[Have faith, not fear.]
A cloudy day, the sun does rare appear;
It changes moods, exacerbates one’s fears.
A storm shall come; calamitous will be;
All swept away, all lost what once was dear.
And then a break, a crack in grayish wall
Soon widens; blue sky comes out after all.
Until next time, when storm shall truly fall,
Keep hope alive; and pray calamity shall stall.
The storm predicted was much delayed
Though clouds did threaten, though wind began
Its quiet moaning, tree branches groaning.
We waited, waited – wondering
When heaven’s tensions would bring declension
To weather’s warmth and pleasantness.
When least expected, suddenly
A hurried haste of air and water
Gushed and guttered from the sky.
“It’s like a deluge!” – We take our refuge
‘Neath covered arches, no comfort wanting.
But soon it’s finished, the rain diminished,
The wind decreased, or almost ceased –
The sun appearing.
Now water jewels appear on trees
On branches glinting, our minds imprinting
With dreams of fairy fireflies.
I saw a rainbow,
And it held the promise
Of better things to come
My spirits lifted;
I sensed a message
From God, the Holy One …
He had not left me
The storm was passing,
The billowing waves —
Were calming, calming
Down
And rather than destroying,
They lifted me
To better things to come
The air —
Laden with care —
With guilts, not graces,
With long-gone places,
With regrets, what-ifs,
With laundry lists.
And then —
A gust of wind —
The Spirit comes
And speaks in tongues,
Slamming doors,
Awakening snores.
The lightning strikes —
And thunder rumbles —
The tension crumbles.
Then sweet release
Of pent-up rain —
God comes again.
His tender care
Dispels all fear.
All will be well,
All will be well.
Storm’s a comin’
Wind’s a whippin’
Air is chillin’
Leaves a blowin’
Wind’s a moanin’
Tree branches groanin’
Life’s a flowin’
People are growin’
Eternity beckoning
A recent online conversation with friends. Some names have been changed.
————————————–
Cathy: Storm damage in our neighborhood. This is the worst I saw. The tree covered two cars and what looks like part of the garage roof: [Picture of large uprooted tree over cars and a roof]
[Two days later]
Cathy: Today is 2 days later and nothing has changed. Cars haven’t budged. Either they can’t afford to get the tree removed or all the arborists are busy after the rains. [I don’t think anyone was hurt.]
Fred Maple: At least you found the root of the problem. Sounds like that tree’s bark was worse than its bite. Yeah, I know what you’re probably going to say, I should just leave it alone.
Cathy: You mean “leaf” it alone?
Fred Maple: That’s vine with me.
Cathy: Oakey dokey.
Richard Johnson: These comments would be funny if it weren’t for the wooden delivery.
Fred Maple: Needless to say, Richard Johnson is right, we’re just knot that funny. Boughever, I can’t help laughing because I’m such a sap. I am a Maple though, so …
Richard Johnson: I think Fred has found the root of the matter. But it’s just too much fun to needle Cathy.
Cathy: Can’t seem to worm my way out of this; just need to compost myself.
A burst of tears fell,
Like rain after the threatening clouds.
There had been rumblings and flashings —
Groanings —
Like a woman giving birth.
I smiled at you,
But you did not smile back.
I gave you a flower,
But it fell unsniffed to the ground.
When all seems dark,
When evil seems to reign,
Take up your cross,
And look at Christ again.
When clouds oppress,
And gather in a storm,
Yield all to Christ,
And let His Spirit form.
Forget the strife,
And let Him calm the storm.
Let Him give life;
To Him your thoughts conform.
Swift Runner met Delicate Flower,
And under the silver moon,
He asked for her hand in marriage.
Their canoe flew swiftly
Over the waters,
Gliding smoothly, like oil
On the glass-still lake.
The storm came unexpectedly,
And when it was over,
He could not find
His beloved Flower.
She comes to him in dreams
On soft summer nights,
Gliding on the perfume
Of mock-orange flowers.
— April 22, 2012
clarakatalin 