a dock, a working pier
out into the estuary
the pull of the tides, swaying seaweed
barnacles, algae, the smell of rot
oil, diesel, rope, netting
lobster traps shining in the filtered sun,
boards of the dock, stories they could tell
a cloud of gulls, lapping the boats
heading out for game
out on the Bay,
the lee of the Shoals
even to the Grand Banks
a working pier, bearing witness
the steel of the fishermen
who have labored here
written December 27, 2008
titled 12/12/07
All of my poems, photographs, and videos are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com) for usage. See all 53,000+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
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Saturday, December 27, 2008
Magnificat
Joining Mary, her song
sung to God, for all generations -
blessings we share, each of us
with her, all creation, blessed by the creator
humble servants are we, walking with our brother
sharing this wondrous message, with her, the angels,
those who have gone before us
A choir, singing her song, our song
of praise, of grace, of God’s great works
rejoicing with our mother, our sister
at all the almighty has done for us,
for the people, the descendants of Abraham
by faith, by his love, all of us saved
Share the good news
December 21 and 27, 2008
Micah 4:1-7
Luke 1:46-55
and sermon, “An Upside Down Christmas”,
by Reverend Huntley Halvorson
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
sung to God, for all generations -
blessings we share, each of us
with her, all creation, blessed by the creator
humble servants are we, walking with our brother
sharing this wondrous message, with her, the angels,
those who have gone before us
A choir, singing her song, our song
of praise, of grace, of God’s great works
rejoicing with our mother, our sister
at all the almighty has done for us,
for the people, the descendants of Abraham
by faith, by his love, all of us saved
Share the good news
December 21 and 27, 2008
Micah 4:1-7
Luke 1:46-55
and sermon, “An Upside Down Christmas”,
by Reverend Huntley Halvorson
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
All of my
poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005,
2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015. All rights
reserved. Contact me at Ray
Foss for usage. See all 39,780+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com
Poetry Where You Live.
Friday, December 26, 2008
Speak Zechariah
Speak Zechariah, what shall be his name
Who will this son be, your baby boy
what is his call, even now, speak Zechariah
What did the angel tell you, what have you discerned,
what can you reveal, after your silence?
He is to be the one, the one who was foretold
crying in the wilderness, making straight the way
making the way of the Lord straight,
telling the people the good news
The Messiah comes!
His is to be a prophet, bringing our people
those willing, back to God, to welcome him
who is coming, even now, coming to save
God, incarnate, blessing the world
offering us, even now, salvation
Who will this son be, your baby boy
what is his call, even now, speak Zechariah
What did the angel tell you, what have you discerned,
what can you reveal, after your silence?
He is to be the one, the one who was foretold
crying in the wilderness, making straight the way
making the way of the Lord straight,
telling the people the good news
The Messiah comes!
His is to be a prophet, bringing our people
those willing, back to God, to welcome him
who is coming, even now, coming to save
God, incarnate, blessing the world
offering us, even now, salvation
December 21 and 26, 2008
Speak Zechariah
Luke 1:5-25, 57-80
Luke 1:5-25
Luke 1:57-66
Luke 1:57-80
Luke 1:67-80
All of my poems and photographs are copyrighted
by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009,
2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com) for
usage. See all 40,350+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com
Poetry Where You Live.
A Prayer for Micah
A prayer for Micah
in the words, the power of his story
His words coming true
the promise of God
Christmas night, fulfilling his words
that remnant, the city, the people of David
from them has come, the word of God
alive, on the earth, from the virgin, a baby
to rule, to judge, to winnow and to save
The words of the prophets,
moving among the people
embodied in the humble babe,
the servant king,
who will return in victory,
just as the scripture foretells
December 21 and 26, 2008
Micah 4:1-7
Luke 1:46-55
and sermon, “An Upside Down Christmas”,
by Reverend Huntley Halvorson
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
in the words, the power of his story
His words coming true
the promise of God
Christmas night, fulfilling his words
that remnant, the city, the people of David
from them has come, the word of God
alive, on the earth, from the virgin, a baby
to rule, to judge, to winnow and to save
The words of the prophets,
moving among the people
embodied in the humble babe,
the servant king,
who will return in victory,
just as the scripture foretells
December 21 and 26, 2008
Micah 4:1-7
Luke 1:46-55
and sermon, “An Upside Down Christmas”,
by Reverend Huntley Halvorson
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Journeying to Bethlehem
Traveling, to that city, traveling far
guided by your light, by your nativity star
finding you in the manger bed
no room for them in the inn
to Bethlehem, to the stable
humble birth, royal child
We go to Bethlehem
each year, to reclaim the wonder
of that magical joyous night
when God came to be one
among us, to walk our earthly road
to give us salvation
always starting on the road to Bethlehem
the journey of our year
December 24, 2008
guided by your light, by your nativity star
finding you in the manger bed
no room for them in the inn
to Bethlehem, to the stable
humble birth, royal child
We go to Bethlehem
each year, to reclaim the wonder
of that magical joyous night
when God came to be one
among us, to walk our earthly road
to give us salvation
always starting on the road to Bethlehem
the journey of our year
December 24, 2008
Right Side Up
The story of Christmas
trying to turn the world
right side up, to turn from the power of might
to a world where sacrifice, where servanthood
were the meek, the forgotten
the least, the last, the lost
outsiders equal with the select
all are worthy, all brought inside
a king a babe
a throne a manger
women, shepherds, foreigners
all can be vessels for God’s message
A babe in swaddling clothes
will change the world
December 21 and 24, 2008
Micah 4:1-7
Luke 1:46-55
and sermon, “An Upside Down Christmas”,
by Reverend Huntley Halvorson
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
trying to turn the world
right side up, to turn from the power of might
to a world where sacrifice, where servanthood
were the meek, the forgotten
the least, the last, the lost
outsiders equal with the select
all are worthy, all brought inside
a king a babe
a throne a manger
women, shepherds, foreigners
all can be vessels for God’s message
A babe in swaddling clothes
will change the world
December 21 and 24, 2008
Micah 4:1-7
Luke 1:46-55
and sermon, “An Upside Down Christmas”,
by Reverend Huntley Halvorson
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
Testify Elizabeth
Testify Elizabeth
to the Son of God
in the womb of the virgin
your cousin before you
Testify to the light, coming into the world
the incarnate God, growing within her
his harbinger within you
soon to be born, to be named
his life prophesized
to be the one in the desert
in the wilderness,
Oh, testify Elizabeth
to the coming of Christ
December 24, 2008
Luke 1:39-45
to the Son of God
in the womb of the virgin
your cousin before you
Testify to the light, coming into the world
the incarnate God, growing within her
his harbinger within you
soon to be born, to be named
his life prophesized
to be the one in the desert
in the wilderness,
Oh, testify Elizabeth
to the coming of Christ
December 24, 2008
Luke 1:39-45
A Christmas Night
It was the night in a stable
so long, long ago
the cattle were lowing,
the manger below
Mary and Joseph
keeping their watch
over the babe, under the light of a star
wrapped in swaddling clothes,
the shepherds kneeling at his bed
Wise men, journeying still
led by his star
a night like none other
to change the world
December 24, 2008
so long, long ago
the cattle were lowing,
the manger below
Mary and Joseph
keeping their watch
over the babe, under the light of a star
wrapped in swaddling clothes,
the shepherds kneeling at his bed
Wise men, journeying still
led by his star
a night like none other
to change the world
December 24, 2008
What Gifts Will I Bring
What gifts will I bring
to your manger bed,
to your throne, covered in hay
to lay by your feet, before you
All that I have, all that I am
my life, as Mary did
unto you I give me
to be your servant, your vessel
your disciple, in the world
bringing your message
word by word, out into the world
let your word fill my mouth
let me speak your truth, your love
let me be like John, crying in the wilderness
making straight your ways
December 24, 2008
Matthew 2:1-12
Luke 1:38
Luke 1:5-25, 57-80
Luke 1:5-25
Luke 1:57-66
Luke 1:57-80
Luke 1:67-80
to your manger bed,
to your throne, covered in hay
to lay by your feet, before you
All that I have, all that I am
my life, as Mary did
unto you I give me
to be your servant, your vessel
your disciple, in the world
bringing your message
word by word, out into the world
let your word fill my mouth
let me speak your truth, your love
let me be like John, crying in the wilderness
making straight your ways
December 24, 2008
Matthew 2:1-12
Luke 1:38
Luke 1:5-25, 57-80
Luke 1:5-25
Luke 1:57-66
Luke 1:57-80
Luke 1:67-80
What is His Name
What is his name, this son,
born in your old age
this boy in your arms,
ready for the covenant,
the ritual, Abraham’s covenant,
to be one of the people
Is he to share your name, father
to be set apart, as you were
to serve in the Temple
His name is John
a powerful word,
the mute speaking
his silence ended
What is his name,
one we will never forget
making ready for the king
making his way straight
crying out for righteousness
a voice in the wilderness
This is his name
December 24, 2008
Luke 1:5-25, 57-80
Luke 1:5-25
Luke 1:57-66
Luke 1:57-80
Luke 1:67-80
born in your old age
this boy in your arms,
ready for the covenant,
the ritual, Abraham’s covenant,
to be one of the people
Is he to share your name, father
to be set apart, as you were
to serve in the Temple
His name is John
a powerful word,
the mute speaking
his silence ended
What is his name,
one we will never forget
making ready for the king
making his way straight
crying out for righteousness
a voice in the wilderness
This is his name
December 24, 2008
Luke 1:5-25, 57-80
Luke 1:5-25
Luke 1:57-66
Luke 1:57-80
Luke 1:67-80
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
A Servant of the Lord
We, like Mary, servants of the Lord
people of faith, of the covenant
serving, rather than being served
following the example of our brother
our savior, our humble king
giving all, our lives, willingly
by our choice,
being a servant of the Lord
As we face the babe in the manger,
hearing the beating of angels wings
may we boldly sing as she did
of so long ago,
be it unto me
according to thy word
thy word alone, oh God
December 23, 2008
Luke 1:38
people of faith, of the covenant
serving, rather than being served
following the example of our brother
our savior, our humble king
giving all, our lives, willingly
by our choice,
being a servant of the Lord
As we face the babe in the manger,
hearing the beating of angels wings
may we boldly sing as she did
of so long ago,
be it unto me
according to thy word
thy word alone, oh God
December 23, 2008
Luke 1:38
Let it be with me
Let it be with me
as unto your word, your will,
your plans for me, Lord.
I submit my will to you
my brother, my savior
my father, my creator
Let your spirit grow within me
guide me where you will
to the work you would have me do
Let it be with me
as you would have it
December 23, 2008
Luke 1:38
as unto your word, your will,
your plans for me, Lord.
I submit my will to you
my brother, my savior
my father, my creator
Let your spirit grow within me
guide me where you will
to the work you would have me do
Let it be with me
as you would have it
December 23, 2008
Luke 1:38
By Your Will
By your will, oh God
I will go where you would lead me
that voice, the spirit, speaking
deep down within me
your voice, your word
this I will follow
I am your servant,
the clay of your wheel
mold me as you will
use me as you want
send me where you wish
Do unto me according
to your will
I am yours
December 23, 2008
Luke 1:38
I will go where you would lead me
that voice, the spirit, speaking
deep down within me
your voice, your word
this I will follow
I am your servant,
the clay of your wheel
mold me as you will
use me as you want
send me where you wish
Do unto me according
to your will
I am yours
December 23, 2008
Luke 1:38
To Be Like Mary
A prayer, a wish, a choice
to be like Mary, to choose
turn from this world, to the will of God
a grander plan, unseen
to cast my lot, my life
on the wind of the father
the path he alone can see
to trust my way, my journey
his guiding hand
to be his servant, my oil ready,
awake, for his coming
alert, to be worthy grain
to be harvest at the end of the age
December 23, 2008
Luke 1:38
to be like Mary, to choose
turn from this world, to the will of God
a grander plan, unseen
to cast my lot, my life
on the wind of the father
the path he alone can see
to trust my way, my journey
his guiding hand
to be his servant, my oil ready,
awake, for his coming
alert, to be worthy grain
to be harvest at the end of the age
December 23, 2008
Luke 1:38
By Your Word
Be unto me
according to, by your word
my life, charted by your will
my days turned over
submitted to you
Such was her response
the servant, the handmaiden
the mother of Christ, our savior
Without hesitation, no delay
Accepting the miraculous news
the visit of the angel
the virgin,
finding the favor of God
December 22, 2008
Luke 1:38
according to, by your word
my life, charted by your will
my days turned over
submitted to you
Such was her response
the servant, the handmaiden
the mother of Christ, our savior
Without hesitation, no delay
Accepting the miraculous news
the visit of the angel
the virgin,
finding the favor of God
December 22, 2008
Luke 1:38
A Mother’s Prayer - edited
A mother’s prayer
for her child, for her children
for healing, for grace
for the pain she carries
to be lifted from her weary shoulders
her tired feet, pacing the late night floor,
longing for sleep that will not come
hoping, always for a brighter future
to breath free, without weight
hanging, pulling her down
to see a change, a renewal
a mending of the tears,
the frayed edges of existence
of the interrupted aspects,
the missing pieces of her life
after disruptions and displacement
rebuke, and distance
A change of course, in the offing
in the near future, hopeful still
in the God who has listened,
heeded her call before
July 30, 2006
February 3, 2007 22:07
edited 12/22/08
for her child, for her children
for healing, for grace
for the pain she carries
to be lifted from her weary shoulders
her tired feet, pacing the late night floor,
longing for sleep that will not come
hoping, always for a brighter future
to breath free, without weight
hanging, pulling her down
to see a change, a renewal
a mending of the tears,
the frayed edges of existence
of the interrupted aspects,
the missing pieces of her life
after disruptions and displacement
rebuke, and distance
A change of course, in the offing
in the near future, hopeful still
in the God who has listened,
heeded her call before
July 30, 2006
February 3, 2007 22:07
edited 12/22/08
Sunday, December 21, 2008
By God’s Standards
Teaching a lesson, the same lesson
throughout the bible, his holy word
that the strong are not better, the rich, the powerful
the same in the creator’s eyes
by God’s standards, we are all equal
all are his children, all need his grace
all are our brothers, our neighbors,
fellow sinners, journeying this earth
Telling his wisdom, his law, his love
with unlikely people, the world upside down
bringing us to his standards, not the world’s
improbably messengers, heroes, characters on the stage
role reversals, changes of fortune, teaching
bringing us to his will, to his righteousness
to him, to a relationship with him
if we would but live not by the world’s standards
by not who the winners and losers are
but by God’s loving standards
December 21, 2008
Cain and Abel, Genesis 4:9-16
The Good Samaritan, Luke 10:25–37
Matthew 25:31-46
&
Micah 4:1-7
Luke 1:46-55
and sermon, “An Upside Down Christmas”,
by Reverend Huntley Halvorson
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
throughout the bible, his holy word
that the strong are not better, the rich, the powerful
the same in the creator’s eyes
by God’s standards, we are all equal
all are his children, all need his grace
all are our brothers, our neighbors,
fellow sinners, journeying this earth
Telling his wisdom, his law, his love
with unlikely people, the world upside down
bringing us to his standards, not the world’s
improbably messengers, heroes, characters on the stage
role reversals, changes of fortune, teaching
bringing us to his will, to his righteousness
to him, to a relationship with him
if we would but live not by the world’s standards
by not who the winners and losers are
but by God’s loving standards
December 21, 2008
Cain and Abel, Genesis 4:9-16
The Good Samaritan, Luke 10:25–37
Matthew 25:31-46
&
Micah 4:1-7
Luke 1:46-55
and sermon, “An Upside Down Christmas”,
by Reverend Huntley Halvorson
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
Four Candles Burning
Shining together
around the still-dark candle
Hope, Peace, Love, and Joy
not yet fulfilled, revealed
the Christ candle still unlit
waiting, expectantly
for the moment his light
shines more fully
illumining our lives
the sanctuary aglow
with his royal light
waiting for Christmas night
December 21, 2008
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
around the still-dark candle
Hope, Peace, Love, and Joy
not yet fulfilled, revealed
the Christ candle still unlit
waiting, expectantly
for the moment his light
shines more fully
illumining our lives
the sanctuary aglow
with his royal light
waiting for Christmas night
December 21, 2008
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
A Plate Before the Crèche
Like the wise men, the cows,
the shepherds, the mother, the father
their praise, their prayer, their gifts
our offering plate
tithes and gifts
gathered in, from the congregation,
the faithful this Advent morn’,
brought onto your altar
placed before the crèche,
before your manger throne
Bless these gifts, Lord Jesus
help us to be your hands, your feet
living out your ministry in this place
on this our journey, from the stable
to the cross, to resurrection morn’
to our mansion in the sky
December 21, 2008
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
the shepherds, the mother, the father
their praise, their prayer, their gifts
our offering plate
tithes and gifts
gathered in, from the congregation,
the faithful this Advent morn’,
brought onto your altar
placed before the crèche,
before your manger throne
Bless these gifts, Lord Jesus
help us to be your hands, your feet
living out your ministry in this place
on this our journey, from the stable
to the cross, to resurrection morn’
to our mansion in the sky
December 21, 2008
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH