow-day with MUCH noise)

and I am realizing once again what an amazing mom I had as I grew up,

and wondering how she did it....often humming as she cooked supper.

She is still amazing...(almost 70) and tirelessly serving wherever there is a need.

Invincible One-horse Power

Come freezing rain, sleet, snow
One-horse power will always go.

Janet~
 
I just snapped this photo as they passed by...completely unhindered by a hyped-up
-not-really-happening in the amounts forecasted,  snow-day.
It's business as usual for this horse:)

Storm-cloud Sonnet

He unfurls his talons, sharpens his sting

Vampire lunging at bold, unclad throats

He inhales misguided whispers of spring

Spewing his fury in icy-sharp notes

The wanton field ‘neath noon’s azure sonnet

Trees that were dreaming of lacy, green dress

Hills primed for frocks and pretty spring bonnets

Succumb to thrusts of his frigid caress

Visions of blossom and bloom now preside

Somewhere beneath the white veil of a bride

…and now the landscape is a white-capped sea

Sailors don mufflers and bright woolen toques

Somewhere summer waits, over argent lea

Brimming with gardens and chatter of brooks

We will not suffer too long at the prow

Bucking chill rivers on highway and street

Spring is the conqueror of all things snow

This frozen ocean is bound for defeat

Smile at the north wind with blue-puckered mouth

He will fall prey to fair maids of the south

This is the season of warm quilts and books

Then let winds grumble with thick, heavy jowls

Miracles stir in the snow-laden nooks

Quite undeterred by its bully-white howls

Noise is the mask of a fool’s emptiness

Flinging steel teardrops against cheek and glass

Soon its wild tantrum will cease its distress

Mustering threats that dissolve on the grass

This is the season of fire-side bliss

Hot-chocolate-marshmallow, sticky-sweet kiss

© Janet Martin

Song: Storms Never Last

Well...

If I have lived a laughter-gilded mile

And grieved so I may learn its worth

To comfort another on this short road

To eternity

Then I have lived well

If I have learned to see beyond sight

And hear beyond sound

To the heart of nature

And child

Then I have learned well

If I have loved beyond pleasure
And returned, not empty-handed
But wiser and kinder
To myself and others
Then I have loved well

If I can rest in peace

Knowing I leave no enemies

Scarred by thoughtless word

Or deed

Then I may die well

 © Janet Martin

Random Haiku

The Chestnut

Prickly exterior

Time breaks through its hardened shell

Smooth, genteel heart

0~0~0~

Winter Wind

Icy white fingers

Clawing at noon’s mellow smile

Melting in his kiss

0~0~0~

Song: Like Red on a Rose...

The Rose…

Soft magenta folds

Bejeweled with crystal dew

Spills musky fragrance

J~

Sometimes as the dark sky leans over the world...

Sometimes as the dark sky leans over the world

And covers the day with its bowl

 I think of you and an ocean unfurls

Somewhere deep inside my soul

Love lays its tender and torturous grip

Over the ache in my sigh

It traces an image with soft fingertips

Drawing a tear to my eye

Time cannot retract any steps that it takes

The past, an elusive sea

I’ll fill night’s hollow with wishes I make

And love’s tender melody

The wind understands as it echoes my moan

And weeps at the foot of my bed

Somehow the night is much darker alone

As lady-moon covers her head

Sometimes when the dark sky leans over the sea

And smothers the sun with its lips

I hear the thought of you coming to me

And I trace you with soft fingertips

J~