Poetry Where You Live

Dust in the Sandals

2009-07-05T19:12:00.002-04:00

Dust in their sandals
under their feet
the dust of the road
gathering in their journey
bring his word, his healing
to the people, in faith

Dust for the warning
for those who would doubt
who reject and refuse
these messengers of God
the faithful servants
on the roads of the land

July 5, 2009
Mark 6:6b-13
Mark 6:1-13
Upper Room Disciplines 2009
for July 5, 2009

Gathering Dust

2009-07-05T19:10:00.000-04:00

Sandals, for the traveling they would do
the only thing mentioned, allowed by Christ
sandals that would gather the dust
the grit as they journeyed
in ministry, in mission
bringing his message of love.
to the people of the word.

Dust they would cast off,
as the master told
if the people rejected their offering
their teaching of old
to a people in doubt
refusing to turn
their lives around
for the messiah foretold.

July 5, 2009
Mark 6:6b-13
Mark 6:1-13
Upper Room Disciplines 2009
for July 5, 2009

Creation – haiku – 1 – V2

2009-07-05T18:51:00.006-04:00

From nothingness, void
His breath across waters, life!
it was very good

July 5, 2009
February 3, 2009

Creation

2009-07-05T18:51:00.005-04:00

From nothingness, the void
from emptiness, life
His breath moving across waters,
In the end, his voice
it was very good

July 5, 2009
February 3, 2009

We are Yours

2009-07-05T16:46:00.000-04:00

A murmur, the muted notes
whispering into the silent sanctuary
The refrain of the song, hushed breathing
more than filler, more than by his choice
Wordlessly, save for my memory,
committing ourselves
in communion with God
More than the ritual, the words intoned
the soft tones of the organ
bringing us closer
together with God

July 5, 2009
Declaration of Independence
and
Psalm 48:1-3
John 8:31-36
Galatians 5:13-26
and sermon by Pastor Ruth L. Foss,
“Love As You Are Loved”,
and the hymn, “Take Our Bread We Ask You”,
by Joseph Wise
softly played by the organist after communion
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
July 5, 2009

Pieces of Bread

2009-07-05T13:18:00.003-04:00

small pieces of bread
broken and shared
piece of the one loaf
given to each, a reminder
a taste of the banquet
prepared already.
Given for us, a sacrifice of love
His body broken for us
giving us life, evermore

July 5, 2009
Communion
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
July 5, 2009

Freedom

2009-07-05T07:43:00.000-04:00

On this day, in our land
one type of freedom
proclaimed from their words
their names written on the page
claiming for our people
a new nation
founded upon freedom
upon God-given, inalienable rights
won by sacrifices of men and women
down through the ages.

An earlier day, a wondrous, awesome day
true freedom, given by grace
offered not merely by words;
but by the sacrifice, the resurrection
of our Lord, the risen Christ
won not on the battlefield;
but upon a wooden cross.

Freedom to be the good neighbor
to love one another
to carry on His work
and to heal in His name.
Freedom to spread the good news
to the ends of the earth
to share our gifts
and the joys He brings;
to walk humbly with God
and with our neighbors,
all whom we meet.

July 4, 2009
Declaration of Independence
Galatians 5:13-26
written for July 4th celebration
Wesley United Methodist Church
Concord, NH

Free to Love

2009-07-05T07:36:00.000-04:00

No longer slave, no longer captive
free from the judgment
of sin and death.
No longer under the law;
by grace alone redeemed
a sacrifice of love, our debts forever paid.

Free to love, so we should be
our lives for one another,
not for worldly gain alone.
Free to care, for our brother, for our sister,
making their way easier, their loads lighter;
we are following His example,
our servant king, our Savior, our Lord.

July 4, 2009
Declaration of Independence
Galatians 5:13-26
written for July 4th celebration
Wesley United Methodist Church
Concord, NH

Liberty

2009-07-05T07:32:00.000-04:00

Liberty, from tyranny
from oppression,
for a sovereign across the sea
So we began, so we claimed our right
in Philadelphia that summer
so long ago, on this day.

Throwing off the shackles
the weight of the crown
charting a new course
a new nation, free and equal
an aspiration, a hope
written in those words of mettle.

May we ever strive, onward
working together, to achieve this dream
a country at peace
and with liberty and justice for all;
None knowing want, none living in fear
to this prayer, this day especially
we hold them dear.

July 4, 2009
Declaration of Independence
Galatians 5:13-26
written for July 4th celebration
Wesley United Methodist Church
Concord, NH

Arms Raised, Around the Center

2009-07-05T07:23:00.000-04:00

Each of them, arms raised
around the center, the connected circle
individual petals of the coneflower
clothed in pastel, muted purple,
the sacred dancers
of the silent ballet

Rising from their dormancy
up, up, into the light
an opening coil, the dancers stretching
to the ends of their fingertips
in their movement singing in praise

July 4, 2009
this morning,
after weeks of rain

With Pen to the Page

2009-07-04T12:52:00.002-04:00

With pen to the page
they spoke across the ages
to the cause we keep
to the things we believe
of a freedom to be
When all men are free

Words worth fighting for
four score and more,
remembering all
who sacrificed and died
so that this land could be
as the founders prayed we may be
united and free

June 30, 2009
written for July 4th celebration
Wesley United Methodist Church
Concord, NH

Yearning for the Son

2009-07-04T12:35:00.003-04:00

As the flower to the sun,
so may we ever be
yearning for the Son

July 4, 2009
the flowers this morning,
after weeks of rain

The Movement of Their Arms

2009-07-04T12:27:00.003-04:00

As if in the breeze,
stopping even momentarily
able to see the movement of their arms
swaying in the morning
the sun coaxing them
the petals from their slumber
the yearning, drawn to the light
the flowers joining the chorus of the day
praising the creator, the warming of the sun

July 4, 2009
this morning,
after weeks of rain

Clematis - July 4, 2009 - in the sun

2009-07-04T12:11:00.003-04:00

With Hands Raised

2009-07-04T12:10:00.000-04:00

With their hands raised
like sacred dancers,
moving to silent music
the dance of the breath of God
invisible breezes
the petal of the coneflowers
each like the arms of the dancers
swaying in unison
in time to the rhythm
the dance of creation
in the bright morning sun

July 4, 2009
this morning,
after weeks of rain

Raised in Praise

2009-07-04T12:08:00.000-04:00

Their arms raised in praise
singing a song of worship
hands raised to the creator
the wonder of God

Oh the plants, the birds this morning
all of creation singing to the Lord
A splash of sunlight, the warming spirits
an awakening, in love
to the majesty of God

July 4, 2009
this morning,
after weeks of rain

Clematis - July 4, 2009 - It bloomed this year!!

2009-07-04T08:55:00.004-04:00

Moms - by Shyanne L. Foss, Mother's Day, May 10, 2009

2009-07-04T08:40:00.002-04:00

Moms

Moms are the comforting ones,
Nice, pretty, loving, friendly,
Caring for me and you.

We love our mom,
She loves us.

Whether you are one or eleven,
You will always get a hug.

May 10, 2009
written by Shyanne L. Foss
Published in booklet
by Mrs. Forest’s Third Grade Class
Mother’s Day
“Dedicated to Our Moms,
With Love”

Pentecost

2009-07-04T07:18:00.002-04:00

Oh to have felt the flames
all together that Pentecost
to see the tongues of fire
descending upon each one

July 4, 2009 – Twitter version
February 3, 2009

Down to the River

2009-07-03T17:44:00.002-04:00

A ribbon of faith,
a living stream,
like the water
we walked, singing
down to the river

A community, happy
new members joining
being baptized in the waters
into the faith
into the family

Spirit washing over them
made new, brothers and sisters
with us, with Christ
changed forever
Beloved of God

July 3, 2009
Reverend Sammie Maxwell
African Choir
Celebration of Youth
Baptism of the Teens
families from the Democratic Republic of Congo,
who suffered through the massacre of August 13, 2004,
at Gatumba, their refugee camp in Burundi
See - http://www.hrw.org/legacy/backgrounder/africa/burundi/2004/0904/1.htm#_Toc81987410,
http://en.wikinews.org/wiki/Activists_remember_Burundi's_Gatumba_massacre
Psalm 130
Mark 1:1-13
and sermon, “A Baptism of Life Change”
by Bishop Peter Weaver of New England United Methodist Conference
Contoocook United Methodist Church
June 28, 2009

Running to the River

2009-07-03T17:38:00.002-04:00

Excitement, singing, running to the water
to the river, to be washed clean
joining in the faith, by water, into the river
the Spirit filling them, filling the air
excitement of the moment, of this joy

Dying into the depths,
jumping from the water
able to walk free, up from the river bank
into the arms of family, of the congregation
laughing, singing, a community

Joining our savior, in the baptism
becoming the beloved of God
the Spirit indwelling within us
forever changed, life anew
up out of the waters

Sent forth, each of us a messenger
connected by the waters
the living waters, flowing
from the Jordan to our hearts
singing praise to our God

July 3, 2009
Reverend Sammie Maxwell
African Choir
Celebration of Youth
Baptism of the Teens
families from the Democratic Republic of Congo,
who suffered through the massacre of August 13, 2004,
at Gatumba, their refugee camp in Burundi
See - http://www.hrw.org/legacy/backgrounder/africa/burundi/2004/0904/1.htm#_Toc81987410,
http://en.wikinews.org/wiki/Activists_remember_Burundi's_Gatumba_massacre
Psalm 130
Mark 1:1-13
and sermon, “A Baptism of Life Change”
by Bishop Peter Weaver of New England United Methodist Conference
Contoocook United Methodist Church
June 28, 2009

Front Page Article in Concord Monitor about Baptism at the Contoocook United Methodist Church

2009-07-03T10:22:00.000-04:00

The Concord Monitor ran a wonderful article on the Congolese refugees and the baptism service in Contoocook of which I have written 17 poems (so far).

Faith endures in refuge

Repeating the Message

2009-07-02T09:02:00.000-04:00

Woven threads, back and forth
weaving a story, a rich fabric
strong fibers, bright colors
words repeating the message
the connection of our lives

Our baptism with His
the waters of the Jordan,
of the Congo, of the Contoocook
rivers connecting, living waters

His baptism, changing His life
changing our world evermore
from the inside out

The carpenter no more
through the waters dying
the Messiah rising from the waters

Repeating the good news
the message, hope for all people
in our baptism, one heart at a time

July 2, 2009
Reverend Sammie Maxwell
African Choir
Celebration of Youth
Baptism of the Teens
families from the Democratic Republic of Congo,
who suffered through the massacre of August 13, 2004,
at Gatumba, their refugee camp in Burundi
See - http://www.hrw.org/legacy/backgrounder/africa/burundi/2004/0904/1.htm#_Toc81987410,
http://en.wikinews.org/wiki/Activists_remember_Burundi's_Gatumba_massacre
Psalm 130
Mark 1:1-13
and sermon, “A Baptism of Life Change”
by Bishop Peter Weaver of New England United Methodist Conference
Contoocook United Methodist Church
June 28, 2009

2009-07-02T08:57:00.000-04:00

The Cadence of His Words

The current of his words
flowing waters, alive
washing over us, living waters

In remembrance of Him
His baptism in the Jordan
washing over us, living waters

His trials in the wild
protected by angels
washing over us, living waters

Their lives, their history
the pain of the dark night
washing over us, living waters

Needing the waters, the Spirit
cleansing us, healing us
washing over us, living waters

Connecting us with Him
with all believers around the world
washing over us, living waters of love

July 2, 2009
Reverend Sammie Maxwell
African Choir
Celebration of Youth
Baptism of the Teens
families from the Democratic Republic of Congo,
who suffered through the massacre of August 13, 2004,
at Gatumba, their refugee camp in Burundi
See - http://www.hrw.org/legacy/backgrounder/africa/burundi/2004/0904/1.htm#_Toc81987410,
http://en.wikinews.org/wiki/Activists_remember_Burundi's_Gatumba_massacre
Psalm 130
Mark 1:1-13
and sermon, “A Baptism of Life Change”
by Bishop Peter Weaver of New England United Methodist Conference
Contoocook United Methodist Church
June 28, 2009

In the Way He Preached

2009-07-02T08:52:00.009-04:00

Water, flowing, living waters
moving through his message, through his words
a special message of life, life changing
hope, faith, within their struggles
a knowing of their histories
of the pain they have endured
showing us all, connection.

A connection with Christ, with one another
the living waters of each time, each place
joining us in His baptism
life changing waters
washing away the old
giving us power within
to have hope in our trials
strength to spread the good news
light to share in this dark world

July 2, 2009
Reverend Sammie Maxwell
African Choir
Celebration of Youth
Baptism of the Teens
families from the Democratic Republic of Congo,
who suffered through the massacre of August 13, 2004,
at Gatumba, their refugee camp in Burundi
See - http://www.hrw.org/legacy/backgrounder/africa/burundi/2004/0904/1.htm#_Toc81987410,
http://en.wikinews.org/wiki/Activists_remember_Burundi's_Gatumba_massacre
Psalm 130
Mark 1:1-13
and sermon, “A Baptism of Life Change”
by Bishop Peter Weaver of New England United Methodist Conference
Contoocook United Methodist Church
June 28, 2009