Resolve personified

Resolve personified,
In the faces of these people,
Not letting the enemy win,
Not ceding ground to the terror,
That genocide would take hold…
 
Too long have they suffered,
Too many lost in the maelstrom,
The storm of chaos, of evil,
But resolve, resolute in their struggle,
In choosing to take up arms…
 
Meeting the enemy in battle,
Slowing pushing back evil,
Too long delay in assistance,
Yet a tide is slowly turning,
Victory, a just peace must rise…
 
Resolve personified,
Every son and every daughter,
All of those of this people,
Who stand against the enemy,
Who say no to their evil…
 
----------
July 20, 2024
Resolve personified
 
&
Edited July 20, 2024
A just peace must rise – v3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/07/a-just-peace-must-rise-v3.html
June 29, 2024
X post by Dmytro Kuleba, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine
https://x.com/DmytroKuleba/status/1806999435559289050
at @DubrovnikForum in Croatia
Edited June 29, 2024
Listen to the cries of these people – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/06/listen-to-cries-of-these-people-v2.html
Edited June 28, 2024
May the carnage end – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/06/may-carnage-end-v2.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, 202 2022, 2023, and 2024. 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, Ukraine, God, prayer, war, tragedy, terror, genocide, Russia, peace,
 
#poetry #Ukraine #God #prayer #war #tragedy #terror #genocide #Russia #peace

We must run our own race

We must run our own race,
The way set before each of us,
We must not turn to sin,
The desires of the flesh
To the left or the right…
 
We must run our own race.
With perseverance, in faith,
We must cleave to God,
To the Creator, our Savior,
The source of all our strength…
 
--------------  
Edited July 20, 2024
We must run our own race
 
July 20, 2024
We must run our race
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/07/we-must-run-our-race.html
Based on #Hebrews12:1-6
&
July 20, 2024
like chaff, like straw
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/07/like-chaff-like-straw.html
Based on #Isaiah33:2-16
&
July 18, 2024
God is our refuge and strength
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/07/god-is-our-refuge-and-strength.html
Based on #Psalm46
 
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, 202 2022, 2023, and 2024. 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, God, Christ, Spirit, faith, love, grace, Psalm 46, hope, Hebrews 12, Isaiah 33,
 
#poetry #God #Christ #Spirit #faith #love #grace #hope

A just peace must rise – v3

A just peace must rise,
after the crucible of terror
victory only the first step
the entry into a new age…
 
A just peace must rise,
to be safe within our spirits,
peace that passes understanding,
a just peace that will last…
 
A just peace must rise,
from terror, the carnage,
secure in our bodies, our lands,
safe from any new attack…
 
A just peace must rise,
for there to be security,
the stain of war in the past,
a memory, never to rise again…
 
----------
Edited July 20, 2024
A just peace must rise – v3
 
Edited June 29, 2024
A just peace must rise – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/06/a-just-peace-must-rise-v2.html
June 29, 2024
X post by Dmytro Kuleba, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine
https://x.com/DmytroKuleba/status/1806999435559289050
at @DubrovnikForum in Croatia
Edited June 29, 2024
Listen to the cries of these people – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/06/listen-to-cries-of-these-people-v2.html
Edited June 28, 2024
May the carnage end – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/06/may-carnage-end-v2.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, 202 2022, 2023, and 2024. 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, Ukraine, God, prayer, war, tragedy, terror, genocide, Russia, peace, Dnipro, Kharkiv, Odesa,

#poetry #Ukraine #God #prayer #war #tragedy #terror #genocide #Russia #peace #Dnipro #Kharkiv #Odesa

like chaff, like straw

Those who plunder,
Who rape, who pillage,
Who attack the people,
The children of God…
 
They will be like chaff, like straw,
Gathered for the God’s fires,
They will be burned up,
Their lives but a breath…
 
Those who stand righteous,
The people who obey You,
They will be redeemed, exalted,
They will be raised up…
 
They will dwell in the heights,
In the high places of God,
Their bread will be supplied,
Water will not fail them…
 
--------------  
July 20, 2024
like chaff, like straw
 
Based on #Isaiah33:2-16
&
July 20, 2024
We must run our race
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/07/we-must-run-our-race.html
Based on #Hebrews12:1-6
&
July 18, 2024
God is our refuge and strength
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/07/god-is-our-refuge-and-strength.html
Based on #Psalm46
 
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, 202 2022, 2023, and 2024. 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, God, Christ, Spirit, faith, love, grace, Psalm 46, hope, Hebrews 12, Isaiah 33,
 
#poetry #God #Christ #Spirit #faith #love #grace #hope

We must run our race

We must run our race,
The way set before us,
We must not turn to sin,
The desires of the flesh…
 
We must run our race.
With perseverance, in faith,
We must cleave to God,
The source of our strength…
 
--------------  
July 20, 2024
We must run our race
 
Based on #Hebrews12:1-6
July 18, 2024
God is our refuge and strength
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/07/god-is-our-refuge-and-strength.html
Based on #Psalm46
 
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, 202 2022, 2023, and 2024. 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, God, Christ, Spirit, faith, love, grace, Psalm 46, hope, Hebrews 12,
 
#poetry #God #Christ #Spirit #faith #love #grace #hope

Co-parenting with her rapist – v4

Her nightmare unending, each word triggering,
his smirk, his facial expressions a dagger, a threat,
her constant pain, PTSD, violence remembered,
co-parenting with her rapist…
 
Afraid of the father of her unwanted child,
but bound to him by law, process, procedures,
mandated by the State, the oppressor,
trying to remain the Friendly Parent…
 
Knowing all too well his manipulation, amygdala hijack,
the Law’s bias, the pushing, being backed into a corner,
seeking only to love, to raise her children
behind her tears, her brave face…
 
Confined within the strictures, the structure, the laws,
forced to be bound at the hip, co-parenting,
with the Beast at the other table,
his power, his anger which she hates…
 
============
Edited July 19, 2024
Co-parenting with her rapist – v4
 
edited May 12, 2022
Co-parenting with her rapist – v3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/05/co-parenting-with-her-rapist-v3.html
edited May 11, 2022
Co-parenting with her rapist – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/05/co-parenting-with-her-rapist-v2.html
May 11, 2022
Co-parenting with her rapist
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/05/co-parenting-with-her-rapist.html
edited May 11, 2022
Cries of the battered woman – v4
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/05/cries-of-battered-woman-v4.html
edited September 9, 2015
Cries of the battered woman – v3
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2015/09/cries-of-battered-woman-v3_9.html
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2015/09/cries-of-battered-woman-v3.html
(editing version 2)
Edited November 25, 2012
Cries of the battered woman – v2
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2012/11/cries-of-battered-woman-v2.html
November 17, 2011
Cries of the battered woman
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2011/11/cries-of-battered-woman.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, 2023 and 2024. 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.
 
 
Faith, God, love, grace, calling, purpose, power, law, judgment, justice, family, servant, hope, listening, patience, children, family law, divorce, abuse, friendly parent,
 
#Faith #God #love #grace #purpose #power #law #judgment #justice #family #servant
 
==============================
poetry, Faith, God, love, grace, law, judgment, justice, family, children, family law, divorce, abuse, friendly parent, custody, parenting time, visitation, abuser, rape, assault, Roe v. Wade, Roe Overturned, co-parenting, parental rights, child support, Trump, Vance, 
 
#poetry #children #familylaw #friendlyparent #custody #visitation #abuser #law
 
#poetry #children #familylaw #friendlyparent #custody #visitation #abuser #law #rape #assault #RoeVWade #RoeOverturned #coparenting #parentalrights #childsupport #Trump #Vance

Eyes of a target

You have eyes of a target
Darting around the room,
Not settled, at peace,
Watching every move…
 
Something not right, guarded,
Eyes of a target, searching,
Not at peace where you are,
Though you belong here…
 
I have seen you, unnoticed,
Many time I have watched
You have the eyes of a target
Constantly watching the room…
 
--------------  
July 19, 2024
Eyes of a target
 
&
Edited July 19, 2024
Screaming into the Abyss – v3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/07/screaming-into-abyss-v3.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, 202 2022, 2023, and 2024. 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, target, eyes, danger, fear, awareness, vigilance, guarded, searching,
 
#poetry #target #eyes #danger #fear #awareness #vigilance #guardeed #searching

Screaming into the Abyss – v3

Screaming into the abyss,
Crying out in these End Times,
Feeling Darkness at the gate,
Ready to devour,
To consume us….
 
Screaming into the abyss,
Life, this deafening madness,
Praying for salvation, for peace,
That the Devil would be held at bay
That Satan would be vanquished…
 
--------------  
Edited July 19, 2024
Screaming into the Abyss – v3
 
Edited July 19, 2024
Screaming into the Abyss – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/07/screaming-into-abyss-v2.html
Edited July 18, 2024
We scream into the abyss – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/07/we-scream-into-abyss-v2.html
Edited July 18, 2024
In this moment of madness – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/07/in-this-moment-of-madness-v2.html
Edited/ new name July 9, 2024
In this moment of madness
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/07/in-this-moment-of-madness.html
Edited/ new name July 9, 2024
We scream into the Abyss
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/07/we-scream-into-abyss.html
July 9, 2024
Screaming into the Abyss
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/07/screaming-into-abyss.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, 202 2022, 2023, and 2024. 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, God, Christ, Spirit, faith, love, grace, hope, darkness, light, incarnation, second coming, end times, abyss, Devil, Satan, Anti-Christ
 
#poetry #God #Christ #Spirit #faith #love #grace #hope #incarnation #secondcoming #endtimes #abyss #Devil #Satan #AntiChrist

Screaming into the Abyss – v2

Screaming into the abyss,
Crying in these end times,
Feeling Darkness at the gate,
Ready to consume us….
 
Screaming into the abyss,
Praying for salvation, for peace,
That the Devil would be held at bay
That Satan would be vanquished…
 
--------------  
Edited July 19, 2024
Screaming into the Abyss – v2
 
Edited July 18, 2024
We scream into the abyss – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/07/we-scream-into-abyss-v2.html
Edited July 18, 2024
In this moment of madness – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/07/in-this-moment-of-madness-v2.html
Edited/ new name July 9, 2024
In this moment of madness
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/07/in-this-moment-of-madness.html
Edited/ new name July 9, 2024
We scream into the Abyss
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/07/we-scream-into-abyss.html
July 9, 2024
Screaming into the Abyss
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/07/screaming-into-abyss.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, 202 2022, 2023, and 2024. 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, God, Christ, Spirit, faith, love, grace, hope, darkness, light, incarnation, second coming, end times, abyss, Devil, Satan, Anti-Christ
 
#poetry #God #Christ #Spirit #faith #love #grace #hope #incarnation #secondcoming #endtimes #abyss #Devil #Satan #AntiChrist

We scream into the Abyss – v2

With our bodies, our spirits,
we scream into the abyss,
crying out in the end times,
for God, for our Savior, our King,
feeling the darkness at the gate,
Ready to devour, to consume us….
 
With all that we are, fully,
we scream into the abyss,
praying for salvation, for life,
for God’s presence, His breath,
that the Devil must be held at bay
That Satan must be vanquished…
 
--------------  
Edited July 18, 2024
We scream into the abyss – v2
 
Edited July 18, 2024
In this moment of madness – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/07/in-this-moment-of-madness-v2.html
Edited/ new name July 9, 2024
In this moment of madness
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/07/in-this-moment-of-madness.html
Edited/ new name July 9, 2024
We scream into the Abyss
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/07/we-scream-into-abyss.html
July 9, 2024
Screaming into the Abyss
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/07/screaming-into-abyss.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, 202 2022, 2023, and 2024. 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, God, Christ, Spirit, faith, love, grace, hope, darkness, light, incarnation, second coming, end times, abyss, Devil, Satan, Anti-Christ,
 
#poetry #God #Christ #Spirit #faith #love #grace #hope #incarnation #secondcoming #endtimes #abyss #Devil #Satan #AntiChrist

In this moment of madness – v2

In this moment of madness,
we scream into the abyss,
crying out in the End Times,
for God, for our Savior, our King.
 
We feel Darkness at the gate,
ready to devour, to consume us….
 
In this moment of madness,
we scream into the abyss,
praying for salvation, for life,
for God’s presence, His breath.
 
The Devil must be held at bay,
Satan must be vanquished…
 
In this moment of madness,
we scream into the abyss,
crying out to our God,
that He would save us.
 
Christ will descend again,
In power, in victory…
 
--------------  
Edited July 18, 2024
In this moment of madness – v2
 
Edited/ new name July 9, 2024
In this moment of madness
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/07/in-this-moment-of-madness.html
Edited/ new name July 9, 2024
We scream into the Abyss
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/07/we-scream-into-abyss.html
July 9, 2024
Screaming into the Abyss
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/07/screaming-into-abyss.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, 202 2022, 2023, and 2024. 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, God, Christ, Spirit, faith, love, grace, hope, darkness, light, incarnation, second coming, end times, abyss, Devil, Satan, Anti-Christ,
 
#poetry #God #Christ #Spirit #faith #love #grace #hope #incarnation #secondcoming #endtimes #abyss #Devil #Satan #AntiChrist

The whisper of the dead

The whisper of the dead,
snap of the flags in breezes,
breath across the way,
their cemetery not silent…
 
The cries of the dead
cry out for aid, for justice,
for help for their people,
for this madness to end…
 
The whisper of the dead
breathe life to movement
snap of the flags, singing,
crying out for aid, for justice…
 
May their cries be answered,
May more aid be given,
May justice come quickly,
May a just peace prevail…
 
----------
Edited July 18, 2024
The whisper of the dead
 
Edited July 17, 2024
The cries of the dead – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/07/the-cries-of-dead_17.html
July 16, 2024
The cries of the dead
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/07/the-cries-of-dead.html
July 16, 2024
The Sound of Lviv Cemetery
https://x.com/United24media/status/1813323219954241935
X (formerly Twitter post by United24 Media
&
Edited July 10, 2024
The grit of your people – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/07/the-grit-of-your-people-v2.html
July 8, 2024
Speech of Ukrainian tennis player
Elina Monfils (@ElinaSvitolina)
https://x.com/U24_gov_ua/status/1810346843143876804
on her victory at Wimbledon,
overcoming the pain of the attack on
Okhmatdyt children’s hospital in Kyiv
&
July 8, 2024
Words of Sergiy Kyslytsya,
Ukraine’s Ambassador to the United Nations,
https://x.com/SergiyKyslytsya/status/1810379672225546408
on the ignominy of Russia being the President
of the UN Security Council tomorrow
on the day the Security Council addresses the attack on
Okhmatdyt children’s hospital in Kyiv
&
Edited July 2, 2024
This madness must end – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/07/this-madness-must-end-v2.html
Edited June 29, 2024
Listen to the cries of these people – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/06/listen-to-cries-of-these-people-v2.html
Edited June 29, 2024
Listen to the power of these words – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/06/listen-to-power-of-these-words-v2.html
Edited June 29, 2024
A just peace must rise – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/06/a-just-peace-must-rise-v2.html
Edited June 28, 2024
May the carnage end – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/06/may-carnage-end-v2.html
Edited June 24, 2024
Making 1945 Happen – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/06/making-1945-happen-v2.html
Merged June 24, 2024
Extending 1938 – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/06/extending-1938-v2.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, 202 2022, 2023, and 2024. 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, Ukraine, God, prayer, war, tragedy, terror, genocide, Russia, peace, Dnipro, Kharkiv, Odesa, Okhmatdyt children’s hospital, Kyiv, Lviv,
 
#poetry #Ukraine #God #prayer #war #tragedy #terror #genocide #Russia #peace #Dnipro #Kharkiv #Odesa #Zaporizhia #Kyiv #Lviv

God is our refuge and strength

We must remember this truth,
no matter our struggle, our trials,
no matter how the darkness
seeks to drive us to despair…
 
God is our refuge and strength,
an ever-present help in trouble,
no matter the challenge before us,
God is by our side in every step…
 
We must cleave to our hope,
in God, in our risen Lord Jesus,
we must listen, we must trust,
in the Spirit’s calling to us…
 
--------------  
July 18, 2024
God is our refuge and strength
 
Based on #Psalm46
 
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, 202 2022, 2023, and 2024. 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, God, Christ, Spirit, faith, love, grace, Psalm 46, hope,
 
#poetry #God #Christ #Spirit #faith #love #grace #hope

Make this all make sense – v2

You want me to do what, Lord,
to find joy in my trials,
my struggles, my tests,
my challenges in this life?
 
Make this all make sense, Lord,
my struggle, my journey,
show me what I am to do
to be faithful to Your calling…
 
Are you sure, Lord,
does that even make sense,
to be happy in my testing,
to have faith to persevere?
 
Teach me, Lord, God,
for I am broken, shattered,
show me what I must do
to be faithful to Your calling…
 
--------------  
Merged July 18, 2024
Make this all make sense – v2
 
July 18, 2024
Make this all make sense
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/07/make-this-all-make-sense.html
July 17, 2024
Joy in my Trials
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/07/joy-in-my-trials.html
Based on #James1:2-6
 
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, 202 2022, 2023, and 2024. 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, God, Christ, Spirit, faith, love, grace, hope, James 1, trials, joy, testing, perseverance, wisdom, prayer,

#poetry #God #Christ #Spirit #faith #love #grace #hope #trials #joy #perseverance #wisdom #James1 #prayer

Make this all make sense

Make this all make sense, Lord,
My struggle, my journey,
Show me what I am to do
To be faithful to Your calling…
 
Teach me, Lord, God,
For I am broken, shattered,
Show me what I must do
To be faithful to Your calling…
 
--------------  
July 18, 2024
Make this all make sense
 
July 17, 2024
Joy in my Trials
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/07/joy-in-my-trials.html
Based on #James1:2-6
 
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, 202 2022, 2023, and 2024. 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, God, Christ, Spirit, faith, love, grace, hope, James 1, trials, joy, testing, perseverance, wisdom, prayer,
 
#poetry #God #Christ #Spirit #faith #love #grace #hope #trials #joy #perseverance #wisdom #James1 #prayer

They are forced to wait – v2 #Ukraine

They are forced to wait,
to persevere in injustice,
to shoulder this burden,
while we are at peace…
 
They are in the vanguard,
but they are unassisted,
standing against the tide,
of terror, of genocide…
 
They are alone, unaided,
under the weight of delay,
they are forced into the gap,
where we would not go…
 
They are forced to wait,
while we fiddle, we dither,
the world on fire, ablaze,
while we are at peace…
 
----------
Edited July 18, 2024
They are forced to wait – v2
 
July 17, 2024
They are forced to wait
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/07/they-are-forced-to-wait.html
&
Edited July 17, 2024
The cries of the dead – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/07/the-cries-of-dead_17.html
July 16, 2024
The cries of the dead
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/07/the-cries-of-dead.html
July 16, 2024
The Sound of Lviv Cemetery
https://x.com/United24media/status/1813323219954241935
X (formerly Twitter post by United24 Media
&
Edited July 10, 2024
The grit of your people – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/07/the-grit-of-your-people-v2.html
July 8, 2024
Speech of Ukrainian tennis player
Elina Monfils (@ElinaSvitolina)
https://x.com/U24_gov_ua/status/1810346843143876804
on her victory at Wimbledon,
overcoming the pain of the attack on
Okhmatdyt children’s hospital in Kyiv
&
July 8, 2024
Words of Sergiy Kyslytsya,
Ukraine’s Ambassador to the United Nations,
https://x.com/SergiyKyslytsya/status/1810379672225546408
on the ignominy of Russia being the President
of the UN Security Council tomorrow
on the day the Security Council addresses the attack on
Okhmatdyt children’s hospital in Kyiv
&
Edited July 2, 2024
This madness must end – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/07/this-madness-must-end-v2.html
Edited June 29, 2024
Listen to the cries of these people – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/06/listen-to-cries-of-these-people-v2.html
Edited June 29, 2024
Listen to the power of these words – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/06/listen-to-power-of-these-words-v2.html
Edited June 29, 2024
A just peace must rise – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/06/a-just-peace-must-rise-v2.html
Edited June 28, 2024
May the carnage end – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/06/may-carnage-end-v2.html
Edited June 24, 2024
Making 1945 Happen – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/06/making-1945-happen-v2.html
Merged June 24, 2024
Extending 1938 – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/06/extending-1938-v2.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, 202 2022, 2023, and 2024. 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, Ukraine, God, prayer, war, tragedy, terror, genocide, Russia, peace, Dnipro, Kharkiv, Odesa, Okhmatdyt children’s hospital, Kyiv, Lviv,
 
#poetry #Ukraine #God #prayer #war #tragedy #terror #genocide #Russia #peace #Dnipro #Kharkiv #Odesa #Zaporizhia #Kyiv #Lviv

Generous, open

Generous, open,
Giving of yourself freely,
In these there is real peace,
Life in all its abundance…
 
Give of yourself freely,
Offer kindness to another,
Share of your life truly,
When opportunity knocks…
 
Offer simple kindness,
Care for your neighbor,
Sow seeds of compassion
Everywhere you go…
 
--------------  
July 18, 2024
Generous, open
 
July 18, 2024
Offer kindness, mercy
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/07/offer-kindness-mercy.html
Based on #Proverbs11:25
“A generous person will prosper; whoever
refreshes others will be refreshed.”
 
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, 202 2022, 2023, and 2024. 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, God, Christ, Spirit, faith, love, grace, hope, Proverbs 11, calling, purpose, prayer,
 
#poetry #God #Christ #Spirit #faith #love #grace #hope #calling #purpose #prayer

Offer kindness, mercy

Offer kindness, mercy
Show you care for others
Offer them assistance
Comfort in their walk…
 
Offer kindness, mercy
In your daily walk, each day,
Show others the love of God
As you journey in this life…
 
--------------  
July 18, 2024
Offer kindness, mercy
 
Based on #Proverbs11:25
“A generous person will prosper; whoever
refreshes others will be refreshed.”
 
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, 202 2022, 2023, and 2024. 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, God, Christ, Spirit, faith, love, grace, hope, Proverbs 11, calling, purpose, prayer,
 
#poetry #God #Christ #Spirit #faith #love #grace #hope #calling #purpose #prayer

Joy in my Trials?

You want me to do what, Lord,
To find joy in my trials,
My struggles, my tests,
My challenges in this life?
 
Are you sure, Lord,
Does that even make sense,
To be happy in my testing,
To have faith to persevere?
 
Wisdom on the other side,
Triumph through our trials,
Joy in trusting in You, my God,
My Creator and my Lord…
 
Life in abundance, a calling,
A purpose for my life
In finding joy in my trials
My life on the Potter’s wheel…
 
--------------  
July 17, 2024
Joy in my Trials
 
Based on #James1:2-6
 
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, 202 2022, 2023, and 2024. 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, God, Christ, Spirit, faith, love, grace, hope, James 1, trials, joy, testing, perseverance, wisdom,

More Than Conquerors – v3

We are God’s elect, triumphant,
we are all God’s chosen people
more than conquerors, victors,
vanguards, guardians at the gate…
 
We are the ones in the breach,
no force on earth can stop us,
we have God at our right side
to lead, to aid, to protect us…
 
We are more than conquerors,
We are chosen for a purpose,
we are God’s redeemed people,
God is with us; He guides our steps…
 
God’s lead us, to show us the way,
we have a calling, a purpose,
to share the one message, hope,
we have God at our right side…
 
--------------  
Edited July 17, 2024
More Than Conquerors – v3
 
Edited July 12, 2024
More Than Conquerors – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/07/more-than-conquerors-v2.html
July 11, 2024
More Than Conquerors
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/07/more-than-conquerors.html
Based on #Romans8:24-31
 
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, 202 2022, 2023, and 2024. 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, God, Christ, Spirit, faith, love, grace, hope, calling, purpose, Romans 8,
 
#poetry #God #Christ #Spirit #faith #love #grace #hope #calling #purpose

They are forced to wait

They are forced to wait
To persevere in injustice
To shoulder this burden
While we are at peace…
 
They are in the vanguard
But they are unassisted
Standing against the tide
Of terror, of genocide…
 
They are alone, unaided
Under the weight of delay
They are forced in the gap
Where we would not go…

----------
July 17, 2024
They are forced to wait
 
Edited July 17, 2024
The cries of the dead – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/07/the-cries-of-dead_17.html
July 16, 2024
The cries of the dead
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/07/the-cries-of-dead.html
July 16, 2024
The Sound of Lviv Cemetery
https://x.com/United24media/status/1813323219954241935
X (formerly Twitter post by United24 Media
&
Edited July 10, 2024
The grit of your people – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/07/the-grit-of-your-people-v2.html
July 8, 2024
Speech of Ukrainian tennis player
Elina Monfils (@ElinaSvitolina)
https://x.com/U24_gov_ua/status/1810346843143876804
on her victory at Wimbledon,
overcoming the pain of the attack on
Okhmatdyt children’s hospital in Kyiv
&
July 8, 2024
Words of Sergiy Kyslytsya,
Ukraine’s Ambassador to the United Nations,
https://x.com/SergiyKyslytsya/status/1810379672225546408
on the ignominy of Russia being the President
of the UN Security Council tomorrow
on the day the Security Council addresses the attack on
Okhmatdyt children’s hospital in Kyiv
&
Edited July 2, 2024
This madness must end – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/07/this-madness-must-end-v2.html
Edited June 29, 2024
Listen to the cries of these people – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/06/listen-to-cries-of-these-people-v2.html
Edited June 29, 2024
Listen to the power of these words – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/06/listen-to-power-of-these-words-v2.html
Edited June 29, 2024
A just peace must rise – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/06/a-just-peace-must-rise-v2.html
Edited June 28, 2024
May the carnage end – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/06/may-carnage-end-v2.html
Edited June 24, 2024
Making 1945 Happen – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/06/making-1945-happen-v2.html
Merged June 24, 2024
Extending 1938 – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/06/extending-1938-v2.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, 202 2022, 2023, and 2024. 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, Ukraine, God, prayer, war, tragedy, terror, genocide, Russia, peace, Dnipro, Kharkiv, Odesa, Okhmatdyt children’s hospital, Kyiv, Lviv,
 
#poetry #Ukraine #God #prayer #war #tragedy #terror #genocide #Russia #peace #Dnipro #Kharkiv #Odesa #Zaporizhia #Kyiv #Lviv

Sounds of Scribbles – v5

Echoing sounds of scribbles,
Jots of thoughts in my journal,
Seeing some words crossed out,
Others inserted, added, forced,
How does editing sound, frenetic;
Illegible words, random thoughts,
Scratching out the rhyme,
The rhythm, fighting the meter…
 
Murmurs on the pages,
Lines through the jetsam,
The flotsam of thought,
Like word balloons, crossed out…
Words of motion, precision,
Snapping to attention,
Coming into being, alive,
On the printed page…
 
Catching myself in mid-thought,
Erasures like sandpaper.
Maybe a planer, deeper,
Milling raw oak into boards;
Fighting the knots in my prose,
Seeking to capture a moment,
Conjure an image, gossamer,
On the written page…
 
=================
Edited July 17, 2024
Sounds of Scribbles – v5
 
Edited April 4, 2024
Sounds of Scribbles – v4
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/04/sounds-of-scribbles-v4.html
Edited April 4, 2024
cadence of the words – v3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/04/cadence-of-words-v3.html
Edited April 4, 2024
Flash of Joy – v6
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/04/flash-of-joy-v6.html
&
edited January 13, 2016
A Calling to Write – v4
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2016/01/a-calling-to-write-v4.html
edited January 13, 2016
Inspiration Poetry – v6
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2016/01/inspiration-poetry-v6.html
merged / edited January 9, 2016
Seeing the Words – v29
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2016/01/seeing-words-v29.html
edited January 7, 2016
Personal Poetry – v2
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2016/01/personal-poetry-v2.html 
edited January 3, 2016
Rewriting – v3
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2016/01/rewriting-v3.html 
edited December 17, 2015
Poetry – revised – v2
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2015/12/poetry-revised-v2.html
posting 2/5/2004 – 1^st posting to blog
Poetry – revised
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2004/02/first-poem-about-what-poetry-is-for-me.html
edited June 29, 2015
Nouns Verbs and Adjectives – v5
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2015/06/nouns-verbs-and-adjectives-v3.html
edited May 19, 2015
Poetry – haiku – 2 – v2
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2015/05/poetry-haiku-2-v2.html
edited March 23, 2015
Sounds of Scribbles – v3
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2015/03/sounds-of-scribbles-v3.html 
September 24, 2006 16:39
A Year in Words
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2006/09/year-in-words.html
September 22, 2006 20:47
A Waterfall of Words
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2006/09/waterfall-of-words.html
September 21, 2006 22:58
Hope in the Words
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2006/09/hope-in-words.html
July 13, 2006 15:34
Poetry in My Soul
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2006/07/poetry-in-my-soul.html
July 11, 2006 21:50
Four Poems
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2006/07/four-poems.html
edited January 18, 2016
Message in a Bottle – v3
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2016/01/message-in-bottle-v3.html
edited March 21, 2015
Flash of Joy – v5
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2015/03/flash-of-joy-v5.html  
January 31, 2004 19:28-19:36
Into Being
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2004/02/into-being.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, 2023, and 2024. 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, craft, inspiration, writing poetry, editing, new, original, revision, God, gift, changed, growth, Poetry Where You Live, Raymond A. Foss, rejection, perfection, beauty, quality, gossamer, magic,
 
#poetry #craft #inspiration #writing #editing #new #original #revision #God #gift #changed #growth #rejection #perfection #beauty #quality #gossamer #magic

The cries of the dead - v2

The cries of these dead
in the snap of the flags
whispers across the way,
the cemetery not silent…
 
The cries of the dead
cry out for aid, for justice,
for help for their people,
for this madness to end…
 
The cries of the dead
breathe life to movement
the snap of the flags
cry out for aid, for justice…
 
May their cries be answered,
May more aid be given,
May justice come
May peace prevail…

----------
Edited July 17, 2024
The cries of the dead – v2
 
July 16, 2024
The cries of the dead
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/07/the-cries-of-dead.html
July 16, 2024
The Sound of Lviv Cemetery
https://x.com/United24media/status/1813323219954241935
X (formerly Twitter post by United24 Media
&
Edited July 10, 2024
The grit of your people – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/07/the-grit-of-your-people-v2.html
July 8, 2024
Speech of Ukrainian tennis player
Elina Monfils (@ElinaSvitolina)
https://x.com/U24_gov_ua/status/1810346843143876804
on her victory at Wimbledon,
overcoming the pain of the attack on
Okhmatdyt children’s hospital in Kyiv
&
July 8, 2024
Words of Sergiy Kyslytsya,
Ukraine’s Ambassador to the United Nations,
https://x.com/SergiyKyslytsya/status/1810379672225546408
on the ignominy of Russia being the President
of the UN Security Council tomorrow
on the day the Security Council addresses the attack on
Okhmatdyt children’s hospital in Kyiv
&
Edited July 2, 2024
This madness must end – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/07/this-madness-must-end-v2.html
Edited June 29, 2024
Listen to the cries of these people – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/06/listen-to-cries-of-these-people-v2.html
Edited June 29, 2024
Listen to the power of these words – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/06/listen-to-power-of-these-words-v2.html
Edited June 29, 2024
A just peace must rise – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/06/a-just-peace-must-rise-v2.html
Edited June 28, 2024
May the carnage end – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/06/may-carnage-end-v2.html
Edited June 24, 2024
Making 1945 Happen – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/06/making-1945-happen-v2.html
Merged June 24, 2024
Extending 1938 – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/06/extending-1938-v2.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, 202 2022, 2023, and 2024. 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, Ukraine, God, prayer, war, tragedy, terror, genocide, Russia, peace, Dnipro, Kharkiv, Odesa, Okhmatdyt children’s hospital, Kyiv, Lviv,
 
#poetry #Ukraine #God #prayer #war #tragedy #terror #genocide #Russia #peace #Dnipro #Kharkiv #Odesa #Zaporizhia #Kyiv #Lviv

God speaks in clouds

God speaks in clouds,
in shafts of light,
shining down from Heaven,
the whole world alive...
 
God speaks in power,
in clouds, in light,
building thunderheads,
the world is dark, is bright...
 
God speaks in whispers,
in thunderclap, in rain,
washing the earth in water,
soon in light once again…
 

--------------
July 16, 2024
God speaks in clouds
 
July 16, 2024
God speaks in the clouds
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/07/god-speaks-in-clouds.html
July 16, 2024
Beauty we often don't notice
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/07/beauty-we-often-dont-notice.html
Edited July 16, 2024
A Garden in Our Yard – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/07/a-garden-in-our-yard-v2.html
Amanda Gorman inauguration poem
“The Hill We Climb”
and description of chaotic garden in The Shack,
by William P. Young
&
Edited July 10, 2024
Are we seeing angels
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/07/are-we-seeing-angels.html
July 10, 2024
do we see angels in the whisper of clouds
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/07/do-we-see-angels-in-whisper-of-clouds.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, 202 2022, 2023, and 2024. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com) for usage. See all 54,000+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
 
poetry, God, Christ, Spirit, faith, love, hope, heaven, light, water, air, angels, clouds, sky,
 
#poetry #God #Christ #Spirit #faith #love #hope #heaven #light #water #air #angels #clouds #sky