In Grandpa’s Arms

A special bond,
a special grace,
comfort, safety
in that special place
nestled in Grandpa’s arms
warm, secure, giggling
sharing little secrets
in the smiles in your eyes
with a special man in your life
telling stories, urgent active stories
with your sure, confident voice
stories of school, of play
sharing your day
in Grandpa’s arms

March 19, 2007 16:33

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 21,710+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Rising to Selflessness

An earthy father,
a parable man,
forgiving his sons
for separate sins
same sins
of selfishness
greed, desires
for their rights
their things

Giving to his prodigal son
welcoming him home
at the turn in his life

Righting the balance
with his bitter son
at the welcoming

A heavenly father
in parable
wanting all sons
and daughters
to come to him
welcoming
them all
when they
return home

March 18, 2007 20:58
Based on sermon entitled “Brothers” by the Reverend Peter Hey,
Wesley United Methodist Church, Concord, NH
www.concordwumc.org
March 17, 2007
Luke 15:1-3; Luke 15:11b-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 21,710+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Acknowledging Selfishness

Mine, it is mine,
give me what is mine.
How often hear that, say that,
whether in word or in action
a part of the humanness we share
is the sense, the desire, for possession
ownership, control of things, things that enable
things that glitter, things that define
power, prestige, status, immediate needs
desires, passions, coveting other things
A part of the story, the parable,
the younger brother, the older brother
the giving father, and the legacy for us
of false pursuits, forgetting the message
so long written down, because we don’t
comprehend the parables still
Pharisees and scribes not alone
in missing the point, in changing
in choosing the better path
in staying with the father
the loving parent,
wanting, giving all
to the dutiful son
and the lost son
who is found

March 18, 2007 20:53
Based on sermon entitled “Brothers” by the Reverend Peter Hey,
Wesley United Methodist Church, Concord, NH
March 17, 2007
Luke 15:1-3; Luke 15:11b-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 19,320+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

A Forgiving Father

A parable of brothers
a story of our father
a love maintained, given
even when we act like he is dead to us
holding hope, open arms,
for the one who was lost
so precious in the finding
the returning home,
repenting, calling him father
once more,
with open arms
He is ready
waiting for each and every one
each precious in his sight
a loved child
to hold

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

edited February 19, 2016

“A Forgiving Father – v3”

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2016/02/a-forgiving-father-v3.html

(merging edits to original and version 2)

edited after Thao Pachia

https://www.facebook.com/Pachia.Thoj

used my poem in a high school English class assignment

Edited April 23, 2013

“A Forgiving Father – v2”

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2013/04/a-forgiving-father-v2.html

after Austin Masterson

included the original in a student assignment

Roswell, NM

March 18, 2007 20:46

“A Forgiving Father”

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2007/03/forgiving-father.html

Based on sermon entitled “Brothers”

by the Reverend Peter Hey,

Wesley United Methodist Church

www.concordwumc.org

Concord, NH

March 18, 2007

Luke 15:1-3; Luke 15:11b-32

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 41,090+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Brothers

Brothers killing brothers,
fighting brothers, hating each other
for minor things, petty differences
selfish desires, cheap greed,
anger, position, power
oh to see the way through
to love, to forgiveness
to compassion as a father can
did in the story of the brothers
each of whom broke his heart
for what they did,
what they would not do
A world of brothers, of sisters
struggling, fighting, killing,
hating one another,
throughout the human story
near and far, a world of Cain’s
and Able’s, of Jacob’s and Esau’s
fighting, hurting each other
and their father, who wanted love
peace, harmony, caring one to the other
who wants this still, even now
for love to pervade, imbue the world
nurture and bond us together
at the end of the story
reconciliation for the brothers


March 18, 2007 20:42
Based on sermon entitled “Brothers” by the Reverend Peter Hey,
Wesley United Methodist Church, Concord, NH
March 17, 2007
Luke 15:1-3; Luke 15:11b-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 19,320+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

A Grain Offering

An anonymous reciprocal
grain offering, giving in love
for the brother, who each
believed more deserving,
more worthy for the gift
of a bit of flour
milled in their work
given in stealth, in the dark,
in love for their brother.
How wonderful an example
woven into the story of brothers
the struggle of competition
of war and bitterness,
an example of love instead
of thinking of your brother first
giving from the heart
without hope of reward
an example of love
for our brothers and sisters
we can all use

March 17, 2007 20:10
Based on sermon entitled “Brothers” by the Reverend Peter Hey,
Wesley United Methodist Church, Concord, NH
March 17, 2007
Luke 15:1-3; Luke 15:11b-32
(see also the text starting in the 9th paragraph about the old Jewish story
of two brothers in the flour milling: http://www.day1.net/index.php5?view=transcripts&tid=24)


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.

Oh Church

The pastor, speaking
in parables, and more directly
to the congregation itself
to brothers and sisters
of the same cloth, the same faith,
the same community
separated from one another
pulling in different directions
not forgiving the differences
older brothers and younger ones
seeing the future in different shades
different colors, roads to travel
callings from the Spirit
needing to bond, to mend,
to heal, to reconcile still
while we can, before the distance
grows too great,
the wounds too deep
schism to be avoided
with forgiving hearts
we can

March 18, 2007 20:15
Based on sermon entitled “Brothers” by the Reverend Peter Hey,
Wesley United Methodist Church, Concord, NH
March 17, 2007
Luke 15:1-3; Luke 15:11b-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 19,320+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Un Pedacito Minúsculo Del Pусский

If only I were a shock-worker,
how well would I live
or so my little bit of Russian would say
scraps of the first class, all that is left
remains of two semesters
of a language with a different alphabet
strange characters, home of
wonderful literature, rich culture
tormented Lost Souls,
where the great rivers ran
and symphonies roar
Oh to remember a scrap of the learning
so long ago, when I learned
“Как живут ударники?
Ударники живут хорошо.

How do shock-workers live?
Shock-workers live well.”

March 17, 2007 16:37
http://www.languagehat.com/archives/002512.php


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.

Down by the River

Down by the river,
we played, dreamed, explored
alone and together,
bikes left by the rock piles,
Climbing, hiking, claiming land
wading, splashing, damming
the river, catching tiny fish
dirty water, runoff water,
scales of gray muck
undulating in the current
slippery under foot
Rafts, bombs (well rocks actually),
testing the mettle
of the GI Joe’s
their armies across
the wide stream
Generals, scouts,
Lewis and Clarks
in the making
being kids, being boys
down by the river


March 17, 2007 12:18
down by the Little River in Westfield, MA,
below Squawfield Road


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.

White Sands

Dunes of white
greet my gaze
from my office window
snow drifted in the lee
of the third story,
the slate roof,
down on the roof below
white dunes, calling
squirrel surfers
reptilian, snakes
to course across it
like in nature films
of the dry deserts
around the globe
caught in moving
sands of white
in the building,
shifting winds
after the Nor’easter
brought a joke
a challenge
this St. Patty’s ‘morn


March 17, 2007 11:38



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.

Dance of the Bubbles

A watched pot,
beginning to boil
growing bubbles in the dimples
the Teflon surface
called to the ball,
to dance, merge, join
with each other,
twirl and whirl,
glide and slide
across the floor
to the syncopated tempo,
frantic motion,
frenetic energy,
ready to rise
to swirl to the surface,
explode free,
up into the air

March 17, 2007 10:42

Dance of the Bubbles

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2007/03/dance-of-bubbles.html

(Ray and Ruth – for the title)

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 42,170+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

A Harvest of Figs

Some much meaning
layers of meaning
in the words of a fruitless fig
bearing fruit in the minds
of the readers, the saints
over the millennia,
those who followed
the earliest listeners,
those who heard his words
his parable for them
for us too
a harvest of fruits
in the learning, the study
the unraveling of
the mystery of parable
for each one a journey
bearing fruits
all along the way

March 15, 2007 14:24
Luke 13:6-9


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.

A Different Fig Tree

A different messiah
without armies or power
came to be planted
in the soil of the owner
given love and care
by the gardener
who served the owners
of the land, the land
given by the gardener
Impatient for change
ready to give up
to cut down
to cast off
the humble
fruitless
tree
Reprieve
only temporary
before the roots were cut
with the ax, the nails, the thorns, the crown
the cross on the hill, at the end of
the temporary reprieve
because the owners
were impatient
and they
wanted
instant
fruit

March 15, 2007 14:09


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.

Parable Reading

Different messages,
interpretations, well up
within the readers, messages
ideas, thoughts, imagery
of prophets and law givers
of owners, trees, gardens
and gardeners
who are the parts
really about
who is the story for
and will they listen
for the deeper meaning
behind the parables


March 15, 2007 13:58
Luke 13:6-9


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.

Fig Tree

Oh change your ways
you dead, dying tree
turn from your thoughts
law alone, hear, heed
the new soil, the prophets,
the way, the new soil
new food, the gardener gives
feel the new message,
new call, new food
feed your trunk,
your branches
your flowers, your leaves
bear fruit of the new soil
new covenant
new food

March 15, 2007 13:54
Luke 13:6-9


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.

The Faithful Gardener

An unhappy owner
a fallow tree
a worthy gardener
not giving up
not yet, on his charge
to care and to nurture
to feed and to water
prune and prepare
for another chance to grow
to respond to the
food in the message
to turn from the past
to grow in the light
respond to the care
of the gardener
before the judgment
by the owner
and the fire

March 15, 2007 13:47
Luke 13:6-9


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.

The Chosen Fig Trees

Fruitless figs
in the yard of the landowner
ready for the ax
not living to their potential
with loving hands
hands of the gardener
they were given reprieve
a chance, to live
bear fruit again
before the ax and the fire
if they stayed fruitless
after further feeding


March 15, 2007 13:42
Luke 13:6-9


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.

I am a Fig Tree

I need the gardener
to feed my roots,
to bring water and light
protection from the
owner of the yard,
where I am planted
More help, care
to bear good fruits,
in the place where
I have been planted,
placed by the owner
needing the gardener
to thrive

March 15, 2007 13:36
Luke 13:6-9

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.

A Fruitless Tree

A tree, not bearing fruit
A landowner impatient,
ready to pass judgment,
A gardener, ready to work,
asking for more time,
to nurture and feed
the fruitless tree
Who are the players,
the actors in the parable
the tree, the landowner,
and the gardener?
We aren’t told,
but it is a very telling story
for the lessons it can teach
about so many things


March 15, 2007 13:22
Luke 13:6-9

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.

Whoa!

Whoa!
or so she said
in that perfect
five-year old way,
“that’s a lot of peanuts!”
she marveled,
in her way, showing
just the right amount
of shock and awe,
as her little arms
hoisted the 5 pound bag
of “jumbo” peanuts
for our friends the squirrels
down from the counter
“They’re heavy!”
she said, as she lugged them
to the closet,
before the first feeding
of our particular squirrels,
out in the warming yard

March 15, 2007 13:15

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 20,770+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Ready Daddy for Picture Day

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.

In the Lee

Around town,
as the snow melted in the yards,
by the streets,
browning white
Pristine white remained
cloistered, away from arms’ reach
high above,
in the lee of dormers,
crevasses in roofs, the lee of the
angles, pitch, on the flashing
high above, pockets
of clean white snow

March 15, 2007 9:17

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 20,770+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Poetry that gave commentary to a picture

Here is a link to someone who saw a photograph they knew in one of my poems:

http://flickr.com/photos/lynnmorag/396422577/

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, and 2017. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com) for usage. See all 45,340 of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Fisheye - commentary

Below are a copy of links to people out on the web in other countries and other languages who have analyzed one of my photographs:

http://forums.megatokyo.com/index.php?showtopic=1721291

http://www.psychedelic.be/forum/archive/index.php/t-25631.html


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.

A Tale of Two Tuesdays

It was a great day, it was a lousy day
to be in the academy
She snarled, they barked
at the other
would
that the answer
was clear to naked eyes
on whose perception was real
which view of the facts held water
Where fault lies dark, eluding
definition, conclusions
or where it boldly asserts
its sway over the facts of the day
the truth to be discerned, like tea leaves
read by the sages, unraveling tangled
tortured logic in the argument left
unresolved, unmet needs
hang heavy in the air
begging for solution
clarity, ending
where it began
with opinion,
perception
of Tuesday


March 10, 2007 14:42,
edited March 11, 2007 23:09


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.

Urban Ornaments

Sneakers on wires,
trash in trees
urban ornaments
overhead
drawing eyes upward
away from the litter,
the flotsam and jetsam
of the city landscape
behind the buildings
in the alleys
by the dumpsters
forgotten exteriors
behind the facades
of renewal
open for all to see
The unmet needs
the hidden reality
with homeless,
those who look
for aluminum cans
behind the veneer
in the city, below
the urban ornaments


March 11, 2007 23:06

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 28,820+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Closer and Closer

He seemed so complacent
in the hot August sun
on the barrier islands
not moving at all
basking in the warm air

A cameraman without much sense
approached his quarry
without real stealth
much less guile

Focusing as best he could
the leathery skin coming into view
a lens for bringing in close
the further away

But that didn’t last long
as the image grew and grew
even as I crab-walked backwards
up the embankment
as fast as I could move

So I wouldn’t be his lunch


March 11, 2007 22:12
An agitated Alligator
Hilton Head Island, August 1988



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.

Dust on the Pictures

Memories fade,
distances grow,
dust builds
on the pictures,
the moment of our lives
accumulate, separate
our pasts from our present
life picks up the pace
each day less of our life’s journey
moving quicker and quicker
as each day fills
dust on the pictures
of our lives
on the mantle,
the wall, the table
in our hearts
Pull them out,
dust them off
reflect and remember
maybe give a call
send a letter
to the loved ones
in the pictures

March 11, 2007 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, 2013. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 26,370+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

A Broken Loaf

On the altar of His table
as the pastor held up His cup
Two halves of
the broken loaf
the torn, rent, bread
a symbol of the pain,
His sacrifice
for our saving
on the cross
Causing reflection
remembrance
Brining Christ once more
into our presence
Before we come
to His table


March 11, 2007 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 19,320+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Pizza for Dinner

On another night, the choice,
the decision, would not seem so odd
pizza for dinner, what could be wrong
But, where we were, when we were
that made the difference,
calling our choice into question,
at odds with the common view,
the meal of choice, that night
For the place was the coast
in summer, on vacation,
and we chose pizza,
pepperoni pizza
rather than the red,
clawed and tailed,
crustaceans
everyone else devoured
that night
We weren’t
that hungry


March 11, 2007 15:40


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

A Crystal Radio

It sat carefully
on the one-inch thick
pine board
Dials and coils and resistors
combined to catch sound
from the ether
crackling, fleeting sound
Something he had made
long before
with his own hands,
kept and held for other fingers
to see the sunlight again
out in our backyard
marveling at his industry
his skill, to tease music
from the air

March 11, 2007 15:29


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.

A Lobster Pot

A lobster pot
tossed by the sea
onto the rocks
wedged in the jetty
between the boulders
of the breakwater
pristine, but barnacled,
seaweeded, lost, adrift
crashed where we found it
in the jagged wet rocks,
on the Maine coast
that long ago summer
climbing down among the stones
to bring it up, into the light
no minor feat
Lug the dead weight
down the jetty,
to the beach
abandon our find,
our catch
to true owners
claiming their rights
as we left the rocks
and touched the sand

March 11, 2007 15:23

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 23,210+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Snow in the Valleys

snow seen in the valleys
off the highway
down below, the road I traveled
by the brooks, cling to the grasses,
pillows on rocks
slabs of snow on the brook
ready to fall in,
mingle with the running water
head downstream
to the sea, long downstream
white still, remaining
long after the graying
of closer snow

March 10, 2007 14:48

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 29,050+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

A Glint of Christmas

March light hitting
a string of small
white Christmas lights
green wire, trying to blend in
with the branches, ready for budding
a crackle of light, glinting off the bulbs
almost alive with the incandescence
briefly captured, on the way
by them in the yard
on the crab apple

March 10, 2007 10:59


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 19,320+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

John Wesley

Justifying grace
Open for all
He came for this
None one is excluded

We can choose to follow
Everyone is guilty
Sin is our nature
Learn to repent of your past
Eyes on the savior
You are saved by His grace



March 9, 2007 9:32
http://gbgm-umc.org/umw/wesley/walk.stm


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.

Faith

Feeling a closeness to the Creator
Anticipating the good news
In all things, believing in the unseen
Turning away from your former path
Hearing the still small voice within you


March 8, 2007 11:37


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.

Love – 2

Lay down beside you
Open my heart
Value your presence
Ever hold you close

March 7, 2007 6:47

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.

Love - 1

Live humbly
Open yourself for others
Victory over prejudice
Everyone deserving


March 6, 2007 18:57

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.

Love – 4

Let the prophesies be fulfilled
One pure life for all
Valued Son of God
Emmanuel in us

March 7, 2007 8:43


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.

Indwelling

Into my heart
Nourish me
Desire Your presence
Wisdom grows
Eternal life our promise
Live in me
Learn Your lessons
Imitate the Master
Nearer to You may I walk
God in three

March 7, 2007 7:52

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 19,320+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Love – 3

Leave hearth and home
One where there were two
Venture forth in faith
Evermore shall we be together

March 7, 2007 7:40

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 19,320+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Live

Let no day be wasted
Imagine the possibilities
Value the people in your life
Enjoy all the moments


March 7, 2007 6:15


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 19,320+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Spirit

Soaring over the maddening throng
Penetrate the layers of my heart
Inspire me to reach the heights
Restore my soul
Indwell within me
Teach me His ways

March 7, 2007 6:50


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.

Peace

Practice kindness to all
Exhibit the best of your nature
At one with the universe
Called from ages past,
Echoes of the creation



March 6, 2007 19:42
Posted March 7, 2007 at 8:44am
Found by a www.google.com search for "Peace" on 3/7/07 at 8:57am


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.

The Crawlspace - 2

There was a crawlspace
under the addition,
the master bedroom,
a small cut out
into the larger basement,
maybe three feet high

A maw about eye level,
for a eight year old
not full sized, dry dirt and rock
large smooth rock floor
a great place for army men,
Tonka trucks,
and lots of spiders

An opening too
for curtains and shows
with imagination
and imaginary partners

March 6, 2007 16:16


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.

Cup

Waiting for the cup,
the blood of Christ
symbolized in the grape juice
kneeling at the rail
waiting my turn
a piece of bread sits
in the cup of my hands
gingerly held up
in prayerful silence
waiting for the cup,
the blood of Christ
to dip, to eat
the holy meal
in repentance,
in remembrance
The juice, rich and thick
drips onto my hands,
I drink it all in
from the cup of my hands
in prayerful silence

March 6, 2007 10:26

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, and 2017. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com) for usage. See all 43,710 of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Unity – v3

Universal love
None shall be judged
Indwelling of the Creator
Teach community
Yearn for oneness with all


March 4, 2007 13:04
edited 15:38


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.

Unity - v2

Universal love
None shall be judged
Indwelling of the Creator
Teach communion
Yearn for oneness with all



March 4, 2007 13:04


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 19,320+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Unity

Universal love
No one should be judged
Invited by the Creator
Teach community
Yearn for oneness with all


March 4, 2007 11:00
as I was drafting this poem,
the line starting with I had many verbs -
intoned, inspired, imparted, invited,
informed, indwelling of, imbued by...


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.

A Visit to the Museum

(on February Vacation)

Each of us, mom and dad,
seem to have slightly longer arms,
right arms now, after the pulling,
the tugging, the yanking,
a five and a six year old
at the hands-on science museum
on February vacation
from school, before
the snow storm tomorrow
So much to see, to touch, to run toward
to redirect, to entice, to do
Dinosaurs, bubbles, wires, tools,
toys, one end to the other,
up and down stairs, across the room
seeing, touching, doing,
it all, every station, everything
over stimulated, absorbed
by the variety, the challenge,
the relentless pursuit, of the new
Now, let’s go!
Over there!
Now there!
Can we, Please!


March 1, 2007 13:47
SEE Science Museum, Manchester, NH
http://www.see-sciencecenter.org/
That’s a lot of LEGO’s – Millyard Project –
http://www.see-sciencecenter.org/millyard/


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.

Baby Raptors

Little vultures, circling over their fresh prey
waiting not so patiently, swooping down
and back, because they weren’t yet ready
not quite ready to eat yet.
No, the cinnamon rolls and breakfast sausages
weren’t quite ready for our baby raptors;
they needed to cool a bit more, made ready
for ravenous predators, eager eaters
with gnashing teeth and licking lips
Mmmm, thanks Mom
for the tasty morsels,
we devoured this morning

March 1, 2007 13:24


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.

Approaching the Table

We walk silently, hands cupped
rising to receive the bread,
dip into the wine, the living symbol
of his blood, his life poured out
for all, the world from beginning to end

We walk silently, sad, hopeful,
unworthy, unsteady, unready
for the gift of grace
the heavenly sustenance
at his table,

A powerful joy, washes over me
in the receiving, in the words
of the server, my hearing ears need
my Amen, to acknowledge the gift
given and received, again at his table
Smiling heart and face, knowing
the redemption in the communing

February 28, 2007 17:34

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.

We Walked in the Garden

A long time from the creation
but awhile ago, we, the two of us
walked for a moment
in the garden, falling under the spell
of the thousands of shades of green
the languid, humid, balmy air
rainforest sucked us inward
into the green, damp depths
walking an old dirt path,
obscured at times,
by the washouts, the foliage
the rich humus smell
the call of exotic birds
lost in the stillness, the quietude
of the garden, all around us





February 28, 2007 16:34
Genesis 1 and 2
St. Lucia, 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 19,200+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Famished

He was hungry, so very hungry
no food, no drink, nothing
for forty days, forty long hot nights
in the wilderness, the desert
living alone, in the wilderness,
facing the demons, the devil,
the tempter by his side,
offering him another way
a different path, the human answer
seeking what he needs,
human desire, basic wants
serving himself, oh so easy
How easy it would be
stepping down from the cross,
walking away from the journey to come
the three years of ministry, of mission
reaching out to a blind,
a deaf, a dumb world
knowing already the failure
the walled off hearts
the pain, the persecution,
the death, he faced
How hard to deny the hunger,
the thirst, to fight
the urge,
to turn the stone
into common bread


February 28, 2007 14:45
Luke 4:1-13


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 19,200+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Soothing Sounds

A single flute,
ancient, native
sounding in the room,
down by my feet,
echoing muted,
through the space
oozing into my consciousness
soothingly, for the hours
the length of the day
seeping into me
intoning the spirits
the haunting tones
of the wind, the wild,
the wilderness,
the peoples
of this place, long ago
stilling me, healing
the energy, the pain
subsiding


February 27, 2007 21:56


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 20,770+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Water from the Rock

The people fought, quarreled,
argued, in the desert, the heat,
the wilderness, free but unhappy
thirsty for water
fighting over God,
weak and in need
A staff cleaved the rock
water for the people,
the immediate need,
when they thirsted
for other water,
another kind of faith
the Law giver to be,
parted the sea,
and brought water from the rock


February 27, 2007 20:02
Exodus 17:1-7
Deuteronomy 6:16
Luke 4:1-13


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 20,770+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Bread from the Stone

He chose to be strong,
to defy the tempter,
to rebuke the easy path,
the earthy, immediate concern
to center, and ground himself
in the important, the eternal
the path he was on,
about to begin
after the wilderness,
the desert, the temptations
He could make the stone
become bread
He was God
But, he knew the truth,
the weakness of the flesh
the loss, failure, he would commit
if he made bread from the stone

February 27, 2007
Luke 4:1-13,
Deuteronomy 6:16,
Exodus 17:1-7


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.

Puddles of Snow

Little clear puddles
atop the forming mud
little pools at the edge
melting piles of snow
browning in the thawing
little harbingers, foretaste
spring soon budding
balmy air
T-shirt weather,
no so far off now
little puddles of snow
warming in the sun

February 27, 2007 19:47


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.

Valentine's Day 2007 - Fire and Ice

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.

All that was left

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.

Red Tail Hawk - Other pictures

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.