Poems, Personal Stories, and Observations

Posts tagged ‘harmony’

One Song at a Time

One plant at a time,
I try to add beauty to this wretched world,
Envisioning a paradise
Of birds, bees, and bugs
(Except the itchy, painful ones).

One note at a time,
Then note upon note,
In harmonies I’ve sung with those
Who also strive for unity,
And making beauty.

One word at a time —
May I bring understanding,
Clarity, news, and views
That might, perhaps,
Change a life for good.

Yes, there’s pain and conflict,
Clashes, disagreements,
Strife and war —
But I want to open a door
To understanding.

“I came not to bring peace, but a sword.”
Truth will cause conflict,
So conflict there must be.

Does God sing in the universe,
One song at a time,
Making billions of songs
Harmonize?

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Poems

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It’s Not About Me

Life is not about me.  It’s about God’s plan and my part in it.  I may not understand God’s plan, I may be dimly aware of it, but I need to trust in it, or more precisely, to trust in the One who has a plan for me.  And not only for me, but for every person on this planet.

Lord, may I be in harmony with your plan.

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Commentary

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Love Keeps Fighting

022

In the driest dirt, in the poorest soil,
Love keeps fighting an endless war.
Amidst abuse, and toil, and war
The battle rages forevermore.
In countless houses, in countless homes
The struggle goes on, the end unknown.

Will love win out, will fighting cease?
Will kindness, gentleness increase?
Will patience gain a new foothold?
Will holding tongues show that you’re bold?

The real struggle is in your heart –
Will pride and selfishness depart?
Will wanting your own way soon end?
Will you on Jesus’ love depend?

So ask yourself at each new day –
What can I do to end the fray?
When disagreements sure must loom –
Must listen to the other’s tune.

The fight again is in your heart –
It’s not that differences don’t start,
But how we handle different tunes;
Will there be harmony or ruin?

(Memorial Day, 2015)

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peace, Poems

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I Dreamed That It Was Raining

[Written during the California drought of 2014 and during the Ferguson, Missouri, riots.]

I dreamed that it was raining
And streets were wet again.
The cars went by
And gave a sigh
As water splashed on them.

I dreamed that it was raining
And children laughed aloud.
With gleeful hoots
Their muddy boots
Through puddles gaily plowed.

I dreamed that it was raining
And clouds burst forth in flood.
Their waters calmed
The violence strong
And peace could now be found.

I dreamed that it was raining
And living water sped
From streamlets high
To rivers dry —
The thirsty land was fed.

I dreamed that it was raining
And black made friends with white.
The past was healed,
Their friendship sealed,
With harmony in sight.

I dreamed that it was raining
Upon the wasted land.
The thirsty earth
Could now give birth
To many seedlings grand.

I dreamed that it was raining
And cleansing tears were shed
O’er mem’ries deep,
I now could sleep,
Could rest upon my bed.

I dreamed that it was raining
And God forgave my sins.
He calmed my fears
And dried my tears,
And I could live again.

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Poems

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