Thursday, August 14, 2014

Mother to Mother





‘You know how it is’ she said
And I do
That feeling of lonely
November blue
Of heart-letting-go
Of un-clenching fists
Knowing Time takes
Even as it gives
And all we can do
Is savor the kiss
Of every moment
…you know how it is

...how, what we can't hold
We cover with prayer
Knowing God IS
Everywhere

  © Janet Martin

Back-to-school packing/moving is kicking into high gear. We have one more week before the house is one girl emptier...

...and Then, There is This





Then, after kind words of comfort
When other have done their part
We must learn to be humble
And take their words to heart

After the love of others
A pat on the back, a hug
We must learn to be grateful
Responding with more than a shrug

And after the ‘you can do it’
After the ‘you’re the man!’
We must learn to accept ourselves
And then, believe we can

© Janet Martin
 

'aw, you're just saying that to be nice'...how often have we or someone close to us responded to a compliment in this way, whether verbally or in thought? 

O Lord, you have searched me and known me! You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar. You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways. Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O Lord, you know it altogether. You hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me.Ps 139:1-5


We're All in This Together

Robin Williams's death by suicide, and the coverage surrounding it, has prompted a discussion about the responsible way to report such cases.
Image Source
Many of us know someone whose picture could be posted here, perhaps not as well known as Robin but as much loved!


We’re all in this together
No one a stepping-stone
To crush in our endeavor
To reach the top alone

We’re all in this together
Shoulder to shoulder we
Are part of one another
Earth’s great big family

…of human-nature weakness
And flesh-soul labyrinth
Where none are more or lesser
To He who gives us strength

Thus, we with kinder caring
And hearts that sympathize
Together, should be sharing
Life’s battle to the Prize

For who can know tomorrow?
Who can its fortune prove?
We’re all in this together
Still learning how to love

Pray God to give us hunger
Not for the things of dirt
But love for one another
To bind us through life’s hurt

© Janet Martin

Once again the topic of depression, addiction and suicide take headlines in the aftermath of Robin Williams' death. A few thoughts sparked this poem;  Susan's words of encouragement
and a paragraph in an article by Murray Pura directed to writer's in the latest issue of *Fellowscript magazine...
Isn't this a great motto for everyone; To promote/help/love each other because it is the right thing to do!?
Do you think there might be less suicide if we made this our 'hunger'?

*(Included in an  Inscribe membership is a a bi-monthly edition of Fellowscript, a magazine to encourage/educate writers at all levels.)

Wednesday, August 13, 2014

Of Rocking Chairs and Roving Years





Fleet through our grasp, blithe bleeds this gasp of air
Far-gone, those fair, forever days of youth
Where dreamers undeterred by seasoned truth
Smiled past those wizened words from rocking chairs
And hands work-worn; for all the world was theirs

…where castles in the clouds sparkle and gleam
Bright eyes fixed on a prize unmarred by scars
Moments spill steppingstones out to the stars
And they, the dancers on time’s merry stream
Transfixed upon its readjusted dream

Those dusty, lusty days dissolve somehow
The rocking-chair seems programmed to repeat
Old wisdom where new sages fill its seat
Their tongues still burning with the afterglow
Of all they thought they knew but didn’t know

How, when all is done are dreams defined?
After time’s trip-and-falling growing pains  
As we grasp at the gasp of what remains
 The rocking-chair echoes as years unwind
'All we can give is what we leave behind'

© Janet Martin



Tuesday, August 12, 2014

Wordless Worship





 And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones who is my disciple, truly I tell you, that person will certainly not lose their reward." Matt. 10:42

We do not tally
Tears we shed
Nor prayers we pray
Or dollars poured
In to a work
We dare not shirk
For we are called

And though we never
Count or tell
The cost of it
God knows full-well
How much we give
Or keep will prove
Without a word
What God we love

© Janet Martin

From Today's post at A Holy Experience

Yay! God did it through willing wallets!