One Ripe Berry

Waiting for the ripening of the fruit
the lone branch, the prickered vine
one single ripe berry
rich warm flesh
ready for the plucking
succulent fruit
sweetening in the sun
wait until it is ready


August 19, 2007 19:49

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 27,390+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

"The empty Space" - by Yogi

Come, I have a void, Part of me
has been destroyed.
In my life I've
made unhealthy choices, I call
on the trinity to hear pleasant voices.
Part of me has been erased, where
once was a child there's an empty
space.
I'm ashamed of what I've done
But the Lord Told me I'm the
chosen one, I've been chosen to
follow His word, and He strengthened
my voice So I can be heard. I
long to see the Smiling face of
the one who was in that empty space.


7/9/07 - By Yogi, an inmate,
given to my wife on 8/9/07

by Pastor Ruth Foss
https://twitter.com/PastorRuthFoss
http://www.facebook.com/pastorruthfoss
http://www.ahandmaidenofthelord.blogspot.com
http://pastorruth.posterous.com/
A Handmaiden of the Lord

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 19,620+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Searching for Moose

Down the highway
we flew, toward home
looking in the woods,
looking in the fields, the hills,
the water, the shoulders
we were searching
for moose,
those elusive,
stealthy moose.


August 17, 2007
Our mission trip,
from Wesley United Methodist Church,
Concord, NH and from First United Methodist Church,
Hudson, MA to Jacksonville and Machias, ME
to the Down East Maine Mission,
Jacksonville United Methodist Campground,
East Machias, ME


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 19,620+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Lunch with Dot

Our work days
were segmented,
marked by sharing,
growing as friends
spending time
in the side yard
having lunch with Dot.
Sitting with her
over lunch, each day
learning of her story,
her contributions
as we served her
neighbor helping neighbor


August 17, 2007
Our mission trip,
from Wesley United Methodist Church,
Concord, NH and from First United Methodist Church,
Hudson, MA to Jacksonville and Machias, ME
to the Down East Maine Mission,
Jacksonville United Methodist Campground,
East Machias, ME


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 19,620+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

The Bow in the Sunny Sky

We were blessed, by a singular sight
after our time on the beach, at the picnic
a slice of color, cut into the screen
the piece of the dome
a segment of a bow
vertical in the summer sky
color against the blue
growing for a few moments
iridescent, shimmering in the sunny sky
growing, posing, long enough,
for us all, to marvel


August 17, 2007 20:30
A piece of a rainbow on 8/9/07
Our mission trip,
from Wesley United Methodist Church,
Concord, NH and from First United Methodist Church,
Hudson, MA to Jacksonville and Machias, ME
to the Down East Maine Mission,
Jacksonville United Methodist Campground,
East Machias, ME


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 19,620+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

10,000 visits

As of today, there have been 10,000 visits to the site.


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 19,610+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Tainted

She was impure, no longer chaste
or so he thought; but trying to do
the honorable thing, under the law,
being noble when he didn’t have to
finding a way out, with less pain

But another path was for him,
framed by angelic voices
hearing a different call, a different way
to share our savior, be
a step-dad for God
Taking a child,
conceived by the Holy Spirit
His first-born not his own
Raised as his son
to be a servant
and a King


December 8, 2006 19:33
Matthew 1:18-24


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 19,610+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Flesh on the Bones

God put the bones together
put sinew, flesh, and skin
on the bones of the dead nation
rose them up, breathed life
into the dead bodies
So it will be at the end of times
the end of the age
when the living and the dead
will be called home
breathed eternal life
in the new kingdom
forevermore

November 23, 2006 19:30
Ezekiel 37:1-14



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 19,610+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Lessons Learned

Scraping, painting,
praying, singing,
playing, laughing
all are part of
lessons learned
on the work site and
at the camp;
we were growing
within each of us.
Gaining wisdom
in the service and
in the playing
as a mission team
together in Christ.


August 10, 2007 22:51
Our mission trip,
from Wesley United Methodist Church,
Concord, NH and from First United Methodist Church,
Hudson, MA to Jacksonville and Machias, ME
to the Down East Maine Mission,
Jacksonville United Methodist Campground,
East Machias, ME


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 19,610+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Journey’s End

At the journey’s end,
a time of reflection, of sharing
of giving of ourselves
once more in the circle of friends,
for we have become friends
in Christ, servants for the Savior,
doing our little part in spreading
the Savior’s love, here in this place
At the journey’s end, a time for sharing
with our families, our congregations,
of our mission to the world.


August 9, 2007 22:50
Matthew 28:16-20 and our mission trip,
from Wesley United Methodist Church,
Concord, NH and from First United Methodist Church,
Hudson, MA to Jacksonville and Machias, ME
to the Down East Maine Mission,
Jacksonville United Methodist Campground,
East Machias, ME

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 19,590+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Jellyfish Toss

Please, oh please
catch it (and not wear it)
So were the thoughts
rushing through my mind as I played
jellyfish toss
with the circle
of newfound friends,
at the edge of the sea.
Dripping goo and
stinging cells, who
knew the risks;
but we were definitely
careful, oh so careful.
Toss it gently.


Title 8/9/07, poem August 10, 2007 8:56am
Rogue Bluff Beach on our mission trip,
from Wesley United Methodist Church,
Concord, NH and from First United Methodist Church,
Hudson, MA to Jacksonville and Machias, ME
to the Down East Maine Mission,
Jacksonville United Methodist Campground,
East Machias, ME

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.

Cave Man Food

Mmmm… good.
Large, cold, turkey legs.
finger food, caveman style.
Laughing, the three of us
as we held them high.
Eating at the beach
caveman style.


Title 8/9/07, poem August 10, 2007 8:57am
Me, Curtis, and Corey, on our mission trip,
from Wesley United Methodist Church,
Concord, NH and from First United Methodist Church,
Hudson, MA to Jacksonville and Machias, ME
to the Down East Maine Mission,
Jacksonville United Methodist Campground,
East Machias, ME

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 19,600+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

1,500 Poems

With the latest poems, this site now has over 1,500 of my poems.


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 19,600+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Amazing Power

Lord, grant us the power
to go into the world
and do amazing work
in Your holy name.
Help us Lord to submit our will
to Your will, to lean on
the Holy Spirit, left here,
to dwell within us,
to guide us. Give us
Your awesome power,
the power of love
to make a difference
for good, for the lifting up
of your heavenly kingdom
here in your creation
this day and the rest of our lives.
Amen


August 9, 2007 22:40
Our mission trip,
from Wesley United Methodist Church,
Concord, NH and from First United Methodist Church,
Hudson, MA to Jacksonville and Machias, ME
to the Down East Maine Mission,
Jacksonville United Methodist Campground,
East Machias, ME

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 19,600+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Into the Icy Sea

We all took tentative, cautious
steps into the icy sea
Unsure of the wisdom
of our temporary sojourn
walking out from shore,
tide rising, coming in,
bringing numbing cold,
and a soup of baby jellyfish.
At least the cold
took the sting out.


Title 8/9/07, poem August 10, 2007 9:01am
Rogue Bluff Beach
Our mission trip,
from Wesley United Methodist Church,
Concord, NH and from First United Methodist Church,
Hudson, MA to Jacksonville and Machias, ME
to the Down East Maine Mission,
Jacksonville United Methodist Campground,
East Machias, ME

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 24,100+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Really Living

Drinking the
living water of life,
refreshed by the Savior.
Like plants reborn in
the desert after rain
we are renewed, freed
by the good news
of our brother, our Lord
Jesus Christ, the son of God.
Freed to live as the Master taught
as a good neighbor to all,
living our the twin commandments,
Really living


Title 8/9/07, poem August 12, 2007 21:31
John 4:1-42 and our mission trip,
from Wesley United Methodist Church,
Concord, NH and from First United Methodist Church,
Hudson, MA to Jacksonville and Machias, ME
to the Down East Maine Mission,
Jacksonville United Methodist Campground,
East Machias, ME

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 19,600+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Sharing in the Circle

Rain falling on the roof above us,
spending time in the circle
gathered around before we are called
sharing stories, bits of ourselves
our daily devotionals, time in Your word
songs we love, with meaning
becoming closer and closer
losing track of time
sharing in the circle


August 8, 2007 8:59am
Our mission trip,
from Wesley United Methodist Church,
Concord, NH and from First United Methodist Church,
Hudson, MA to Jacksonville and Machias, ME
to the Down East Maine Mission,
Jacksonville United Methodist Campground,
East Machias, ME


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 19,600+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Painting in the Rain

A little rain wasn’t going to stop us
we were there to scrape, to prime the house
to help out, make progress.

Laughing as the rain ran off the roof
and down my back,
holding the ladder
for the scraping above me
Noticing that even the spiders
had found places out of the storm

But we were undaunted, for a time,
and kept painting in the rain
until the showers became
more serious



Title 8/8/07, poem started 8/11/07 11:30, finished August 12, 2007 20:26
Our mission trip,
from Wesley United Methodist Church,
Concord, NH and from First United Methodist Church,
Hudson, MA to Jacksonville and Machias, ME
to the Down East Maine Mission,
Jacksonville United Methodist Campground,
East Machias, ME



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 19,590+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Walking Down to Camp

Through the woods, dense around em
walking to the camp
A joy in the solitude, footsteps
on the soft dirt road,
forever damp in shadow
lush woods, forest, with
the scent of pine, of decay,
of growing plants, ripe berries
of bubbling brook, green and brown forest
lost in thought,
the present holding sway


Title 8/8/07, poem started 8/11/07 11:30, finished August 12, 2007 20:22
Our mission trip,
from Wesley United Methodist Church,
Concord, NH and from First United Methodist Church,
Hudson, MA to Jacksonville and Machias, ME
to the Down East Maine Mission,
Jacksonville United Methodist Campground,
East Machias, ME

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.

Spider is a Swear

On our mission trip,
At the camp, each swear
costs a quarter. On our job,
“spider” is a swear.
“Thousands” of them too.
Oh how many big fat hairy spiders
can one house hold?
“Thousands”.
That will be another quarter, John.



Title 8/8/07, poem August 12, 2007 20:20
Our mission trip,
from Wesley United Methodist Church,
Concord, NH and from First United Methodist Church,
Hudson, MA to Jacksonville and Machias, ME
to the Down East Maine Mission,
Jacksonville United Methodist Campground,
East Machias, ME


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 19,580+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Escalera, Escalera

“Ladder, Ladder!”
a phrase to which
I became accustomed
Being beseeched in Spanish
The Pastor and the Pilgrim
in service to God
scraping and painting
in the language of service
“Mi nombre es Ray”
“Escalera?”



Title 8/8/07, poem August 12, 2007 20:15
On the difficulty in creating roofing staging,
when the requester speaks Spanish and the listener,
speaks English. Our mission trip,
from Wesley United Methodist Church,
Concord, NH and from First United Methodist Church,
Hudson, MA to Jacksonville and Machias, ME
to the Down East Maine Mission,
Jacksonville United Methodist Campground,
East Machias, ME


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 19,580+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

And That is the Milky Way

A pure clear Maine sky
opened above us, as the fire died,
the cabin lights dimmed.
We watched planes, satellites,
many shooting stars
and the streak of the Milky Way
course across the dome
of the clear night
quiet around the still campfire,
echoes of the native drum
pulsing through us
as the night grew darker



Title 8/7/07, poem August 12, 2007 15:41
Our mission trip,
from Wesley United Methodist Church,
Concord, NH and from First United Methodist Church,
Hudson, MA to Jacksonville and Machias, ME
to the Down East Maine Mission,
Jacksonville United Methodist Campground,
East Machias, ME


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 19,580+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Hearing Our Story

Told by her, in her language
our story, of all people
around the fire, in the circle
The meaning within her story
for the four elements,
fire, water, air and earth,
Four peoples
white, black,
yellow and red.
Part of her tradition
long before the races met
Interconnection and balance
with peoples, within
the elements,
all precious in the Creator’s sight


Title 8/7/07, poem August 12, 2007 15:36
On the words of Thunderbird Turtle Woman,
Our mission trip,
from Wesley United Methodist Church,
Concord, NH and from First United Methodist Church,
Hudson, MA to Jacksonville and Machias, ME
to the Down East Maine Mission,
Jacksonville United Methodist Campground,
East Machias, ME


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 19,580+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

On Turtle Island

A different walk now
on Turtle Island, her people’s name
for this land of my ancestors too
generations long past; but her stories
vivid, pure, based on oral traditions.
A reverence for the land, for father Eagle,
the water, the wind, around the fire.
Her people, “the people”, here eternally
living, walking on Turtle Island



Title 8/7/07, poem August 12, 2007 15:31
On the words of Thunderbird Turtle Woman,
Our mission trip,
from Wesley United Methodist Church,
Concord, NH and from First United Methodist Church,
Hudson, MA to Jacksonville and Machias, ME
to the Down East Maine Mission,
Jacksonville United Methodist Campground,
East Machias, ME


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 19,580+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

A Foundation of Love

In the beginning
there was God’s love
upon this strong foundation,
this rock, all else stands
God’s love, His ever hopeful grace
we can depend on, we are assured.
God will open wide
Her arms of love, ready
to welcome us
when we return home.
Upon this strong foundation
we build our lives
of purpose, of service,
spreading the Creator’s love
Building Your church



Title 8/7/07, poem August 12, 2007 15:22
Our mission trip,
from Wesley United Methodist Church,
Concord, NH and from First United Methodist Church,
Hudson, MA to Jacksonville and Machias, ME
to the Down East Maine Mission,
Jacksonville United Methodist Campground,
East Machias, ME


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 19,580+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

By the Fire

By the fire, crackling sparks,
living flame, licked the wood
dancing before the starlight
before the pine forest,
beyond the camp.
We gathered there, drawn
by the flame, the warmth,
Hearing a different,
an ancient voice.
Her words rumbling
down from generations past.
Hearing a piece of her oral history
our common walk
in this place, Turtle Island.



Title 8/7/07, poem August 12, 2007 15:27
On the words of Thunderbird Turtle Woman,
Our mission trip,
from Wesley United Methodist Church,
Concord, NH and from First United Methodist Church,
Hudson, MA to Jacksonville and Machias, ME
to the Down East Maine Mission,
Jacksonville United Methodist Campground,
East Machias, ME


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 19,580+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Avoiding Purple

I smiled a the funny turn of phrase,
the appropriate admonition,
“we need to avoid purple”,
the mixing of the pink and blue
Active chaperones for those
in our care, in our charge,
colors needing to stay
unblended


August 6, 2007 22:48


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 19,580+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Up the Ladder

Climbing to serve,
up the ladder,
beyond the roof.
Up off the ground,
another story,
ready for scraping,
for priming, for paint.
Many hands, working together
Climbing the ladder
to serve.


August 6, 2007 22:50
Our mission trip,
from Wesley United Methodist Church,
Concord, NH and from First United Methodist Church,
Hudson, MA to Jacksonville and Machias, ME
to the Down East Maine Mission,
Jacksonville United Methodist Campground,
East Machias, ME

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 19,570+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Living in His House

In living in the Master’s house,
we grow, or hopefully so,
perfecting ourselves, in our walk
finding our place, our way
our niche in the kingdom,
ways of living, humbly, simply;
spending time in fellowship,
in worship, and in service.
Growing in faith, recognizing
the gifts of the father, the son,
and the gifts we have
to share with the world.


August 6, 2007
A poem on sanctifying grace
Our mission trip,
from Wesley United Methodist Church,
Concord, NH and from First United Methodist Church,
Hudson, MA to Jacksonville and Machias, ME
to the Down East Maine Mission,
Jacksonville United Methodist Campground,
East Machias, ME


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 19,570+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

In the Wet Wood

The evergreen forest, wet fragrance
after the cooling shower
sweet scent of pine
caught in wisps of air
mixing with other
more earthy tones
wafting on the breeze
Damp night falling
around me as I walk
on the wet dirt road
in the northern wood


August 6, 2007 19:30
Our mission trip,
from Wesley United Methodist Church,
Concord, NH and from First United Methodist Church,
Hudson, MA to Jacksonville and Machias, ME
to the Down East Maine Mission,
Jacksonville United Methodist Campground,
East Machias, ME


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 19,570+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Knocking on the Door

Answering the welcome of the father
the ever present welcome
and offer of justifying grace
when we make the conscious act
to say yes to our Savior
move into the home, the house of God
where we can live, grow,
find our call, our gifts,
our place in the kingdom



August 6, 2007 21:40
A poem on justifying grace
Our mission trip,
from Wesley United Methodist Church,
Concord, NH and from First United Methodist Church,
Hudson, MA to Jacksonville and Machias, ME
to the Down East Maine Mission,
Jacksonville United Methodist Campground,
East Machias, ME

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 19,570+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

The Front Porch

God sets out a welcome
a bountiful front porch
expansive and always present
a front porch, maybe
with a homemade pie cooling
or maybe a bouquet
fresh-cut flowers
a mat before the door
His prevenient grace, ready when we are
By these we know the love of the owner
the open arms of the father
open to every prodigal son, prodigal daughter
ignoring, forgiving our sins
welcoming us through the door.


August 6, 2007 21:25
a poem on prevenient grace
Our mission trip,
from Wesley United Methodist Church,
Concord, NH and from First United Methodist Church,
Hudson, MA to Jacksonville and Machias, ME
to the Down East Maine Mission,
Jacksonville United Methodist Campground,
East Machias, ME

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 19,570+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Disturbing the Spiders

For a few moments
on the side of the house
the main thing I was doing
wasn’t painting, not even scraping.
I was disturbing the spiders,
the big fat spiders, the residents
of the wall over the peeling paint
They hovered expectantly waiting for prey
protecting their egg sacks, their children,
and I was the intruder into their world,
not the other way around.



August 6, 2007 22:40
Our mission trip,
from Wesley United Methodist Church,
Concord, NH and from First United Methodist Church,
Hudson, MA to Jacksonville and Machias, ME
to the Down East Maine Mission,
Jacksonville United Methodist Campground,
East Machias, ME

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 19,570+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

In the Circle

We gathered again
in the circle, our place
to join in Your word
to still the chatter,
stop our other work,
center us in our mission,
our purpose here.
Sharing time in the circle
drawing closer to one another
closer to you, Lord
to do your work, with clear vision
early in the morning, at night
in the circle.


August 6, 2007 8:12am
Our mission trip,
from Wesley United Methodist Church,
Concord, NH and from First United Methodist Church,
Hudson, MA to Jacksonville and Machias, ME
to the Down East Maine Mission,
Jacksonville United Methodist Campground,
East Machias, ME


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 19,570+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Make Love Come Alive – A Prayer

Lord, how easy it is
to speak of love,
to say, to pledge,
undying, unending love
claiming to understand,
to appreciate the meaning
of real love; oh we see but
only a foggy image of
love in the mirror,
a weak shadow of
the full flowering of Your love.

Help us Lord,
to take steps, on the strength of Your foundation,
even tentative, faltering steps,
even in our infancy,
to make love come alive for another,
through unexpected, kind words,
a genuine smile, signs of real respect,
true appreciation, servanthood.

Help us put others before ourselves,
to wait for all, not just our turn.
Remind us Lord to
Take the time to find the good in each
and speak words of love,
whenever we speak, in whatever we do.
Amen.


August 6, 2007 22:21, edited on August 7, 2007 7:07am
to use as a prayer during devotion time
1 Corinthians 13 and
Our mission trip,
from Wesley United Methodist Church,
Concord, NH and from First United Methodist Church,
Hudson, MA to Jacksonville and Machias, ME
to the Down East Maine Mission,
Jacksonville United Methodist Campground,
East Machias, ME



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 19,570+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Make Love Come Alive

How easy it is Lord
to speak of love,
to say, to pledge,
undying, unending love
claiming to understand,
to appreciate the meaning
of real love; oh we see but
only a foggy image of
love in the mirror,
a weak shadow of
the full flowering of Your love.

We can take steps,
even tentative, faltering steps,
even in our infancy,
to make love come alive for another,
through unexpected, kind words,
a genuine smile, signs of real respect,
true appreciation, servanthood.
To put others before ourselves,
to wait for all, not just our turn.
Take the time to find the good in each
and speak words of love,
whenever we speak, in whatever we do.


August 6, 2007 22:21
1 Corinthians 13 and
Our mission trip,
from Wesley United Methodist Church,
Concord, NH and from First United Methodist Church,
Hudson, MA to Jacksonville and Machias, ME
to the Down East Maine Mission,
Jacksonville United Methodist Campground,
East Machias, ME


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.

Unique Within Creation

The devotional asked
a different, a challenging question,
asking how I am “unique in creation”
A thought not easily answered in simple terms
our DNA, our fingerprints may be unique;
but what of our experience, our thoughts,
our dreams for our future. I am
everything I have seen, tasted, smelled,
heard, felt; everything I have done,
everything I have chosen not to do.
My mother’s son, my wife’s husband,
father to my girls. Poet, attorney, prophet,
accountant, neighbor, and more.
I am unique in creation
because I exist and just as God
is found in the great I Am,
so we, each of us, born in the image,
the image of God, each I, is unique.


August 5, 2007 22:58
Our mission trip,
from Wesley United Methodist Church,
Concord, NH and from First United Methodist Church,
Hudson, MA to Jacksonville and Machias, ME
to the Down East Maine Mission,
Jacksonville United Methodist Campground,
East Machias, ME

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 19,570+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

The Carpenter – A Prayer

Dear Lord,
Before you were the Good Shepherd,
you were the carpenter’s son,
a carpenter himself.
We can learn much, from you
the carpenter, even as
the fishermen did,
after your rising.

Cutting with the grain,
planning the boards level,
sanded smooth, measuring,
planning, drafting and
redrafting, before the first cut,
long before the nailing.

Help us be your hands, using the tools,
our skills, the blueprint,
for this work and our lives
and for the people we are helping.
Guide us Lord to follow
the plans of the carpenter
and our heavenly father,
the creator, the master architect.
Amen.

August 5, 2007 10:25am, edited August 8, 2007 8:30am
for the prayer for devotion time
Our mission trip,
from Wesley United Methodist Church,
Concord, NH and from First United Methodist Church,
Hudson, MA to Jacksonville and Machias, ME
to the Down East Maine Mission,
Jacksonville United Methodist Campground,
East Machias, ME

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 19,570+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

The Carpenter

Before he was the Good Shepherd,
he was the carpenter’s son,
a carpenter himself.
We can learn much, from
the carpenter, even as
the fishermen did,
after his rising.

Cutting with the grain,
planning the boards level,
sanded smooth, measuring,
planning, drafting and
redrafting, before the first cut,
long before the nailing.

Being the hands, using the tools,
the skills, the blueprint,
for this work and their lives.
Following the plans of the carpenter
and his heavenly father,
the creator, the master architect.


August 5, 2007 10:25am
Our mission trip,
from Wesley United Methodist Church,
Concord, NH and from First United Methodist Church,
Hudson, MA to Jacksonville and Machias, ME
to the Down East Maine Mission,
Jacksonville United Methodist Campground,
East Machias, ME


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.

A Greater Whole

Together we are here,
together we can achieve,
serve the community
these people, together
we are more, can do more
than as individuals.
Together we are stronger,
more able to meet challenges
able to use disparate gifts,
different experience, understanding
to do more together

August 5, 2007 22:45
Our mission trip,
from Wesley United Methodist Church,
Concord, NH and from First United Methodist Church,
Hudson, MA to Jacksonville and Machias, ME
to the Down East Maine Mission,
Jacksonville United Methodist Campground,
East Machias, ME


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.

The Mason

The work of the mason,
the building of the foundation,
the rock, the stone, the level place
upon which the house,
the whole structure depends
Using his skill to craft,
to create, to fill the cracks
to make smooth, even, level
to anchor the rest, securely.

August 5, 2007 10:15am
Our mission trip,
from Wesley United Methodist Church,
Concord, NH and from First United Methodist Church,
Hudson, MA to Jacksonville and Machias, ME
to the Down East Maine Mission,
Jacksonville United Methodist Campground,
East Machias, ME


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.

All My Days

I believe the words
of the psalmist from so long ago
sharing their assurance
of Your design, Your providence,
Your knowing of all of my days,
even before I was born,
knowing my choices, my free will
before I catch a single breath

August 5, 2007 11:13am
Psalm 139:16 and Our mission trip,
from Wesley United Methodist Church,
Concord, NH and from First United Methodist Church,
Hudson, MA to Jacksonville and Machias, ME
to the Down East Maine Mission,
Jacksonville United Methodist Campground,
East Machias, ME


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.

Loading the Van

Fidgety, that is probably
the best way to describe us
a ragtag gathering by the van
loading a week’s supplies, provisions,
the stuff we need
Pacing in place, antsy for the start,
the getting underway, embarking
on our mission trip,
anticipating, expectant,
ready to go, to do, to be
the Master’s instruments,
His Hands, downeast.

August 5, 2007 10:09am
Our mission trip,
from Wesley United Methodist Church,
Concord, NH and from First United Methodist Church,
Hudson, MA to Jacksonville and Machias, ME
to the Down East Maine Mission,
Jacksonville United Methodist Campground,
East Machias, ME


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.

The Architect

Out of the creation
an order, a place for each
a selection, a role to play
We too, each with different gifts
different roles in creation,
in building the kingdom,
part of the architect’s plan
all along, from the beginning

August 5, 2007 10:49am
Our mission trip,
from Wesley United Methodist Church,
Concord, NH and from First United Methodist Church,
Hudson, MA to Jacksonville and Machias, ME
to the Down East Maine Mission,
Jacksonville United Methodist Campground,
East Machias, ME


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.

In Mission

In Mission
to the people of that simple place
people of that land,
roots deep in that rough scrabble
eeking out life on the land,
the sea, the open ocean before
the blueberry fields,
the forest behind
out on the edge of our land.
Going there in mission
hoping to serve them
make their lives just a bit easier

August 5, 2007 10:00am
On the start of our mission trip,
from Wesley United Methodist Church,
Concord, NH, to Jacksonville and Machias, ME
to the Down East Maine Mission,
Jacksonville United Methodist Campground,
East Machias, ME

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.

Adding Our Hands

We departed to serve
blessed by our brothers,
our sisters, in worship
Setting out this glorious Sunday ‘morn
to add our hands to their work
putting our feet to our faith.
Heading downeast, to add our hands,
to be His hands, His feet,
His love, fellow servants
with our brothers and sisters
out there, by the blueberry fields

August 5, 2007 9:46
On the start of our mission trip,
from Wesley United Methodist Church,
Concord, NH, to Jacksonville and Machias, ME
to the Down East Maine Mission

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 30,090+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.