Saturday, September 28, 2013

their stories unfolding – v5


their stories unfolding
each one of them unique
context, and purpose
welling up within
the pages opening
a shape revealed
as petals on a blossom
different shades,
different colors
a bright tomorrow blooming
all coming into view


Edited September 28, 2013
their stories unfolding – v5
Edited September 24, 2013
their stories unfolding – v3
September 21, 2013
their stories unfolding
September 21, 2013
an image emerging
September 21, 2013
a flower opening
September 21, 2013
an onion peeling
September 21, 2013
In the quiet moments
teaching at Katahdin Middle/ High School

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 25,780+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

their stories unfolding – v4


their stories unfolding
written on parchment
on whiteboards, assignments
on IPads, technology
in charcoal sketches

each one unique
context, and purpose
welling us within
the pages opening

as petals on a blossom
different shades,
different colors
all coming into view
in their time, so soon


Edited September 28, 2013
their stories unfolding – v4
Edited September 24, 2013
their stories unfolding – v2
September 21, 2013
their stories unfolding
September 21, 2013
an image emerging
September 21, 2013
a flower opening
September 21, 2013
an onion peeling
September 21, 2013
In the quiet moments
teaching at Katahdin Middle/ High School

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 25,780+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

For Offering Love – v4


For sharing God’s grace
offering love
sharing their love
in the temple, the chapel,
standing before God
For this shamed
judged guilty
for this alone
the stones at the ready.

The same challenge
others standing accused
new martyrs, new pilgrims
following the word
a prayer, the same prayer
for mercy, discernment
that the breach would not be widened
too many innocents injured
in the name of piety

A prayer for mercy
for those in the crowd
the thirteen judging
may they rest in you
Hearing Christ speaking
calling to them
to offer compassion
to set down their stones
to offer their love

We too in the crowd
calling for mercy
seeking another path
to stay in communion
so many worried, scared
unable to stand, in this time
one by one vulnerable
together a force
to change the future
to turn from our past


Edited September 28, 2013
For Offering Love – v4
Edited September 25, 2013
For Offering Love – v3
 (editing original again)
Edited September 7, 2013
For Offering Love – v2
June 22, 2011
For Offering Love
&
new poem September 7, 2013
“Making the secular Holy”
This poem is about my wife and me when we got married
civilly on December 17, 2004 in Concord, NH in White Park
and then before our church family at
Wesley United Methodist Church in Concord, NH
on April 23, 2005.
We celebrate 2 anniversaries because they both mean a great
deal to us, in very different ways.
I grieve for those who are able to marry civilly in so many
states now, such as NH, but are unable to marry in their
United Methodists churches and for the clergy who are put on trial
for choosing to go against the Discipline to marry them.
&
trials of Rev. Frank Schaefer
and Rev. Thomas Ogletree
and  Rev. Steve Heiss
&
Love on Trial,
the case against the Reverend Amy DeLong,
which begins on June 20, 2011
&
John 8:1-11
&
Samuel Thompson’s
Inclusion Essay
shared at the New England United Methodist Church
Annual Conference
in response to call by Reconciling Ministries Network
for essays describing, “My vision for an inclusive church”,
June 10, 2011
&
in part inspired by conversations with
the Reverend John Makokha
Riruta UMC
Children of Africa Hope Mission Project in the slums of Nairobi, Kenya. http://rirutaumc.homestead.com/children_of_africa.html
&
Matthew 25:31-46
The Sheep and the Goats
&
Matthew 28:18-20
Great Commission

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 25,780+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

I offer my water – v3


that which gives me life
my dust, my earth
my living essence
your Spirit within
I offer my water
that which is within me
living water
that animates me
I offer my water
my eternal spirit
all that I am
into your hands


------
Edited September 28, 2013
I offer my water – v3
(editing the original again)
Edited September 23, 2013
I offer my water – v2
September 22, 2013
I offer my water
Luke 16:1-13
Upper Room Disciplines for 2013
September 16, 2013 to September 22, 2013
“Out of Bounds”
by Claire Keene
for September 16, 2013
read September 22, 2013
&
Bulletin
Luke 16:1-13
Luke 10:38-42
Prayers of the People
and sermon “You cannot serve God and Mammon”
by Raymond A. Foss
Portage Congregational Church
Portage, ME
September 22, 2013

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 25,780+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

I offer my ashes – v3


I pray from my dust
from my stiff clay
my body, my all
I offer my ashes
my pain, my sorrow
all of my past
I offer my hope
the Spirit within me
I give you my all
my Savior, my Master


------
Edited September 28, 2013
I offer my ashes – v3
(editing original again)
Edited September 23, 2013
I offer my ashes – v2
September 22, 2013
I offer my ashes
Luke 16:1-13
Upper Room Disciplines for 2013
September 16, 2013 to September 22, 2013
“Out of Bounds”
by Claire Keene
for September 16, 2013
read September 22, 2013
&
Bulletin
Luke 16:1-13
Luke 10:38-42
Prayers of the People
and sermon “You cannot serve God and Mammon”
by Raymond A. Foss
Portage Congregational Church
Portage, ME
September 22, 2013

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 25,780+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

I offer my clay – v3


I offer my clay
my vessel, my body
chipped, scratched,
but poured, empty
fill me with light
let me be your servant
empty me, Lord
of my past, my failure
bring me to you
open and empty
I want to be your vessel
send me, use me
out in your world
filled me, set me
up on the lampstand
may I shine your message
your holy light
fill me, use me, pour me
let me be a vessel
your love poured out


------
Edited September 28, 2013
I offer my clay – v3
(editing original again)
Edited September 23, 2013
I offer my clay – v2
September 22, 2013
I offer my clay
Luke 16:1-13
Upper Room Disciplines for 2013
September 16, 2013 to September 22, 2013
“Out of Bounds”
by Claire Keene
for September 16, 2013
read September 22, 2013
&
Bulletin
Luke 16:1-13
Luke 10:38-42
Prayers of the People
and sermon “You cannot serve God and Mammon”
by Raymond A. Foss
Portage Congregational Church
Portage, ME
September 22, 2013

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 25,780+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Make your home in me – v5


Lord, dwell in me
oh I pray, empty
fill me with your love
your Spirit within
find peace, welcome
make your home in me
a willing vessel
chipped clay, ready
I want to follow
I love you Lord
I want to join you
to live, abiding
your Spirit within
filling me, use me
I want to follow


------
Edited September 28, 2013
Make your home in me – v5
Edited September 18, 2013
Make your home in me – v4
 (editing original again)
Edited August 28, 2013
Make your home in me – v3
(editing original again)
Edited August 9, 2013
“Make your home in me – v2”
(editing original)
April 30, 2013
Make your home in me
John 14:23-24
John 14:23-29
Upper Room Disciplines for 2013
April 29, 2013 to May 5, 2013
“Reflections on Home”
by Doreen M. McFarlane
for April 30, 2013
read April 30, 2013

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 25,780+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Smell of Autumn – v4


Ripe smell of autumn
sweet sweet fragrance, perfume
of Concord grapes hanging
warming, readying for harvest
ripening heavy on the vines
ready to burst with flavor
strong urgent smell
lured me closer, the bees
the vines, the cloud of aroma
spreading outward
from the makeshift arbor
a plume twenty feet wide
enticing, coaxing
wooing me to linger
luxuriate in its mist
smiling at the memory
of other pickings
long ago, my youth
more Sweet fruit
high above me,
out of reach
up in the canopy
formed by wire and bush




 

----------------

Edited December 4, 2023

Perfume of Autumn – v2

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2023/12/perfume-of-autumn-v2.html

October 21, 2011

Perfume of Autumn

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2011/10/perfume-of-autumn_21.html

after reviewing comment

after I posted “Visual Words – 2”

to www.faithwriters.com

October 21, 2011

&

Visual Words - 2

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2010/01/visual-words-2.html

January 19, 2010

&

October 14, 2011

A perfume of autumn

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2011/10/perfume-of-autumn.html

&

edited October 29, 2014

Smell of Autumn – v5

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/10/smell-of-autumn-v5.html

(editing original again)

Edited September 28, 2013

“Smell of Autumn – v4”

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2013/09/smell-of-autumn-v4.html

Edited September 24, 2013

“Smell of Autumn – v3”

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2013/09/smell-of-autumn-v3.html

Edited September 9, 2013

“Smell of Autumn – v2”

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2013/09/smell-of-autumn-v2.html

September 14, 2006 10:14

“Smell of Autumn”

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2006/09/smell-of-autumn.html

 

 

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.

 

Poetry, Poetry Where You Live, Raymond A. Foss, nature, memories, God, creation, writing poetry, autumn, water, imagination, senses, eyes, sight, hearing, faith, sound, fragrance, grapes

 

#Poetry #nature #memories #God #creation #maple #writing #senses #eyes #sight #hearing #faith #sound #autumn #grapes

 

--------------------

Poetry, colors, Faith, God, imagination, light, Photos, Poetry Where You Live, Raymond A. Foss, senses, smells, taste, the word, touch, world, Writing Poetry, leaves,

 

#colors #Faith #God #imagination #light #Photos #Poetry #senses #smells #taste #words #touch #world #Writing #fall #leaves

 

we will see more clearly – v2


giving our lives over
to God, to Christ
seeing, new eyes
the old eyes
falling off us
the scales falling heavy
down to the ground
our vision changing
new eyes in Christ
we will see more clearly
a new prescription, lenses
glasses of the kingdom
seeing clearly, eternity,
with the eyes of Christ


Edited September 28, 2013
we will see more clearly – v2
August 29, 2013
we will see more clearly
Worship Theme: “Can we see the big picture”
“Big Picture Followers”
1 Corinthians 13:9-12 (GOD’S WORD translation)
Mark 6:1-6 (The Message)
“Just a Carpenter”
Mark 6:1-6 (NRSV)
“Jesus Rejected in Nazareth”
children’s message
sometimes our vision is foggy
by Pastor Ruth Foss
and sermon “Seeing More Clearly. . . ”
by Pastor Ruth Foss
Sermon 3 of Summer Series
“Cruising Sacred Waters with Jesus”
sermon blog
meditation blog
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
Patten, ME
July 21, 2013
&
Luke 7:36-47 (The Message)
Mark 5:21-34 (GOD’S WORD Translation)
Matthew 13:44-46
children’s message
We are precious to God
by Pastor Ruth Foss
and sermon “How much does Jesus really matter?”
by Pastor Ruth Foss
Sermon 2 of Summer Series
“Cruising Sacred Waters with Jesus”
sermon blog
meditation blog
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
Patten, ME
July 14, 2013
&
Mark 4:35-41 (The Message)
Luke 4:16-21 (Common English Bible)
Matthew 14:22-33
children’s message
We are not alone
by Pastor Ruth Foss
and sermon “Who Is this Captain”
by Pastor Ruth Foss
Sermon 1 of Summer Series
“Cruising Sacred Waters with Jesus”
sermon blog
meditation blog
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
Patten, ME
July 7, 2013


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 25,780+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Bright after the snowfalls – v5


The world alive
brilliant in white
the azure sky
shining back in light
So beautiful the storm
after its passing
the world all sparkle
bright after the snowfalls
while the sun bathes us

Alive with shades
grades of color
the light reflecting
off the pure snow crystals
So beautiful in these moments
times to treasure
the stillness of winter
too soon melting, changing
after the storm’s passing


Edited September 28, 2013
“Bright after the snowfalls – v5”
Edited August 7, 2013
“Bright after the snowfalls – v4”
Edited August 7, 2013
“Bright after the snowfalls – v3”
Edited February 3, 2011
“Bright after the snowfalls – v2”
February 3, 2011
“Bright after the snowfalls”
(with embedded picture)
After the 2 days of snow
Suncook, NH
February 3, 2011

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 25,780+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

into our locked rooms – v3


No barrier for the risen one
the Christ, Jesus
no wall could stop him
free because he was Spirit
Christ entering in
the Spirit, the Savior
the love of God manifest
coming to each one of us
erstwhile disciples
into our locked room
Appearing to each of us
raised from the dead
peace for our souls
for our spirits
Christ stands with us
we who have run away
with us as he had promised
before his climbed the cross
and became our sacrifice


------
Edited September 28, 2013
“into our locked rooms – v3”
Edited April 19, 2013
“into our locked rooms – v2”
reworked April 18, 2013
“into our locked rooms”
April 7, 2013
“into their locked room”
John 20:19-23
“Jesus Appears to His Disciples” (NIV)
Upper Room Disciplines for 2013
April 1, 2013 to April 7, 2013
“Encouragement”
by Holly G. Miller
for April 6, 2013
read April 7, 2013

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 25,780+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.