#droplets heavy on the #gossamer – v5 #poetry #writing #MaryOliver #inspiration #nature #God #faith #family #spider #web

Dew, mist, today’s light rain shower,
exposed her artistry, her precision
that which she meant to hide...
 
Droplets heavy on the gossamer
jewels festooned on the threads,
the lattice of her craft, her handiwork.
 
Strands of pearls more than strung, knitted,
hung as if weightless in space...
outlining this creator’s masterpiece...
 
Each time she stitched the lines,
casting her net into the breeze,
what would normally be invisible, hidden...
 
Panes of deadly glass glazed to capture,
her prey in her clutches, the unwise,
the unseeing, falling onto her trap...
 
Her adorned confection, a tapestry,
her trap, shown in its beauty,
by the furtive wet...
 
---- 
Edited July 17, 2026
droplets heavy on the gossamer – v5
 
Edited December 23, 2023
droplets heavy on the gossamer – v4
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2023/12/droplets-heavy-on-gossamer-v4.html
December 22, 2023
Conjuring a dream, a moment, a memory – v3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2023/12/conjuring-dream-moment-memory-v3.html
Edited December 22, 2022
Conjuring a dream, a moment, a memory – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/12/conjuring-dream-moment-memory-v2.html
Edited December 15, 2022
droplets heavy on the gossamer
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/12/droplets-heavy-on-gossamer.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, 2024, 2025, and 2026. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com)  for usage. See my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com
Poetry Where You Live.
 
poetry, writing, Mary Oliver, inspiration, nature, God, faith, family, spider, web
 
#poetry #writing #MaryOliver #inspiration #nature #God #faith #family #spider #web
 

Front and Back covers of After Taras #poetry #Ukraine #TarasShevchenko #AfterTaras #book #writing #Ukrainian #courage #culture #history #pride #victory #hope #resistance #defenders #civilians #sacrifice #glory #peace #God #united #together

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, 2024, 2025, and 2026. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com) for usage. All of my poems are at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

poetry, Ukraine, Taras Shevchenko, After Taras, book, writing, Ukrainian, courage, culture, history, pride, victory, hope, resistance, defenders, civilians, sacrifice, glory, peace, God,

#poetry #Ukraine #TarasShevchenko #AfterTaras #book #writing #Ukrainian #courage #culture #history #pride #victory #hope #resistance #defenders #civilians #sacrifice #glory #peace #God #united #together

I hear #Taras’ #whisper to me… - v6 #poetry #Ukraine #God #prayer #muse #writing #poets #calling #purpose #TarasShevchenko #RobertBurns #MikhailBulgakov #NikolaiGogol #whisper #presence

I keep hearing his name, his memory repeating,
Taras Shevchenko, the Bard of Ukraine,
in my mind, in my vision, my spirit,
I hear Taras’ whisper to me,
I don’t always know what he is saying.
But I long to figure this out…
I feel his pride in his countrymen,
The living people of Ukraine…
 
I feel a pull from his presence, his words,
in the fight for his country, their resolve,
his sorrow for his people, their struggle,
echoing deep within me, in the same way
I felt standing where Burns was born,
The birth of my original poetry…
Somehow, I sense him calling to me, yes,
As I support his homeland, Ukraine…
 
Somehow, I sense the writers Bulgakov and Gogol,
The Master and Margarita and Dead Souls,
entering my consciousness, my spirit…
They too want to gather with us in conversation,
something of the truth of Russia, its ethos,
to understand more fully this conflict,
nations, poets’ passions flowing,
more than what I read each day…
 
I hear Taras calling, whispering words
of the great grave, of freedom…
I do not yet comprehend fully,
I long to know, to understand, language,
He is calling me from my distant lands,
How can I use my words to support,
to aid, to heal his homeland,
his love, his blessed Ukraina…
 
----------
Edited June 22, 2026
I hear Taras’ whisper to me... – v6
 
about Ukrainian poet Taras Shevchenko…
Robert Burns, Mikhail Bulgakov, and Nikolai Gogol…
Robert Frost and Mary Oliver…
September 29, 2025
the stone in my pocket
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/09/the-stone-in-my-pocket.html
September 29, 2025
Why did he whisper to me?
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/09/why-did-he-whisper-to-me.html
Edited September 28, 2025
the whisper of Burns – v4
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/09/the-whisper-of-burns-v4.html
sensing Robert Burns’ spirit, his words,
in my first poem and continuing
Written and posted October 13, 2024
the whisper of Burns
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/10/the-whisper-of-burns_25.html
Edited December 11, 2023
I hear you calling to me – v3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2023/12/i-hear-you-calling-to-me-v3.html
earlier poem, sensing Robert Burns…
I visited the birthplace of Robert Burns in Scotland in 1999.
That was where I started writing my 1st poem...
Written and posted October 12, 2024
Channeling Taras
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/10/channeling-taras_25.html
About Taras Shevchenko speaking to my spirit,
through his life and poetry
 
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, 2024, 2025, and 2026. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com) for usage. See my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com
Poetry Where You Live.
 
Poetry, Robert Burns, Scotland, Highlands, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Loch Ness, Loch Lomond, Watson, heather, Alloway Auld Kirk, whisper, Tam o’ Shanter, Brig o’ Doon, Ayrshire, Urquhart Castle, ancestors, Scottish,
 
#poetry #RobertBurns #Scotland #Highlands #Edinburgh #Glasgow #LochNess #LochLomond #Watson #heather #AllowayAuldKirk #whisper #TamoShanter #BrigoDoon #Ayrshire #UrquhartCastle #ancestors #Scottish
 
-----------------
poetry, Ukraine, God, prayer, muse, writing, poets, calling, purpose, Taras Shevchenko, Robert Burns, Mikhail Bulgakov, Nikolai Gogol, whisper, presence,
 
#poetry #Ukraine #God #prayer #muse #writing #poets #calling #purpose #TarasShevchenko #RobertBurns #MikhailBulgakov #NikolaiGogol #whisper #presence

#Etchings on #droplets of #water – v5 #poem #poetry #writing #amanuensis #God #Spirit #nature #creation #life #relationships #imagery #dreams #etchings #scrimshaw #water #ether #air #picture #eternity

Letting my mind wander, meandering,
going where imagination leads me...
So many thoughts and images
thinking about the infinite
the tiny, the unseen,
The power of God in creation
in writing our songs, our stories,
long before we came to be...
 
Grabbing an ethereal canvas, vapor,
Stenciling in lines in silhouette, in shadows...
Precise, intricate drawings, perfect,
written with gilded silver threads,
capturing a whiff of eternity, of creation...
The truth within their song...
A breath, a whisper, a thought,
chiseled on air, panted into stone...
 
Illustrations gathered from the ether,
Our lives are no more than a breath -
Our moments so much vapor -
Snapshots captured only for an instant
as if on the surface of molten glass...
Etchings on droplets of water
before they melt into the ocean...
before they merge with eternity...
 
Wanting to hold these moments...
to freeze time, to treasure, to drink in
These images coaxed from the ether -
A prayer for a future yet unknown -
but feeling the water droplets slipping
like dry sand held in my pursed fingertips...
Knowing they, too, will dissolve into nothingness...
Seconds absorbed into the sands of time...
 
Painting an intricate portrait, immortal,
A mandala of intersecting motions,
on living parchment, gossamer,
Living scrimshaw on the ether -
Etchings on water droplets -
impermanent yet divine...
An image of the Creator
alive, eternal, right now...
 
-------
Edited April 4, 2026
Etchings on droplets of water – v5
 
March 14, 2026
Etching on droplets of water
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/03/etching-on-droplets-of-water.html
Edited January 29, 2026
capturing bits of gossamer – v8
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/01/capturing-bits-of-gossamer-v8.html
Edited September 12, 2025
Like tears in rain – v6
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/09/like-tears-in-rain-v6.html
June 22, 2025
grabbing ahold of ether
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/06/grabbing-ahold-of-ether.html
Edited January 28, 2025
I do not hold the words too tightly – v3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/01/i-do-not-hold-words-too-tightly-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, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, and 2026. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com)  for usage. See my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com
Poetry Where You Live.

Writing Poetry, writing, words, poetry, amanuensis, God, Spirit, nature, creation, life, relationships, imagery, dreams, etchings, scrimshaw, water, ether, air, picture, eternity,
 
#poem #poetry #writing #amanuensis #God #Spirit #nature #creation #life #relationships  #imagery #dreams #etchings #scrimshaw #water #ether #air #picture #eternity

#Etchings on #droplets of #water – v4 #poem #poetry #writing #amanuensis #God #Spirit #nature #creation #life #relationships #imagery #dreams #etchings #scrimshaw #water #ether #air #picture #eternity

Grabbing an ethereal canvas, vapor,
Stenciling in lines in silhouette...
precise, intricate drawings,
written with gilded silver
capturing a whiff of eternity...
The truth within their song...
A breath, a whisper, a thought,
chiseled on air, panted into stone...
 
Illustrations gathered from the ether,
Our lives are no more than a breath -
Our moments so much vapor -
Snapshots captured only for an instant
as if on the surface of molten glass...
Etchings on droplets of water
before they melt into the ocean...
before they merge with eternity...
 
Wanting to hold this moment
to freeze time, to treasure, to drink in
These images coaxed from the ether -
A prayer for a future yet unknown -
but feeling the water droplets slipping
like dry sand held in my cupped fingertips...
Knowing they, too, will dissolve into nothingness...
Seconds absorbed into the sands of time...
 
Painting an intricate portrait, immortal,
A mandala of intersecting motions,
on living parchment, gossamer,
Scrimshaw on the ether -
Etchings on water droplets -
impermanent yet divine...
An image of the Creator
alive, eternal, right now...
 
----
Edited March 20, 2026
Etchings on droplets of water – v4
 
Edited January 29, 2026
capturing bits of gossamer – v8
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/01/capturing-bits-of-gossamer-v8.html
Edited September 12, 2025
Like tears in rain – v6
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/09/like-tears-in-rain-v6.html
June 22, 2025
grabbing ahold of ether
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/06/grabbing-ahold-of-ether.html
Edited January 28, 2025
I do not hold the words too tightly – v3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/01/i-do-not-hold-words-too-tightly-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, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, and 2026. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com)  for usage. See my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com
Poetry Where You Live.

Writing Poetry, writing, words, poetry, amanuensis, God, Spirit, nature, creation, life, relationships, imagery, dreams, etchings, scrimshaw, water, ether, air, picture, eternity,
 
#poem #poetry #writing #amanuensis #God #Spirit #nature #creation #life #relationships  #imagery #dreams #etchings #scrimshaw #water #ether #air #picture #eternity

#Etchings on #droplets of #water – v3 #poem #poetry #writing #amanuensis #God #Spirit #nature #creation #life #relationships #imagery #dreams #etchings #scrimshaw #water #ether #air #picture

Grabbing an ethereal canvas, vapor,

Stenciling in silhouette...
precise, intricate drawings,
written with gilded silver
capturing a whiff of eternity
The truth within their song...
A breath, a whisper, a thought,
chiseled on air, panted into stone...
 
Illustrations gathered from the ether
our lives are no more than a breath -
our moments so much vapor -
snapshots captured only for an instant
on the surface of molten glass...
Etchings on droplets of water
before they melt into the ocean...
before they merge with eternity...
 
Wanting to hold this moment
to freeze time, to treasure, to drink in
These images pulled from the ether
a prayer for a future yet unknown
but feeling the water droplets slipping
like dry sand held in my cupped fingertips...
Knowing they, too, will dissolve into nothingness...
Seconds absorbed into the sands of time...
 
Painting a portrait, immortal,
A mandala of intersecting motions,
on living parchment, gossamer,
Scrimshaw on the ether -
Etchings on water droplets -
impermanent yet divine...
An image of the Creator
alive, eternal, right now...
 
----
Edited March 19, 2026
Etchings on droplets of water – v3
 
Edited January 29, 2026
capturing bits of gossamer – v8
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/01/capturing-bits-of-gossamer-v8.html
June 22, 2025
grabbing ahold of ether
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/06/grabbing-ahold-of-ether.html
Edited January 28, 2025
I do not hold the words too tightly – v3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/01/i-do-not-hold-words-too-tightly-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, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, and 2026. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com)  for usage. See my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com
Poetry Where You Live.

Writing Poetry, writing, words, poetry, amanuensis, God, Spirit, nature, creation, life, relationships, imagery, dreams, etchings, scrimshaw, water, ether, air, picture,
 
#poem #poetry #writing #amanuensis #God #Spirit #nature #creation #life #relationships  #imagery #dreams #etchings #scrimshaw #water #ether #air #picture

#Etchings on #droplets of #water - v2 #poem #poetry #writing #amanuensis #God #Spirit #nature #creation #life #relationships #imagery #dreams #etchings #scrimshaw #water #ether

Grabbing an ethereal canvas, vapor,
Stenciling in silhouette...
fine-point writings
capturing a whiff of eternity
The truth within their song...
A breath, a whisper,
chiseled into stone...
 
Pictures gathered from the ether
our lives are but a breath -
our moments so much vapor -
snapshots captured only for an instant
Etchings on droplets of water
before they melt into the ocean...
before they merge with eternity...
 
Wanting to hold this moment
These images pulled from the ether
a prayer for a future yet unknown
but feeling the water droplets slipping
like dry sand held by my fingertips...
Knowing they, too, will dissolve
absorbed in the sands of time...
 
Drawing a portrait, immortal,
on living parchment, gossamer,
Scrimshaw on the ether -
Etchings on water droplets -
impermanent yet divine...
An image of the Creator
alive, eternal, right now...
 
----
Edited March 15, 2026
Etchings on droplets of water - v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/03/etchings-on-droplets-of-water-v2.html
Edited January 29, 2026
capturing bits of gossamer – v8
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/01/capturing-bits-of-gossamer-v8.html
June 22, 2025
grabbing ahold of ether
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/06/grabbing-ahold-of-ether.html
Edited January 28, 2025
I do not hold the words too tightly – v3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/01/i-do-not-hold-words-too-tightly-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, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, and 2026. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com)  for usage. See my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com
Poetry Where You Live.

Writing Poetry, writing, words, poetry, amanuensis, God, Spirit, nature, creation, life, relationships, imagery, dreams, etchings, scrimshaw, water, ether,
 
#poem #poetry #writing #amanuensis #God #Spirit #nature #creation #life #relationships  #imagery #dreams #etchings #scrimshaw #water #ether

#Etchings on #droplets of #water #poem #poetry #writing #amanuensis #God #Spirit #nature #creation #life #relationships #imagery #dreams #etchings #scrimshaw #water #ether

Pictures gathered from the ether
our lives are but a breath -
our moments so much vapor -
snapshots captured only for an instant
Etchings on droplets of water
before they melt into the ocean...
before they merge with eternity...
 
Wanting to hold this moment
These images pulled from the ether
a prayer for a future yet unknown
but feeling the water droplets slipping
like dry sand held by my fingertips...
Knowing they, too, will dissolve
absorbed in the sands of time...
 
Drawing a portrait, immortal,
on living parchment, gossamer,
Scrimshaw on the ether,
Etchings on water droplets
impermanent yet divine...
An image of the Creator
alive, eternal, right now... 
 
----
Edited March 14, 2026
Etchings on droplets of water
 
Edited January 29, 2026
capturing bits of gossamer – v8
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/01/capturing-bits-of-gossamer-v8.html
June 22, 2025
grabbing ahold of ether
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/06/grabbing-ahold-of-ether.html
Edited January 28, 2025
I do not hold the words too tightly – v3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/01/i-do-not-hold-words-too-tightly-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, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, and 2026. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com)  for usage. See my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com
Poetry Where You Live.

Writing Poetry, writing, words, poetry, amanuensis, God, Spirit, nature, creation, life, relationships, imagery, dreams, etchings, scrimshaw, water, ether,
 
#poem #poetry #writing #amanuensis #God #Spirit #nature #creation #life #relationships  #imagery #dreams #etchings #scrimshaw #water #ether

Etching on droplets of water #poem #poetry #writing #amanuensis #God #Spirit #nature #creation #life #relationships #imagery #dreams

Pictures gathered from the ether
Our lives are but a breath
Our moments so much vapor
Images captured only for an instant
Etching on droplets of water
Before they melt into the ocean
Before they merge with eternity...
 
Wanting to hold this moment
These images pulled from the ether
A prayer for a future yet unknown
But feeling the water droplets slipping
Like dry sand held by my fingertips
Knowing they too will dissolve
Absorbed in the sands of time...
 
Drawing an image, immortal,
On living parchment, gossamer,
On the sky, on the ether,
Etching on water droplets
Impermanent yet divine
An image of the Creator
Alive, eternal, right now...  
 
----
March 14, 2026
Etching on droplets of water
 
Edited January 29, 2026
capturing bits of gossamer – v8
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/01/capturing-bits-of-gossamer-v8.html
June 22, 2025
grabbing ahold of ether
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/06/grabbing-ahold-of-ether.html
Edited January 28, 2025
I do not hold the words too tightly – v3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/01/i-do-not-hold-words-too-tightly-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, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, and 2026. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com)  for usage. See my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com
Poetry Where You Live.
 
Writing Poetry, writing, words, poetry, amanuensis, God, Spirit, nature, creation, life, relationships, imagery, dreams, 
 
#poem #poetry #writing #amanuensis #God #Spirit #nature #creation #life #relationships  #imagery #dreams

The #ambiguity of an #ellipsis – v2 #Poetry #writing #grammar #period #ellipsis #pause #meaning #ambiguity #mystery

More than style, finesse,
something deeper, alive,
stirring in the waters,
the ambiguity of an ellipsis,
versus the finality of a period...
The choice to rhyme or not
the cadence of each moment...
 
Finding the rhythm of the dance
the harmony, the moments,
the living word pictures,
spinning in my mind...
Thoughts stitched together,
Rising to crescendo,
yearning for release...
 
Sometimes overwhelming,
something too real,
pulling of the thread,
unraveling the fabric...
Too raw, too transparent...
But a striving in my spirit,
to be alive, to be true...
 
“Ambiguity is the spice of life”,
I declared when I was 18,
but nuance has a price,
that beauty can reveal...
An ellipsis, a pause, a césure,
the other side of eternity,
in hidden words mused...
 
--------------
edited February 24, 2026
The ambiguity of an ellipsis
 
Writing poetry, using ellipsis...
“I often use an ellipsis, ‘…’, at the end of each stanza intentionally,
to reflect the open-ended, unfinished nature of each thought and
idea within the poem.
 
I hope the use of the ellipsis encourages the reader to pause, reflect,
and think about what lies beyond the words on the page.
This choice highlights the complexity and incompleteness of life,
especially in the context of war, where answers are hard to find, and
consequences extend far beyond what is spoken or seen... 
 
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, 2024, 2025, and 2026. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com)  for usage. See my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com 
Poetry Where You Live.
 
Poetry, writing, grammar, period, ellipsis, pause, meaning, ambiguity, mystery, césure,
 
#Poetry #writing #grammar #period #ellipsis #pause #meaning #ambiguity #mystery

The ambiguity of an ellipsis #Poetry #writing #grammar #period #ellipsis #pause #meaning #ambiguity #mystery

The ambiguity of an ellipsis,
The finality of a period
The choice to rhyme or not
The cadence of each moment...
 
Finding the rhythm of the dance
The living word pictures,
Spinning in my mind
Yearning for release...
 
Sometimes overwhelming,
Too raw, to transparent,
But a striving in my spirit,
To be alive, to be real...
 
Ambiguity is the spice of life,
I said when I was 18,
But nuance has a price,
That beauty can reveal...
 
--------------
February 24, 2026
The ambiguity of an ellipsis
 
Writing poetry, using ellipsis...
“I often use an ellipsis, ‘…’, at the end of each stanza intentionally,
to reflect the open-ended, unfinished nature of each thought and
idea within the poem.
 
I hope the use of the ellipsis encourages the reader to pause, reflect,
and think about what lies beyond the words on the page.
This choice highlights the complexity and incompleteness of life,
especially in the context of war, where answers are hard to find, and
consequences extend far beyond what is spoken or seen... 
 
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, 2024, 2025, and 2026. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com)  for usage. See my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com 
Poetry Where You Live.
 
Poetry, writing, grammar, period, ellipsis, pause, meaning, ambiguity, mystery,
 
#Poetry #writing #grammar #period #ellipsis #pause #meaning #ambiguity #mystery

capturing bits of #gossamer – v8 #poem #poetry #poetrycommunity #writing #amanuensis #God #Spirit #nature #creation

We are capturing bits of gossamer,
Magic, lightning in a bottle,
scribbling lines of ether, of breath,
strings of creation, of eternity,
gathered from the Spirit,
sharing mysteries of life, of faith…
We are writing down images, memory,
hope, joy, streaming, ever-present,
conjured from the wind…
 
Beauty is all around us,
Poetry Where You Live…
 
We are gathering something unseen,
Invisible, or neglected, yet present,
seed of the eternal, a germ
of creation, the cosmos above us,
of the heart of the living God…
There is beauty in God’s written Word,
planted deep within us, anchored,
in nature all around us….
 
Love surrounds us,
Poetry Where You Live….
 
------
Edited January 29, 2026
capturing bits of gossamer – v8
 
Edited January 28, 2025
capturing bits of gossamer – v7
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/01/capturing-bits-of-gossamer-v7.html
Edited January 28, 2025
I do not hold the words too tightly – v3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/01/i-do-not-hold-words-too-tightly-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, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, and 2026. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com)  for usage. See my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com
Poetry Where You Live.
 
Writing Poetry, poetry community, writing, words, poetry, amanuensis, God, Spirit, nature, creation,
 
#poem #poetry #poetrycommunity #writing #amanuensis #God #Spirit #nature #creation

the stone in my pocket – v3 #poetry #Ukraine #God #prayer #muse #writing #poets #calling #purpose #TarasShevchenko #RobertBurns #MikhailBulgakov #NikolaiGogol #whisper #presence #MaryOliver

Did he wake from his slumber,
Did Burns sense the weight, the gravity,
the stone in my pocket that I was touching,
gathered from the shore of the loch…
The sprig of heather I would pick
for a secret, a wish, a prayer,
a shout hushed in the Highland air
near that great peated deep…
 
Did Robert know me,
Did he feel me within his spirit,
That my heart was like his, captured,
by the cry of my siren, my muse…
like he himself and David had been,
chasing that which wasn’t his,
a kindred brother at that moment,
caught in the swirling sands of time…
 
I sensed him at that moment,
Standing in the room where he was born,
Bard of my paternal ancestors,
whispering a breath-prayer to my heart
(words like none I had ever heard) …
He started me on a journey
toward my calling, my purpose,
bringing me back to God…
 
----------
Edited December 29, 2025
the stone in my pocket – v3
 
sensing Robert Burns’ spirit, his words,
in my first poem, and continuing;
I visited the birthplace of Robert Burns in Scotland in 1999.
That was where I started writing my 1st poem...
September 29, 2025
Why did he whisper to me?
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/09/why-did-he-whisper-to-me.html
Edited September 28, 2025
the whisper of Burns – v4
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/09/the-whisper-of-burns-v4.html
Written and posted October 13, 2024
the whisper of Burns
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/10/the-whisper-of-burns_25.html
Edited December 11, 2023
I hear you calling to me – v3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2023/12/i-hear-you-calling-to-me-v3.html
earlier poem, sensing Robert Burns…
Edited September 30, 2025
Channeling Taras – v6
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/09/channeling-taras-v6.html
About Taras Shevchenko speaking to my spirit,
through his life and poetry
Edited September 29, 2025
I hear Taras’ whisper to me… - v5
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/09/i-hear-taras-whisper-to-me-v5.html
about Ukrainian poet Taras Shevchenko…
Robert Burns, Mikhail Bulgakov, and Nikolai Gogol…
Robert Frost and Mary Oliver…
 
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, 2024, and 2025. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com) for usage. See my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com
Poetry Where You Live.
 
Poetry, Robert Burns, Scotland, Highlands, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Loch Ness, Loch Lomond, Watson, heather, Alloway Auld Kirk, whisper, Tam o’ Shanter, Brig o’ Doon, Ayrshire, Urquhart Castle, ancestors, Scottish,
 
#poetry #RobertBurns #Scotland #Highlands #Edinburgh #Glasgow #LochNess #LochLomond #Watson #heather #AllowayAuldKirk #whisper #TamoShanter #BrigoDoon #Ayrshire #UrquhartCastle #ancestors #Scottish
 
-----------------
poetry, Ukraine, God, prayer, muse, writing, poets, calling, purpose, Taras Shevchenko, Robert Burns, Mikhail Bulgakov, Nikolai Gogol, whisper, presence,
 
#poetry #Ukraine #God #prayer #muse #writing #poets #calling #purpose #TarasShevchenko #RobertBurns #MikhailBulgakov #NikolaiGogol #whisper #presence

the stone in my pocket – v2 #RobertBurns #Scotland #poetry #muse #talisman #LochNess

Did Burns sense the weight, the gravity,
the stone in my pocket that I was touching,
gathered from the shore of the loch,
The sprig of heather I would pick
for a secret, a wish, a prayer,
a shout in the Highland air
near that peated deep…

Did he feel me within his spirit,
That my heart was like his, captured,
by the cry of my siren, my muse,
like he himself and David had been,
chasing that which wasn’t his,
a kindred brother at that moment,
caught in the sands of time…

Standing in the room where he was born,
bard of my paternal ancestors,
speaking a breath-prayer to my heart
(words like none I had ever heard) …
He started me on a journey
toward my calling, my purpose,
bringing me back to God…

----------
Edited September 30, 2025
the stone in my pocket – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/09/the-stone-in-my-pocket-v2.html
sensing Robert Burns’ spirit, his words,
in my first poem, and continuing;
I visited the birthplace of Robert Burns in Scotland in 1999.
That was where I started writing my 1st poem...
September 29, 2025
Why did he whisper to me?
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/09/why-did-he-whisper-to-me.html
Edited September 28, 2025
the whisper of Burns – v4
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/09/the-whisper-of-burns-v4.html
Written and posted October 13, 2024
the whisper of Burns
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/10/the-whisper-of-burns_25.html
Edited December 11, 2023
I hear you calling to me – v3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2023/12/i-hear-you-calling-to-me-v3.html
earlier poem, sensing Robert Burns…
Written and posted October 12, 2024
Channeling Taras
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/10/channeling-taras_25.html
About Taras Shevchenko speaking to my spirit,
through his life and poetry
Edited September 25, 2024
I hear Taras’ whisper to me… - v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/09/i-hear-taras-whisper-to-me-v2.html
about Ukrainian poet Taras Shevchenko...
Robert Burns, Mikhail Bulgakov, and Nikolai Gogol…
Robert Frost and Mary Oliver…

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, 2024, and 2025. 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, Robert Burns, Scotland, Highlands, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Loch Ness, Loch Lomond, Watson, heather, Alloway Auld Kirk, whisper, Tam o’ Shanter, Brig o’ Doon, Ayrshire, Urquhart Castle, ancestors, Scottish,

#poetry #RobertBurns #Scotland #Highlands #Edinburgh #Glasgow #LochNess #LochLomond #Watson #heather #AllowayAuldKirk #whisper #TamoShanter #BrigoDoon #Ayrshire #UrquhartCastle #ancestors #Scottish

-------------
poetry, Ukraine, God, prayer, muse, writing, poets, calling, purpose, Taras Shevchenko, Robert Burns, Mikhail Bulgakov, Nikolai Gogol, whisper, presence,

#poetry #Ukraine #God #prayer #muse #writing #poets #calling #purpose #TarasShevchenko #RobertBurns #MikhailBulgakov #NikolaiGogol #whisper #presence

I hear Taras’ whisper to me… - v5 #RobertBurns #Scotland #poetry #muse #TarasShevchenko #Ukraine

I keep hearing his name, his memory repeating,
Taras Shevchenko, the Bard of Ukraine,
in my mind, in my vision, my spirit,
I hear Taras’ whisper to me,
I don’t always know what he is saying.
But I long to figure this out…
I feel his pride in his countrymen,
The living people of Ukraine…

I feel a pull from his presence, his words,
in the fight for his country, their resolve,
his sorrow for his people, their struggle,
echoing deep within me, in the same way
I felt standing where Burns was born,
The birth of my original poetry…
Somehow, I sense him calling to me, yes,
As I support his homeland, Ukraine…

Somehow, I sense the writers Bulgakov and Gogol,
The Master and Margarita and Dead Souls,
entering my consciousness, my spirit…
They too want to gather with us in conversation,
something of the truth of Russia, its ethos,
to understand more fully this conflict,
nations, poets’ passions flowing,
more than what I read each day…

I hear Taras calling, whispering words
of the great grave, of freedom…
I do not yet comprehend fully,
I long to know, to understand, language,
He is calling me from my distant lands,
How can I use my words to support,
to aid, to heal his homeland,
his love, his blessed Ukraina…

----
September 29, 2025
I hear Taras’ whisper to me… - v5
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/09/i-hear-taras-whisper-to-me-v5.html
about Ukrainian poet Taras Shevchenko…
Robert Burns, Mikhail Bulgakov, and Nikolai Gogol…
Robert Frost and Mary Oliver…
September 29, 2025
the stone in my pocket
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/09/the-stone-in-my-pocket.html
September 29, 2025
Why did he whisper to me?
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/09/why-did-he-whisper-to-me.html
Edited September 28, 2025
the whisper of Burns – v4
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/09/the-whisper-of-burns-v4.html
sensing Robert Burns’ spirit, his words,
in my first poem and continuing
Written and posted October 13, 2024
the whisper of Burns
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/10/the-whisper-of-burns_25.html
December 11, 2023
I hear you calling to me – v3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2023/12/i-hear-you-calling-to-me-v3.html
earlier poem, sensing Robert Burns…
I visited the birthplace of Robert Burns in Scotland in 1999.
That was where I started writing my 1st poem...
Written and posted October 12, 2024
Channeling Taras
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/10/channeling-taras_25.html
About Taras Shevchenko speaking to my spirit,
through his life and poetry

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, 2024, and 2025. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com) for usage. See my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com
Poetry Where You Live.

Poetry, Robert Burns, Scotland, Highlands, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Loch Ness, Loch Lomond, Watson, heather, Alloway Auld Kirk, whisper, Tam o’ Shanter, Brig o’ Doon, Ayrshire, Urquhart Castle, ancestors, Scottish,

#poetry #RobertBurns #Scotland #Highlands #Edinburgh #Glasgow #LochNess #LochLomond #Watson #heather #AllowayAuldKirk #whisper #TamoShanter #BrigoDoon #Ayrshire #UrquhartCastle #ancestors #Scottish

-----------------
poetry, Ukraine, God, prayer, muse, writing, poets, calling, purpose, Taras Shevchenko, Robert Burns, Mikhail Bulgakov, Nikolai Gogol, whisper, presence, 

#poetry #Ukraine #God #prayer #muse #writing #poets #calling #purpose #TarasShevchenko #RobertBurns #MikhailBulgakov #NikolaiGogol #whisper #presence

the stone in my pocket #RobertBurns #Scotland #poetry #muse #TarasShevchenko

Did he sense the weight, the gravity,
the stone in my pocket I was touching,
gathered from the shore of the loch,
The sprig of heather I would pick
for a secret, a wish, a prayer,
a shout in the Highland air
near that peated deep…

Did he feel me within his spirit,
That my heart was captured,
by the cry of my siren, my muse,
like he and David had been,
chasing that which wasn’t his,
a kindred brother in that moment,
caught in the sands of time…

Standing in the room where he was born,
bard of my paternal ancestors,
speaking a breath-prayer to my heart
words like none I had ever heard
starting me on a journey
toward my calling, my purpose,
bringing me back to God…

------- 
September 29, 2025

the stone in my pocket

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/09/the-stone-in-my-pocket.html

September 29, 2025
Why did he whisper to me?
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/09/why-did-he-whisper-to-me.html

September 28, 2025
the whisper of Burns – v4
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/09/the-whisper-of-burns-v4.html
sensing Robert Burns’ spirit, his words,
in my first poem and continuing
Written and posted October 13, 2024
the whisper of Burns
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/10/the-whisper-of-burns_25.html
Edited December 11, 2023
I hear you calling to me – v3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2023/12/i-hear-you-calling-to-me-v3.html
earlier poem, sensing Robert Burns…
I visited the birthplace of Robert Burns in Scotland in 1999.
That was where I started writing my 1st poem...
Written and posted October 12, 2024
Channeling Taras
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/10/channeling-taras_25.html
About Taras Shevchenko speaking to my spirit,
through his life and poetry
September 25, 2024
I hear Taras’ whisper to me… - v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/09/i-hear-taras-whisper-to-me-v2.html
about Ukrainian poet Taras Shevchenko...
Robert Burns, Mikhail Bulgakov, and Nikolai Gogol…
Robert Frost and Mary Oliver…
 
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, 2024, and 2025. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com) for usage. See my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com 

Poetry Where You Live.

Poetry, Robert Burns, Scotland, Highlands, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Loch Ness, Loch Lomond, Watson, heather, Alloway Auld Kirk, whisper, Tam o’ Shanter, Brig o’ Doon, Ayrshire, Urquhart Castle, ancestors, Scottish,

#poetry #RobertBurns #Scotland #Highlands #Edinburgh #Glasgow #LochNess #LochLomond #Watson #heather #AllowayAuldKirk #whisper #TamoShanter #BrigoDoon #Ayrshire #UrquhartCastle #ancestors #Scottish

poetry, Ukraine, God, prayer, muse, writing, poets, calling, purpose, Taras Shevchenko, Robert Burns, Mikhail Bulgakov, Nikolai Gogol, whisper, presence,

#poetry #Ukraine #God #prayer #muse #writing #poets #calling #purpose #TarasShevchenko #RobertBurns #MikhailBulgakov #NikolaiGogol #whisper #presence