Still Learning...

When they say things we wish they didn’t

And do things we wouldn’t do

Because life taught us consequence

We remember, we were young once too

When they ignore the voice of reason

Like younger folk are apt to do

We remember that the teacher

That taught us will teach our children too

Then just when we think we've graduated

From that hard-knock class of youth

Life's teacher lays beneath our learning

New lessons of love and truth

© Janet Martin

More Than Numbers Can Say

They come in cloth of work and want

In hope and dream and pray

They leap and fall from mercy’s fount

The blessings of the day

And could we try to tally them

We would but skim the splay

Of jewels in time’s diadem

The blessings of the day

How quick the tick of time soft-steals

And seals moments away

Still, refurbished upon its reels

Are blessings of the day

Then, pray we reply as we should

In all we do and say

To live a life of gratitude

For blessings of the day

© Janet Martin

 Many, O Lord my God, are Your wonderful works
Which You have done;
And Your thoughts toward us
Cannot be recounted to You in order;
If I would declare and speak of them,
They are more than can be numbered.

Ps.40:5

Without Fail

Always, without fail we begin to notice earlier sunrises and later sunsets, this time of year!

Always, without fail the day

Breaks above the land and sea

Bringing in its come-what-may

Unsoiled opportunity

Always without fail the dawn

In spite of slip-trip-and fall

Flings beneath the rising sun

Fresh endeavors for us all

Always, without fail the night

Fades into the blue beyond

Always without fail the light

Frees the morrow from its bond

Always without fail God’s grace

Does not seal the slumb’ring sky

But extends from love’s embrace

A new day for you and I

© Janet Martin

 How priceless is your unfailing love, O God! 

People take refuge in the shadow of your wings.

Ps.36:7

Gossamer Origami

Dawn pools, pale pink expanding until nighttime folds to day

The morning of it turns to noon then dusk folds it away

Those virgin heights we scaled, regaled with daydreams, disappears

The breadth of morning, noon and night folded to yester-years

From reams soft- tumbling overhead, unframed nuances swell

Through fingers fumbling with fresh threads that fold into farewell

And what once beamed with newness and the grandness of intent

Folds into solitude, the noise of it like a storm spent

Our tears and fears fold into hope as hands fold into prayer

The dark that folded up the day unfolds a golden stair

And we advance, uncertain of the ways of love and life

Time’s dancing lessons folding into leaps of joy and strife

Gossamer origami that no one can intercept

Or still time’s fingers flying where our sighing is inept

Save to fold into wishes what kisses cannot restrain

Where what is soon folds into what will never be again

© Janet Martin

What Became of Then?

Darling, what became of When?

We were younger, strong on dreams

Was I nearer to you then

Before years unraveled skeins?

Darling, what became of Them?

When our talk was brave and green

Was I clearer to you then

Before years wedged in between?

Darling, what became of Us?

Cheek to cheek and heart to heart

Was I dearer to you, love

Before years drew us apart?

© Janet Martin