Perfect pitch, cadence,
absolute astonishment, urgent
forthright utterance
from the mouth of the imp
A quick realization
by mom, jaw dropped,
that her hands were Kelly green
and it wouldn’t wash out
at least not right away.
Shanequa!
“No mommy, I didn’t do it;
it was the leprechauns!!”
And so it was, those rascals
who made her hands green
(and anything she touched
while they were yet wet)
March 24, 2007 17:45
(based on Shanequa’s hands
on March 16, 2007)
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 20,770+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
Saturday, March 24, 2007
One more of the Red Tailed Hawk
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 20,770+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
Lichen and Moss - 3/23/07
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 20,770+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
Chalk Art - 3/23/07
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 19,320+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
A Momentary Still-life
The oak leaf
freshly fallen
dry against the wet payment
caught where it fitfully was perched
before being grasped, propelled
lifted by the spring wind
as it was pulled from its parent
so shortly before
March 24, 2007 15:45
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 19,320+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
freshly fallen
dry against the wet payment
caught where it fitfully was perched
before being grasped, propelled
lifted by the spring wind
as it was pulled from its parent
so shortly before
March 24, 2007 15:45
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 19,320+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
Suede Bark
The visual texture
the fallen branch,
before she grabbed it
wielded it like a sword
Down on the ground
crouch for the closeup
see it for what it was
an arm clothed in suede
March 24, 2007 15:39
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 20,770+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
the fallen branch,
before she grabbed it
wielded it like a sword
Down on the ground
crouch for the closeup
see it for what it was
an arm clothed in suede
March 24, 2007 15:39
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 20,770+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
New Growth
new shoots,
yearning to grow
to gather in
March sun, warmth
after winter’s slumber
rising from the good soil
the still earth
reaching up
into the spring air
hopeful signs
of the warming coming
at the end of the season
the new birth begun
March 24, 2007 15:29
yearning to grow
to gather in
March sun, warmth
after winter’s slumber
rising from the good soil
the still earth
reaching up
into the spring air
hopeful signs
of the warming coming
at the end of the season
the new birth begun
March 24, 2007 15:29
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 20,770+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
Opening Prayer
Sustainer God
when we are weak, you are strong
when we call on you, put our faith,
our trust in you
we can move mountains
stand strong in the face of enemies
great and small
Voices of doubt in the night
of temptations and fears that
keep us from you
Help us this night Lord
to feel your presence
to hear and heed your call
to feel your message of love and courage
trusting in our ability
when we walk with you.
Amen.
June 25, 2006 18:00
1 Samuel 17:32-49 (David and Goliath)
Matthew 17:20
Opening prayer at church for
Rejuvenation that night
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 19,320+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
when we are weak, you are strong
when we call on you, put our faith,
our trust in you
we can move mountains
stand strong in the face of enemies
great and small
Voices of doubt in the night
of temptations and fears that
keep us from you
Help us this night Lord
to feel your presence
to hear and heed your call
to feel your message of love and courage
trusting in our ability
when we walk with you.
Amen.
June 25, 2006 18:00
1 Samuel 17:32-49 (David and Goliath)
Matthew 17:20
Opening prayer at church for
Rejuvenation that night
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 19,320+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
Thursday, March 22, 2007
Walking into Unknowns
A precipice, a cliff,
critical decision point,
without a plan, a road map
assurances, guarantee
Needing to go beyond
the edge, steady ground
the common, the known
out onto open space
Believing the possible
within the impossible
That the past doesn’t define
the future, that more
can be done, in faith
that we can grow, achieve
be the church God wants
if we are willing,
to cast off, walk out
with eyes closed
believing without seeing
out into the unknown
March 19, 2007 20:09 & March 22, 2007 18:30
Matthew 14:22-33 & the devotional by Richard Tackett
(a monk living in the world - http://zenpilgrim.blogspot.com/),
given at the start of Church Council 3/22/07 (and no, this post
was not written after reading Richard's post of March 19 (http://zenpilgrim.blogspot.com/2007/03/into-unknown.html)
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 19,320+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
critical decision point,
without a plan, a road map
assurances, guarantee
Needing to go beyond
the edge, steady ground
the common, the known
out onto open space
Believing the possible
within the impossible
That the past doesn’t define
the future, that more
can be done, in faith
that we can grow, achieve
be the church God wants
if we are willing,
to cast off, walk out
with eyes closed
believing without seeing
out into the unknown
March 19, 2007 20:09 & March 22, 2007 18:30
Matthew 14:22-33 & the devotional by Richard Tackett
(a monk living in the world - http://zenpilgrim.blogspot.com/),
given at the start of Church Council 3/22/07 (and no, this post
was not written after reading Richard's post of March 19 (http://zenpilgrim.blogspot.com/2007/03/into-unknown.html)
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 19,320+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
Walking Where He Walked
Sudden epiphany, realization
warming of her spirit in the recognition
understanding the meaning in the feeling
she felt, knowing, she was walking
where he walked, sitting where he
studied Your Word, felt Your grace
was nourished, fed, went to Your table
Stirrings within her, welling up of joy
Feeling his presence, perhaps, even in his eyes
youthful eyes, in the pictures of him then
when he was growing in the spirit,
readying himself for his path, his ministry,
his trials, his sacrifices, to death
spreading the message of hope
of unity, of nonviolence,
of justice for all God’s children
in this troubled and broken land
where too many divides remain still;
so his work is not done yet; she feels the tug
the calling to justice, to equality, to equity
to dignity for all, for her children
as he did for his own, for all the children
One day the dream will be real, she knows that
feels it more acutely,
walking where he walked
March 22, 2007 9:19
on my impressions of Ruth’s statements
about being at Boston University School of Theology
yesterday, knowing that Martin Luther King, Jr.
went there too, for his doctorate.
warming of her spirit in the recognition
understanding the meaning in the feeling
she felt, knowing, she was walking
where he walked, sitting where he
studied Your Word, felt Your grace
was nourished, fed, went to Your table
Stirrings within her, welling up of joy
Feeling his presence, perhaps, even in his eyes
youthful eyes, in the pictures of him then
when he was growing in the spirit,
readying himself for his path, his ministry,
his trials, his sacrifices, to death
spreading the message of hope
of unity, of nonviolence,
of justice for all God’s children
in this troubled and broken land
where too many divides remain still;
so his work is not done yet; she feels the tug
the calling to justice, to equality, to equity
to dignity for all, for her children
as he did for his own, for all the children
One day the dream will be real, she knows that
feels it more acutely,
walking where he walked
March 22, 2007 9:19
on my impressions of Ruth’s statements
about being at Boston University School of Theology
yesterday, knowing that Martin Luther King, Jr.
went there too, for his doctorate.
&
edited
January 19, 2015
Changing
the Wind – v3
(merging
edits to original and version 2)
Edited
July 22, 2013
“changing
the wind – v2”
December 7, 2007
“changing the wind”
Based on the comments of Jim Wallis on
Speaking of Faith, November 29, 2007
He was talking about whether to change politicians
or change the wind, to change the public opinion
which guides politics. He used the example
of President Johnson’s statement to the
Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. that it would
take 5 years for a voting rights bill but
it actually took 5 months to pass the Voting Rights Act,
after the March in Selma.
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 35,260+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com
Poetry Where You Live.
Wednesday, March 21, 2007
Solid Water
Like solid water
firm under our feet
so we are called
walking on liquid water
as Peter did,
to believe, in faith,
to do the impossible
hearing a call
heeding His words
ignoring the winds of doubt
and walking boldly
as we all must
March 19, 2007 19:35
Matthew 14:22-33
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walking_on_water
firm under our feet
so we are called
walking on liquid water
as Peter did,
to believe, in faith,
to do the impossible
hearing a call
heeding His words
ignoring the winds of doubt
and walking boldly
as we all must
March 19, 2007 19:35
Matthew 14:22-33
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walking_on_water
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 30,100+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com
Poetry Where You Live.
Monday, March 19, 2007
Conscious Christianity
Paul called us
all of us, each one
to using our will,
our free will,
our Choice, to
Daily Discipline
walks with the word,
with God, with our brothers,
our sisters,
pray, fellowship,
service to our neighbor,
our community,
disciplines of servants
for the Master’s work
our response
to his saving grace
March 19, 2007 17:43
Philippians 3:12-4:1
Sermon “A Race Everyone Can Win”
by Rev. Peter Hey, 3/4/07
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 19,320+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
all of us, each one
to using our will,
our free will,
our Choice, to
Daily Discipline
walks with the word,
with God, with our brothers,
our sisters,
pray, fellowship,
service to our neighbor,
our community,
disciplines of servants
for the Master’s work
our response
to his saving grace
March 19, 2007 17:43
Philippians 3:12-4:1
Sermon “A Race Everyone Can Win”
by Rev. Peter Hey, 3/4/07
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 19,320+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
Don’t Look Back
We are forgiven, blessed by grace
able to gather the flowers and blanket
for those who complete
who finish the race
Guilt, anger, loss, regret
are cast aside; Repent
turn around
Know you are forgiven,
move forward
without looking back
New creation
within you
after accepting forgiveness
amazing grace
So run the race
without looking back
to get your reward
March 19, 2007 17:36
Philippians 3:12-4:1
Sermon “A Race Everyone Can Win”
by Rev. Peter Hey, 3/4/07
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 19,320+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
able to gather the flowers and blanket
for those who complete
who finish the race
Guilt, anger, loss, regret
are cast aside; Repent
turn around
Know you are forgiven,
move forward
without looking back
New creation
within you
after accepting forgiveness
amazing grace
So run the race
without looking back
to get your reward
March 19, 2007 17:36
Philippians 3:12-4:1
Sermon “A Race Everyone Can Win”
by Rev. Peter Hey, 3/4/07
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 19,320+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
Plastic Fields
Smooth plastic fields
like Scandinavian furniture
smooth, fields of snow
coatings of ice, even surfaces
unbroken glass
along the highways
above the plowspray
before the woods
unblemished fields
wrapped in plastic
March 19, 2007 17:24
like Scandinavian furniture
smooth, fields of snow
coatings of ice, even surfaces
unbroken glass
along the highways
above the plowspray
before the woods
unblemished fields
wrapped in plastic
March 19, 2007 17:24
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 21,710+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com
Poetry Where You Live.
In Grandpa’s Arms
A special bond,
a special grace,
comfort, safety
in that special place
nestled in Grandpa’s arms
warm, secure, giggling
sharing little secrets
in the smiles in your eyes
with a special man in your life
telling stories, urgent active stories
with your sure, confident voice
stories of school, of play
sharing your day
in Grandpa’s arms
March 19, 2007 16:33
a special grace,
comfort, safety
in that special place
nestled in Grandpa’s arms
warm, secure, giggling
sharing little secrets
in the smiles in your eyes
with a special man in your life
telling stories, urgent active stories
with your sure, confident voice
stories of school, of play
sharing your day
in Grandpa’s arms
March 19, 2007 16:33
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 21,710+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com
Poetry Where You Live.
Sunday, March 18, 2007
Rising to Selflessness
An earthy father,
a parable man,
forgiving his sons
for separate sins
same sins
of selfishness
greed, desires
for their rights
their things
Giving to his prodigal son
welcoming him home
at the turn in his life
Righting the balance
with his bitter son
at the welcoming
A heavenly father
in parable
wanting all sons
and daughters
to come to him
welcoming
them all
when they
return home
March 18, 2007 20:58
Based on sermon entitled “Brothers” by the Reverend Peter Hey,
Wesley United Methodist Church, Concord, NH
www.concordwumc.org
March 17, 2007
Luke 15:1-3; Luke 15:11b-32
a parable man,
forgiving his sons
for separate sins
same sins
of selfishness
greed, desires
for their rights
their things
Giving to his prodigal son
welcoming him home
at the turn in his life
Righting the balance
with his bitter son
at the welcoming
A heavenly father
in parable
wanting all sons
and daughters
to come to him
welcoming
them all
when they
return home
March 18, 2007 20:58
Based on sermon entitled “Brothers” by the Reverend Peter Hey,
Wesley United Methodist Church, Concord, NH
www.concordwumc.org
March 17, 2007
Luke 15:1-3; Luke 15:11b-32
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 21,710+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com
Poetry Where You Live.
Acknowledging Selfishness
Mine, it is mine,
give me what is mine.
How often hear that, say that,
whether in word or in action
a part of the humanness we share
is the sense, the desire, for possession
ownership, control of things, things that enable
things that glitter, things that define
power, prestige, status, immediate needs
desires, passions, coveting other things
A part of the story, the parable,
the younger brother, the older brother
the giving father, and the legacy for us
of false pursuits, forgetting the message
so long written down, because we don’t
comprehend the parables still
Pharisees and scribes not alone
in missing the point, in changing
in choosing the better path
in staying with the father
the loving parent,
wanting, giving all
to the dutiful son
and the lost son
who is found
March 18, 2007 20:53
Based on sermon entitled “Brothers” by the Reverend Peter Hey,
Wesley United Methodist Church, Concord, NH
March 17, 2007
Luke 15:1-3; Luke 15:11b-32
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 19,320+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
give me what is mine.
How often hear that, say that,
whether in word or in action
a part of the humanness we share
is the sense, the desire, for possession
ownership, control of things, things that enable
things that glitter, things that define
power, prestige, status, immediate needs
desires, passions, coveting other things
A part of the story, the parable,
the younger brother, the older brother
the giving father, and the legacy for us
of false pursuits, forgetting the message
so long written down, because we don’t
comprehend the parables still
Pharisees and scribes not alone
in missing the point, in changing
in choosing the better path
in staying with the father
the loving parent,
wanting, giving all
to the dutiful son
and the lost son
who is found
March 18, 2007 20:53
Based on sermon entitled “Brothers” by the Reverend Peter Hey,
Wesley United Methodist Church, Concord, NH
March 17, 2007
Luke 15:1-3; Luke 15:11b-32
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 19,320+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
A Forgiving Father
A parable of brothers
a story of our father
a love maintained, given
even when we act like he is dead to us
holding hope, open arms,
for the one who was lost
so precious in the finding
the returning home,
repenting, calling him father
once more,
with open arms
He is ready
waiting for each and every one
each precious in his sight
a loved child
to hold
March 18,
2007 20:46
a story of our father
a love maintained, given
even when we act like he is dead to us
holding hope, open arms,
for the one who was lost
so precious in the finding
the returning home,
repenting, calling him father
once more,
with open arms
He is ready
waiting for each and every one
each precious in his sight
a loved child
to hold
================
edited February 19, 2016
“A Forgiving Father – v3”
(merging edits to original and version 2)
edited after Thao Pachia
used my poem in a high school English class assignment
Edited April 23, 2013
“A Forgiving Father – v2”
after Austin Masterson
included the original in a student assignment
Roswell, NM
“A Forgiving Father”
Based on sermon entitled “Brothers”
by the Reverend Peter Hey,
Wesley United Methodist Church
Concord, NH
March 18, 2007
Luke 15:1-3; Luke 15:11b-32
All of my
poems, photographs, and videos 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 41,090+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com
Poetry Where You Live.
Brothers
Brothers killing brothers,
fighting brothers, hating each other
for minor things, petty differences
selfish desires, cheap greed,
anger, position, power
oh to see the way through
to love, to forgiveness
to compassion as a father can
did in the story of the brothers
each of whom broke his heart
for what they did,
what they would not do
A world of brothers, of sisters
struggling, fighting, killing,
hating one another,
throughout the human story
near and far, a world of Cain’s
and Able’s, of Jacob’s and Esau’s
fighting, hurting each other
and their father, who wanted love
peace, harmony, caring one to the other
who wants this still, even now
for love to pervade, imbue the world
nurture and bond us together
at the end of the story
reconciliation for the brothers
March 18, 2007 20:42
Based on sermon entitled “Brothers” by the Reverend Peter Hey,
Wesley United Methodist Church, Concord, NH
March 17, 2007
Luke 15:1-3; Luke 15:11b-32
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 19,320+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
fighting brothers, hating each other
for minor things, petty differences
selfish desires, cheap greed,
anger, position, power
oh to see the way through
to love, to forgiveness
to compassion as a father can
did in the story of the brothers
each of whom broke his heart
for what they did,
what they would not do
A world of brothers, of sisters
struggling, fighting, killing,
hating one another,
throughout the human story
near and far, a world of Cain’s
and Able’s, of Jacob’s and Esau’s
fighting, hurting each other
and their father, who wanted love
peace, harmony, caring one to the other
who wants this still, even now
for love to pervade, imbue the world
nurture and bond us together
at the end of the story
reconciliation for the brothers
March 18, 2007 20:42
Based on sermon entitled “Brothers” by the Reverend Peter Hey,
Wesley United Methodist Church, Concord, NH
March 17, 2007
Luke 15:1-3; Luke 15:11b-32
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 19,320+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
A Grain Offering
An anonymous reciprocal
grain offering, giving in love
for the brother, who each
believed more deserving,
more worthy for the gift
of a bit of flour
milled in their work
given in stealth, in the dark,
in love for their brother.
How wonderful an example
woven into the story of brothers
the struggle of competition
of war and bitterness,
an example of love instead
of thinking of your brother first
giving from the heart
without hope of reward
an example of love
for our brothers and sisters
we can all use
March 17, 2007 20:10
Based on sermon entitled “Brothers” by the Reverend Peter Hey,
Wesley United Methodist Church, Concord, NH
March 17, 2007
Luke 15:1-3; Luke 15:11b-32
(see also the text starting in the 9th paragraph about the old Jewish story
of two brothers in the flour milling: http://www.day1.net/index.php5?view=transcripts&tid=24)
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 19,320+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
grain offering, giving in love
for the brother, who each
believed more deserving,
more worthy for the gift
of a bit of flour
milled in their work
given in stealth, in the dark,
in love for their brother.
How wonderful an example
woven into the story of brothers
the struggle of competition
of war and bitterness,
an example of love instead
of thinking of your brother first
giving from the heart
without hope of reward
an example of love
for our brothers and sisters
we can all use
March 17, 2007 20:10
Based on sermon entitled “Brothers” by the Reverend Peter Hey,
Wesley United Methodist Church, Concord, NH
March 17, 2007
Luke 15:1-3; Luke 15:11b-32
(see also the text starting in the 9th paragraph about the old Jewish story
of two brothers in the flour milling: http://www.day1.net/index.php5?view=transcripts&tid=24)
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 19,320+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
Oh Church
The pastor, speaking
in parables, and more directly
to the congregation itself
to brothers and sisters
of the same cloth, the same faith,
the same community
separated from one another
pulling in different directions
not forgiving the differences
older brothers and younger ones
seeing the future in different shades
different colors, roads to travel
callings from the Spirit
needing to bond, to mend,
to heal, to reconcile still
while we can, before the distance
grows too great,
the wounds too deep
schism to be avoided
with forgiving hearts
we can
March 18, 2007 20:15
Based on sermon entitled “Brothers” by the Reverend Peter Hey,
Wesley United Methodist Church, Concord, NH
March 17, 2007
Luke 15:1-3; Luke 15:11b-32
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 19,320+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
in parables, and more directly
to the congregation itself
to brothers and sisters
of the same cloth, the same faith,
the same community
separated from one another
pulling in different directions
not forgiving the differences
older brothers and younger ones
seeing the future in different shades
different colors, roads to travel
callings from the Spirit
needing to bond, to mend,
to heal, to reconcile still
while we can, before the distance
grows too great,
the wounds too deep
schism to be avoided
with forgiving hearts
we can
March 18, 2007 20:15
Based on sermon entitled “Brothers” by the Reverend Peter Hey,
Wesley United Methodist Church, Concord, NH
March 17, 2007
Luke 15:1-3; Luke 15:11b-32
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 19,320+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
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