Saturday, August 04, 2007

Confused by Ambition

Missing the message,
the real message He was teaching
lost in their own thoughts,
their own ambitions, rivalry
their own claims to fame, to fortune
to riches beyond imagination
Wanting to be first when being first
meant being slave, servant
Not lord, vassal, gentry on the land
No, their sight was clouded, hidden behind
the veil of ambition, fighting for a prize
they didn’t understand


October 22, 2006 14:41
Mark 10:35-45


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 20,760+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

An Unholy World

We live in a time
a world that Paul warned us about
violence and righteousness claimed in your name
the name of God to justify the slaughter
the maiming of innocents
the unholy partnership
the fellowship of light and darkness
the incongruity, the iniquity
that converted apostle of Christ
foretold, urged to be avoided

We are called to be separated,
to be in this world
but not of this world
to prune and to focus
to use the thorns in our lives
heed their quiet call
to cleave to you almighty savior
redeemer of our sins
when we fall into the trap
let down our guard
and knock the temple off its foundation
seeking easier paths
sharing too much with the enemy



=================
edited March 8, 2018
An Unholy World – v2
June 25, 2006 8:43
An Unholy World
2 Corinthians 6:14-18


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, 2017, and 2018. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com)  for usage. See all 46,460 of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

2 Corinthians 6, America, apostles, Christ, Faith, God, Spirit, love, grace, hope, Jesus, Messiah, Methodist, path, Paul, sacrifice, salvation, savior, sharing, sin,

#2Corinthians6 #America #apostles #Christ #Faith #God #Spirit #love #grace #hope #Jesus #justifyinggrace #Messiah #Methodist #path #Paul #sacrifice #salvation #Saul #savior #sharing #shepherd #sin #disciple

Wednesday, August 01, 2007

Creative

Her grandmother
commented on her drawing,
her sketchpad in her lap
sitting on the porch step
I commented that she writes stories too
“She’s very creative”.
She is that, and so much more,
creative and funny, supportive,
imaginative and bossy, big sister
and young child, at times.
She is the oldest, the role model,
the example, the tester, the one
we must get it right with.
Creative, oh yes. A mind that sees
the details; but can conjure a world
in her stories, in the pictures she draws,
yes, even the ones in church,
when she shares them with me,
insistently, when I am listening
to the sermon from the pulpit.
She’s listening too, even then,
because she knows the heart
of the pastor’s message.
Oh yes, Erica is creative;
but that is just the beginning.



August 1, 2007 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 19,770+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Deer in the Yard

Looking our the window
there was movement on the edge
the edge of the fog of the morning
Three deer stood, intent,
refined, reserved, particular deer.
Munching, nibbling ever so gingerly
on the tiger lilies, day lilies,
the lemon lilies
at the edge of the driveway.
They stood on the blacktop,
not the dew drenched lawn.
They didn’t seem interested
in other choices, more natural options.
Clearly they were gourmet deer
and the word got around
this was a good place for breakfast.


August 1, 2007 15:20


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 19,770+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Worthy Snack

Raspberry picking
led to its own reward
scratches, barbs,
rash and burn
all were a part of the process
persistence was the watch word,
overcoming the adversity,
the challenges of the picking
reaping a squished, wet, colorful
saturated harvest of red
in the bucket, the basket.
Held precariously on
the handlebars of our bikes.
Carefully barefoot pedaling
down the dirt road home
A worthy snack indeed


August 1, 2007 15:25


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 19,540+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Blocks of Snow

Blocks of snow,
piled higher and higher
building a wall, a ring
a start of an igloo, a fort,
a bulwark, a defense
before the attack,
the barrage, the wave
of snowballs, handmade missiles
Safe behind the blocks of snow.


August 1, 2007 15:27


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 19,770+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Curtailed Laps

Back, but not forth,
well a little forth
and a little back,
so are the laps
in our little blow-up pool
in the side yard.
Three across. Dive in.
You’re done.


August 1, 2007 15:31

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 19,770+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Flowing North

She is a special place
in my memory
A place of wild, unknown,
of separateness, a little ways off
Different pace, scale.
A river running north,
unlike my experience,
my understanding, my ken.
A different course,
a different way,
flowing north.


August 1, 2007 15:42
about the Allagash Wilderness,
northern Maine.
I canoed there in 1976 and 1977.

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 19,770+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Snow Fort

It all starts
with the quality,
the density, the size
of the snow bank.
True now, true forty years ago;
it is the critical ingredient.
We piled it high, over successive storms,
waiting not so patiently
for the right time. The right mix
of wet and cold
Snowman snow.
Digging, with shovels, with hands
creating a dome, an inner sanctum
interconnected tunnels, in and out
meeting in the middle
all within the pile of snow.


August 1, 2007 15:51


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 19,770+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Pool Man

How cool was that!
My grandpa was the Pool Man
at the camp. In charge
of the vacuum, the chemist
in the shed with the filter.
In control of the chlorine
keeping the pool ready,
for our play


August 1, 2007 15:46

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 19,770+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Wearing His Colors

I saw his head
coming through the crowd,
the throng of many colors.
A brightly colored, garish,
basketball as a hat, a wig,
a bold statement of loyalty, patriotism.
His country’s flag on his head,
his shirt, the tattoo on his arm.
Wearing his colors
for the world to see.
Go Brazil!


August 1, 2007 16:11
Atlanta Olympics, 1996


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 19,770+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Counting Backward

I remember when anesthesia
meant ether and counting backward
as you breathed in that singular smell
One hundred, ninety-nine
What, oh what, comes next?



August 1, 2007 16:22


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 19,560+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Right in Front of My Face

I heard a thwack, a sudden sound
by the second floor window.
It wasn’t an acorn, though I thought it was
at first. A tiny tree frog
against the screen, the window
right in front of my face
How he got there, I can only guess
Maybe he lived there
in the gutter
below the overhang
that part of the roof
He was there, happy as you please
ignoring my nose, inches from his face
watching his feet, his grip
on the glass
right in front of my face


August 1, 2007 15:13, 16:35

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 19,560+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Smells of Creation

Freshly tilled soil, rot on the forest floor
chocolate bubbling on the stove
Gardenias, violets, garlic breath
Sulphur of the volcano,
A spruce forest in June
The splash of ocean surf after a storm
The cold of snow as it starts to fall
A lilac bush, lily of the valley in bloom
Rain coming on a spring day,
rain falling on hot wet pavement in summer
fresh cut grass, maybe after a light shower, hay after cutting
Bread, fresh from the oven
The sweet of an orange as it goes from ripe to just moldy
A dusty road in August
Musty basements, a pool of standing water
Hamburgers on the grill, a hot fan belt
A tomcat’s mark, popcorn popping
Whisper of a rose bloom, the stink of Roquefort cheese
An apple pie cooling on the shelf
the biting fragrance of a freesia’s flower
A geranium’s skin, a skunk’s defense,
radiator fluid boiling over
Wet llama fur, wet burlap
New blacktop, a brand new car
a baby’s skin
These are smells of creation


finished August 1, 2007 12:12
started July 11, 2007
Genesis 1


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 31,500+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Holding His Anger

A loving father, sad for the rebellion,
the distance between himself
and his children, sad for their defiance,
their forgetting, of the things he had done
for them, the love he had heaped on them,
the freedom, the joy, the reward, he
showered on them all, when they were his.
Longing people, wishing to be close to him
once more, wanting him to be there; but
they were rebellious still. Wanting him
to accept them, forgive them still, to
see past their failings, bring them into
his loving arms once more.


August 1, 2007 8:24
Hosea 11:1-11


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 19,540+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Tuesday, July 31, 2007

Becoming Airborne

Trying to capture
the aerialists
on their perches,
the loosestrife enticing
them all to the pollen
Trying to freeze the motion,
their movement from flower
to flower, plant to plant,
bloom to bloom.
Oblivious to my presence
becoming airborne,
focused on the next quarry.



July 31, 2007 21:24








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 19,540+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Berry Rain

Heavy drops of rain
hang bodily from
the green fruit,
the bunches of berries
long before the harvest
hanging on the barbed vines,
wound through the rhododendron
Heavy berry rain, a teardrop
clinging to the bright green
held by its desire, its love
to nurture, to feed, to caress
the growing, maturing vine


August 1, 2007 8:33


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 19,540+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Wistfully Watching

She was wistfully watching
the activity at the edge of the lake
her sisters laughing, splashing,
playing in the waves lapping
the shore, in the sand, with
shovels, buckets, and pails
Wistfully watching her sisters
at play by the lake
from her timeout seat.


July 31, 2007 20:51



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 19,540+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Creatures of Creation

The creatures of the air are the creatures of creation
Birds, bats, flying squirrel, flying fish, cardinals, crow,
pelican, penguin, puffin, parrot, and peacock,
these are creatures of creation

The creatures of the sea are the creatures of creation
Anemone, the jellyfish, the starfish, the clam, coral,
the eel, the shrimp, walrus, whale, shark, and seahorse,
these are creatures of creation

The creatures of the lakes and rivers are the creatures of creation
Trout, bass, the snapping and box turtle, the otter, the beaver,
the duck, the frog, the mosquito, these are creatures of creation

The creatures of the forest are the creatures of creation
The elk, the brown and black bear, the fox, lynx, turkey,
the mink, woodpecker, hawk, the owl, the salamander, the deer,
the porcupine, the panda, these are creatures of creation

The creatures of the desert are the creatures of creation
The horned lizard, the snake, the tortoise, the iguana,
the camel, the scorpion, these are creatures of creation

The creatures of the shoreline are the creatures of creation
The crab and plover, gull, osprey, snail, barnacle,
these are the creatures of creation

The creatures of the tundra, the Antarctic, are the creatures of creation
The polar bear, the seal, caribou and reindeer, penguin, krill,
whales, these are the creatures of creation

The creatures of the mountains are the creatures of creation
The llama, the goat, the eagle, sheep, mountain lion, the vole,
the yak, the hare, these are creatures of creation

The creatures of the plains are the creatures of creation
The bison, the giraffe, the gazelle, the lion, the zebra, the quail,
vulture, the meerkat, ants, horse, and kangaroo, these are creatures of creation

The creatures of the jungle, the garden, are the creatures of creation
The python, the elephant, the gorilla, the crocodile, tree frogs, butterfly,
the leopard, the tiger, the termite, these are creatures of creation

================
edited July 7, 2018
Textures of Creation – v2

Finished July 26, 2007 22:25
Textures of Creation
Started July 11, 2007
Genesis 1
&
edited August 3, 2014
Smells of Creation – v2
finished August 1, 2007 12:12
Smells of Creation
started July 11, 2007
Genesis 1
&
Finished July 30, 2007 22:00
Tastes of Creation
Started July 11
Genesis 1
&
Finished July 30, 2007 21:40
Creatures of Creation
began draft June 2, 2007, update June 4, 2007, July 11, 2007
Genesis 1


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, 2017, and 2018. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com) for usage. See all 47,200 of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

=======================
apple, bread, breath, dust, Faith, forest, fruit, garden, Genesis 1, God, grass, lilacs, lilies, lily of the valley, Nature, ocean, orange, rose, shower, snow,

#smells #creation #apple #bread #breath #dust #Faith #forest #fruit #garden #Genesis1 #God #grass #lilacs #lilies #lilyofthevalley #Nature #ocean #orange #rose #shower #snow #creator #sight  #touch #senses #taste #touch

==========================
birds, brown, butterflies, creation, creator, deer, Faith, forest, garden, gardener, Genesis 1, God, hawk, love, Methodist, Nature, sheep, shepherd, starfish, turkeys,

#creatures #created #birds #brown #butterflies #creation #creator #deer #Faith #forest #garden #gardener #Genesis1 #God #hawk #love #Methodist #Nature #sheep #shepherd #starfish #turkeys

==========================
bread, Communion, creation, creator, earth, Faith, fire, fruit, garden, gardener, Genesis 1, God, hope, maple trees, Methodist, Nature, Poetry Where You Live, sin, taste,


#bread #Communion #creation #creator #earth #Faith #fire #fruit #garden #gardener #Genesis1 #God #hope #mapletrees #Methodist #Nature #PoetryWhereYouLive #sin #taste #sweet #sour #salt #bitter #luscious #nectar #meat

========================
creation, creator, Faith, flowers, fruit, Genesis 1, God, grass, ice, Methodist, Nature, ocean, rock, rose, sea glass, shepherd, stone, texture, touch, water,

#creation #creator #Faith #flowers #fruit #Genesis1 #God #grass #ice #Christ #Spirit #Nature #ocean #rock #rose #seaglass #shepherd #stone #texture #touch #water #senses #smells #taste #sight #seeing #feeling #rough #smooth #sharp

Tastes of Creation

Sweet maple syrup,
bitter radish, salad greens
Tart lemon, juicy fruits
Sour rhubarb, creamy sauces
Raw meat, flaky fish
rich confections
Pungent cheese, cracked open lobster
Tangy barbecue, slippery squid
Salty brine pickles, sugary treats
Burnt toast, charbroiled steak
Spicy jambalaya
Crusty bread, intoxicating spirits
Hot peppers, caramelized onions,
Crunchy vegetables from the garden
sinful desserts, buttery corn on the cob
Earthy fiddleheads
These are tastes of creation.


================
edited July 7, 2018
Textures of Creation – v2

Finished July 26, 2007 22:25
Textures of Creation
Started July 11, 2007
Genesis 1
&
edited August 3, 2014
Smells of Creation – v2
finished August 1, 2007 12:12
Smells of Creation
started July 11, 2007
Genesis 1
&
Finished July 30, 2007 22:00
Tastes of Creation
Started July 11
Genesis 1
&


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, 2017, and 2018. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com) for usage. See all 47,200 of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

=======================
apple, bread, breath, dust, Faith, forest, fruit, garden, Genesis 1, God, grass, lilacs, lilies, lily of the valley, Nature, ocean, orange, rose, shower, snow,

#smells #creation #apple #bread #breath #dust #Faith #forest #fruit #garden #Genesis1 #God #grass #lilacs #lilies #lilyofthevalley #Nature #ocean #orange #rose #shower #snow #creator #sight  #touch #senses #taste #touch

==========================
bread, Communion, creation, creator, earth, Faith, fire, fruit, garden, gardener, Genesis 1, God, hope, maple trees, Methodist, Nature, Poetry Where You Live, sin, taste,


#bread #Communion #creation #creator #earth #Faith #fire #fruit #garden #gardener #Genesis1 #God #hope #mapletrees #Methodist #Nature #PoetryWhereYouLive #sin #taste #sweet #sour #salt #bitter #luscious #nectar #meat

========================
creation, creator, Faith, flowers, fruit, Genesis 1, God, grass, ice, Methodist, Nature, ocean, rock, rose, sea glass, shepherd, stone, texture, touch, water,

#creation #creator #Faith #flowers #fruit #Genesis1 #God #grass #ice #Christ #Spirit #Nature #ocean #rock #rose #seaglass #shepherd #stone #texture #touch #water #senses #smells #taste #sight #seeing #feeling #rough #smooth #sharp

Monday, July 30, 2007

The Ethics of Eating, Pastor Lori Eldredge

One of my pastors, the Reverend Lori Eldredge, was on NPR's Speaking of Faith show on July 19, 2007, on their show about the Ethics of Eating. Here is the clip.

http://download.publicradio.org/podcast/speakingoffaith/20070719_ethicsofeating-lorieldredge.mp3


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 19,540+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Energy

Energy, passion
flowed from his manner,
his words, his motion,
his attention to detail,
his bringing us with him
as he told the story.
So willing to spend the time
to share the news of their promise
their potential, being met
growing together,
in the same classrooms
seeing their learning side by side
Wall broken down and
barriers overcome
together,
side by side
normal


July 30, 2007 18:58
Written about the presentation
“Everyone is Different, Everyone Belongs”,
at the 14th Annual Education Law Conference
http://www.usm.maine.edu/pdc/edlaw/,
by Joe Petner, outgoing Principal at the Haggerty School, Cambridge, MA
a fully inclusive K-6 public school
http://www.cps.ci.cambridge.ma.us/haggerty/index.html



All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 23,210+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Red Sky

Red Sky at night, sailor’s delight
or so the tale goes; but I wonder
what those sailors would have made of
last night. Red sky didn’t stay up in the sky.
Our hands, our features, the buildings, the air itself
were red, not just a tint to the sky above.
A hot red orange sky hung down to the ground
for a few moments, before the thunderclouds
cast a darker shadow over all
Red sky, all at warning.


July 30, 2007 18:53

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 19,540+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Crazy Horse - South Dakota

The Crazy Horse Memorial project, a real testament to perserverance and private philanthropy. Started in 1948 and still going strong. Located in Crazy Horse, South Dakota.

http://www.crazyhorse.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 19,540+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

The Rising of Her Voice

She spoke with greater power, with authority
beyond the written words she had prepared
sharing a different story, a truer witness
to the power of the victory, raised up, raised up her voice
to reach those in the back of the chapel
to speak from her heart to us all
to touch us, one another, with the news,
the challenging news, the compelling truth
of the sacrifice, the father giving his son;
“would you give your child for another?”
Compelling challenging question, forcing us all
to stare into the mirror of time, to sense the enormity
of the gift of the Father, in that quiet moment of reflection.
She pulled us from our slumber, from the soft tone of her starting
Raised up in the knowledge, the wisdom of freedom
Knowing we are forever free of the chains,
the tethers of our own making, born sinful, we die;
but we rise with Him, free, free to shout our freedom!



July 30, 2007 16:01
“Free At Last”, the sermon by Ruth L. Foss,
Wesley United Methodist Church, Concord, NH
July 29, 2007
On the change in the preaching of her sermon
at the moment she stopped reading and started witnessing
to the gift of adoption
Colossians 2:6-15, (16-19)


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 19,540+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Free to Testify

She was free,
free of the script,
the words, the guide
she had sitting before her
Free to speak from her heart
from her experience,
from her faith.
Seeing a difference,
moving from teaching to preaching,
sharing a stronger, more relevant message
with the congregation
Free to share the words of hope
the strong words of baptism
of joining the priesthood,
you and me, when we claim our right
our adoption in the family of God



July 30, 2007 15:53
“Free At Last”, the sermon by Ruth L. Foss,
Wesley United Methodist Church, Concord, NH
July 29, 2007
On the change in the preaching of her sermon
after she stopped reading and started witnessing
to the gift of adoption
Colossians 2:6-15, (16-19)


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 20,640+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

A Spider Waits

Funny how a spider waits
lingers motionless
for prey to vibrate
the strands of the wed,
to touch the right part
to become ensnared
by her guile, her cunning,
her trap; forever patient,
ready, to pounce.



July 30, 2007 15:18


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 19,540+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Fire on the Bay

Fire on the Bay

Ablaze in its dying
the sun sank ever closer
to the water’s edge
fire on the surface of the bay
spreading outward from shore
lengthening as the day
fell toward night
Piloted toward the dying light
we made for landfall
and home


July 30, 2007 15:10
Portland, ME, July 24, 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 19,540+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

A Purchase in the Seam

Finding its own way,
a purchase, in the seam
the tiny hole, the junction
between the dirt, the air,
the water, the sky
found between the granite blocks
a bit of sand, from the winter
in the tiny nook
enough for life
to spring forth
bloom in glory
in the steps of Your church
our church
this July morning




July 30, 2007 14:57
photo on Sunday, July 28, 2007 7:45am


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 19,540+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Solomon Where Are You?

“She took away my invisible band
while we were in the middle of a song!”
Such was the exclamation, the shout
let out as I was walking up the stairs.
Oh if only Solomon were here,
he would have a field day,
answering the charge of the middle child
against her little sister, who was gleefully,
loudly, thundering past me up to their room.
He would know how to respond,
to diffuse the shouts, the anger,
the phantom squabble
over imaginary friends


July 30, 2007 14:03

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 19,540+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Dripping Orange

Dripping Orange

The flower
melted down
onto itself
liquid color
dripping down
to the ground
running color
orange
falling
down


July 30, 2007 14:53



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 19,540+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Scent Memories

Rich memories
flood with scents
cascades of moments
of family and fun
wrapped in the smells
of our lives

May we implant
rich scent memories,
powerful examples,
witness, testimony
of the love of Christ
in our walking, in our actions
in the ways of our lives
May we, in our living,
be like scents,
flavoring the world
around us
with love


July 30, 2007 10:06
started July 30, 2007 7:40am
2 Corinthians 2:14-17


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 19,540+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

The Speed of Creation

The slow calving of a glacier,
the sudden eruption of a once dormant volcano
The birth of a rainbow at the end of rain,
the crawl of a land tortoise across the parched earth

The slide of a snail, the dive of a hawk
The sprint of a cheetah, a light year
The speed of sound, the pounce of a leopard,
The stride of a giraffe, the slither of a snake
The growing of a sequoia, the breaking of bread

A hummingbird in flight,
the birthing of a star
The beating of a heart,
the rising of a cicada

The discovery of the coelacanth
the pace of extinction.
The growth of a wildfire,
the dawning of a new day.
The crack of lightening,
a human life and eternity.
These are the speeds of creation.


================
edited July 7, 2018
Textures of Creation – v2

Finished July 26, 2007 22:25
Textures of Creation
Started July 11, 2007
Genesis 1
&
edited August 3, 2014
Smells of Creation – v2
finished August 1, 2007 12:12
Smells of Creation
started July 11, 2007
Genesis 1
&
Finished July 30, 2007 22:00
Tastes of Creation
Started July 11
Genesis 1
&
Finished July 30, 2007 21:40
Creatures of Creation
began draft June 2, 2007, update June 4, 2007, July 11, 2007
Genesis 1
&
Finished July 30, 2007 8:03
The Speed of Creation
started July 11, 2007
Genesis 1



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, 2017, and 2018. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com) for usage. See all 47,200 of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

=================
birds, bread, cicada, creation, creator, dawn, earth, Faith, Genesis 1, God, hawk, heart, human, life, light, Methodist, Nature, rainbow, sing, sound,

#speed #birds #bread #cicada #creation #creator #dawn #earth #Faith #Genesis 1 #God #hawk #heart #human #life #light #Methodist #Nature #rainbow #sing #sound #fast #slow #heartbeat #blinkofaneye #eternity #eons #epochs

=======================
apple, bread, breath, dust, Faith, forest, fruit, garden, Genesis 1, God, grass, lilacs, lilies, lily of the valley, Nature, ocean, orange, rose, shower, snow,

#smells #creation #apple #bread #breath #dust #Faith #forest #fruit #garden #Genesis1 #God #grass #lilacs #lilies #lilyofthevalley #Nature #ocean #orange #rose #shower #snow #creator #sight  #touch #senses #taste #touch

==========================
birds, brown, butterflies, creation, creator, deer, Faith, forest, garden, gardener, Genesis 1, God, hawk, love, Methodist, Nature, sheep, shepherd, starfish, turkeys,

#creatures #created #birds #brown #butterflies #creation #creator #deer #Faith #forest #garden #gardener #Genesis1 #God #hawk #love #Methodist #Nature #sheep #shepherd #starfish #turkeys #reptile #amphibian #mammal #microbe #onecelled

==========================
bread, Communion, creation, creator, earth, Faith, fire, fruit, garden, gardener, Genesis 1, God, hope, maple trees, Methodist, Nature, Poetry Where You Live, sin, taste,

#bread #Communion #creation #creator #earth #Faith #fire #fruit #garden #gardener #Genesis1 #God #hope #mapletrees #Methodist #Nature #PoetryWhereYouLive #sin #taste #sweet #sour #salt #bitter #luscious #nectar #meat

========================
creation, creator, Faith, flowers, fruit, Genesis 1, God, grass, ice, Methodist, Nature, ocean, rock, rose, sea glass, shepherd, stone, texture, touch, water,

#creation #creator #Faith #flowers #fruit #Genesis1 #God #grass #ice #Christ #Spirit #Nature #ocean #rock #rose #seaglass #shepherd #stone #texture #touch #water #senses #smells #taste #sight #seeing #feeling #rough #smooth #sharp