Pool or Chess – v4

I could almost see it

standing outside of myself

He prowled the room

Around the table

So intent, focused,

In the moment

Body bent, contorted

To make this shot

and the next, already planned

from angle and motion,

just enough to sink it -

Be ready

A miscue, a learned pause,

to reflect, to think

lick the new butt from the pack

light the spark, feel the heat

Laugh for effect

Through affable eyes

Work the table

Ball on ball

Smoke and music

Lean into the glass

Slide down the throat

Sly smile

Laugh at the banter

A Game, not so important

but for him, a challenge. a test

of will, control where he can

Easy on his feet

and in a crowd

Working the room

as he does, as he is

everyman and friend

comfortable confidante

Eight ball in corner pocket

… Sweet

----------------

edited March 21, 2019

Pool or Chess – v4

(editing original

edited July 23, 2015

Pool or Chess – v3

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2015/07/pool-or-chess-v3.html

(editing version 2)

edited February 1, 2014

Pool or Chess – v2

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/02/pool-or-chess-v2.html

March 26, 2004

Pool or Chess

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2004/03/pool-or-chess.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, and 2019. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com) for usage. See all 49,220 of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

body, Concord NH, control, creator, eyes, feet, friends, God, in the crowd, king, light, New Hampshire, poetry, Poetry Where You Live, Raymond A. Foss, smoke, work,

#body #ConcordNH #control #creator #eyes #feet #friends #inthecrowd #king #light #NewHampshire #poetry #smoke #work #MiljanKunijevich #bar #beer #game #challenge #quest #secrets #intrigue #precision #cigarette

Hurricane – v2

A hole-in-the-wall shop,

Counter and seller, that’s it.

Plastic cups and pitchers

A bit of rum, a bunch of ice

Grenadine, lemon, lime

And Passion Fruit

Step into the noise,

The crowd, the Quarter,

Listen, feel, as care

Merges with rum

Replaced with a smile

And a change in my gait

Slower, slide down the street

Sway to the sound, rhythm

Pace of the place, color and vibe

Under the porches and intrigue

Hidden in backyard gardens

Knowing glances

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

edited November 13, 2018

Hurricane – v2

stanza 1 - https://twitter.com/raymondafoss/status/1062506354286452736

stanza 2 - https://twitter.com/raymondafoss/status/1062506108219207681

stanza 3 - https://twitter.com/raymondafoss/status/1062505936252755968

July 15, 2004

Hurricane

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2004/07/hurricane.html

http://www.cajuncookingrecipes.com/drinks/hurricane.htm

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, 2017, and 2018. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com) for usage. See all 48,050 of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

colors, creator, Family, fire, fruit, garden, gardener, God, in the crowd, poetry, Poetry Where You Live, Raymond A. Foss, sound, New Orleans, Hurricane, drink, party, fun, French Quarter, Mardi Gras,

#colors #creator #Family #fire #fruit #garden #gardener #God #inthecrowd #poetry #sights #sound #NewOrleans #Hurricane #drink #party #fun #FrenchQuarter #MardiGras #BigEasy

A Hope A Promise – v4

A hope, a promise

on the page, these words

words of mettle, of metal,

a promise to fulfill

a hope to achieve

this nation, this dream

who we are as a people

We may not be there yet,

as a people, a nation,

our hope, our prayer

not fully achieved;

but an idea, a dream

a hope yet to be,

if we will believe

America, the beautiful,

at least in our minds

in our hearts, planted,

a nation, a republic,

governed by the people;

together sharing this dream

in your heart and mine

What we want to be

our aspirations, our creed

as in the name of Martin

one nation united;

spoken so long ago

that all would be equal

that all would be free

That we could all climb

that we ascend together

aspiring as a people

as our skills, our gifts

our God-given talents

where they would take us,

in a land that is free

We may not be there yet,

as a nation, a people

the dream of Martin,

not fully achieved;

but an idea, a dream

a hope yet to be

if we still believe.

=====

edited April 7, 2018

A Hope, A Promise – v4

edited December 19, 2014

A Hope, A Promise – v3

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/12/a-hope-promise-v3.html

edited July 4, 2014

A Hope, A Promise – v2

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/07/a-hope-promise-v2.html

July 4, 2012

A Hope, A Promise

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2012/07/hope-promise.html

July 4, 2012

edit of poem, “An Idea, A Dream”

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2012/07/idea-dream.html  

Independence Day

http://www.usa.gov/Topics/Independence-Day.shtml

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, 2017, and 2018. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com)  for usage. See all 46,720 of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

America, brother, dream, face, Faith, Family, fire, God, hope, in the crowd, July 4th, justice, Law, Methodist, neighbor, prayer, sharing, soul, fourth of July,

#America #dream #Faith #Family #God #hope #July4th #Law #neighbor #ME #prayer #4thofJuly #fourthofJuly #USA #God #love #community #mettle #metal #DeclarationofIndependence #Constitution #IHaveADream

Pool or Chess – v3

He prowled the room

Around the regulation table

Intent, certain, entranced,

Focused, efficient, moving;

Body bent, contorted

To make this shot

and the next, already planned

using angle and motion,

just enough, push,

to sink it, another,

Be ready, each in sequence…

A miscue, a pause

to think, a sip of the warm bourbon;

Lick the new butt from the pack

light the spark, the flame,

feel the heat, alive,

the new-smoke kissing his face

Laugh for effect, for show,

Through affable eyes

Work the table, the room,

in syncopation, bravado,

Ball on ball, smack,

does it really matter;

Smoke and music

Lean into the glass

Slide down the throat

Smile, deep satisfaction

Laugh at the banter,

A Game, not so important,

but for him, a challenge, more,

a test of will, control where he can;

Easy on his feet and in a crowd

Working the room, his eyes,

as he does, everyman and friend

comfortable confidante -

Eight ball in the corner pocket

… Sweet

=====

edited July 23, 2015

Pool or Chess – v3

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2015/07/pool-or-chess-v3.html

(editing version 2)

edited February 1, 2014

Pool or Chess – v2

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/02/pool-or-chess-v2.html

March 26, 2004

Pool or Chess

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2004/03/pool-or-chess.html

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 40,740+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Fear is Their Message – v4

Fear is their message, of hate, of anger,

the burning cross their tool

setting divisions, setting them apart,

not drawing others to Christ

seeking to hurt, to harm

to intimidate our neighbors

those different from us

Nothing of the Christ

in burning a cross

in fear, intimidation,

nothing Christian in this,

in engendering fear in people

especially in the Deep South

where they live

Hate isn’t Christian

nothing of the real Jesus

the One who descended

from His throne, into our clay

becoming poor, emptied of heaven

who chose to walk as a man

to share God with us

Nothing of Jesus, our Savior

of the lamb, the sacrifice,

the One who told us to love as He did

who suffered, who died

bearing our cross, our shame

rising to give us life

to give us life again

We are to love one another

our sisters, our brothers

those unlike us, strangers

who were cast out, separate,

the least and the lost

even our enemies

those hated in this life

When hate claims Christ’s name

evil stalking, hurting His people

His ministry here, on this earth

the hope of the nations

God’s kingdom more distant

when Hate claims to be Christian

setting people apart

Nothing of Jesus, nothing Christian

no indication of love, of grace

in hate, injustice, racism,

in fear, intimidation,

in setting peoples apart

spreading division, anger

not spreading Christ’s love

We must stand with Jesus, now

against hate, injustice

to speak out against them

those burning that cross

for they are not Christian

not Christian in the least

seeking to hurt, to harm

to intimidate our neighbors

those different from us.

edited February 14, 2015

Fear is Their Message – v4

(editing original again)

edited October 31, 2014

Fear is Their Message – v3

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/10/fear-is-their-message-v3.html

(editing original again)

Edited November 21, 2013

Fear is Their Message – v2

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2013/11/fear-is-their-message-v2.html

edited July 4, 2012

changing the name to Fear is Their Message

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2012/07/fear-is-their-message.html

edited July 4, 2012

changing the name to Hate isn’t Christian - 2

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2012/07/hate-isnt-christian-2.html

changing the name to “Nothing Christian”

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2012/07/nothing-christian.html

edited July 4, 2012

When Hate Claims Christ’s Name – v2

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2012/07/when-hate-claims-christs-name-v2.html

When Hate Claims Christ’s Name

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2012/07/when-hate-claims-christs-name.html

Written July 4, 2012

&

"All White Christian" convention being held in Lamar County this week

http://www.abc3340.com/story/18945750/whites-only-convention-being-held-in-marion-county-this-week

&

How the Christian Identity Movement Began

http://www.splcenter.org/get-informed/intelligence-report/browse-all-issues/1998/winter/identity-crisis/mistaken-identity

&

July 4, 2012

We Pray for Our Nation – v3

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2012/07/we-pray-for-our-nation-v3.html

July 2, 2012

We Pray for Our Nation – v2

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2012/07/we-pray-for-our-nation-v2.html

extract of Prayers of the People

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2012/07/prayers-of-people-suncook-united.html

second of a worship series on:

“Cruising the Sacred Waters of Our Faith”

Theme - Where do we put Jesus in our lives?
Mark 5:21-43 (GOD’s WORD Translation)
Psalm 130 (Common English Bible)
2 Corinthians 8:7-15 (NIV)

Call to Worship(Abington Worship 2012)(Psalm 130, Mark 5)

Unison Prayer

Prayer of Dedication (Mark 5:21-43) (2 Corinthians 8, Mark 5)

(adapted from GBOD 2012 and Abington Worship 2012)

Communion, UMH page 9
Sermon - What Jesus Means to Me!

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2012/07/sermon-what-jesus-means-to-me-suncook.html

by Raymond A. Foss

Suncook United Methodist Church

Suncook, NH

July 1, 2012

Fifth Sunday of Kingdomtide

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 35,890+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

A Hope A Promise – v3

A hope, a promise

on the page, those words

words of mettle, of metal,

a promise to fulfill

a hope to achieve

this nation, this dream

We may not be there yet,

as a people, a nation,

not fully achieved;

but an idea, a dream

a hope yet to be,

if we believe

America, the beautiful,

at least in our minds

in our hearts, planted,

governed by the people;

together sharing that dream

in your heart and mine

What we want to be

our aspirations, our creed

one nation united;

spoken so long ago

that all would be equal

that all would be free

That we could all climb

aspiring as a people

as our skills, our gifts

our God-given talents

would take us,

in a land that is free

We may not be there yet,

as a nation, a people

not fully achieved;

but an idea, a dream

a hope yet to be

if we still believe.

=====

edited December 19, 2014

A Hope, A Promise – v3

edited July 4, 2014

A Hope, A Promise – v2

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/07/a-hope-promise-v2.html

July 4, 2012

A Hope, A Promise

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2012/07/hope-promise.html

July 4, 2012

edit of poem, “An Idea, A Dream”

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2012/07/idea-dream.html  

Independence Day

http://www.usa.gov/Topics/Independence-Day.shtml

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 34,540+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Fear is Their Message – v3

Fear is their message

hate, intimidation

the burning cross their tool

setting divisions, hatred,

not drawing others to Christ

seeking to hurt, to harm

to intimidate our neighbors

Nothing of the Christ

in burning a cross

nothing Christian in this,

in engendering fear in people

especially in the Deep South

Hate isn’t Christian

nothing of the real Jesus

the One who descended

becoming poor, emptied of heaven

God who chose to walk as a man

Nothing of Jesus, our Savior

who told us to love as He did

who suffered, who died

bearing our cross, our shame

God who rose to give us life

We are to love one another

our sisters, our brothers

those unlike us, strangers

those who were cast out, separate,

the least and the lost

When hate claims Christ’s name

evil stalking, hurting His people

His ministry here, on this earth

the hope of the nations

God’s kingdom more is distant

Nothing of Jesus, nothing Christian

in hate, injustice, fear, intimidation

in setting peoples apart

spreading division, anger

not spreading Christ’s love

Stand with Jesus, now

against hate, injustice

speak out against them

those burning that cross

for they are not Christian

not Christian in the least

seeking to hurt, to harm

to intimidate our neighbors

-----

edited October 31, 2014

Fear is Their Message – v3

(editing original again)

Edited November 21, 2013

Fear is Their Message – v2

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2013/11/fear-is-their-message-v2.html

edited July 4, 2012

changing the name to Fear is Their Message

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2012/07/fear-is-their-message.html

edited July 4, 2012

changing the name to Hate isn’t Christian - 2

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2012/07/hate-isnt-christian-2.html

changing the name to “Nothing Christian”

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2012/07/nothing-christian.html

edited July 4, 2012

When Hate Claims Christ’s Name – v2

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2012/07/when-hate-claims-christs-name-v2.html

When Hate Claims Christ’s Name

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2012/07/when-hate-claims-christs-name.html

Written July 4, 2012

&

"All White Christian" convention being held in Lamar County this week

http://www.abc3340.com/story/18945750/whites-only-convention-being-held-in-marion-county-this-week

&

How the Christian Identity Movement Began

http://www.splcenter.org/get-informed/intelligence-report/browse-all-issues/1998/winter/identity-crisis/mistaken-identity

&

July 4, 2012

We Pray for Our Nation – v3

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2012/07/we-pray-for-our-nation-v3.html

July 2, 2012

We Pray for Our Nation – v2

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2012/07/we-pray-for-our-nation-v2.html

extract of Prayers of the People

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2012/07/prayers-of-people-suncook-united.html

second of a worship series on:

“Cruising the Sacred Waters of Our Faith”

Theme - Where do we put Jesus in our lives?
Mark 5:21-43 (GOD’s WORD Translation)
Psalm 130 (Common English Bible)
2 Corinthians 8:7-15 (NIV)

Call to Worship(Abington Worship 2012)(Psalm 130, Mark 5)

Unison Prayer

Prayer of Dedication (Mark 5:21-43) (2 Corinthians 8, Mark 5)

(adapted from GBOD 2012 and Abington Worship 2012)

Communion, UMH page 9
Sermon - What Jesus Means to Me!

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2012/07/sermon-what-jesus-means-to-me-suncook.html

by Raymond A. Foss

Suncook United Methodist Church

Suncook, NH

July 1, 2012

Fifth Sunday of Kingdomtide

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 33,220+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.