Saturday, April 21, 2007
Purple Crocuses
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 19,330+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
Ultra-closeup
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 19,330+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
A Tub of Pansies
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 19,330+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
Blue Hyacinth
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 19,330+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
Easter Friends
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 19,330+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
Spring bouquet
An earthen vase
held a bouquet
simple crocuses
at the street corner
in the downtown
of the city, around
the corner, down the block
on the way to school
a bit of color
shining through
the urban tableau
reminding us of beauty
amidst the clutter
of daily life
held a bouquet
simple crocuses
at the street corner
in the downtown
of the city, around
the corner, down the block
on the way to school
a bit of color
shining through
the urban tableau
reminding us of beauty
amidst the clutter
of daily life
May 20, 2007 17:58
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 19,330+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
Easter Sunshine
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 19,330+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
Friday, April 20, 2007
7 Years of Poetry
Today marks 7 years since I read my first poem at the Barrington, NH School Board reading. It has been quite a journey since then, with 1,233 poems posted here now (760 of them written in the last year). I hope you like what you see on these pages.
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 19,330+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
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 19,330+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
A Prayer in the Face of a Rampage Shooting
On the General Board of Discipleship's Worship Resources website was a wonderful Prayer for these days of grief after the shooting at Virginia Tech (and today's anniversary of the Columbine tragedy.
The link to the prayer, "A Prayer in the Face of a Rampage Shooting" by The Reverend Taylor Burton-Edwards is at http://www.gbod.org/worship/default.asp?act=reader&item_id=31648. How true are these words. How it important is it for us to all be able to say them and believe them, for us to be healed.
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 19,330+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
The link to the prayer, "A Prayer in the Face of a Rampage Shooting" by The Reverend Taylor Burton-Edwards is at http://www.gbod.org/worship/default.asp?act=reader&item_id=31648. How true are these words. How it important is it for us to all be able to say them and believe them, for us to be healed.
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 19,330+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
Thursday, April 19, 2007
Collect our Tears
In the face of the tragedy of the shootings at Virginia Tech this week, we are all trying to find answers and hope. I found a wonderful poem, "Collect our Tears", tonight that the author has graciously allowed me to link to.
Please check out this wonderful poem by Safiyah Fosua, who is the Director of Invitational Preaching Ministries at the General Board of Discipleship in Nashville, Tennessee.
http://www.gbod.org/worship/default.asp?act=reader&item_id=31656
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.
Please check out this wonderful poem by Safiyah Fosua, who is the Director of Invitational Preaching Ministries at the General Board of Discipleship in Nashville, Tennessee.
http://www.gbod.org/worship/default.asp?act=reader&item_id=31656
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.
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
Responsive
The familiar response
brought home from the sanctuary
into their room, with the day over
and the light down low
“The word of God for the people of God;
Thanks be to God.”
How wonderful hearing their voices
in unison, in response to the reading
the intoning of the familiar words
I, the leader for the people
at the end of the bedtime story
the lesson tonight
before their slumber
April 18, 2007 21:08
after reading the conversion of Saul,
Acts 22:6-11, becoming Paul
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 19,330+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
brought home from the sanctuary
into their room, with the day over
and the light down low
“The word of God for the people of God;
Thanks be to God.”
How wonderful hearing their voices
in unison, in response to the reading
the intoning of the familiar words
I, the leader for the people
at the end of the bedtime story
the lesson tonight
before their slumber
April 18, 2007 21:08
after reading the conversion of Saul,
Acts 22:6-11, becoming Paul
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 19,330+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
Refined in the Fire
Dipped precious metals
held in the flame, glowing hot
little imperfections, impurities
wisps of smoke, bleed away
pure essence remaining
after we are refined in fire
April 18, 2007 20:44
Malachi 3:1-3
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 19,380+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
held in the flame, glowing hot
little imperfections, impurities
wisps of smoke, bleed away
pure essence remaining
after we are refined in fire
April 18, 2007 20:44
Malachi 3:1-3
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 19,380+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
Lessons in the Adversity
We gain more, learn,
grow, it seems,
through the grist of adversity
the churning stomach,
the flushed cheeks,
wet furrowed brow
taking in the information
the struggle
reaching closure, fruition
learning, by the doing
the action against the tide
standing strong as we must
not bowing under the weight
to come out
on the other side
diploma in hand
April 18, 2007 20:41
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 19,330+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
grow, it seems,
through the grist of adversity
the churning stomach,
the flushed cheeks,
wet furrowed brow
taking in the information
the struggle
reaching closure, fruition
learning, by the doing
the action against the tide
standing strong as we must
not bowing under the weight
to come out
on the other side
diploma in hand
April 18, 2007 20:41
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 19,330+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
Balance Beam
Scampering on the bar
the rail at the top of the chain-link fence
how agile seemed the runner
the beam walker
escaping the scary predator (me)
jumping over the wire
so human the hands
of the gray squirrel
needing a manicure
and a serious depilatory,
perhaps, but so much like ours
Smooth wet pipe
wound with the chains
a perfect escape route
for the ballet dancer,
the gymnast
the survivor
April 18, 2007 20:21
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.
the rail at the top of the chain-link fence
how agile seemed the runner
the beam walker
escaping the scary predator (me)
jumping over the wire
so human the hands
of the gray squirrel
needing a manicure
and a serious depilatory,
perhaps, but so much like ours
Smooth wet pipe
wound with the chains
a perfect escape route
for the ballet dancer,
the gymnast
the survivor
April 18, 2007 20:21
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.
Sunday, April 15, 2007
Backing Up
It happened a few times this morning
trying to tell the whole story, or more of it anyway
eager ears, without a lot of context, trying to understand
trying to get the deeper meaning, the fuller flavor
of the story of doubting Thomas,
or of the disciples emboldened, defying the will
of the religious authorities, teaching in the Temple
when it was prohibited, when before they never,
no never would have dared to rebel, not on their own
timid followers, empowered to preach, to share
the gospel with the people.
Needing to back up, into scripture, into His life,
their journey, their blindness, their fear
to truly appreciate the lesson for us
when things are unseen or when times are tough
to persevere and believe
April 15, 2007 18:53
John 20:19-31 (the story of doubting Thomas) &
Acts 5:27-32 (a story of the Peter and the other disciples
preaching in the Temple after being arrested)
for our Middle High Sunday School class
Wesley United Methodist Church, Concord, NH
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 19,330+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
trying to tell the whole story, or more of it anyway
eager ears, without a lot of context, trying to understand
trying to get the deeper meaning, the fuller flavor
of the story of doubting Thomas,
or of the disciples emboldened, defying the will
of the religious authorities, teaching in the Temple
when it was prohibited, when before they never,
no never would have dared to rebel, not on their own
timid followers, empowered to preach, to share
the gospel with the people.
Needing to back up, into scripture, into His life,
their journey, their blindness, their fear
to truly appreciate the lesson for us
when things are unseen or when times are tough
to persevere and believe
April 15, 2007 18:53
John 20:19-31 (the story of doubting Thomas) &
Acts 5:27-32 (a story of the Peter and the other disciples
preaching in the Temple after being arrested)
for our Middle High Sunday School class
Wesley United Methodist Church, Concord, NH
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 19,330+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
The Meek Gained Mettle
Timid, blind, fearful men
rise and speak with power,
with courage, with resolve,
defy the powerful, the authority,
the council, to speak truth
to raise His banner, His teachings
in the Temple, and in the hearts
of the people, moving beyond their loss
their pain at the taking of His life
speaking with power
infused with the Spirit
With God’s words
in Jesus’ name.
April 15, 2007 15:09
Acts 5:27-32
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 19,330+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
rise and speak with power,
with courage, with resolve,
defy the powerful, the authority,
the council, to speak truth
to raise His banner, His teachings
in the Temple, and in the hearts
of the people, moving beyond their loss
their pain at the taking of His life
speaking with power
infused with the Spirit
With God’s words
in Jesus’ name.
April 15, 2007 15:09
Acts 5:27-32
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 19,330+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
Touching His Wounds
Fingers reach out
touch the holes,
the scars, the deep
gaping spear wound
feel where the nails
pierced his hands,
where the cruel knife
confirmed his death
in order to believe
Needing to feel the pain
He bore, for him, for us
needing physical,
painful truth
to believe
How many of us
would like that chance,
to bolster, buttress,
reinforce our quaking faith
to touch the body of Christ
But we cannot, at least not now
in this life
How hard it is then, to believe
having only His words,
His example, their works
to build on, to hold fast to
to believe ourselves
in hope and in faith
following the risen Lord
wherever He leads
April 15, 2007 15:03
John 20:19-31
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 19,330+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
touch the holes,
the scars, the deep
gaping spear wound
feel where the nails
pierced his hands,
where the cruel knife
confirmed his death
in order to believe
Needing to feel the pain
He bore, for him, for us
needing physical,
painful truth
to believe
How many of us
would like that chance,
to bolster, buttress,
reinforce our quaking faith
to touch the body of Christ
But we cannot, at least not now
in this life
How hard it is then, to believe
having only His words,
His example, their works
to build on, to hold fast to
to believe ourselves
in hope and in faith
following the risen Lord
wherever He leads
April 15, 2007 15:03
John 20:19-31
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 19,330+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
The Essence of Faith
His is the abject lesson,
the proof in the seeing,
the touching, the questioning
the believing by his eyes,
his senses, his experience
We must go another way,
follow the example, the words,
the testimony, those witnesses long ago
believe because we believe
hold fast to hope, the truths
in the proclamation, the Good News
believing without seeing,
without touching, without
knowing the physical savior
Knowing Him in our hearts
instead, alone, a definition of faith
April 15, 2007 14:57
John 20:19-31
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 proof in the seeing,
the touching, the questioning
the believing by his eyes,
his senses, his experience
We must go another way,
follow the example, the words,
the testimony, those witnesses long ago
believe because we believe
hold fast to hope, the truths
in the proclamation, the Good News
believing without seeing,
without touching, without
knowing the physical savior
Knowing Him in our hearts
instead, alone, a definition of faith
April 15, 2007 14:57
John 20:19-31
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.
Cold Rain, Wet Snow
A cold gray afternoon
cocooned indoors,
watching the scene change
outside, in the colors,
the feel, the mood
morphing day,
cold rain, wet snow
catching on the newborn grass
exposed shoots, tongues of leaves
tulips, crocuses, hyacinth,
daffodils, new birth, new promise
encased once more,
in winter’s grip
if only for a few moments
before the inevitable
warming of spring
in a few days time
melts the remnants
slush, puddle, nourishment
flower
April 15, 2007 14:46
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.
cocooned indoors,
watching the scene change
outside, in the colors,
the feel, the mood
morphing day,
cold rain, wet snow
catching on the newborn grass
exposed shoots, tongues of leaves
tulips, crocuses, hyacinth,
daffodils, new birth, new promise
encased once more,
in winter’s grip
if only for a few moments
before the inevitable
warming of spring
in a few days time
melts the remnants
slush, puddle, nourishment
flower
April 15, 2007 14:46
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.
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