Over and over he must have washed his hands
trying to remove the stain, the tattoo of innocent blood
blood he allowed to be spilt, blood of a king
given for his people, those who knew his name
whose oil was kept full, who knew more than anything else
they needed his gift, his boundless mercy, his ultimate sacrifice
His wife knew too, something was wrong, something very wrong
to shed this pure, clean blood, untainted by human sin
a human life lived godly, that should have been proof enough
especially to those vacillating, questioning twelve
How could they go through three years of teaching, of learning,
of watching him, his actions, his compassion, his humanness,
his divinity, his pure love, his sinlessness, and not known
He was God; how could Pilate let the rabble dictate the death
of an innocent life, a man that did not threaten Rome
to sacrifice, to hang on the cross, instead of Barrabas
Washing his hands, no that didn’t truly clear his stain
that he must have carried, he must carry still
like the Master knew, and wrote so well
December 2, 2006 20:02
Matt 27:1-26; Luke 23:1-25
and The Master and Margarita by Mikhail Bulgakov
All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 19,050+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
Saturday, December 02, 2006
My Father’s Belt
Fifteen year and more
After he is gone,
A regular reminder of my father
Goes around my waist, through the loops
Holding me together, at least a bit
His belt, wide, leather, with holes
We each stretched
Weathered brown leather
A subtle connection to him
Each day, not always consciously
But a reminder of him
When I pause and remember
December 2, 2006 9:36
All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 37,980+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
After he is gone,
A regular reminder of my father
Goes around my waist, through the loops
Holding me together, at least a bit
His belt, wide, leather, with holes
We each stretched
Weathered brown leather
A subtle connection to him
Each day, not always consciously
But a reminder of him
When I pause and remember
December 2, 2006 9:36
All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 37,980+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
Before Freezing
Deep pools of not so still waters
Dark water, ready for freezing
Kept from doing so by stiff winds
Harbingers of winter soon to come
Smell and feel of cold in the air
Of snow in our forecast
See the water longing for a cover of ice
A blanket against the blast, the chilling
Of open water, desiring a coating
A barrier before the freezing
December 2, 2006 9:26
All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 19,050+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
Dark water, ready for freezing
Kept from doing so by stiff winds
Harbingers of winter soon to come
Smell and feel of cold in the air
Of snow in our forecast
See the water longing for a cover of ice
A blanket against the blast, the chilling
Of open water, desiring a coating
A barrier before the freezing
December 2, 2006 9:26
All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 19,050+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
Wednesday, November 29, 2006
Acquiring Language
Peeling away the curtain
that blocks them from the outside world
the world of crickets, of wind,
of gulls, of raindrops, of horns
and engines and noise
random, chaotic, confusing
thrilling, exhilarating noise
Expressing, advocating,
speaking and hearing,
learning words and sounds
Smiling in the knowing that they
are gaining a beachhead, a foothold
on a lifetime of learning, inside
within the usual structure,
the common setting,
being part of the mainstream,
Using others’ language, others’ methods
for communication, able to engage
to debate, to argue, to sing, to laugh
to rhyme, to riddle, to wiggle and giggle
being part of the crowd, part of the rabble
and babble with the rest
on pace and on par
with the rest in the race
Growing and caring
caring in the sharing
of a secret, a story
a word, a song
because they are able
so put them at the table
for they are surely worthy
to fit in and belong
November 29, 2006 20:45
All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 19,050+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
that blocks them from the outside world
the world of crickets, of wind,
of gulls, of raindrops, of horns
and engines and noise
random, chaotic, confusing
thrilling, exhilarating noise
Expressing, advocating,
speaking and hearing,
learning words and sounds
Smiling in the knowing that they
are gaining a beachhead, a foothold
on a lifetime of learning, inside
within the usual structure,
the common setting,
being part of the mainstream,
Using others’ language, others’ methods
for communication, able to engage
to debate, to argue, to sing, to laugh
to rhyme, to riddle, to wiggle and giggle
being part of the crowd, part of the rabble
and babble with the rest
on pace and on par
with the rest in the race
Growing and caring
caring in the sharing
of a secret, a story
a word, a song
because they are able
so put them at the table
for they are surely worthy
to fit in and belong
November 29, 2006 20:45
All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 19,050+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
From Solid to Gas
The tart had been melted before
it sat solid in the warmer
on the back of the stove
She put the tealight under it,
lit the small wick
A pool of dark hot wax
bubbled up, ooze in a puddle
in three-dimension
atop the surface of the green solid
Slowly the house filled with
the smell of pine,
exuding the memory of the woods
throughout
wonder of physics,
of the order of things
when something solid
becomes a gas
November 29, 2006 10:47
it sat solid in the warmer
on the back of the stove
She put the tealight under it,
lit the small wick
A pool of dark hot wax
bubbled up, ooze in a puddle
in three-dimension
atop the surface of the green solid
Slowly the house filled with
the smell of pine,
exuding the memory of the woods
throughout
wonder of physics,
of the order of things
when something solid
becomes a gas
November 29, 2006 10:47
All
of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004,
2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014. All rights
reserved. Contact me at Ray
Foss for usage. See all 30,700+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com
Poetry Where You Live.
A Doppler Greeting
Crossing the street toward home,
I gave a quick thank you
to the crossing guard.
A small voice growing
coming toward me, running,
because she was late for school,
“Hi Miss Tammmmyyyyyyyyyy!!”
she shouted, squeaked, pealed
urgently, rushing toward her friend
the crossing guard, lunch lady
The sound rose, continued as she passed me
passed Miss Tammy, on her way to school
an abject lesson on the Doppler Effect
as she ran down the street
making both of us smile
November 29, 2006 10:14
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doppler_effect
All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 19,050+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
I gave a quick thank you
to the crossing guard.
A small voice growing
coming toward me, running,
because she was late for school,
“Hi Miss Tammmmyyyyyyyyyy!!”
she shouted, squeaked, pealed
urgently, rushing toward her friend
the crossing guard, lunch lady
The sound rose, continued as she passed me
passed Miss Tammy, on her way to school
an abject lesson on the Doppler Effect
as she ran down the street
making both of us smile
November 29, 2006 10:14
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doppler_effect
All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 19,050+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
Pursued, not merely Followed
What an idea, a gift, a different way
of seeing the familiar, the hopeful
the treasured scripture
He told us that in some translations
it is “pursued”, that Goodness and Mercy
would pursue us all the days of our lives
that the God of creation, would sustain us
would send out these agents of love
angels of better days, of His love
Richer meaning in the subtle difference
from followed to pursued
Like being Disciples, not just Followers
of the risen Christ
of seeing the familiar, the hopeful
the treasured scripture
He told us that in some translations
it is “pursued”, that Goodness and Mercy
would pursue us all the days of our lives
that the God of creation, would sustain us
would send out these agents of love
angels of better days, of His love
Richer meaning in the subtle difference
from followed to pursued
Like being Disciples, not just Followers
of the risen Christ
------
edited January 16, 2016
loving the sheep – v5
(merging edits to version 2 and version 4)
edited July 11, 2015
loving the sheep – v4
(editing version 2)
April 25, 2015
loving the sheep – v3
(editing version 2)
April 24, 2015
loving the sheep – v2
April 24, 2015
loving the sheep
Psalm 23:1-6
John 10:11-18
1 John 3:16-24
sermon, “The Lord is My Shepherd”
worship
led by Raymond A. Foss
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
Fourth Friday of the month service at Mt. Heights Health Care
Facility
April
24, 2015
&
April
24, 2015
faithful
to the command of God
John
10:15b-18
devotion
for April 26, 2015
read
April 24, 2015
&
edited
April 24, 2015
loving
the sheep – v2
edited/
merged April 24, 2015
loving
the sheep
April
24, 2015
love
for the sheep
April
24, 2015
a
good shepherd
John
10:11-15a
John
10:11-18
devotion
for April 25, 2015
read
April 24, 2015
&
edited
April 24, 2015
a
sermon of love – v2
April
24, 2015
a
sermon of love
1
John 3:21-24
devotion
for April 24, 2015
read
April 24, 2015
&
April
24, 2015
share
love
1
John 3:16-24
devotion
for April 23, 2015
read
April 24, 2015
&
merged/edited
April 24, 2015
everything
I need – v2
April
24, 2015
love
will be with me
Psalm
23:6
April
24, 2015
you
chasten my enemies
Psalm
23:5
April
24, 2015
I
will not be afraid
Psalm
23:4
April
24, 2015
God
gives me new strength
Psalm
23:3
April
24, 2015
God
lets me rest
Psalm
23:2
April
24, 2015
Everything
I need
Psalm
23:1
April
24, 2015
a
journey of blessing
Psalm
23
Psalm
23:1-6
devotion
for April 22, 2015
devotion
for April 22, 2015
read
April 24, 2015
&
“Knowing the Shepherd’s Love”
Acts
4:5-12
Psalm
23
1
John 3:16-24
John
10:11-18
for
April 20, 2015 to April 26, 2015
by
Eradio Valverde, Jr.
(formerly)
District Superintendent
Southwest
Texas District
United
Methodist Church
Upper
Room Disciplines for 2015
&
edited
April 24, 2015
Pursued,
not merely Followed – v5
(editing
version 4)
edited
April 23, 2015
Pursued,
not merely Followed – v4
(editing
version 3)
edited
January 29, 2015
Pursued,
not merely Followed – v3
(merging
edits to version 1 and version 2)
edited
July 25, 2012
“Pursued,
not merely Followed – v2”
November
29, 2006 8:28
“Pursued,
not merely Followed”
Psalm
23:6
All of my
poems and photographs are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002,
2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015,
2016. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com) for
usage. See all 40,680+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com
Poetry Where You Live.
Tuesday, November 28, 2006
Hearing Their Talking
It was so easy to appreciate;
but so hard to explain
No, no, scratch that,
the other way around
Deaf children speaking;
sharing, laughing, learning,
becoming friends with peers
without touching, without turning
to read lips, watch signing
without physical prompts
reacting to the words,
speaking their own
without that singular sound
the telltale sounds
If I didn’t know,
I wouldn’t have known
they were deaf
And that is what it is all about
because they can speak,
they can hear,
they can learn, share, play
laugh together
and they do
each day
November 28, 2006 22:50
Hear in New Hampshire
http://www.hearinnh.org/
All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 19,050+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
but so hard to explain
No, no, scratch that,
the other way around
Deaf children speaking;
sharing, laughing, learning,
becoming friends with peers
without touching, without turning
to read lips, watch signing
without physical prompts
reacting to the words,
speaking their own
without that singular sound
the telltale sounds
If I didn’t know,
I wouldn’t have known
they were deaf
And that is what it is all about
because they can speak,
they can hear,
they can learn, share, play
laugh together
and they do
each day
November 28, 2006 22:50
Hear in New Hampshire
http://www.hearinnh.org/
All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 19,050+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
More "Postcard Shots" - Coconut Bay Resort and Spa
All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 19,010+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
Sunday, November 26, 2006
Pilate
A man of power, without control
an inquisitor questioned
proconsul rebuked, challenged,
An innocent king,
brought before him,
without stain, without blemish,
with love, healing, giving,
brought for judgment
for death; but without deeds
without threat, without sedition
Washing his hands, of him,
of the problem, the threat
But the crowd wanted blood
And he gave it to them,
innocent blood, a sacrifice
that would haunt him
evermore
November 26, 2006 19:35
based on the sermon “Pilate” by the Reverend Peter A. Hey, Wesley United Methodist Church, Concord, NH, where he started with the passage in John 18:33-37 and then wove in the other gospels’ language on what Pilate did and didn’t do. See Luke 23, Matthew 27, Mark 15.
All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 19,730+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
an inquisitor questioned
proconsul rebuked, challenged,
An innocent king,
brought before him,
without stain, without blemish,
with love, healing, giving,
brought for judgment
for death; but without deeds
without threat, without sedition
Washing his hands, of him,
of the problem, the threat
But the crowd wanted blood
And he gave it to them,
innocent blood, a sacrifice
that would haunt him
evermore
November 26, 2006 19:35
based on the sermon “Pilate” by the Reverend Peter A. Hey, Wesley United Methodist Church, Concord, NH, where he started with the passage in John 18:33-37 and then wove in the other gospels’ language on what Pilate did and didn’t do. See Luke 23, Matthew 27, Mark 15.
All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 19,730+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
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