Where Sorrow's Climax Weeps

Lo, breath of time exhales

Regales the steadfast sky

The climax of man’s sorrow wails

And there is no reply

Life’s sundry grief and pain

That earth can never heal

Bids us take up love’s yoke again

Where eon’s belfries peal

Mercy imbues and woos

The dark from midnight’s clutch

Unveiling common avenues

Where dues demand our touch

The hope of God abides

His gift of Once-for-all

Anoints with grace not faceless tides

But with intimate call

For oh, He came to save

Us, not from trouble, no

But from the curse of sin, death’s grave

The fruit of Eden’s woe

Lo, breath of time exhales

Regales time’s ebbing deeps

The Savior of mankind prevails

Where Sorrow’s Climax weeps

© Janet Martin

Humble Gratitude

For all the blessings we enjoy

For health and strength

For friends and food

Lord, our praise to Thee we raise

With humble hearts

Of gratitude

For home, for hope, for family

For needs kind-met

Through mercy’s grace

Lord, we proclaim Thy worthy Name

With humble attributes

Of praise

© Janet Martin

I’m preparing food for a church potluck, and it struck me as I scooped and measured, stirred and chopped, sliced and buttered that wherever I reached a need or want was met; bread in the box, flour in the bin, milk in the pitcher and so on…and how often I take this gifts far too for granted.

Lord, make my life a Living Prayer of Gratitude.

 Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.

James 1:17

Wishing you a wonder-full, worship-full Sunday.

Before The World Is Wide Awake...

Before the world is wide awake

And while its eyes are still half-closed

Each hill blue-kissed with mist, the lake

A looking glass, each rose reposed

And while the air is plush with hush

The country-side soft brushed with frost

Before the busy bustle-rush

Distracts us from frames mercy-tossed

Before the sun tickles Time’s sand

And the command of Duty hails

We ought to reach and touch the Hand

Of He whose Kindness never fails

© Janet Martin

December Eyes

Mesmerized by true blue eyes

And brooding sighs; December skies

Tossed with free will beneath the hill

Where still and sleek, the river lies

And I am wont to drink the taunt

Of brook-fern haunt; unlearned, the vaunt

Of wanderlust where this I must;

Trample lanes laced with diamond dust

For soon staid sweep of deep to deep

Will lie asleep ‘neath snow-crowned keep

Then I will bide its eventide

In company of fireside

So captivated, I must go

To touch and taste the ebbing flow

Of lonely skies and brooding sighs

Mesmerized by December eyes

© Janet Martin

Emily of New Moon called it a 'flash'.

I call it a rush...

when you read, see, feel Something

that inspires instant poetry!

Of Sacred Dread...

Sometimes a sacred dread instills

The will that winds through want-cast lips

Life’s ephemeral fortune spills

To vaults past outstretched fingertips

The holiness of have and hold

Is bold; how ravenous the air

That weans with weightless moment-gold

All but wonderment’s green-leafed stare

This ration of passion’s big splash

Dumbfounds the spectator of years

How soon the hour is awash

With ashes of time’s seasoned tears

The thread that weaves through skin, a path

Toward the soul winnows this stance

Twixt Imminence and Aftermath

Where whispers fall through outstretched hands

…then sometimes awe and dread instills

Us with Love’s Sacred Gravity

That draws its law from clocks until

They falter, in eternity…

Time’s Calling-and-Election Gasp

Its holy, holy have and hold

Slips, rose-and-nettle through the clasp

Of fingers slowly growing cold

© Janet Martin

...and on a personal note: our internet was intermittent at best, always.
Today a technician came out to update all the equipment and wow!!! what a difference!

A Simple Christmas Reminder

 'Oh, yes, you may touch them', I assured him as he hesitated,

'This is the story of Jesus and we want to touch it and tell it as often as we can!'

...and I showed him where the angel, after she fell was glued back together, how the donkey took a tumble and glue mended his broken ear...

Whatever fears assail us

Whatever doubt befalls

Let us remember Christmas

Is Hope's Gift for us all

Whatever cares beset us

Whatever loss imparts

Let us remember, Jesus

Is  a Gift for our hearts

Whatever sorrow tries us

Whatever tomorrow brings

Let us celebrate Christmas

For Jesus, King of kings

Janet~