Sunday, December 31, 2006

Real Forgiveness

Forgiveness, pardon
were woven in words,
we could understand, appreciate,
bring home to our own hearts
reach empathy, equate, learn from them
for our own lives, imperatives left
to churn and prod us, to forgiveness
Lives interwoven by her words
examples and choices made,
how richer is our world
for that gift of knowing
in the telling of the stories,
of the models for living
in walking in his steps
whatever the consequence
of learning the balm
of forgiveness, ourselves
for our hearts,
for our servanthood
like him, not judging,
but healing, a broken world


December 31, 2006 13:59
Written about Colossians 3:12-17, used by
the Reverend Lori Eldredge, in her sermon,
“The Image of Christ“, in which she wove
the question of whether the world is
better off after the execution of Saddam Hussein,
the selflessness of President Gerald R. Ford’s pardon,
the test of forgiveness that Corrie Ten Bloom faced
as she described in The Hiding Place,
and the forgiveness of Jesus Christ and God.


All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 19,060+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

A Formal Tie

Sugar cookies, candy canes,
Christmas trees, snow men,
stars, ginger bread men,
spirals, bells, all cartoon confections
festooned my newest tie
a special Christmas gift
bought for me to wear today
by the three angels in my life

Daddy, wear this, was their plea
How could I refuse?
So the tie for church was a bit less spiritual
but with more meaning this morning
wearing one given to me,
in love, by the same girls
cheering on my driving this morning
hitting six green lights
in a row on Canal Street
Go Daddy Go!
An auspicious start
to the last day of the year indeed


December 31, 2006 13:39


All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 19,060+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Forgive Them

Forgive them, for they know not what they do
Words of the Savior
Whose birth we remember
just days ago; but whose example
is so much a part, of being his brothers,
sisters, joint heirs in the promise,
the salvation bought with his blood
Words of the babe, the son
said in a moment,
in a specific time and place
but universal, for us all
for our understanding, our grasping
of consequences of our action
far outstripped by his own
So forgive, always, for we have been told
to forgive, because
we all sin, all fall short,
all are guilty, all caused the breach
all need the grace, the forgiveness
Jesus spoke on the cross
That God granted
through the resurrection


December 31, 2006 13:14
Colossians 3:12-17 (especially 3:13), used by the
Reverend Lorene Eldredge today in her sermon,
made me think of Luke 23:34


All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 29,160+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Neglectful Parents

How could they lose him,
he was only twelve,
not know he was with them?
Not know for a full day’s journey
assuming he was with family
No idea where he was,
frantically searching for four days
Finding him safe; but they didn’t know that
didn’t know he was safe in church
where he had stayed
while they didn’t know where
he was for five days


December 31, 2006 8:25
Luke 2:41-52
In today's world, this is probably how
it would be reported.


All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 20,770+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Saturday, December 30, 2006

A Whitening World

Snow continues to fall
young faces pressed against the windows
climb the back of the couch
dream of snowmen, castles,
a volcano of white
crunch of the packing snow in the alley
hint of white filling the treads
every tree a false birch
Calls for scarves, mittens, boots
pull the car sweeper
from the basement
A crown of white
out in the parking spaces
futile sweeping, a mere layer
a dusting returns
as I turn back to the start
A world in whitewash
as the snow continues to fall


December 30, 2006 13:32


All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 19,830+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

I'm Spiderman

Okay, I don't normally do this; but ....

Your results: You are Spider-Man
You are intelligent, witty, a bit geeky and have great power and responsibility.

Spider-Man 70%
Hulk 65%
Catwoman 60%
Superman 55%

Which Superhero are you?
http://www.thesuperheroquiz.com/


All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 19,060+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

A Spirit Inspired

Stumbled on this site, by Micah Noel. It looks promising.

http://a-spirit-inspired.blogspot.com/


All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 19,830+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Snow in the Air

Snow in the air
long before the first flakes
started their long fall from the heavens
snow in the feel, the smell,
the texture of the air
feeling the falling barometer
the shift in the weather
Falling lightly at first, while
I stood at the sink,
mesmerized, watching
their dance downward
Go upstairs, roust the girls,
hear the excitement, the joy
at the first real snowfall
Accumulating white, flake by flake
on the ground, the cars,
still quiet snow, light and airy
a film of white, cell by cell
cleaning the world
in white


----------
edited December 15, 2015
Smell of Snow – v4
(merging edits to version 3 and version 2)
edited December 9, 2015
Smell of Snow – v3
(editing original)
Edited November 28, 2012
“Smell of Snow – v2”
Friday, December 03, 2004 8:27
“Smell of Snow”
and other poems
December 1, 2012
like sprinkled sugar
&
edited December 9, 2015
Snow in the Air – v6
(editing original)
edited November 27, 2015
Snow in the Air – v5
(merging edits to original and version 4)
edited November 22, 2015
Snow in the air – v4
(editing original)
Edited August 3, 2013
“Snow in the Air – v3
(editing original)
Edited September 20, 2012
“Snow in the Air – v2”
December 30, 2006 12:08
“Snow in the Air”


All of my poems and photographs are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com) for usage. See all 40,670+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Epiphany

Imprimatur of royalty
with the solemnity of the giving
the opening of the treasure
the bowing before the babe
Holy king of whom the prophets foretold
the Son whose coming the star heralded
accept our gifts


December 30, 2006 8:44
Matthew 2:1-12



All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 35,130+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Hooded Hangmen

A stark image on the screen
a cluster of hangmen,
black hoods, hiding their faces
the guilty unhooded,
ready to meet his fate
Hooded to hide from
assassination, retribution
in a land with a skim-coat
of laws, of order
a land in need of healing
of grafting the factions together
one people, one body
for together there is hope
separately only chaos
where the world is blind
from balancing the scales


December 30, 2006 8:39


All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 19,830+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Descended like a Dove

Touched by the Holy Spirit
descending like a dove,
before the voice of God spoke
identifying him for all
All who would listen;
but first he was touched
a mantle added to his walk
the beginning of his journey
a yoke added; but the yoke
was as a dove, lightly perched
walking with him on his shoulder
Guiding and protecting him
before the intoning of the prophecy
the ministry to come after the testing
but now the wondrous sight
the moment of revelation
confirmation of the fulfillment
of the prophecy of old
when the spirit alighted,
down through the heavens
descended like a dove
onto our Savior


December 30, 2006 8:22
Matthew 3:16
Mark 1:10
Luke 3:21b-22



All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 27,380+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Sealed by the Lord

The Lord was the one,
who saved him and his family
the animals, the birds, all creation
from wrath and flood, from the cleansing
the cleaning of the earth
They went according to his will
into the unknown, into the Ark
and were sealed in
by the Lord


December 30, 2006 8:10
Genesis 7:16
“And those who entered [the Ark], male and female of all flesh,
went is as God had commanded him [Noah]; and the Lord shut him in.”


All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 19,050+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Wednesday, December 27, 2006

Christmas Continues

We had another day of Christmas
more family time, more presents,
another big meal, another house full
of squeals for new clothes, new toys
laughter of memories, of old stories
brought back, catching up with family
parents we don’t see that often
rekindling, renewing, enjoying company
Christmas continuing this year
for another day, would that it could,
in all its original glory, beyond
the twelve days, beyond Epiphany
into our every day, into our hearts
all year long


December 27, 2006 20:00


All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 19,050+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

A Hug

A purposeful stride across the room,
a draping of a body across my shoulders,
as I write lines on the page, capture a thought
a legal argument, a bit of facts,
a set of arms wrapping around me,
always without asking, without warning
attempting to change my focus
away from my work, my purposes
Attention grabbing,
attuned to her needs, her timing,
against the grain of my schedule, my focus
attesting to her will, above all
a hug, a hug, my kingdom for a hug
at your service, Miss E


December 27, 2006 19:19



All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 19,050+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Healing a Nation

That phrase, “healing a nation”
kept going through my mind this morning
thinking about the legacy, the model, the example
set by Gerald. R. Ford, the 38th President,
being a servant first, understanding perhaps
the cost, to him, of his decisions,
the decisions he made anyway,
closing two long painful chapters
in our nation’s history, two periods,
not of his making,
a Man of the House,
destined instead for the other end
of Pennsylvania Avenue
a different mantle, a different yoke
worn faithful, that is the measure of this man
who lost the Presidency;
by healing a nation


December 27, 2006 12:54
President Gerald R. Ford, 38th President of the United States
who died today at 93 year old, the only unelected President
in our nation's history.


All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 19,050+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Tuesday, December 26, 2006

A Few Hours of Rest

At the start of the day,
a few hours of rest,
without agenda or timeline,
without to do’s and phones
no computer, no files
full belly from brunch
a warm blanket on the couch
you in my arms
and the beauty of a nap
with you


December 26, 2006 20:46


All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 19,050+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Christ-filled

A quick email to family, to friends,
deciding to use the phrase Christ-filled
knowing that not all would believe,
that some would question the inclusion
of that affirmation, that adjective
for Christmas, knowing that some are
not sure of the reality of the King,
of the goodness of God.

Using the words anyway, because I believe
that I want to share that bit of hope,
that language of promise, what we long for
a loving relationship with our brother
our savior, our God incarnate, now sitting
at the right hand of God, the Creator
waiting now for his appointed hour
to return and reap, to claim us for himself
to be our Advocate on the final day
when we will go home.

So I use the words, of faith, of the reason
we celebrate Christmas, not merely a
winter holiday; but the moment of grace
the gift of birth, the choice to live as we do
so long ago, in Bethlehem, in Eqypt,
in Nazareth, in service


December 26, 2006 20:40


All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 19,050+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Video for our Christmas Eve service

The attached was the background for one of the Christmas Eve services at our church, as we did the Stations of Christmas... It was authored by zenpilgrim (http://zenpilgrim.blogspot.com/ ).

http://www.esnips.com/doc/166eb19b-1a4c-4a4f-a939-cd0d5f912fe3


All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 19,050+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Sunday, December 24, 2006

Christmas Dresses






All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 19,040+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

A Five-Year Old Princess






All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 19,040+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

A Dangerous Question

In my trade, you never are to ask these kinds of questions,
questions where you don’t know the answer,
those that can go horribly wrong, alert others to danger,
to culpability, to retribution, to a finding of guilt
No, you don’t ask those kind, their ilk; you avoid them

She knows too, in her line of work, her calling, to serve the Lord
that they are dangerous, unscripted, unnerving, all too prone
to grab the spotlight, grab the wheel or the rudder,
to pilot the plane, or at least her plan, into the ground

Yes, I am talking of a pastor and the children of the congregation
clustered within the expectancy of Christmas Eve, down in the chancel
for the impromptu questioning of a pastor, in “Children’s Time”
Maybe the title of that portion of the bulletin should give a hint,
or give pause; but not this morning

Maybe she felt safe with these children, not quite as secular as the maddening crowd
but they answered in kind, from the tip of the neon reality of Christmas all around.
“Who is coming tonight?” between the Advent wreath lighting and
the reading form Luke Chapter 1.
Naturally, the response was, _______________.
Go ahead, you can fill in the blank as well as I; It was the bearded one
not the swaddled babe in the manger, that was the first retort, almost in unison
With a bit of prompting, they came around; But
She asked again before the prayer, the benediction of the children’s time.
And, … , yes, it was Santa who was coming, once again.
And Jesus too. Thank God. Amen.


December 24, 2006 14:41



All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 26,380+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Sensing His Presence

His mother’s voice
through his mother’s womb
gave away his presence, his nearness
his being, so close, so close
a life not yet breathing air
sensing another prenatal life
growing, living, already divine
already being prepared to sacrifice
one to announce and one to save
two cousins, on a preordained course
to change the face of humanity
greeting long before the Jordan
while yet in the wombs
of a virgin and an old barren soul
conceived miraculously,
two uncommon boys,
long hoped for,
over centuries
to fulfill a prophecy
a promise from God


December 24, 2006 14:27
Luke 1:39-56


All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 19,040+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

A Leaf Fell

a shriveled, curled leaf
fluttered toward the ground
as I stood, still, watching its path
gliding, curling through the December air
falling toward me,
catching on my suit jacket
ever so briefly, falling further
to the ground, lost instantly in the leaves
already there, joining its brethren
in the passage from life to renewed life
in the turning over of itself to the earth


December 24, 2006 13:16
about a moment on 12/21/06 about 2pm


All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 19,040+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Saturday, December 23, 2006

Turning Five

No longer the same little girl
or is she, the same, really?
An impish grin, cunning, negotiating
a better deal for herself, the sisters
in a moment she is the same; but
running to the school house,
out of our hands
serious about her learning
clever in the repartee we banter
give and take, or isn’t that such a good idea
negotiating with a five year old
who holds more of the cards
than we like to admit
but whose fooling who,
as if we had a clue
of that growing girl
with the attitude
who now is a big
high five


December 23, 2006 22:26


All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 19,040+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Princesses Galore

A house of princesses
greeted our three
on the return from the church,
the pageant practice a lost memory
as we pulled into the space, saw the door
and its allure
This was a place for princesses,
and I a mere coachmen
posters, and bows, ribbon and balloons
cake and signs, plates and tablecloths
the six princesses festooned every spot,
every jot, for the girls to see, to drink the
smell of princesses
for a five year old princess, and her older
sisters two, a friend, and adults too many
to name, to assist mom and
stay out of the way
It was her day, in regal glory
and fidgeting majesty


December 23, 2006 22:20


All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 19,040+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Three Candles

Candles of Hope, of Faith, of Joy
burning bright, waiting for tomorrow
with the candle of Peace
only a few hours more to His candle
the light entering the world once more
the ritual lighting of the light
bringing the good news to hearts afresh, anew
telling the old story, reaching new hearts
young hearts, with eyes of wonder
drinking in the story of the baby come
to save our souls, all of us
in a manger bed


December 23, 2006 22:12


All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 19,830+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Blogs of Note

Blogs of Note - Have their own page - http://blogsofnote.blogspot.com/

All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 19,830+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Boston 1775

Check out the Blog of Note - Boston 1775 - http://boston1775.blogspot.com/


All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 19,830+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Being Her Village

A family, coming together
to help him, cheer
send him support, love
But, the village,
extended family, friends
and more, must,
must hold her up, pick up the slack
share her load, her cares, her toil
so she too can achieve
succeed, excel
as we all desire


December 21, 2006 20:23


All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 19,040+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Compromise

Tears of frustration
welling up, from deep down
down within the soul, a tremor
a quake in the psyche;
innate sense of self
lost however briefly in the parsed,
the stitched, woven words
of compromise

Is agreement better
with support
or fight to the last
which is the greater costs,
to decide, remember her choice,
not my own,
I the pen, the scribe,
the advocate still


December 21, 2006 13:17


All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 19,830+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Cypher

A cipher, nullity, a phantom
stood before them
unknown and unacknowledged
time lost never to be regained
lives turned, away
Left adrift, unfulfilled
unmerited and unheralded
without reference or rudder
crashing on the hidden shoals
the unseen rocks, day by day
below the waves, the sands of time
an unrecognized face, a forgotten voice
only an echo of a specter remains


December 21, 2006 13:08



All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 20,130+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Monday, December 18, 2006

Remembering This Sacred Day

Two years ago today
the day we wed
on the stone bridge
in the park
in the snow

A handful of friends,
our daughters, our God
and the cold wind

Your blue dress,
my snowflake tie,
a beautiful silk bouquet
out in God’s creation

Words we wrote together
given by You
to share

Holy scripture with deep meaning
From the Book of Ruth
for us, to read together
through the tears
Speaking your servant’s words

Two rings, a kiss, a toast
promises declared in covenant
sealing the moment
we wed


December 13, 2006 22:07,
edited and renamed 12/17/06 19:26
(during the Rejuvenation service)
December 17, 2004
                                                                   
All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 30,920+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Thursday, December 14, 2006

Around the Calendar We Go

Another year is about to begin
of a story that doesn’t grow old
of the way we met, the lives we left
the things we learned and we know

For you are my wife, the love of my life
the one with whom I’ll grow old

So these words are written for you
though they may only be a few
they share a tale of love and hope
found in our heads and our hearts
of the dream of a life without end
where we will be more than friends

Where we will walk with
the apostles of old
and we will ever be bold
To run to our brother and kneel
and thank him for what he had done
to give us a chance to live and to grow

So around the calendar we go
to wait and hope to the end
that the world will come to a close
and the glorious day will come
and we’ll bow and we will rise
when we too can look in his eyes
and thank him for his precious gift
of love and of grace


December 14, 2006 22:41
Around the Calendar We Go


All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 37,230+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Ears Revel

Ears Revel
oh they sure do
at the utter joy
in her war cry
charging into battle
bucket in hand
ready for the onslaught
the drenching
But no fear, no worries
just sheer joy
and a blood cuddling yell!


December 14, 2006 22:26


All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 19,320+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Eyes Marvel

at the wonder of creation
of the fingers of her hand
of the laugh in her smile
bubbles in the corners
of her cheeks
the smell of her changing
the starched newness
of her bib, her small
perfect outfit, still creases
from the store
perfect fingers,
furrowed brow
in slumber in the back yard
nine days home
their little daughter


December 14, 2006 22:23


All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 19,830+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

minds wander

in the early morning fog
the bible verses ooze into my subconscious
bleed their message into my soul
bypassing my conscious self
not yet awake for conversation
for focused insights.
no these are the moments of slow
osmosis, across a more dense membrane
drinking in the nourishment
through a screen, into the tissue
behind the veil of sleep
not yet relinquishing my self
from its grasp


December 14, 2006 22:20

All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 19,830+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

A Poet's Journal - Heart Quake

Check out Jim Claghorn's site - A Poet's Journal - Heart Quake, at http://jclaghorn.blogspot.com/


All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 19,830+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

In a Manger Lay

In a Manger lay
the savior of the world
who came to die
so we would live
in a manger lay
the hope of all creation
the lord of every nation
in that manger lay
our servant king
who would feed the hungry
cure the lame, the blind
in a stable bed
he rested his weary head
and we are safer yet
because of all he said
The hope of all the ages
was watched by animal gazes
in that little manger


December 14, 2006 22:04


All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 19,830+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Perfection is a Rose

A red, red rose,
posing in the vase on the counter
a reminder of the beauty of summer
of the smell of a full bouquet
the effortless, flawlessness
the perfection of a rose
supple petals, thorns to protect
even color, deep burgundy red
rich saturation of red
soothing red, passionate red
enshrined in the bloom
the bud opening in its glory
look at me!


December 14, 2006 21:59

All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 18,710+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

God Came Again

The babe in the manger
was not the first time God
walked on the earth,
shared breath with creation, with man
It was the Garden, the holy garden
when God and Adam, and Eve
were together, able to see
and be seen, to feel the warmth
of God with them in person
before the fall, the shame,
the stain of the first sin
breaking the bond
the iniquity plain
Never the same
until the Father was the Son
and Jesus was born in Bethlehem


December 14, 2006 21:54


All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 19,830+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Speaking with Power, Authority

Watching her eyes, in worship
as she preached from her heart,
not merely from the words she crafted
oh so carefully; watching her
watch the congregation, read their mood
their reaction to the hope, the exhortation
the call in the words she was given
urged to speak by our loving God
hearing the rush of adrenaline in
her rising voice, impassioned pleas
from deep within her soul,
grounded in the scripture, in a life
of reading, gleaning, sucking the marrow
from the old, old stories, the lives
of our forebears, the saints before us
woven all together, a tapestry
of power, of authority,
empathy, grounded in love,
in hope, in faith
as she stirs the congregation
from its slumber


December 14, 2006 21:28
about my wife preaching this summer
at the 8:00am services at our church


All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 18,710+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Messages in the Wind

A quiet cold woods,
crunch of ice and snow
under the snowshoes,
hear the ski pole pierce the skin
of the layers of frozen ground
down through the white
slide silently as you can
moving effortlessly, seemingly
feel the tug on the muscles
the warm wool scarf,
above the turtleneck
lost in thought and reverence
out in the woods
listening carefully
for the message in
the whisper in the wind

December 14, 2006 21:21



All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 27,390+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Under the Blanket

A wonderful Christmas
lies poised, ready,
wrapped and bowed
labeled and marked
a pile of presents,
separate paper for each one
hidden from view
out from the car,
into the basement
away from prying eyes
nimble fingers
hard shakes, and
subtle peeks
Need to wait
for the wonder
Christmas ‘morn


December 14, 2006 21:13

All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 19,830+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Wednesday, December 13, 2006

The Creativity Blog

http://thecreativityblog.blogspot.com/
Check it out when you get a chance.


All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 19,830+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Remembering that Day

Two years almost gone by
of the day we wed
on the stone bridge
in the park
in the snow
A handful of friends,
our daughters
and the cold wind
Your blue dress,
my snowflake tie,
a beautiful silk bouquet
words we wrote together
to share
Scripture with deep meaning
for us, to read together
through the tears
Two rings, a kiss, a toast
sealing the moment
we wed


December 13, 2006 22:07
December 17, 2004


All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 19,020+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Taillight Soup

The clouds sank down
down to the pavement
between five and seven tonight
taillight soup, headlight soup
we were swimming in fog light soup
down the highway in a daze
watching for the dim light
down the road, in the distance


December 13, 2006 21:55


All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 19,830+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Marsh Ice

A gray patina, a wash over the day
the colors of my vision
cold, waiting for December rain
rushes, ancient pine, marsh grasses
little tufts of dead life
amidst the frozen pools, dark centers
aerated edges of opaque ice, cracked
pulled away from the land
cold, December before winter
waiting for rain to chill the world further
gray coating over all, muting colors,
edges of objects, landscapes
marsh ice, wanting freezing


December 13, 2006 12:15


All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 19,830+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

A Christmas Acrostic

Christ came into the world
Hear the good news
Rejoice that the Savior comes
Imagine the blessed scene
Sing His praises all the earth
That God came to that little place
May we be changed by the news
Amen and amen again, the
Savior lives


December 13, 2006 7:25



All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 19,830+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Words I Needed to Hear

The Lord placed words in my heart
this morning in devotion, words
to sustain me, to guide me,
in the choices I have to make, in
leading the life he has laid out
for me, here, now
Help me Lord, to take comfort
in your words, see the path
you have laid out for me
and take it


December 13, 2006 7:01
Philippians 4:4-7 and Philippians 2:1-5,
in Alive Now and Upper Room


All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 27,410+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Tuesday, December 12, 2006

God Has Provided

Give us this day our daily bread
that line resonates so well for me, for my family
as we end the year, approach the Christ Child
on our knees in humble prayers of thanks
we have reaped the harvest of God’s good will
the bounty of our sustainer’s grace
humbly walking with the Spirit’s aid
so we can all serve where we are called
can touch lives in big and small ways
change for the better the realities we see
not bend or bow from the challenges
but fight for God’s will, the right
because God has provided
and always will


December 12, 2006 22:42


All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 19,010+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Bringing Us Home

Two thousand years and more ago
God spoke to the prophet
told him “ I will bring you home”
what a wondrous promise, a hope
for us all, for those who follow the word,
the way of God, who hear the Master’s voice
faithful sheep of the flock, children of the promise
doing the work in the vineyard
until the time of the harvest,
the gathering in, the bringing home
when we can have our rest from toil
share in the family time, with our father,
our mother, our siblings beside us
those who like us, have kept the oil at the ready
remained awake for the coming
of the bridegroom,
ready to go to our home
just waiting for His return
and the final fulfillment
of the promise so long ago


December 12, 2006 22:30
Zephaniah 3:14-20


All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 19,830+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Recent Visitors

One of the amazing things
in writing the poems, the posts
for this blog,
the numbers of lives touched
people who see the words
given to me,
spoken through me
sent out into the ether
the little tendrils of thought
Do they evoke feeling
on the other side of the world
in far off lands and time zones?
What a wondrous world
where prose poems gain wings
and flit around the globe
in the blink of an eye,
click of a mouse,
search string
and worldwide web


December 12, 2006
http://www.sitemeter.com/?a=stats&s=sm3lawstudent&r=79



All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 19,010+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

She Did It Herself

A sick ten year old
thought of me, before herself
this afternoon, in the quiet of the house
knowing my need to work on cases, files,
to put the client before myself
She acted in kind, and got her own
seconds on the soup I made for her
shut off the timer, agreed with
her younger sister
on the show to watch
left the house quiet
so I could do my work,
not asking, demanding attention
doing it herself
as a gift to me
One I acknowledge then
and memorialize now
Nice job Erica
Thank you


December 12, 2006 22:10


All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 19,010+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Monday, December 11, 2006

Oh What a Wonderful Feeling

Oh what a wonderful feeling
that God saved me
Me, yes me,
and all I had to do
was agree;
How about you?


December 11, 2006 22:17


All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 30,880+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Meeting Him for a Reason

I shared a word of grace,
in the sanctuary last night
of a client who is seeking
looking to change her life
to find the means to turn
away from her past to see
another way, to find God
again to live his ways and
be who she knows she can
be. Finding strength within
the words, the living words
of the Psalms, of scripture
Unable to give her these
books, devotionals, tracks
I went in alone, to see her
in the cellblock, but I was
not alone, for he was there
in the waiting room, the
same Chaplain I spoke to
in his church last night to
be the hands I could not
be, the hands to carry that
hope to her, to place them
into her hands, give her
another lifeline. So she
can change that life for
good, for real, for God
and for her little girls


December 11, 2006 22:12



All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 19,010+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Into the Water

Down he fell, trusting, falling backward
into the tank, immersed by the waves
down into the cleansing waters
of the baptismal pool
telling the people
this was his
way, his
choice
being
saved
He rose
out into the
congregation
joining family
newfound church
His place of belonging
Where he can drink the word
heed the call to service to action
to change in his life, be born anew
Reclaimed by the sustainer, redeemer
the living God, creator of all, savior of all


December 11, 2006 22:05


All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 19,010+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

The Shining City

I saw a glimpse today
of the shining city on the hill,
the city with the streets of gold
high on the horizon on the mountainside
the sun a flaming ball perched there
with tongues of orange and yellow,
rich crimsons and purples on the hills,
the living clouds
as the sunset filled
my peripheral view
Seared into my memory
of the beauty of the moving color
the fleeting scene
before it fell behind the distant hills
melting into the darkening sky


December 11, 2006 21:55



All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 26,950+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

PATRICIA

Pray without ceasing
Always trust in the Lord
Teach the children and grandchildren
Rely on God
Ignite your faith with prayer
Call on the better angels of our nature
In all things do them unto the Lord
Arm yourself with the Armor of God


December 10, 2006 21:50
by Ruth and Ray
for our mothers


All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 19,830+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Sunday, December 10, 2006

Nodding to the Sermons

I was swaying, nodding to the words
to the words of the pastors,
different styles, different books, different verses
but oh the richness in the meanings
the truths they were milking, gleaning from
your holy word, the bible, the Word
telling stories of men and women,
how lives were changed, how we are changed
by the saints who went before, who were
faithful stewards of the good news,
faithful followers, disciples for Christ


December 10, 2006 20:13



All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 36,080+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Hold the Rope

Saul was held safe by the rope
attached to the basket
allowing him to live, to escape
to be the apostle Paul, the man
God used, transformed, the man
of God, who turned from his roots,
the sins of his persecution, became
the man God needed him to be
To go and evangelize, to lead
to lead others to God, to the
saving grace of Jesus Christ
Held safe by a rope, holding a basket,
lowering him down the wall
the city wall of Damascus
What if that rope had failed,
what if the people
holding the rope failed, let go,
grew weary
Praise God they did their job
did it well, to the best of their abilities
How much richer we are, how much
greater is the bounty he harvested
because they held the rope
That we hold it still
in his service
sowing the Gospel,
the Good News of Jesus Christ
the Risen Lord,
whose birth we again await


December 10, 2006 20:02
Acts 9:23-25
Inspired by the sermon tonight by David Carlson,
Pastor of Gospel Baptist Church, 456 Beech St.,
Manchester, NH.

All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 19,030+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Crèches

Our house, our home
blessed with more than one
a glass crèche, a solemn crèche,
a crèche of clay
waiting for the Christ child
on Christmas Day
Reminders, representations
of the holy story
of his holy birth
the parents, the animals,
the wise men, the shepherds
the star in the heavens
and the change here on earth
by the glory of his birth


December 10, 2006 15:11


All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 19,050+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Visions of Christmas

We who sleep a little later,
ventured from our slumber
found a fairyland of Christmas
of trees, angels, villages, greens
and the feel of Christmas
throughout the house, making it
a home for our joy, our hope
in the Advent, the coming
of the Christ child


December 10, 2006 15:05



All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 21,190+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Ornaments

One by one, lovingly,
Reverently, they came,
out of storage, out of their cocoons,
their safety, to be placed
ever so carefully on the tree
One by one, retelling their stories
of what life was like when they were bought
given, received, shared in the family
among treasured friends,
lovingly sharing the stories
the memories of Christmases past
and in the knowing that they would
be remembered in the future
from the telling,
the remembering


December 10, 2006 14:36


All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 19,060+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Silence was the Remedy

Not a punishment, not in so many words
that wasn’t what Gabriel had in mind,
not in this case, unbelief was the problem
silence was the remedy.
Think of the change in a life of speaking
of preaching, of counsel, of verbal service
now having to listen, to think, to write
everything down, to say in writing
what was verbalized before; but not punishment,
not disability, this was a gift, a grafting
of gifts together, providing grace
for insight, for reflection, for listening
for deeper meanings, messages
preparing him to speak in wondrous ways,
to speak a prophecy of saving
for the whole people
made more profound
by his silence


December 10, 2006 14:15
Luke 1:5-23 and 1:57-79


All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 19,010+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Talk about Expectations

Wow, thanks Dad, no pressure here
oh no, I can choose my own way,
decide what I want to do with my life
I can decide to be a fisherman, a landowner,
a shepherd, whatever I want to be. Not!
You told the world I was going to be a prophet
and not just a prophet, the prophet, the one
the one crying out in the wilderness, fulfilling
the prophecy of old, all those centuries before
that I would be the one to proclaim the healing
the good news before the coming of
the Messiah, the one to baptize in water
the cleansing before the baptism
of the spirit, the turning to God
in the message of the Christ
Fine, so it shall be


December 10, 2006 13:30
Luke 1:58-79


All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 19,060+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

A Nine-Month Teachable Moment

Waiting for the birth, the coming of a miracle baby
the son he never believe would come, a son to redeem
would wipe away her shame, the son to bear his name
No, not this son; he was to be named John, a son
for another purpose, dedicated to God, to be God’s
voice in the wilderness; but not right away
He would come in due time, and his father waited
the people amazed, aware that something had happened
when their priest was silent, silent for all those months
not speaking in the Temple, not in the gate, not giving
comfort, relief, as his lot would normally be
No he was a silent priest, mute, listening, writing only

He spoke when the time was ripe, appointed by the Lord
when he needed to speak, when the words needed to be shared
when the people would marvel and be in awe
for the mute spoke, after nine long months,
not in small talk, not in greeting, not in common, routine matters
No, he spoke first, in prophecy, important words of comfort
of hope, of foretelling, of saving for the people,
in fulfillment of prophets of old, and his son’s yoke
to be a prophet to the people


December 10, 2006 12:52
Luke 1:58-79



All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 19,060+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Prophecy Broke the Stillness

His name is John.
He will be the prophet we have been waiting for
the leader to tell the good news, that the Lord
the Christ, the Messiah is near!
What a revelation, what a reason to speak
what a marvelous occasion for celebration!
Spread the news, the silent have spoken
let the people rejoice!
The nations declare, the wait is over,
the Christ will come, the prophet
will prepare us, wait for us,
baptize us, make us clean,
ready to greet our Lord
and reap his goodness


December 10, 2006 12:45
Luke 1:5-23 and 1:57-79


All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 19,320+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Listen When the Silent Speak

Nine long months of silence
unable to preach, to pray aloud
to lead the people as he had done
his whole life, a priest broke a silence
a silence of holy purpose, to prepare him
to prepare the people, for an extraordinary
a miraculous message, a message of hope
they and he waited for hundreds of years
that the Messiah was coming, that he
was near at hand
That Zechariah’s son, his son John,
would be Elijah, the one crying out
In the wilderness, the message of hope
revealed, now, through his very son
Wow, stop the presses, put it on the
front page, in bold font, make every
tongue repeat, rejoice, for God
has sent a prophet, anointed by
the words of the silent priest
struck dumb by the hand of God
Given voice by enormous Good News
Let the Gospel begin


December 10, 2006 12:39
Luke 1:5-23 and 1:57-79. Amen!

All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 19,060+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Zechariah’s Silence

Poor
Zechariah
An old priest,
struck dumb, mute
by the word of God,
the holy angel of God
because of fear, unbelief
uttered in the holy of holies,
the place priests alone could go
where holy sacrifices were made
year after year, to atone for the sins
of the people, of priests, of the chosen
the people of God; he took his turn in that
holy place, was touched, visited by God’s
The Angel Gabriel, messenger of God
Told of a son, to him, Elizabeth; Son
to be a messenger himself, to tell of
the one who was coming so very
so very soon, the cousin who
would save, save us all
if we would believe
where Zechariah
couldn’t didn’t
Believe


December 10, 2006 12:30
Luke 1:5-23


All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 19,060+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Saturday, December 09, 2006

Acrostic calls to be Prophets

In the Sunday School lesson for Middle High School students for December 10, 2006, within the Seasons of the Spirit curriculum, there is an assignment based on Luke 1:68-79, the prophecy of Zechariah. We are to “invite youth to consider what it means to have the words, ‘And you, child, will be…’ spoken to them. In what ways might they live out this blessing and vision? Invite youth to create acrostic poems by writing the letters of their names vertically down the left side of the sheets of paper. Have them use each of the letters of their name to start a word or sentence to describe one way in which they could be a prophet, telling others about God’s way.” This is one of a series of 6 poems (five written by me and one about me written by my wife Ruth) trying to prepare myself for this task by writing an acrostic poem following these directions about each of the five members of my family. RAF 12/9/06 12:12

Raymond

Rail against injustice
Advocate for the rights of the weak in court, in the gate, and in the schools
Yearn for a closer walk with You by spending time in Your word
Mold the lives of my children to follow your ways
Organize people to fight for the rights of others
Never grow faint when the cause is just
Discern and do Your will oh Lord, not my own

December 9, 2006 12:15

Raymond (by Ruth)

Remember the Grace God has shown you
Always pray without ceasing
Yearn to know God and His path for you
Memorize God’s word and keep it in you heart
Open your heart to hear God’s still, small voice
Never lose faith
Depend on God

December 9, 2006 9:00
(written by Ruth Foss)

Ruth

Renew yourself with God’s Word
Use your gifts to bring others to God
Thank God without ceasing
Hear His call and answer, “Here I am”.

December 9, 2006 8:54

Erica

Employ your gifts for His glory
Remember the lessons you have been taught
Invoke His name in blessings
Communicate His love in song
Always question the world

December 9, 2006 8:50

Shyanne

Share Christ’s love in the world
Hear the cry of the people
Yearn to know God better
Always be a smiling face in the congregation
Never forget who saved you
Number yourself among the saints
Ever sing God’s praise and dance God’s glory

December 9, 2006 8:45

Shanequa

Shine in the darkness
Hear God’s call in the wilderness
Answer “Here I am Lord, use me”
Never forget God’s saving grace
Ever be grateful of the Holy Spirit at work in you
Question the acts of the people
Use your gifts for God’s glory
Arise with an open heart ready to do God’s will

December 9, 2006 8:40


All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 19,060+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Raymond

Rail against injustice
Advocate for the rights of the weak in court,
in the gate, and in the schools
Yearn for a closer walk with You by spending time in Your word
Mold the lives of our children to follow your ways
Organize people to fight for the rights of others
Never grow faint when the cause is just
Discern and do Your will oh Lord, not my own


December 9, 2006 12:15
In the Sunday School lesson for Middle High School students for December 10, 2006, within the Seasons of the Spirit curriculum, there is an assignment based on Luke 1:68-79, the prophecy of Zechariah. We are to “invite youth to consider what it means to have the words, ‘And you, child, will be…’ spoken to them. In what ways might they live out this blessing and vision? Invite youth to create acrostic poems by writing the letters of their names vertically down the left side of the sheets of paper. Have them use each of the letters of their name to start a word or sentence to describe one way in which they could be a prophet, telling others about God’s way.” This is one of a series of 6 poems (five written by me and one about me written by my wife Ruth) trying to prepare myself for this task by writing an acrostic poem following these directions about each of the five members of my family. RAF 12/9/06 12:12


All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 19,060+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Raymond (by Ruth)

Remember the Grace God has shown you
Always pray without ceasing
Yearn to know God and His path for you
Memorize God’s word and keep it in you heart
Open your heart to hear God’s still, small voice
Never lose faith
Depend on God


December 9, 2006 9:00
(written by Ruth Foss)
In the Sunday School lesson for Middle High School students for December 10, 2006, within the Seasons of the Spirit curriculum, there is an assignment based on Luke 1:68-79, the prophecy of Zechariah. We are to “invite youth to consider what it means to have the words, ‘And you, child, will be…’ spoken to them. In what ways might they live out this blessing and vision? Invite youth to create acrostic poems by writing the letters of their names vertically down the left side of the sheets of paper. Have them use each of the letters of their name to start a word or sentence to describe one way in which they could be a prophet, telling others about God’s way.” This is one of a series of 6 poems (five written by me and one about me written by my wife Ruth) trying to prepare myself for this task by writing an acrostic poem following these directions about each of the five members of my family. RAF 12/9/06 12:12

All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 19,060+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Ruth

Renew yourself with God’s Word
Use your gifts to bring others to God
Thank God without ceasing
Hear His call and answer, “Here I am”.


December 9, 2006 8:54
In the Sunday School lesson for Middle High School students for December 10, 2006, within the Seasons of the Spirit curriculum, there is an assignment based on Luke 1:68-79, the prophecy of Zechariah. We are to “invite youth to consider what it means to have the words, ‘And you, child, will be…’ spoken to them. In what ways might they live out this blessing and vision? Invite youth to create acrostic poems by writing the letters of their names vertically down the left side of the sheets of paper. Have them use each of the letters of their name to start a word or sentence to describe one way in which they could be a prophet, telling others about God’s way.” This is one of a series of 6 poems (five written by me and one about me written by my wife Ruth) trying to prepare myself for this task by writing an acrostic poem following these directions about each of the five members of my family. RAF 12/9/06 12:12


All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 19,060+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Erica

Employ your gifts for His glory
Remember the lessons you have been taught
Invoke His name in blessings
Communicate His love in song
Always question the world


December 9, 2006 8:50
In the Sunday School lesson for Middle High School students for December 10, 2006, within the Seasons of the Spirit curriculum, there is an assignment based on Luke 1:68-79, the prophecy of Zechariah. We are to “invite youth to consider what it means to have the words, ‘And you, child, will be…’ spoken to them. In what ways might they live out this blessing and vision? Invite youth to create acrostic poems by writing the letters of their names vertically down the left side of the sheets of paper. Have them use each of the letters of their name to start a word or sentence to describe one way in which they could be a prophet, telling others about God’s way.” This is one of a series of 6 poems (five written by me and one about me written by my wife Ruth) trying to prepare myself for this task by writing an acrostic poem following these directions about each of the five members of my family. RAF 12/9/06 12:12

All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 19,060+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Shyanne

Share Christ’s love in the world
Hear the cry of the people
Yearn to know God better
Always be a smiling face in the congregation
Never forget who saved you
Number yourself among the saints
Ever sing God’s praise and dance God’s glory


December 9, 2006 8:45
In the Sunday School lesson for Middle High School students for December 10, 2006, within the Seasons of the Spirit curriculum, there is an assignment based on Luke 1:68-79, the prophecy of Zechariah. We are to “invite youth to consider what it means to have the words, ‘And you, child, will be…’ spoken to them. In what ways might they live out this blessing and vision? Invite youth to create acrostic poems by writing the letters of their names vertically down the left side of the sheets of paper. Have them use each of the letters of their name to start a word or sentence to describe one way in which they could be a prophet, telling others about God’s way.” This is one of a series of 6 poems (five written by me and one about me written by my wife Ruth) trying to prepare myself for this task by writing an acrostic poem following these directions about each of the five members of my family. RAF 12/9/06 12:12


All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 19,060+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Shanequa

Shine in the darkness
Hear God’s call in the wilderness
Answer “Here I am Lord, use me”
Never forget God’s saving grace
Ever be grateful of the Holy Spirit at work in you
Question the acts of the people
Use your gifts for God’s glory
Arise with an open heart ready to do God’s will


December 9, 2006 8:40
In the Sunday School lesson for Middle High School students for December 10, 2006, within the Seasons of the Spirit curriculum, there is an assignment based on Luke 1:68-79, the prophecy of Zechariah. We are to “invite youth to consider what it means to have the words, ‘And you, child, will be…’ spoken to them. In what ways might they live out this blessing and vision? Invite youth to create acrostic poems by writing the letters of their names vertically down the left side of the sheets of paper. Have them use each of the letters of their name to start a word or sentence to describe one way in which they could be a prophet, telling others about God’s way.” This is one of a series of 6 poems (five written by me and one about me written by my wife Ruth) trying to prepare myself for this task by writing an acrostic poem following these directions about each of the five members of my family. RAF 12/9/06 12:12


All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 19,060+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Friday, December 08, 2006

After the Greening

in the dimly lit
Sanctuary, the Chancel
ready for the Choir’s rehearsal
aglow and adorned
pausing to notice
the manger, still empty, the altar,
the Crimson trees
the wreaths, the lights
the feel of Christmas
in this holy space
in Advent,
After the greening


December 8, 2006 21:10



All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 21,190+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Decorations

Slowly, over the course of the week
the house of place of memory
of Christmas cheer, of garland
and glow, of greenery, stockings
wreaths, lights, and sweet Noel
of the babe, the hope, the
joy, the Peace on Earth
slowly, surely, as boxes
yield their treasure
from years of our lives
bangles and baubles,
adoring the tables,
walls, and windowsills
fixed up by her
loving hands


December 8, 2006 21:06

All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 19,050+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Advent

The approach, the coming, the hoping
for the coming of the King, into our hearts
as He came into the world, with fanfare and angels
shepherds and wise men, but maybe just a bit less
with husband and wife, with lamb and oxen
with hay and a manger, cold and dusty
quietly coming into the world because he came
to serve, to suffer, to teach, to save
We remember his coming and long for his coming
to save us and bring us home
We hope and pray for that arrival and journey
so long ago and so near at hand


December 8, 2006 19:59



All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 21,190+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Winter Coming

The white of the dusting of snow
lingers in the shadows, on the fallen leaves,
the cooler spots in the yard,
in the lee of the shrubs, the crooks of the branches
in subtle and still ways, remaining
a little longer, cooling the world,
providing fringe and accent
before the sameness of winter
when shades of gray in the snow
will mark its edges, dimensions
now it remains trim around the edges
in little and small places, in the calm
away from sun and activity
hiding a while before fading
slowly, slowly, away
before the winter coming


December 8, 2006 19:52

All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 19,050+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Handmaiden

Servant concubine,
lowly servant, so she was
offered to be, in submission
willing submission
to her God, when He spoke
Changing her life forever,
her way no longer her own
betrothed and begotten son
of God
a womb opened
by the Spirit
filled with love
born to save


December 8, 2006 19:44
Luke 1:39-44


All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 19,830+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Pearl Reconsidered

For so long, in my life,
unable to discern, to appreciate
the moment of shock, or anger,
of desire for revenge, for a call to duty
to vigilance, to service
not like anything in my experience,
the attack on Pearl, the Day of Infamy,
December 7, 1941 (can you hear his voice too?)

But our lives changed, and we know their pain
the anger they felt, sixty five years gone by
because we were visited by cowards in the skies
Kamikazes of another zealot, another madman
bent on surprise and attack
when the towers fell, we were pulled back
to the crackling radio and
FDR’s righteous indignation
We too knew what it felt like
and we will never forget

Too bad the enemy is no longer
a nation-state


====
edited December 7, 2016
Pearl Reconsidered – v2
Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day
75th anniversary of the attack
December 8, 2006 19:40
Pearl Reconsidered
edited September 10, 2016
Terror – v3
15th Anniversary of attacks of September 11, 2001
edited January 7, 2016
Terror – v2
posted February 17, 2004
written 9/11/01 22:12
Terror
&
edited September 11, 2015
Raising the Colors – v4
(editing version 2)
September 11, 2015,
14th anniversary of attacks of September 11, 2015
Edited September 11, 2012
new poem – “An Audible Gasp - 2”
September 11, 2012
“A Gasp”
written about my experience at
Franklin Pierce Law Center
Concord, NH
on September 11, 2001
in the TV lounge
where we all stayed, transfixed by the images
&
latest 20 poems about
September 11, 2001
&
posted February 22, 2004
written 11/6/03 13:30, edits 11/8/03 12:46
Circles
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2004/02/circles.html
About the print show at Pierce Law by Aaron Brown of November 2003. He said the prints were about the events of 9/11/01, especially the twisted metal of the bombed buildings. They came months after the attack when he finally returned to print work after a lengthy hiatus when he wrote instead. His wife shared that they all came out in a burst of activity over a single week. Aaron would only get a few hours of sleep each night and was almost working round the clock in the studio. His activities were so frenetic and continuous that he left the paints out, and would merely spray them so they remained wet and fresh.
&
written and posted September 11, 2004
Three Years
about September 11, 2001
&
September 11, 2007
Where Will They Attack
&
December 8, 2006 19:40
Pearl Reconsidered
&
edited December 7, 2014
Because They Died – v4
(editing version 2)
Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day
&
edited December 7, 2014
Anniversary – v2
Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day
8/29/2002
Anniversary
&
President Roosevelt’s Address to the Nation / Declaration of War
&
edited November 11, 2014
Because They Died – v3
Veteran’s Day
edited May 25, 2014
Because They Died – v2
May 31, 2010
Because They Died
Memorial Day
===========
edited September 11, 2016
his body slumped – v2
September 10, 2016
entombed within the rubble
edited September 10, 2016
Circles – v3
edited January 7, 2016
Circles – v2
posted February 22, 2004
written 11/6/03 13:30, edits 11/8/03 12:46
Circles
edited September 10, 2016
As I woke this morning – v4
September 10, 2016
his body slumped
15th anniversary of attacks of September 11, 2001
-------
edited November 23, 2015
As I woke this morning – v3
(editing version 2)
&
September 22, 2011
Fruits of Rage
melding the consequence of possibly executing an innocent man
and the decade since September 11, 2001
September 21, 2011
Fruits of a Decade
September 21, 2011
Seeds of Hate
September 11, 2011
Reclaiming September 12
September 11, 2011
Reliving these moments
September 10, 2011
Terror Real
10th anniversary of September 11, 2001
and the plot to attack DC and NY
reported September 9, 2011
&
edited September 10, 2011
As I woke this morning – v2
all of my September 11, 2001 poems
----------------
September 11, 2008
As I woke this morning
On the anniversary of September 11, 2001
watching it my first year of law school
Franklin Pierce Law Center, Concord, NH


All of my poems, photographs, and videos are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com) for usage. See all 42,500+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

America, calling, Faith, forgiveness, God, God’s purpose, grace, judgment, justice, Law, love, Methodist, Osama bin Laden, Poetry Where You Live, Al Qaeda, September 11, terror, tragedy #ISIS

#America #hope #Faith #Honor911 #God #Law #love #September11 #terror #tragedy #Pentagon #Navy #JAG
------------------------

Christ, Faith, God, grace, love, calling, purpose, Savior, Methodist, Poetry Where You Live, America, servant, Veteran’s Day, patriotism, Memorial Day, sacrifice, Pearl Harbor,

#Christ #Faith #God #grace #love #calling #purpose #UMC #servant #MemorialDay #VeteransDay #veteran #sacrifice #America #PearlHarbor

==========

America, child, creator, flag, love, grace, God, Poetry Where You Live, world, Pearl Harbor, September 11,  war, terror, faith, Lord, law, justice, judgment, Methodist, calling,

#child #creator #flag #God #poetry #senses #son #world #PearlHarbor #America #September11 #war #terror #faith #law #justice #911 #neverforget #remember911

=============

Faith, God, love, grace, Poetry Where You Live, United Methodist, Lord, law, justice, God’s purpose, calling, September 11, America, tragedy, terror, forgiveness, never forget, children,

#Faith #God #America #tragedy #terror #hope #life #neverforget #children #September11 #Honor911