#Dance – v6

She is held within the trunk, her branches,
even though her form may be hidden, silent…
She reveals herself to a few lucky ones,
drawn to her aura, her captured dance,
seeing how she spins effortlessly…
Stopping to see her movement,
though the dawn yet calls me,
her dance in mid-step, a snapshot,
moving in her spirit, in her soul…

Her body is in motion, eternally
yet static, anchored to this earth
her feet in the hard-packed sand,
rooted in the coral underneath
standing in their front yard…
But she is moving ever, silently,
slower, faster, spinning, performing,
twirling in her spirit, in her soul…

She is a dancer frozen, alive,
as Eisenstaedt would have caught her
in mid-twirl, in a jump, airborne,
not “At the barre”, but in motion,
displaying her femininity, her power...
She is rising, dancing yet posing, freezing,
a perfect plié, a pirouette, a leap,
ascending, in her spirit, in her soul…
 
Her lines may be hidden,
her supple body covered
under a bulky uniform of bark,
obscured by a hedge of branches…
But her body is still moving,
dancing, performing,
twisting, turning, alive,
human, in her spirit, in her soul…

------------------
Edited September 1, 2025

Dance – v6

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/09/dance-v6.html

October 28, 2021
dance
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2021/10/dance.html
seemingly dead tree across from our unit

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, God, creation, Florida, St. Augustine, palm trees, angels, branches, Maleficent, wings, cedar, dance, dancer, ballet, waltz,

#poetry #God #Florida #StAugustine #cedar #dance #dancer #ballet #waltz

#Dance – v5

Held within the trunk, her branches,
her form may be hidden, silent,
but she revealed herself to some of us,
drawn to her captured dance,
seeing how she spins effortlessly.
Stopping to see her movement
her dance in mid-step,
in her spirit, in her soul.

Her body in motion, eternally
yet static, anchored to the earth
her roots in the hard-packed sand,
in the coral underneath
standing in their front yard;
but she is moving ever, silently,
slower, faster, spinning,
in her spirit, in her soul.

A dancer frozen, alive,
as Eisenstaedt would have caught her
in mid-twirl, in a jump, airborne,
not “At the barre”, but in motion,
displaying her femininity.
dancing yet, posing, freezing,
a plie, a pirouette, a leap, ascending,
in her spirit, in her soul.

Her lines may be hidden,
her supple body covered
under a bulky uniform of bark,
obscured by a hedge of branches;
but her body is still moving,
dancing, performing,
twisting, turning, alive,
in her spirit, in her soul.

--------------------
Edited August 31, 2025
Dance – v5

October 28, 2021
dance
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2021/10/dance.html
seemingly dead tree across from our unit
edited October 23, 2021
The Dance of the Pelicans – v5
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2021/10/the-dance-of-pelicans-v5.html

All of my poems, photographs, and videos are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 202 2022, 2023, 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, God, creation, Florida, St. Augustine, angels, branches, Maleficent, wings, cedar, dance, dancer, ballet, waltz,

#poetry #God #Florida #StAugustine #cedar #dance #dancer #ballet #waltz

I am but a branch – v2

I am only a branch,
I am a living vessel,
I am not the vine,
All I do is derivative,
I do not give life myself,
I do not bear fruit alone…
 
I am a conduit, a means,
a way for Christ to work,
the Holy Spirit within me
guides my steps, my path,
without God I am nothing,
I am dry grass to be burned
consumed in Hell’s eternal fire…
 
I am but a single branch,
but within the vine I live,
I have a purpose, a calling,
I can testify to glory, to grace,
I can witness to His mercy,
to the goodness of God…
 
==============
Edited July 23, 2025
I am but a branch – v2
 
Based on #John15:4-5
Based on John 15:1-17 (The Vine and the Branches)
re:generation, Step 6, Week 3, Large Group meeting
July 21, 2025
the King of Glory
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/07/the-king-of-glory.html
Based on #Psalm24:1-10
re:generation, Step 6, Week 3, Large Group meeting
 
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, 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, poem, God, Christ, Spirit, love, grace, regeneration, John 15, vine, branches,
 
#poetry #poem #God #Christ #Spirit #vine #branches

I am but a branch

I am but a branch,
I am a vessel,
I am not the vine,
I do not give life,
I do not bear fruit…
 
I am but a conduit,
a way for Christ to work,
the Holy Spirit within me
guides my steps, my path,
without God I am nothing,
I am grass to be burned
in Hell's eternal fire…
 
I am but a branch,
but within the vine I live,
I have a calling, a purpose,
I can testify to glory, to grace,
I can witness to His mercy,
to the goodness of God...
 
==============
July 22, 2025
I am but a branch
 
Based on #John15:4-5
Based on John 15:1-17 (The Vine and the Branches)
re:generation, Step 6, Week 3, Large Group meeting
July 21, 2025
the King of Glory
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/07/the-king-of-glory.html
Based on #Psalm24:1-10
re:generation, Step 6, Week 3, Large Group meeting
 
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, 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, poem, God, Christ, Spirit, love, grace, regeneration, John 15, vine, branches,
 
#poetry #poem #God #Christ #Spirit #vine #branches

Crouched in the #blackberry bramble – v4

Crouched in the blackberry bramble,
surrounded by thorns, prickers,
an intricate dance to get there,
living barbed wire, razor wire,
tugging on my coat, my jeans
but not a stumbling block, not really
a man on a mission, a purpose,
lowering myself to the dark small fruit
gathering in, berry by sweet-tart-wet berry
scratches growing, a burgundy stain,
on eager fingertips, stretching, reaching.

 
A family of five, with pails and bowls,
short on patience, gatherers as of old,
of a simpler, primal age, these fruits,
foraging in woods, at the edge of fields,
finding food in the wild, untamed,
uncultivated, natural state, in nature
crouched in the blackberry bramble,
collecting tiny gems, tasty pearls
ready to melt on the tongue, that moment,
now swatting at mosquitoes that stalked us,
seeking to drive us from the field, their forest.

 
Watching for safety, the whereabouts,
of younger, fitful pickers, eager for fruit,
not the quest, the search, under leaves,
under branches, the clusters hidden, obscured,
shrouded from the view, the sight of less tenacious,
casual picker, distracted, no ready for the valiant,
eager for this fruit, this nectar, ambrosia,
the foods of the gods, the ancients before us;
Gather them in, them all in, for the pie,
the reward we seek, at the end of the work,
full true fruits of our labors, their taste.

 

------
Edited February 29, 2024
Crouched in the blackberry bramble – v4
 
edited August 28, 2019
Crouched in the blackberry bramble – v3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2019/08/crouched-in-blackberry-bramble-v3.html
edited August 25, 2014
Crouched in the blackberry bramble – v2
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/08/crouched-in-blackberry-bramble-v2.html
August 31, 2006 9:22am
Crouched in the blackberry bramble
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2006/08/crouched-in-blackberry-bramble_31.html
&
Edited February 29, 2024
living goblets – v5
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/02/living-goblets-v5.html
edited February 11, 2022
living goblets – v4
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/02/living-goblets-v4.html
Edited after reading "Blackberries",
by Mary Oliver
&
edited November 28, 2019
living goblets – v3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2019/11/living-goblets-v3.html
edited November 27, 2019
living goblets – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2019/11/living-goblets-v2.html
November 27, 2019
living goblets
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2019/11/living-goblets-of-juice-of-nectar-no.html
&
edited November 28, 2019
A Cup of Berries – v4
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2019/11/a-cup-of-berries-v4.html
edited August 22, 2019
A Cup of Berries – v3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2019/08/a-cup-of-berries-v3.html
edited June 21, 2014
A Cup of Berries – v2
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/06/a-cup-of-berries-v2.html
August 10, 2008
A Cup of Berries
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2008/08/cup-of-berries.html
&
edited February 10, 2022
Apricot and Periwinkle – v7
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/02/apricot-and-periwinkle-v7.html
edited after reading “Little Sister Pond”,
by Mary Oliver
&
edited March 21, 2021
Apricot and Periwinkle - v6
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2021/03/apricot-and-periwinkle-v6.html
edited May 5, 2018
Apricot and Periwinkle – v5
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2018/05/apricot-and-periwinkle-v5.html
(editing version 4, adding 1^st stanza)
edited September 28, 2017
Apricot and Periwinkle – v4
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2017/09/apricot-and-periwinkle-v4.html
edited January 18, 2016
Apricot and Periwinkle – v3
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2016/01/apricot-and-periwinkle-v3.html
(merging edits to version 2 and original)
edited June 21, 2014
Apricot and Periwinkle – v2
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/06/apricot-and-periwinkle-v2.html
Written 8/28/00 at 10:20 at night
Apricot and Periwinkle
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2004/02/sunset-seeing-colors.html
Written 8/28/00 at 10:20 at night 
Swain’s Lake, Barrington, NH
&
February 10, 2022
where they bedded for the night
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/02/where-they-bedded-for-night.html
written after reading “Little Sister Pond”,
by Mary Oliver
&
Edited February 10, 2022
something ancient, sacred - v6
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/02/something-ancient-sacred-v6.html
February 10, 2022
Gathering another branch
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/02/gathering-another-branch.html
written after reading "A Meeting"
by Mary Oliver
&
edited February 8, 2022
Building their nest – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/02/building-their-nest-v2.html
February 7, 2022
Building their nest
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/02/building-their-nest.html
&
edited February 10, 2022
something ancient, sacred – v5
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/02/something-ancient-sacred-v5.html
edited February 10, 2022
something ancient, sacred – v4
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/02/something-ancient-sacred-v4.html
edited February 9, 2022
something ancient, sacred – v3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/02/something-ancient-sacred-v3.html
edited after reading, “Crossing the Swamp”,
by Mary Oliver
&
Edited October 19, 2013
something ancient, sacred – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2013/10/something-ancient-sacred-v2.html
July 21, 2013
something ancient, sacred
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2013/07/something-ancient-sacred.html
about fishing trip
July 17, 2013
&
edited February 9, 2022
drawn to the source – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/02/drawn-to-source-v2.html
February 9, 2022
drawn to the source
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/02/drawn-to-source.html
written after reading, “The Fish” and
“Honey at the Table”,
by Mary Oliver
&
edited February 9, 2022
Wooing the Darkness to Sleep – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/02/wooing-darkness-to-sleep-v2.html
February 9, 2022
Wooing the Darkness to Sleep
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/02/wooing-darkness-to-sleep.html
written after reading, “White Night”,
by Mary Oliver
&
edited February 9, 2022
Her Lady Slipper – v3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/02/her-lady-slipper-v3.html
edited after reading “May”,
by Mary Oliver
&
edited February 9, 2022
at the edge of the lake – v4
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/02/at-edge-of-lake-v4.html
edited February 9, 2022
at the edge of the lake – v3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/02/at-edge-of-lake-v3.html
edited February 9, 2022
at the edge of the lake – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/02/at-edge-of-lake-v2.html
edited February 9, 2022
onto the water – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/02/onto-water-v2.html
February 8, 2022
onto the water
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/02/onto-water.html
about summer 2000,
written after reading "Blossom"
by Mary Oliver
&
February 8, 2022
at the edge of the lake
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/02/at-edge-of-lake.html
about summer 2000,
written after reading "Morning on Great Pond"
by Mary Oliver
&
edited February 8, 2022
in the woods I wandered – v3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/02/in-woods-i-wandered-v3.html
edited February 8, 2022
in the woods I wandered – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/02/in-woods-i-wandered-v2.html
February 8, 2022
in the woods I wandered
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/02/in-woods-i-wandered.html
written after reading “Spring”
by Mary Oliver
&
edited February 8, 2022
The bramble enticing – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/02/the-bramble-enticing-v2.html
February 8, 2022
the bramble enticing
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/02/the-bramble-enticing.html
Written after reading "Skunk Cabbage"
by Mary Oliver
&
February 6, 2022
Diatomaceous earth
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/02/diatomaceous-earth.html
Written after reading "Rain in Ohio",
By Mary Oliver
&
February 6, 2022
The raptors, their carrion
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/02/the-raptors-their-carrion.html
Written after reading "Vultures" by Mary Oliver.
&
January 3, 2022
A squadron of geese
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/01/a-squadron-of-geese.html
written after reading Clapp’s Brook by Mary Oliver
&
January 3, 2022
The bear cub
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/01/the-bear-cub.html
About drive out of Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument
after 2019 Stars Over Katahdin dark skies event. 
Drafted after reading first part of poem "Clapp's Brook" by 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, 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com)  for usage. See all 53,000+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
 
poetry, blackberries, blood, colors, creator, crimson, Faith, Family, fingers, fire, fruit, God, hands, hope, Nature, raspberries, red, ripe, summer, Lori Eldridge,
 
#poetry #blackberries #blood #colors #crimson #Faith #Family #fingers #fire #fruit #God #hands #Nature #raspberries #ripe #summer
 
poetry, August, blackberries, branches, burgundy, colors, creator, Faith, Family, fruit, God, grow, hope, leaves, ministry, Nature, Poetry Where You Live, raspberries, sight,
 
#poetry #August #blackberries #branches #colors #creator #Faith #Family #fruit #God #grow #hope #leaves #ministry #Nature #raspberries #sight
 

Take hold of God’s promises – v2

Take hold of God’s promises,
Plant their seeds deeply.
Cleave to the word of God,
Go as the Spirit leads you.
 
Take hold of God’s promises,
Abide within the protection,
the living vine of Jesus,
Our Savior and our Lord.
 
Take hold of God’s promises,
because He alone is faithful.
Heed the call, the whisper,
of God’s Spirit within you.
 
---------------
Edited November 20, 2023
Take hold of God’s promises – v2
 
November 20, 2023
Take hold of God’s promises
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2023/11/take-hold-of-gods-promises.html
Edited November 20, 2023
Abiding, thriving – v3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2023/11/abiding-thriving-v3.html
Edited November 20, 2023
Abiding, thriving – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2023/11/abiding-thriving-v2.html
November 20, 2023
Abiding, thriving
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2023/11/abiding-thriving.html
John 15:5
John 15
&
November 19, 2023
God is with us
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2023/11/god-is-with-us.html
Edited November 19, 2023
Fear not – 2 – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2023/11/fear-not-2-v2.html
November 19, 2023
Fear not - 2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2023/11/fear-not-2.html
Isaiah 41:10
Isaiah 41:13
Joshua 1:9
&
Edited November 18, 2023
You fight for me – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2023/11/you-fight-for-me-v2.html
October 29, 2023
Your fight for me
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2023/10/you-fight-for-me.html
Exodus 14:14
&
Edited November 17, 2023
Guard my heart, oh God – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2023/11/guard-my-heart-oh-god-v2.html
Edited November 17, 2023
Even when I am Blind – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2023/11/even-when-i-am-blind-v2.html
Edited November 16, 2023
Your Grace wakes with the morning – v3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2023/11/your-grace-wakes-with-morning-v2_16.html
edited November 9, 2023
Your grace wakes with the morning - v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2023/11/your-grace-wakes-with-morning-v2.html
November 5, 2023
Your grace wakes with the morning
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2023/11/your-grace-wakes-with-morning.html
Lamentations 3:22-23
“Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed,
for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.”
Matthew 6:9-13 (The Lord’s Prayer)
&
November 16, 2023
Even when I am blind
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2023/11/even-when-i-am-blind.html
John 13:7
&
November 10, 2023
Guard my heart, oh God
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2023/11/guard-my-heart-oh-god.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, and 2023. 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, prayer, faith, God, Christ, Spirit, protection,
 
#poetry #prayer #faith #Christ #God #Spirit #protection
 
--------------
Poetry, prayer, God, faith, trust, John 13, path, calling, purpose,
 
#poetry #prayer #God faith #trust #John13 #path #calling #purpose
 
=============
Poetry, God, Christ, Spirit, love, grace, prayer, Lamentations 3, Matthew 6, Lord’s Prayer,
 
#poetry #God #Christ #Spirit #love #grace #prayer #Lamentations3 #Matthew6 #LordsPrayer
 
-------------
Poetry, God, faith, prayer, calling, purpose, trust, love, grace,
 
#poetry #God #faith #prayer #calling #purpose #trust #love #grace
 
-------------
Poetry, God, faith, prayer, calling, purpose, trust, love, grace, Isaiah 41, Joshua 1,
 
#poetry #God #faith #prayer #calling #purpose #trust #love #grace #Isaiah41 #Joshua1
 
-------------
Poetry, God, faith, prayer, calling, purpose, trust, love, grace, John 15, vine, branches, abide, fruit, abundance, promises, protection,
 
#poetry #God #faith #prayer #calling #purpose #trust #love #grace #vine #branches #abide #fruit #abundance #John15 #promises #protection