Readings at 1st meeting of a poetry group
at the Suncook Senior Center
Allenstown, NH
May 3, 2010
10:30-11:30am
Humid, Before I am Ready
The morning sticky
moisture coming,
rising on my brow
my forehead,
almost without exertion
calling for the tissue
to mop up the water
Walking through the thick air
the girls heading to school
the cool of the water bottle
cold in my hand
No air moving
the eager trees waiting
maples lush green already
moving from chartreuse, to kelly, to darker green
the rain not yet coming.
Oh, I just felt a breeze
May 3, 2010
------------------------------
Only One Word
The crux of the story, of God,
of his relationship with man
The one word, Love,
eternal, a watchword for life
for his calling to each one
on living a life of charity,
of patience, of kindness,
walking humbly by loving
lifting a hand for those in need,
raising a voice against injustice
walking a mile in another’s shoes
holding criticism, being still in our spirits
rising above petty squabbles
caring for others first,
hearing the message of God
acting on his servanthood
being his hands going out into the world
only one word, Love
beyond comprehension,
in the meaning of God;
but, manifested in our lives,
a beacon of hope,
light in the darkness, the coarseness
of this troubled world
February 22, 2009
Matthew 7:1-5
1 Corinthians 13:1-7 and
Sermon, “The Gift of Love”,
by Reverend Huntley Halvorson,
February 15, 2009
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church,
Suncook, NH
-------------------------
Like Pearls of Light
Like pearls of light,
like drops of rain, falling, as a shower
adding living water, a rushing stream
a waterfall, like water etching rock
so should the believers be, washing over the earth
bringing the spirit, the love, the message of Christ
his ministry continuing in all we do in our lives
living out the teachings of the prophets,
the example of our savior, the judgment prophesized
all we are a reflection, living light, our sinew infused
imbued with that spirit’s power, the anointed ones
as we are, as he was commissioned by the father,
so we are sent forth, to be Christ, to be his witnesses
crying out into the wilderness, making his path straight
preparing the way, for the coming of the Lord
January 27, 2009
Matthew 28:18-20
John 20:21
Acts 2:1-21
and Isaiah 42:6-8
Luke 4:18-19
Matthew 25:31-40
and sermon, “Righteous Say When?”
by Pastor Ruth L. Foss,
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church,
Suncook, NH
January 25, 2009
-------------------------
Dancing Light
Hot summer eve
watching by the lawn, the field
dancing light in the grasses
the fireflies showing their finery
climbing higher to be seen
As I come near
rising into the humid air
dancing on the breezes
in the not yet still air
Catching one in my cupped hands
staring into the light
warm on my fingertips
feeling them alight
Pushing off of my open hands
joining the others in flight
dancing at the top of the grasses
a symphony of movement and light
February 12, 2010
---------------------------
Glassworks
Mesmerized, watching
The skill, artistry
Effortlessness in the heat
Of the sweating craftsmen
In the beach air
On the Vineyard
Living,
Molten glass, clear
Droop on the shaft
Entering the
Orange maw
Mouth of the furnace
Glow yellow
from the warming
Glistening wet
Grow with the blow
Liquid and free
Spin and catch
Supple flesh
Add color and form
Enter again
Translucence now
Hot gases
Fill the space
Wipe brow
Enter again
Cool and gel
Cut from the pipe
Clutched like a robin’s egg
By a toddler’s wonder
Placed to firm and harden
Into permanent wonder
Written 6/20/04 14:06, about
Martha’s Vineyard Glassworks, somewhere I spent hours, over many summers in the 1990’s watching bowls, pitchers, pictures, and more, come to life.
-----------------------------------
Beach Sand
Maybe it is the memories
the change of pace that brings us there
the sense of vacation
maybe the smell of the place
the sights of the gulls, the dunes, the grasses
but oh it is the feel of it,
the crunch and slide of it
the feeling of beach sand
so different from dirt, soil, loam
no, not earthy, moist, rich,
but oh so granular and gritty
even when wet,
moveable paper spreading under toes
sliding beneath the soles
smoothing my skin
clearing my mind
unburdening me of the rest
drawing me to the tactile, the feel
of beach sand
July 15, 2006 19:03
Copyright by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010. Contact me at
Ray Foss for usage.
