The Social Poets: The Heart Remembers: Veterans Day poem: Honoring the life of others as well as our own.
Showing posts with label Libations Friday. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Libations Friday. Show all posts
11 November 2011
The Social Poets: The Heart Remembers: Veterans Day poem Libations Thursday 11 Nov 2010
The Social Poets: The Heart Remembers: Veterans Day poem: Honoring the life of others as well as our own.
11 November 2010
The Heart Remembers: Veterans Day poem Libations Thursday 11 Nov 2010
Honoring the life of others as well as our own.
The Heart Remembers
once a year we remember
those who fell before us.
some fell before we were born
and we never knew them.
some fell in our life time
and we never knew them.
we hear their stories
from the news and family.
we learn about their lives
and how well and good they lived.
this day is often one of sadness,
causing us to pause and think
of what was and what could have been.
and now when I part from a loved one
I always say, “I love you” and
“I am always with you” because
you never know when they will fall
and not be remembered
except in my quiet heart...
Denny Lyon
Copyright 11 Nov 2010 - Veterans Day
All Rights Reserved
Photo Credits
Don't Tear Love Apart photo by thompsonwood @ flickr
Couple in love photo by www.CourtneyCarmody.com @ flickr
*** THANKS for visiting, feel welcome to drop a comment or opinion, enjoy bookmarking this post on your favorite social site, a big shout out to awesome current subscribers – and if you are new to this blog, please subscribe in a reader or by email updates!
*** Come by for a visit and check out my other blogs:
The Social Poets - news, politics
The Soul Calendar - science, astronomy, psychology
Visual Insights - photos, art, music
Beautiful Illustrated Quotations - spiritual quotes, philosophy
Best Spiritual Posts - my own best as well as links to other spiritual posts from all viewpoints
Poems From A Spiritual Heart - poetry
The Healing Waters - health news
Dennys People Watching - people in the news
Dennys Food and Recipes
Dennys Funny Quotes - humor
The Heart Remembers
once a year we remember
those who fell before us.
some fell before we were born
and we never knew them.
some fell in our life time
and we never knew them.
we hear their stories
from the news and family.
we learn about their lives
and how well and good they lived.
this day is often one of sadness,
causing us to pause and think
of what was and what could have been.
and now when I part from a loved one
I always say, “I love you” and
“I am always with you” because
you never know when they will fall
and not be remembered
except in my quiet heart...
Denny Lyon
Copyright 11 Nov 2010 - Veterans Day
All Rights Reserved
Photo Credits
Don't Tear Love Apart photo by thompsonwood @ flickr
Couple in love photo by www.CourtneyCarmody.com @ flickr
*** THANKS for visiting, feel welcome to drop a comment or opinion, enjoy bookmarking this post on your favorite social site, a big shout out to awesome current subscribers – and if you are new to this blog, please subscribe in a reader or by email updates!
*** Come by for a visit and check out my other blogs:
The Social Poets - news, politics
The Soul Calendar - science, astronomy, psychology
Visual Insights - photos, art, music
Beautiful Illustrated Quotations - spiritual quotes, philosophy
Best Spiritual Posts - my own best as well as links to other spiritual posts from all viewpoints
Poems From A Spiritual Heart - poetry
The Healing Waters - health news
Dennys People Watching - people in the news
Dennys Food and Recipes
Dennys Funny Quotes - humor
08 October 2010
Poem From God - Libations Friday 8 Oct 2010
Even God has a sense of humor about how to handle repeated rejection. Take a look.
17 September 2010
Waking The Day poem - Libations Friday 17 Sept 2010
When the day - and I - awaken, present in the moment.
Waking The Day
When I suddenly awakened from the long night’s hot summer sleep
The energizing scent of coffee brewing wafted around the corner.
I stumbled in the dark, bouncing off the doorway, fumbling for the kitchen lights.
I saw cats waiting eagerly at the back door, wide-eyed nocturnal keepers of the yard.
Measuring out fresh food into their three bowls, then wisely throwing open the door.
They looked up at me, measuring me more than their food, wondering how awake,
Hugging the doorway, quietly gliding through the opening instead of their usual burst.
The golden tiger cat squeaked his morning gossip of the neighborhood nightly report.
Steaming dark brown coffee breathed foggy swirls, spilling into the pristine mug.
The hot libation slid down my throat as it gave off its sweet Ethiopian perfume.
Drinking coffee before speaking plays first in the slumbering beginnings at my house.
Glancing at the cats, all lined in a row, they ate heartily as if miners just off a long shift.
I stepped out into the night to view the sparkling stars before they faded to the day.
The sky was astounding in its simple beauty; the love planet Venus the brightest smile.
How could anyone not smile in return when the planets seem to speak lovingly to us?
So many stars, so many messages written in the sky, our Universe speaks unceasingly.
Pouring another offering of coffee, I pulled up a chair on the porch to view the lake.
I could witness early morning on the water a thousand times, never to be disappointed.
Smoke rose on the water, little ghostly fingers walking forward on the mirrored surface.
Three mallard ducks emerged from the mist, swimming my way, dancing long strides.
teddy+at+flickr.jpg)
Huge prehistoric wings filled the air with a swooping sound and blanketed darkness.
A blue heron landed to fish his breakfast, blending into the smoky gray surrounding mist.
Soon a white egret flew in from the east, careful to move down to another fishing hole.
In the dim light a neighbor fished, sitting, pole in hand as his coffee scent filled the air.
Faint pink embers, the growing light, were filling the sky just above the rooftop horizon.
The blue heron stalked the shallows on his long legs, searching the moving warm waters.
A sudden splash, beak dove down, retrieving a huge fish he flung high on to the bank.
The egret caught small fishes, silver glints in the sunlight, tossed into the air, swallowed.
Two cups of coffee later it was time to check back in the house to rouse my husband.
Entering the room, he slumbered peacefully, his breath shallow; I knew he was awake.
The golden tiger cat pounced onto the bed and onto his chest, demanding attention.
His eyes closed, my husband smiled and knew he had not fooled either one of us.
Denny Lyon
Copyright 17 Sept 2010
All Rights Reserved
*** For the spiritual symbolism explained see:
A Healing Spiritual Poem: Waking The Day
Photo Credits
Steaming coffee in white cup photo by Kvasov Andrey @ flickr
Pink embers sunrise photo by Indy Kethdy @ flickr
Two great white egrets photo by flythebirdpath~} teddy @ flickr
The night sky photo by James Jordan @ flickr (combination of two photos)
Smoke on the water photo by flamesworddragon @ flickr
Ducks swimming under full moon photo by joiseyshowaa @ flickr
Fairy tale moon photo by davedehetre @ flickr
Golden cat in shadow photo by 1 suisse @ flickr
*** THANKS for visiting, feel welcome to drop a comment or opinion, enjoy bookmarking this post on your favorite social site, a big shout out to awesome current subscribers – and if you are new to this blog, please subscribe in a reader or by email updates!
*** Come by for a visit and check out my other blogs:
The Social Poets - news, politics
The Soul Calendar - science, astronomy, psychology
Visual Insights - photos, art, music
Beautiful Illustrated Quotations - spiritual quotes, philosophy
Poems From A Spiritual Heart - poetry
The Healing Waters - health news
Dennys People Watching - people in the news
Dennys Food and Recipes
Dennys Funny Quotes - humor
Waking The Day
When I suddenly awakened from the long night’s hot summer sleep
The energizing scent of coffee brewing wafted around the corner.
I stumbled in the dark, bouncing off the doorway, fumbling for the kitchen lights.
I saw cats waiting eagerly at the back door, wide-eyed nocturnal keepers of the yard.
Measuring out fresh food into their three bowls, then wisely throwing open the door.
They looked up at me, measuring me more than their food, wondering how awake,
Hugging the doorway, quietly gliding through the opening instead of their usual burst.
The golden tiger cat squeaked his morning gossip of the neighborhood nightly report.
Steaming dark brown coffee breathed foggy swirls, spilling into the pristine mug.
The hot libation slid down my throat as it gave off its sweet Ethiopian perfume.
Drinking coffee before speaking plays first in the slumbering beginnings at my house.
Glancing at the cats, all lined in a row, they ate heartily as if miners just off a long shift.
I stepped out into the night to view the sparkling stars before they faded to the day.
The sky was astounding in its simple beauty; the love planet Venus the brightest smile.
How could anyone not smile in return when the planets seem to speak lovingly to us?
So many stars, so many messages written in the sky, our Universe speaks unceasingly.
Pouring another offering of coffee, I pulled up a chair on the porch to view the lake.
I could witness early morning on the water a thousand times, never to be disappointed.
Smoke rose on the water, little ghostly fingers walking forward on the mirrored surface.
Three mallard ducks emerged from the mist, swimming my way, dancing long strides.
teddy+at+flickr.jpg)
Huge prehistoric wings filled the air with a swooping sound and blanketed darkness.
A blue heron landed to fish his breakfast, blending into the smoky gray surrounding mist.
Soon a white egret flew in from the east, careful to move down to another fishing hole.
In the dim light a neighbor fished, sitting, pole in hand as his coffee scent filled the air.
Faint pink embers, the growing light, were filling the sky just above the rooftop horizon.
The blue heron stalked the shallows on his long legs, searching the moving warm waters.
A sudden splash, beak dove down, retrieving a huge fish he flung high on to the bank.
The egret caught small fishes, silver glints in the sunlight, tossed into the air, swallowed.
Two cups of coffee later it was time to check back in the house to rouse my husband.
Entering the room, he slumbered peacefully, his breath shallow; I knew he was awake.
The golden tiger cat pounced onto the bed and onto his chest, demanding attention.
His eyes closed, my husband smiled and knew he had not fooled either one of us.
Denny Lyon
Copyright 17 Sept 2010
All Rights Reserved
*** For the spiritual symbolism explained see:
A Healing Spiritual Poem: Waking The Day
Photo Credits
Steaming coffee in white cup photo by Kvasov Andrey @ flickr
Pink embers sunrise photo by Indy Kethdy @ flickr
Two great white egrets photo by flythebirdpath~} teddy @ flickr
The night sky photo by James Jordan @ flickr (combination of two photos)
Smoke on the water photo by flamesworddragon @ flickr
Ducks swimming under full moon photo by joiseyshowaa @ flickr
Fairy tale moon photo by davedehetre @ flickr
Golden cat in shadow photo by 1 suisse @ flickr
*** THANKS for visiting, feel welcome to drop a comment or opinion, enjoy bookmarking this post on your favorite social site, a big shout out to awesome current subscribers – and if you are new to this blog, please subscribe in a reader or by email updates!
*** Come by for a visit and check out my other blogs:
The Social Poets - news, politics
The Soul Calendar - science, astronomy, psychology
Visual Insights - photos, art, music
Beautiful Illustrated Quotations - spiritual quotes, philosophy
Poems From A Spiritual Heart - poetry
The Healing Waters - health news
Dennys People Watching - people in the news
Dennys Food and Recipes
Dennys Funny Quotes - humor
30 July 2010
Walk The World poem - Libations Friday 30 July 2010
*** A poem about sharing our life with others - when we are both in need - to receive the greatest gift.
Walk The World
The young ones were curious about life that was.
The grandmother began the remembering of a long life.
She told them stories of how sweet life can be.
She told them stories of how tough times were too.
The old woman leaned back in her comfortable chair,
Closed her eyes for a moment and her face grew sad.
She remembered the jobs disappearing and the fear.
She told how her neighbors worked fewer and fewer hours,
Worrying about how they would feed their children.
The old woman opened her eyes and spoke softly,
“I remember friends moving away because times were tough.
They couldn’t afford their homes anymore and they cried.
The sheriff and the bankers threw them out on the street.
It was a terrible sight to see, wondering too if it would happen to me.”
“Back then life was so grim, people everywhere living in fear.
It got to the point that every single penny was far too dear.
The bills kept piling up high in tall stacks. We didn’t know what to do.
We quit spending on anything, nothing misspent, but for food and rent.”
The old woman was remembering their grandfather, her husband.
She smiled fondly, feeling his warm heart touch, hugging herself.
She leaned forward to continue her story as the children sat at her feet.
“There was this one birthday of mine when times were tough.
Your grandfather always liked to buy grand gifts for me and celebrate.
I told him not this time but to save our little money for important things.
He said he agreed and I went to sleep reassured and not expecting anything.”
“I was happy just being able to pay our bills back then and nothing else mattered.
When I woke up on my birthday morning and went into the kitchen there it was.
There was a packaged gift with a birthday card sticking out of the top.
I remembered thinking about trying not to worry about what he spent.
It was a beautiful card with a bear and a honey bee that meant so much to me.
I smiled and we enjoyed his excitement at giving. Then I peered inside the gift bag.
I never laughed so loud in my life. He bought me the gift of my favorite cookies!
Cookies! Imagine that as a birthday gift? Cookies! I was so relieved he kept his word.”
The children asked her why grandfather gave her cookies and she replied,
“Why, it’s because our love was sweet no matter how tough the financial times.
Your grandfather was an optimist who loved life and loved being in love.
I thought it was a perfect morning on a perfect day and that was enough for me.
The mail arrived and there was this wonderful birthday card from someone
I had not heard from in many long years, a childhood close friend I enjoyed.
How unexpected and delightful it was to hear from them after such a long time.
It brought me great joy at being remembered at this especially tough time.”
“Then your grandfather decided to take me out to a small lunch but I hesitated.
He knew what I was thinking. He reminded me there are others in need besides us.
He reminded me the only way to know the need of another was for us to walk the world.
At the humble restaurant we shared a meal between us so we could tip the server.
As I looked about me I could see the need of others and knew what to pray.
One lady was trying hard not to have a panic attack while with her family in public.
Most of the people in the room did not look healthy and I realized they were getting sick.
But did you know the prayer of a stranger can prevent serious illness for you?”
The children were amazed that one person could have that much power if they prayed.
The old woman talked on about how the perfect day was not yet finished for her.
“When we were about to leave the restaurant another waiter arrived with a dessert.
In all the times I had been at this restaurant, no one had ever done this on my birthday.
Our waiter knew it was my birthday and it was a special sweet gift from him at no cost!
It’s like he knew we were there to pray for him and the others to gain back their health.
He was saying thank you when we expected no thanks or recognition for our deeds.
We smiled and enjoyed our gift and, oh, it tasted so very good with that whipped cream.”
“Your grandfather and I returned home to marvel at our day of unexpected surprises.
We talked about how we received more than we gave and it didn’t cost much either.
Suddenly, there was this sense of Peace all around us and inside our hearts too.
We realized we didn’t need to worry any more about losing our home or job.
We now knew it was more important to walk the world and give to the need of others.
All that we were, and all that we were to become, crystallized on that one perfect day.
Little did we know God was training us to handle great wealth to give to others.
That’s when we began planning for our future foundation for charities.
We lived the life of the needy and now truly understood the needs of others.
The birthday celebration was a perfect day because we chose to walk the world.
Now it’s your generation’s turn to walk the world, pray powerfully for others and give.”
Denny Lyon
Copyright 30 July 2010
All Rights Reserved
*** Also to enjoy: 17 Short Beautiful Love Poems
*** THANKS for visiting, feel welcome to drop a comment or opinion, enjoy bookmarking this post on your favorite social site, a big shout out to awesome current subscribers – and if you are new to this blog, please subscribe in a reader or by email updates!
*** Come by for a visit and check out my other blogs:
The Social Poets - news, politics
The Soul Calendar - science, astronomy, psychology
Visual Insights - photos, art, music
Beautiful Illustrated Quotations - spiritual quotes, philosophy
Poems From A Spiritual Heart - poetry
The Healing Waters - health news
Dennys People Watching - people in the news
Dennys Food and Recipes
Dennys Funny Quotes - humor
Photo Credits
Child walking in the grass by Victor Bezrukov @ flickr
Grandparents out in the boat by Let Ideas Compete @ flickr
Closeup child's face by Pink Sherbet Photography @ flickr
White doves flying by Muffet @ flickr
Grandma's hands by hweiling @ flickr
Old woman's hand by Ricky @ flickr
Walk The World
The young ones were curious about life that was.
The grandmother began the remembering of a long life.
She told them stories of how sweet life can be.
She told them stories of how tough times were too.
The old woman leaned back in her comfortable chair,
Closed her eyes for a moment and her face grew sad.
She remembered the jobs disappearing and the fear.
She told how her neighbors worked fewer and fewer hours,
Worrying about how they would feed their children.
The old woman opened her eyes and spoke softly,
“I remember friends moving away because times were tough.
They couldn’t afford their homes anymore and they cried.
The sheriff and the bankers threw them out on the street.
It was a terrible sight to see, wondering too if it would happen to me.”
“Back then life was so grim, people everywhere living in fear.
It got to the point that every single penny was far too dear.
The bills kept piling up high in tall stacks. We didn’t know what to do.
We quit spending on anything, nothing misspent, but for food and rent.”
The old woman was remembering their grandfather, her husband.
She smiled fondly, feeling his warm heart touch, hugging herself.
She leaned forward to continue her story as the children sat at her feet.
“There was this one birthday of mine when times were tough.
Your grandfather always liked to buy grand gifts for me and celebrate.
I told him not this time but to save our little money for important things.
He said he agreed and I went to sleep reassured and not expecting anything.”
“I was happy just being able to pay our bills back then and nothing else mattered.
When I woke up on my birthday morning and went into the kitchen there it was.
There was a packaged gift with a birthday card sticking out of the top.
I remembered thinking about trying not to worry about what he spent.
It was a beautiful card with a bear and a honey bee that meant so much to me.
I smiled and we enjoyed his excitement at giving. Then I peered inside the gift bag.
I never laughed so loud in my life. He bought me the gift of my favorite cookies!
Cookies! Imagine that as a birthday gift? Cookies! I was so relieved he kept his word.”
The children asked her why grandfather gave her cookies and she replied,
“Why, it’s because our love was sweet no matter how tough the financial times.
Your grandfather was an optimist who loved life and loved being in love.
I thought it was a perfect morning on a perfect day and that was enough for me.
The mail arrived and there was this wonderful birthday card from someone
I had not heard from in many long years, a childhood close friend I enjoyed.
How unexpected and delightful it was to hear from them after such a long time.
It brought me great joy at being remembered at this especially tough time.”
“Then your grandfather decided to take me out to a small lunch but I hesitated.
He knew what I was thinking. He reminded me there are others in need besides us.
He reminded me the only way to know the need of another was for us to walk the world.
At the humble restaurant we shared a meal between us so we could tip the server.
As I looked about me I could see the need of others and knew what to pray.
One lady was trying hard not to have a panic attack while with her family in public.
Most of the people in the room did not look healthy and I realized they were getting sick.
But did you know the prayer of a stranger can prevent serious illness for you?”
The children were amazed that one person could have that much power if they prayed.
The old woman talked on about how the perfect day was not yet finished for her.
“When we were about to leave the restaurant another waiter arrived with a dessert.
In all the times I had been at this restaurant, no one had ever done this on my birthday.
Our waiter knew it was my birthday and it was a special sweet gift from him at no cost!
It’s like he knew we were there to pray for him and the others to gain back their health.
He was saying thank you when we expected no thanks or recognition for our deeds.
We smiled and enjoyed our gift and, oh, it tasted so very good with that whipped cream.”
“Your grandfather and I returned home to marvel at our day of unexpected surprises.
We talked about how we received more than we gave and it didn’t cost much either.
Suddenly, there was this sense of Peace all around us and inside our hearts too.
We realized we didn’t need to worry any more about losing our home or job.
We now knew it was more important to walk the world and give to the need of others.
All that we were, and all that we were to become, crystallized on that one perfect day.
Little did we know God was training us to handle great wealth to give to others.
That’s when we began planning for our future foundation for charities.
We lived the life of the needy and now truly understood the needs of others.
The birthday celebration was a perfect day because we chose to walk the world.
Now it’s your generation’s turn to walk the world, pray powerfully for others and give.”
Denny Lyon
Copyright 30 July 2010
All Rights Reserved
*** Also to enjoy: 17 Short Beautiful Love Poems
*** THANKS for visiting, feel welcome to drop a comment or opinion, enjoy bookmarking this post on your favorite social site, a big shout out to awesome current subscribers – and if you are new to this blog, please subscribe in a reader or by email updates!
*** Come by for a visit and check out my other blogs:
The Social Poets - news, politics
The Soul Calendar - science, astronomy, psychology
Visual Insights - photos, art, music
Beautiful Illustrated Quotations - spiritual quotes, philosophy
Poems From A Spiritual Heart - poetry
The Healing Waters - health news
Dennys People Watching - people in the news
Dennys Food and Recipes
Dennys Funny Quotes - humor
Photo Credits
Child walking in the grass by Victor Bezrukov @ flickr
Grandparents out in the boat by Let Ideas Compete @ flickr
Closeup child's face by Pink Sherbet Photography @ flickr
White doves flying by Muffet @ flickr
Grandma's hands by hweiling @ flickr
Old woman's hand by Ricky @ flickr
04 June 2010
Water of Life poem - Libations Friday 4 June 2010
*** Have you ever wondered the messages Nature speaks to us every day, happening every minute all around us? Great Nature photos.
Water of Life
I look up to see a white egret flying softly high overhead,
Playing, lazy, on the laughing air currents in conversation.
In the bare beginning, the morning air dances lightly.
Swooning breezes appear for me to remember, then, forget.
We are waiting for the sun.
Red-tinged blackbirds jump on the green swaying willow tree,
Screeching a two note hearty hello, lifting its wings wide to sing.
Smoky mist hangs on the water’s surface, stepping, drifting along
In creeping hordes like short silent ghosts.
A white egret dives and swoops in gracefully,
Gliding with quiet stretched white wings to fish.
A blue heron beats the air heavily with huge wings,
Coming in for a landing like a frightening dinosaur.
I sip my warm welcoming coffee ever so slowly as I watch,
Drinking in the early hour sights as the water of Life moves.
In the sky the sunrise peeks pink through dark blue clouds
When, suddenly, a strange sight: a flock of eight egrets.
Eight egrets, not the solitary solo of norm, flying East.
Eight egrets, all pristine perfect, soft billowy white
Drew my gaze to look up and wonder long the message.
Every day all around us, Creation delivers new awareness.
Mythical bearers of change, spiritual messengers: egrets and herons.
Eight is the number of new beginnings flying overhead today.
Arriving now comes change, change in our lives, change.
This omen of unusual eight means it’s all good.
I smile, and, look up in thanks.
Denny Lyon
Copyright 3 June 2010
All Rights Reserved
*** THANKS for visiting, feel welcome to drop a comment or opinion, enjoy bookmarking this post on your favorite social site, a big shout out to awesome current subscribers – and if you are new to this blog, please subscribe in a reader or by email updates!
Photo Credits
Flying high egret by mikebaird @ flickr
Screeching red-winged blackbird by ingridtaylar @ flickr
Heron in pink waters by h.koppdelaney @ flickr
Herons and sunrise by Bloody Nick @ flickr
Closeup of heron by Lida Rose @ flickr
New Orleans, Louisiana, Lake Pontchartrain sunrise by JACoulter @ flickr
Flock of egrets at sunrise by Bashed @ flickr
Mythical egret by alicepopkorn @ flickr
Water of Life
I look up to see a white egret flying softly high overhead,
Playing, lazy, on the laughing air currents in conversation.
In the bare beginning, the morning air dances lightly.
Swooning breezes appear for me to remember, then, forget.
We are waiting for the sun.
Red-tinged blackbirds jump on the green swaying willow tree,
Screeching a two note hearty hello, lifting its wings wide to sing.
Smoky mist hangs on the water’s surface, stepping, drifting along
In creeping hordes like short silent ghosts.
A white egret dives and swoops in gracefully,
Gliding with quiet stretched white wings to fish.
A blue heron beats the air heavily with huge wings,
Coming in for a landing like a frightening dinosaur.
I sip my warm welcoming coffee ever so slowly as I watch,
Drinking in the early hour sights as the water of Life moves.
In the sky the sunrise peeks pink through dark blue clouds
When, suddenly, a strange sight: a flock of eight egrets.
Eight egrets, not the solitary solo of norm, flying East.
Eight egrets, all pristine perfect, soft billowy white
Drew my gaze to look up and wonder long the message.
Every day all around us, Creation delivers new awareness.
Mythical bearers of change, spiritual messengers: egrets and herons.
Eight is the number of new beginnings flying overhead today.
Arriving now comes change, change in our lives, change.
This omen of unusual eight means it’s all good.
I smile, and, look up in thanks.
Denny Lyon
Copyright 3 June 2010
All Rights Reserved
*** THANKS for visiting, feel welcome to drop a comment or opinion, enjoy bookmarking this post on your favorite social site, a big shout out to awesome current subscribers – and if you are new to this blog, please subscribe in a reader or by email updates!
Photo Credits
Flying high egret by mikebaird @ flickr
Screeching red-winged blackbird by ingridtaylar @ flickr
Heron in pink waters by h.koppdelaney @ flickr
Herons and sunrise by Bloody Nick @ flickr
Closeup of heron by Lida Rose @ flickr
New Orleans, Louisiana, Lake Pontchartrain sunrise by JACoulter @ flickr
Flock of egrets at sunrise by Bashed @ flickr
Mythical egret by alicepopkorn @ flickr
14 May 2010
Love Gift Poem - Libations Friday 14 May 2010
Love Gift
Leaning on the door frame
I saw the birthday party hum.
People in perpetual motion,
Swirling in and out of the kitchen,
Dealing brightly colored paper plates
Like a deck of cards at a poker game,
Landing soft as a feather in front of the cake.
Melting ice cubes chinked as they carried the cups.
The conversation was full of giggles and loud laughs,
Little children running like yard cats circling the table.
The woman of the day celebrated 100 years of her life.
She sat at the head of the table drinking in the sights,
Smiling and nodding as she was kissed and given gifts
By excited relatives, friendly neighbors and well wishers.
She was happy to be so honored and respected.
There was a twinge of sadness hiding behind her smile.
I drifted toward her to offer my congratulations, and,
As I was invited to sit near her, she began to reminisce.
I sat back and just listened as she recounted her long life.
She spoke of history unfolding, family increasing, friends gone.
She seemed happy, settled and content, except for something missed.
I listened to more than her words; I listened deeper into her heart
And she offered up her troubling hurt from since birth.
She revealed in a hushed whisper she was born illegitimate.
Her father abandoned them, shaming her mother, never to return.
She said it was hard to grow up scorned by neighbors and family
And here she is now, all these years later, honored by their descendants.
She remarked how strange Life can be and felt good that times do change.
Yet the harsh memories still haunted; her family did not know her hurt.
She quickly fell silent, spent, and with searching eyes looked into mine.
She probed for acceptance, reassurance and words that felt right.
I held her gaze tenderly and said what I believed to be true.
She started to tremble, half afraid, half excited; she said she felt new.
I told her none of us can control how we come into this world.
What we can control is how we choose to live and love in this world.
Her voice quivered, as she wept next to me, while the party, like her, began to calm.
“For a life time I’ve craved to hear loving words that I was worthy.”
She settled back into her chair and straightened her shoulders with new pride.
Now the smile was genuine, her heart refreshed; she put down her burden to live.
To her family, her friends, her neighbors, the world: that was her Love Gift.
Denny Lyon
Copyright 14 May 2010
All Rights Reserved
Related articles
- The Long Road, An Easter Poem (poemsfromaspiritualheart.blogspot.com)
- 57 Best Of Clever Romantic Valentines Day Photos (visualinsights.blogspot.com)
Photo Credits
Happy Birthday Cake by Omer Wazir @ flickr
Secret garden gate by ARendle @ flickr
Steps into the light by extranoise @ flickr
Water lilies in the light by tinyfroglet @ flickr
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16 April 2010
The Smallest Earth Day Poem - Libations Friday 16 Apr 2010
From Denny: Since everyone is doing their part for Earth Day, as a poet, I thought my part would be to celebrate the smallest unsung heroes of the garden. They contribute so much to our lives through beautiful gardens and the food we love to cook. They work tirelessly beneath the ground, out of sight, yet are a wonder in their simplicity as devoted workers of the planet.
Enjoy the wonderful photos I found over at flickr. Click on the links to the photographers' pages and enjoy more beauty! Make every day Earth Day!
The Smallest Earth Day Poem
You know how it is when...
Winter fades away in the soft Spring rain.
They push up from the ground, flourishing.
Like most troubles they start small yet
Left alone, undisturbed, they grow fast and large:
Weeds in your garden.
You know how it is when...
It’s time to pull out the garden shovel
And dig up your weeding troubles,
Shaking the clay dirt off the clinging roots and
Carefully handling our world’s simple gift:
The carpenters of the soil, Earth worms.
I remember watching a movie
Called “Seven Years in Tibet”
And how a construction was halted
When the workmen found earth worms.
They tediously picked through the dirt,
Removing carefully each and every one,
Relocating them to a safer place.
I smiled as I found myself living
That same basic respect for the worms,
Carefully lifting them to safety as
I broke apart the dirt clods by hand.
Worms in Tibet or worms in Louisiana
Labor without tiring for us all over the world.
They peek their heads out of the soil
Wondering who was disturbing their toil.
Once covered by the calming layer of dirt
They return to their important work:
Respecting the land, doing their small part.
In the Universe of countless souls and busy lives
When something so small respects our living
Can we not equally respect their place in the world?
We can do good for the Earth just like the earth worm,
One small act at a time:
You know how it is...
Denny Lyon
Copyright 22 April 2010
All Rights Reserved
Photo Credits
Butterfly on Spring clover by tanakawho @ flickr
Red shoes gardening by celine nadeau @ flickr
Unfurling fern as first sign of Spring by backpackphotography @ flickr
Busy earth worm by meaduva @ flickr
Rain bucket and flower by backpackphotography @ flickr
Japanese garden waterfall by backpackphotography @ flickr
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09 April 2010
Pollen Storms poem - Libations Friday 9 April 2010
From Denny: It's been a tough three weeks with all the pollen in the air around here. The worst was the tiniest pollen you couldn't see but managed to infiltrate your brain like some Nature terrorist, smother your entire body and color your car and your life entirely yellow. :) It was slowing me down so much that this week's Libations Friday poem did not get out in time. In fact I actually wrote this poem a week later to plug back in here for this segment.
What's even more funny? As I was running this poem by my husband a few minutes ago for a critical ear, he had the back door open and in drifted - and floated lazily upon the warm air - all that dandelion fuzz as if to say, "You called us? We're available!" I think pollen "treats" are the new yard cats...
To keep your sense of humor during the pollen onslaught this season, read on... :)
Pollen Storms
Thinking about those Winds of Change,
Watching them swirl furiously in the air,
Pink and yellow stinging blizzards:
Beauty.
Everything was in the wind:
Drifting cherry blossom petals,
Dropping white dogwoods to flutter:
Seductively.
Those Winds of Change scratch our skin
They tear up our eyes, stinging, itching,
The pollen blizzards swing around corners:
Assailing.
Nature is on the move this Spring.
The glaciers melted rapidly, warming the earth,
The plants ramped up pollen production:
Gleefully.
Overwhelmed temporarily,
The Winds of Change will calm,
Washing Rain will drench the land:
Bliss.
Denny Lyon
Copyright 16 April 2010
All Rights Reserved
Photo Credits
California wind surfing by kevincole @ flickr
Dandelion fuzz furball by Martino! @ flickr
Cherry blossoms by t_a_i_s @ flickr
I Heart Pollen by brookenovak @ flickr
Dogwood blooming by hlkljgk @ flickr
Afternoon rain by Sids1 @ flickr
Singing in the Rain by 1Happysnapper (photography) @ flickr
Spring storm in Buenos Aires by Irargerich @ flickr
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