Looking Down – labyrinth – v2

Looking down,

at my dirty hands,

the dust of the stones

that were gathered and placed

Labyrinth stones

dividing the rows

from the grime of the lawn,

mown and cut

Finishing the rows

seeing the vision

of a place of prayer,

the labyrinth coming to life

===========

edited October 27, 2015

Looking Down – labyrinth – v2

August 15, 2009

Looking Down – labyrinth

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2009/08/labyrinth_3234.html

Ecclesiastes 3:5

building prayer labyrinth

in our yard

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 39,780+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Under the Snow – v4

Under the snow, covered,

frozen, silent, within the labyrinth

its courses barely visible

the prayers in the ground

the words, the hopes, desires,

the petitions laid down.

Covered, by the snow

frozen, silent, dormant

waiting for spring,

like seeds planted in the earth;

the path of these prayers

our cries to the King.

edited March 23, 2015

Under the Snow – v4

(editing version 2 also)

edited March 23, 2015

Under the Snow – v3

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2015/03/under-snow-v3.html

(editing version 2

Edited August 5, 2013

“under the snow – v2”

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2013/08/under-snow-v2.html

January 15, 2010

“under the snow”

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2010/01/under-snow.html

prayer labyrinth

in our backyard

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 36,680+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Under the Snow – v3

Under the snow, buried

frozen, silent, dormant,

the prayers in the ground;

the words, the hopes,

the petitions we laid down.

Covered, by the snow

frozen, silent, dormant

waiting for spring;

the path of the prayers

our cries to the King.

------

edited March 23, 2015

Under the Snow – v3

(editing version 2

Edited August 5, 2013

“under the snow – v2”

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2013/08/under-snow-v2.html

January 15, 2010

“under the snow”

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2010/01/under-snow.html

prayer labyrinth

in our backyard

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 36,680+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

A Series of Squares – v2

The work, the lawn

carved up into a series of squares

crisp edges, overlapping rows

breaking all up, the work,

a section at a time.

Like parts of a maze,

a prayer labyrinth

in the segments, the squares

the rectangles and the edges,

all woven, walked, together

A series of squares,

around the trees, the pines

at the edge of the hill,

between the beds, the flowers,

their soccer field

A pattern of pieces

together a one project

watching the skies

for the clouds above

rounding each corner

to finish the whole

-----

edited July 31, 2014

A Series of Squares – v2

May 24, 2009

A Series of Squares

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2009/05/series-of-squares.html

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 31,430+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

A Frozen Prayer – v2

A prayer hidden and silent

Stones submerged by winter’s blanket

Covered and cold beneath the grip of frost

Waiting for spring, for summer

If they could but speak of the wishes, the hopes,

Desires and fears uttered here

Frozen in the gossamer of time

Waiting for God’s answer

Wishes written on the footfalls and on the breezes

Of another moment, another season

Hearts open in the stillness of the walking

The mix of stones and soil, moss and grass under foot

Reverent periods of reflection

Between man and God

Cries heard in the silence beyond the field

Through the frozen prayers

Planted in this ground.

edited May 17, 2014

A Frozen Prayer – v2
1/4/06 11:00
A Frozen Prayer

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2006/01/frozen-prayer.html

Written about the prayer labyrinth behind Bow Mills United Methodist Church, covered by two storms of snow. Not all of the stones are covered; but there are no footprints, only a set of snowshoes tracks around the field in which the labyrinth lies when I checked this morning.

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 29,730+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Under the Snow – v2

Under the snow

frozen, silent

the prayers in the ground

the words, the hopes,

the petitions laid down

Covered, by the snow

frozen, silent

waiting for spring

the path of the prayers

our cries to the king

Edited August 5, 2013

“under the snow – v2

January 15, 2010

“under the snow”

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2010/01/under-snow.html

prayer labyrinth

in our backyard

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 24,160+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Completing the Circle

The final stones gathered
placed where they are needed
finishing the circle
the symmetry complete

The trees rimmed
matching the walk
the stones of the labyrinth
placed where they are

November 6, 2010
placing the final stones
around the third pine tree
in our backyard

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 19,120+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Someone to Gather Stones For

I can remember her voice
talking on the phone
watching me, starting to place
a ring of stones
around the base of the trees

Describing in this, for him,
the nature of love
someone to gather stones for
doing what is in another’s heart
sharing the work of our hands


May 29, 2010
1 Corinthians 13:1-13
Ecclesiastes 3:5
laying stones around the trees,
and building prayer labyrinth
in our yard


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 19,770+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Preparing the Way - 2

Mowing the path
preparing the way
making the road smooth
righting the stones
setting the boundaries
making the gate ready
for her steps

The steps she will make
the prayers she will lay down
between the stones
the way of the cross
the steps she will follow
in her walk with
our brother, our shepherd

The Lord, our savior
on the path of ministry
following his steps
in his journey
his eyes ever, fixed
on the cross, on Jerusalem
fulfilling God’s plan


May 15, 2010
mowing the labyrinth
Suncook, 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 19,900+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

The Shape of the Stone

Turning the soil
out in the garden
out beyond the yard

The shape of a stone
a perfect valentine
as if etched by
a craftsman’s hands
buried in the soil
so I may find the stone
and place it
in her prayer labyrinth

Sometimes I ponder
to think about these things
wondering how much
God is at play
offering grace
in so many ways
finding it every day


February 2, 2010


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 19,900+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Under the Snow

Under the snow
the prayers in the ground
the words, the hopes,
the petitions laid down

Covered, by the snow
waiting for spring
the path of the prayers
our callings to the king


January 15, 2010
prayer labyrinth
in our backyard

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 24,160+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Standing in the Shadow of the Cross

Second day of winter, before Christmas
standing in the shadow of the cross

The cold, Advent
waiting for the coming
the birth of the king
The Christ-child
born, laid in the manger

Joy, peace, love come down
saving us, climbing the cross for us

Rising, ascending
that we may join him, with God
in our heavenly home


December 23, 2009

Seasons of the Cross

Seeing the sunlight,
moving into the labyrinth
rising through the paces
leading to the cross
a vision of the yard
these steps
as the year unfolds
an image of the cross
in sun, in leaves, in snow
fleeting in my mind’s eye
this summer morning,
leading to fall
seasons of the cross
waiting for me


September 3, 2009
the cross in the labyrinth

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 21,600+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

More Stones

Where to look, where to find
more stones for the rows
the walk waiting in the yard
unfinished lines, longing for completion
hoping for resolution
for the fruits of the labors to be whole
summer fruits before the coming fall
my work still undone

Going to the dump
to leave paper, cardboard
the bottles and cans
But given so much more

My heart’s desire, the stones
an answer to my fervent, my urgent prayer
there for the taking, trunk load full and more
returning to the yard, muddy in rain
smiling in my heart
for the richness of his provision
for the abundance
answering my prayer
in God’s time, in his way
All I need, if I but ask in his name.


August 29, 2009
Posted to Facebook August 29, 2009:
God provides -- I was wondering where I would get more stones for the labyrinth this. When I went to the transfer station to drop off recycling this morning, sure enough, the dump attendant said, "He must have known you were coming; there's a whole pile of rocks over there." He was probably referring to the townsperson who left the rocks. I know better, and am very thankful; 30 more feet completed through this gift.

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 19,900+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Stones by the Wayside

Stones by the wayside
from near and far
placed together all in a row
The dream taking shape
sometimes fast
sometimes slow
one by one
many more yet to go.


August 23, 2009
Ecclesiastes 3:5
building prayer labyrinth
in our yard


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 19,900+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Thankful for the Gifts

A moment abundant in blessing
sun shining radiantly
on the birch cross, a gift
planted within her labyrinth
A rich layered moment
thankful for the sun, for the Son
the cross, the way to life
believing, seeing
walking on our journey
Light, giving sight
offering hope, the narrow gate
the path leading to the cross
the radiance of the Son,
illumining our way.

-----------------
Edited November 24, 2023
Thankful for the Gifts – v2
 
August 17, 2009
Thankful for the Gifts
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2009/08/thankful-for-gifts.html
prayer labyrinth
in our yard
 
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, cross, Faith, steps, Pastor Ruth Foss, Ecclesiastes 3, stone, wisdom, rock, witness, prayer, walking, prayer, labyrinth, God, Christ,
 
#Poetry #cross #Faith #steps #Ecclesiastes3 #stone #wisdom #rock #witness #prayer #walking #prayer #labyrinth #God #Christ

Sun on the Cross

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 19,900+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Looking Down

Looking down,
my dirty hands,
dust of the stones
gathered and placed
labyrinth stones
dividing the rows
the grime of the lawn,
mown and cut
finishing the rows
seeing the idea
a place of prayer
the labyrinth coming alive


August 15, 2009
Ecclesiastes 3:5
building prayer labyrinth
in our yard

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 19,900+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Focused on the Cross

off center, leading upward
in quietude, into prayer
time for contemplation
focused on the cross
walking in prayer
courses of the labyrinth
steps repeated
pictured in my mind
the cross always there
your love evident
mindfulness of your gift
focused on your cross


August 13, 2009 and August 14, 2009
Ecclesiastes 3:5
building prayer labyrinth
in our yard


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 19,900+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Centered on the Cross

Centered on the cross
The labyrinth changed
a birch cross,
placed within the rows
drawing us in,
a touchstone, a guidepost

Each stone, each step
leading to your sacrifice
adding something, reverence
setting this space
more fully apart
no longer part of the yard alone
sanctuary too
Holy ground
Centered on the cross


August 13, 2009 and August 14, 2009
Ecclesiastes 3:5
building prayer labyrinth
in our yard


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 19,900+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.