Of 'Once, Those Days...'

We have been waking up to rainy mornings for almost a week! This morning the sky was gorgeous...

We do not live in picture frames

Or echoes of our former days

But once those days were mercy-kissed

As this new day rising from mist

Once, those days were the ‘new’ as now

Dawn tugs night’s mantle from earth’s prow

Where we, with holy acquiescence    

Should take its gift with reverence

...for soon its scribbles, spills and jots

Will fill our pictures frames and thoughts

And soon the ‘now’ will join the haze

Of memories and bygone days…

© Janet Martin

Looking forward to the 'pictures' that await today. Rob's (Emily's Fiancee) family from Nova Scotia arrived last night! They will be here soon to help.

Thus, Beneath Your Mercy, Lord

 We looked out to see this while we were eating supper...(no, it's not tomorrow:) The timer in my camera is 'off'.

We bear beneath Your mercy, Lord

Life’s triumph and its woe

Gleaning sweet comfort through Your word

As by Your grace we go

Each faltering and fumbling step

Would be our hopeless shame

But You forgive Lord, then forget

Teach us to do the same

The filament of mortal skin

Does not reveal the whole

Lord, you behold what lies within

Of thought and heart and soul

…and yet Your promises remain

You gather our guilt

And wash away its wretched stain

Where once Your blood was spilt

Once and for all You paid our debt

Removing every trace

We are vile creatures Lord, and yet

You save us by Your grace

…and thus beneath Your mercy, Lord

We bear life’s humble due

Teach us, as we look to Your word

How to be more like You

© Janet Martin

The Heart is Like an Autumn Day

The heart is like an autumn day

It holds the blue, the gold and gray

Where hope is heavy on the vine

As love and longing intertwine

The heart is like an autumn sky

A moody blend of smile and sigh

Its pulse a complex symmetry

Of euphoria and misery

The heart is like an autumn tree

Its pieces scattered silently

Along a dim and shaded path

Of summer’s precious aftermath

The heart is like an autumn day

It steals our impulses away

A minuet of raw romance

We close our eyes and dance…

And dance

© Janet Martin

The house is quiet this morning; a lot of thinking time while I stir popcorn and cut butters for the wedding...

Autumn Leaves

Autumn leaves, symbol of farewell

How is it, the heart laughs and grieves

Beneath the golden, glorious folding

Canopy of autumn leaves

Autumn leaves; but its returning

Trembles in the sky and sod

Where we plant and reap in yearning

‘Til we touch the arms of God

Autumn leaves fall; soundless, subtle

Weightless cups of memory

Scatter like life’s joy and trouble

Underneath the reaching tree

Autumn leaves; a silent journey

Stretching to winter’s unknown

Where the quadrille of life’s seasons

Draws us nearer to God’s throne

Autumn leaves; its crown of grandeur

Comforts our summer-grief

Autumn leaves in scarlet splendor

Autumn leaves in every leaf

© Janet Martin

I had a little 'cup of calm before the storm' this morning. 

5 days to wedding!

Garden Lullaby

The gardens are looking tired and sad and ready for bed...(after hearing the forecast on Saturday afternoon I realized we better quickly rescue what we can before dark!) I'm glad we did.

Go to sleep, dear garden

The leaf is in the sky

And every bloom has fallen

Into the by-and-by

Go to sleep, dear garden

May your repose be sweet

For soon your paths will beckon

To music of bare feet

Go to sleep, dear garden

Well-honest is your rest

You harbor hope and harvest

Beneath your umber crest

Slumber now, sweet garden

Where dreams and duty bled

You spilled your vibrant laughter

In green, orange, gold and red

So, go to sleep, dear garden

All tumbled and forlorn

Soon, soon you will awaken

To spring-time’s gladsome morn

© Janet Martin

In Kind Mercy...

 This morning the sky is dull and gray; a few days ago the sunrise held a cross in its colors.

He places, in kind mercy

Life’s moments to our reach

And in their joy and sorrow

They keen and prune and teach

How gracious is the Giver

Of moments; come what may

The darkness yields to morning

And the morrow to today

Grace gilds dawn’s virgin tresses

Lord, help us once again

To be kind, humble servants

Of these moments in our hand

© Janet Martin

Then went king David in, and sat before the LORD, and he said, Who am I, O Lord GOD? and what is my house, that thou hast brought me hitherto? 2 Sam. 7:18

Side-chuckle...Victoria read the verse as I typed it. 'who is hitherto? she asked.:)

Balancing Act

We should not cling too tightly

To the things that we hold dear

For at that faint and final breath

It all will disappear

We should not hold to loosely

Life’s gifts we have been given

But cherish them most wisely

Until the Gates of Heaven

© Janet Martin

When Death Walks Closely By...

When death walks closely by

Or carries one away

We turn to touch more tenderly

Those little words we say

‘Good-morning’ and ‘good-night’

Are sweeter than before

Because ‘O Death’ walked closely by

Reminding us once more

© Janet Martin

A neighbor/husband/daddy was killed suddenly in a farm accident this past week…

'What you have; each other, never let a day pass without cherishing it'. From Larkrise to Candleford