Agape Cafe

The 11 poems posted today were all written last night at the Agape Cafe, a monthly coffeehouse at our church. Last night we had about 35 attendees and there were performances from 8:00 to 11:45, and then we started going around for a second time. It was another wonderful night out.


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 19,070+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

A Frozen Soldier

Long ago, long ago
the green metal of the statue
in the nearby park
was a man in faraway lands,
living flesh of our nation’s best
sent into harm’s way
fighting in San Juan, in Manila,
forgotten fields of a little war
frozen in the park

January 5, 2007 22:30
Bronstein Park, Manchester, NH
Spanish American War statue

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 19,070+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Turn of the Wheel

His foot on the pedal,
turning the wheel, faster, faster
spinning the clay, the potter
molding me, shaping me
creating me, with your hands
giving me life, with your breath

Thank you for the glimpse,
my slice of creation, my time
on this mortal coil

Drink the water, the word
wash over me, make me clean
bring me home to you
at the end of my days

January 5, 2007 22:26



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 19,070+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Guardian Angel

A warm feeling filled me
on reading the words she wrote
for me, written in her prison cell,
sent to me with love, with thanks

Touching me in ways
ways I cannot really explain
For coming into her life,
the life of her mother, her children
going before the courts, the agency
those who would stand in judgment
wag fingers, look down on them all

Take up her cause, fight for them
find a way through, to sanctuary
a new home with her
with her loving arms
ready and able to hold them

January 5, 2007 20:49, edited 22:13


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 19,830+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Another Coffeehouse

Listening to their harmonies,
the blending of their voices
really listening, feeling their songs
pulled me back to other nights
long, long gone bye, earlier days
lost but to memory, and these lines in reflection

Other voices, other guitars,
six and twelve-strings, strumming, singing along
Kevin, Mike, Jim, Diane, and more
with the familiar folk songs,
our shared ones, of our time too

We were there, thrown together
dorm mates, classmates,
roommates, future groomsmen
guests at our weddings
people in special places
special times of our lives
echoing in the old songs they too
sing tonight in another place

January 5, 2007 21:36


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 19,070+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

But you never said anything about Outside

She had sugar, little bits,
unauthorized pieces, shards,
of the gingerbread house.
Our centerpiece no more.

We were outside in the warm January night
having burgers on the grill
chatting with the neighbors
A cackle heralded her joining
a war cry from the house
bursting outside,
around and around the yard
Boundless energy
of our littlest princess
Wild laughter in circles
where the snow should be

Burn it off, Girl!

January 5, 2007 21:25



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 19,070+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

No Running

Earnest, nodding heads
a trio of repentant souls
agreeing with the restated rule,
after cleaning the debris,
the drying eyes, the healing hurt
leg up on the pillow, ice pack in place
A hushed admonition
There will be no running
in this house, right Shanequa
Yes, Daddy.


January 5, 2007 21:20



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 19,070+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Frozen Corn

After the chaos, quiet
the cascade of injuries
quiet reflection on facts of life –
She cannot fly, and
thank God for frozen corn
and a clipped bag.
It is great for a bump
on her leg and for snacking

A welt growing on her five-year old leg
when she didn’t clear the table;
another on mom’s knee,
from the flying tumbler,
the shower of cola across the room
A third on dad’s foot
where the frozen lasagna landed
while searching for frozen corn

January 5, 2007 21:06


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 19,070+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Critical Minutes

Retracing steps, replaying in her mind
moments of the day, a Saturday
like all others that fall
and no other they ever knew
mete out the moments
task by task, child by child,
room by room, shards of time
Critical minutes, time matters
between guilt and accident
How decisions were made,
frozen, when the police arrived
with the news they didn’t want
lives changed, that instant

January 5, 2007 21:02


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 19,070+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Familiar Faces for a New Year

Smiles in the greetings, the easy feel
a family gathers, another night
of the Agape Café. Song and words
Stories, laughter, long pauses
of familiar voices.

Home again in the hall
cup of coffee in hand,
pen at the ready
finding voice again

January 6, 2007 20:39, second stanza 21:05


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 19,060+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Researching

Above the noise in the room below
the sound of the television, the game,
the laughter of our five-year old
entertaining herself alone
Looking for precedence, for the case on point
a winning parallel for my case
looking desperately, seeking
arguments in synonyms,
someone else who had gone before
blazed their way, before
Before the change in the law
Back when fertile ground remained,
when you could argue, fight
more services, more gain,
more balance, for them
seeing futures, opportunities
in the words of the law, regulations
mandatory authority
precedent, winning precedent,
elusive; but may be there still
for the tenacious.
Keep searching.

January 5, 2007 20:32


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 19,060+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Into the Fog

Pulling out of the lot
falling into the fog
enveloped by its stillness
its wet blanket
lost to the noise in the houses,
the people on the street

Lights on, with little effect
wiper blades needing replacement
too weak for the thin film
the hint of rain remaining

Melt into the night,
down the highway
lines, edges all muted
in the still wet night

January 5, 2007 20:26


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 19,060+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

A Constellation of Stars

Across the room
under sticky, greasy,
fresh fingerprints,
the static-held dust,
a constellation of stars
little white lights
of the Christmas tree
flickering, shimmering,
muted amber light
in the silent cathode tube

January 3, 2007 20:07


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 19,060+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Eating Edifice

Spots opened
without notice,
without attribution
the candies, elements
of the gingerbread house
disappeared
clapboards, gutters
shrubs, roof,
dismantled

Stealthy fingers
giggling eyes
sugary teeth
colored lips and tongue

Evidence
and conviction
elusive

January 3, 2007 19:51


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 19,060+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Refuted Facts

Ways to agreement
beyond the sparring
the minuet of debate
of advocacy, of winning
findings words
of compromise
uncontested claims
irrefutable facts
incontrovertible evidence
without malice
or capitulation
face-saving words
are illusory

or at least elusive

January 3, 2007 19:59

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 29,000+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Her Face in Prayer

Sitting on the couch
her head leaning on the arm
eyes closed, face lit
by the glow of incandescence
cares lifted, falling into prayer,
peaceful while waiting
for his words
musings to the creator
personal, reverent words
of hope, of faith,
in thanks, in love
and supplication

January 3, 2007 19:44


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 19,060+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Statement of Fact

An
unproven
fact
isn’t

A
fact

Allegation
assertion
contention

Is
not
fact


January 3, 2007 19:39

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 19,060+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

The Faces of the Wolf

a Wolf Moon on the rise
a feeling in the air, on the
roads, the attitudes
something different with
warm winds, southerly breeze
where cold should be
Disquiet in the difference
the pull of the moon
on us still

January 3, 2007 19:36

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 19,060+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Shades of

How do you capture
living, changing color
the shades of
sunset, across the dome,
the panorama, the full circle
catching sight of the horizon
between the buildings,
around the compass dial

Shades of lavender, of plum,
of lilac, of heather

Floral shades as the blue
becomes darker, as the yellow
fades, loses strength
dies before the night

January 3, 2007 19:31


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 19,060+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Rising and Falling

Rising and falling together
undulating across the sky
from left to right
out over the river,
just feet above me
rising and falling in unison
as if tethered
like points on a cotton sheet
flapping is a summer breeze
the geese heading southward
this warm December ‘morn
pulsing in the wind

January 3, 2007 19:26


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 19,060+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

WikiHow - The How-To Manual That Anyone Can Write or Edit

Saw this on the Google homepage -

http://www.wikihow.com/Main-Page

On the pages of the WikiHow, you can find such practical advice as:

"To prevent accidental bites, it is best to feed in a separate container. This way your snake does not associate your hand entering their home as feeding time every time you reach in. " on the page for How to Feed Frozen Rodents to a Snake (http://www.wikihow.com/Feed-Frozen-Rodents-to-a-Snake).

and:

"Don't overaccessorize" on the page for How to Put an Outfit Together.


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 19,060+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

What's Your Theological Worldview?

Wouldn't you know it, I got something right...

You scored as Evangelical Holiness/Wesleyan. You are an evangelical in the Wesleyan tradition. You believe that God's grace enables you to choose to believe in him, even though you yourself are totally depraved. The gift of the Holy Spirit gives you assurance of your salvation, and he also enables you to live the life of obedience to which God has called us. You are influenced heavly by John Wesley and the Methodists.

Evangelical Holiness/Wesleyan 82% Neo orthodox 79% Emergent/Postmodern 68% Charismatic/Pentecostal 64% Roman Catholic 64% Reformed Evangelical 50% Modern Liberal 50% Fundamentalist 21% Classical Liberal 21% What's Your Theological Worldview? http://quizfarm.com/test.php?q_id=43870

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 19,060+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Real Forgiveness

Forgiveness, pardon
were woven in words,
we could understand, appreciate,
bring home to our own hearts
reach empathy, equate, learn from them
for our own lives, imperatives left
to churn and prod us, to forgiveness
Lives interwoven by her words
examples and choices made,
how richer is our world
for that gift of knowing
in the telling of the stories,
of the models for living
in walking in his steps
whatever the consequence
of learning the balm
of forgiveness, ourselves
for our hearts,
for our servanthood
like him, not judging,
but healing, a broken world

December 31, 2006 13:59
Written about Colossians 3:12-17, used by
the Reverend Lori Eldredge, in her sermon,
“The Image of Christ“, in which she wove
the question of whether the world is
better off after the execution of Saddam Hussein,
the selflessness of President Gerald R. Ford’s pardon,
the test of forgiveness that Corrie Ten Bloom faced
as she described in The Hiding Place,
and the forgiveness of Jesus Christ and God.


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 19,060+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

A Formal Tie

Sugar cookies, candy canes,
Christmas trees, snow men,
stars, ginger bread men,
spirals, bells, all cartoon confections
festooned my newest tie
a special Christmas gift
bought for me to wear today
by the three angels in my life

Daddy, wear this, was their plea
How could I refuse?
So the tie for church was a bit less spiritual
but with more meaning this morning
wearing one given to me,
in love, by the same girls
cheering on my driving this morning
hitting six green lights
in a row on Canal Street
Go Daddy Go!
An auspicious start
to the last day of the year indeed

December 31, 2006 13:39


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 19,060+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Forgive Them

Forgive them, for they know not what they do
Words of the Savior
Whose birth we remember
just days ago; but whose example
is so much a part, of being his brothers,
sisters, joint heirs in the promise,
the salvation bought with his blood
Words of the babe, the son
said in a moment,
in a specific time and place
but universal, for us all
for our understanding, our grasping
of consequences of our action
far outstripped by his own
So forgive, always, for we have been told
to forgive, because
we all sin, all fall short,
all are guilty, all caused the breach
all need the grace, the forgiveness
Jesus spoke on the cross
That God granted
through the resurrection

December 31, 2006 13:14
Colossians 3:12-17 (especially 3:13), used by the
Reverend Lorene Eldredge today in her sermon,
made me think of Luke 23:34

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 29,160+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Neglectful Parents

How could they lose him,
he was only twelve,
not know he was with them?
Not know for a full day’s journey
assuming he was with family
No idea where he was,
frantically searching for four days
Finding him safe; but they didn’t know that
didn’t know he was safe in church
where he had stayed
while they didn’t know where
he was for five days

December 31, 2006 8:25
Luke 2:41-52
In today's world, this is probably how
it would be reported.


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 Whitening World

Snow continues to fall
young faces pressed against the windows
climb the back of the couch
dream of snowmen, castles,
a volcano of white
crunch of the packing snow in the alley
hint of white filling the treads
every tree a false birch
Calls for scarves, mittens, boots
pull the car sweeper
from the basement
A crown of white
out in the parking spaces
futile sweeping, a mere layer
a dusting returns
as I turn back to the start
A world in whitewash
as the snow continues to fall

December 30, 2006 13:32


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 19,830+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

I'm Spiderman

Okay, I don't normally do this; but ....

Your results: You are Spider-Man
You are intelligent, witty, a bit geeky and have great power and responsibility.

Spider-Man 70%
Hulk 65%
Catwoman 60%
Superman 55%

Which Superhero are you?
http://www.thesuperheroquiz.com/


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 19,060+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

A Spirit Inspired

Stumbled on this site, by Micah Noel. It looks promising.

http://a-spirit-inspired.blogspot.com/


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 19,830+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Snow in the Air

Snow in the air
long before the first flakes
started their long fall from the heavens
snow in the feel, the smell,
the texture of the air
feeling the falling barometer
the shift in the weather
Falling lightly at first, while
I stood at the sink,
mesmerized, watching
their dance downward
Go upstairs, roust the girls,
hear the excitement, the joy
at the first real snowfall
Accumulating white, flake by flake
on the ground, the cars,
still quiet snow, light and airy
a film of white, cell by cell
cleaning the world
in white

----------

edited December 15, 2015

Smell of Snow – v4

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2015/12/smell-of-snow-v4.html

(merging edits to version 3 and version 2)

edited December 9, 2015

Smell of Snow – v3

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2015/12/smell-of-snow-v3.html

(editing original)

Edited November 28, 2012

“Smell of Snow – v2”

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2012/11/smell-of-snow-v2.html

Friday, December 03, 2004 8:27

“Smell of Snow”

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2004/12/smell-of-snow.html 

and other poems

December 1, 2012

like sprinkled sugar

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2012/12/like-sprinkled-sugar.html

&

edited December 9, 2015

Snow in the Air – v6

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2015/12/snow-in-air-v6.html

(editing original)

edited November 27, 2015

Snow in the Air – v5

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2015/11/snow-in-air-v5.html

(merging edits to original and version 4)

edited November 22, 2015

Snow in the air – v4

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2015/11/snow-in-air-v4.html

(editing original)

Edited August 3, 2013

“Snow in the Air – v3

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2013/08/snow-in-air-v3.html

(editing original)

Edited September 20, 2012

“Snow in the Air – v2”

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2012/09/snow-in-air-v2.html

December 30, 2006 12:08

“Snow in the Air”

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2006/12/snow-in-air.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 40,670+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Epiphany

Imprimatur of royalty
with the solemnity of the giving
the opening of the treasure
the bowing before the babe
Holy king of whom the prophets foretold
the Son whose coming the star heralded
accept our gifts

December 30, 2006 8:44
Matthew 2:1-12

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 35,130+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Hooded Hangmen

A stark image on the screen
a cluster of hangmen,
black hoods, hiding their faces
the guilty unhooded,
ready to meet his fate
Hooded to hide from
assassination, retribution
in a land with a skim-coat
of laws, of order
a land in need of healing
of grafting the factions together
one people, one body
for together there is hope
separately only chaos
where the world is blind
from balancing the scales

December 30, 2006 8:39


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 19,830+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Descended like a Dove

Touched by the Holy Spirit
descending like a dove,
before the voice of God spoke
identifying him for all
All who would listen;
but first he was touched
a mantle added to his walk
the beginning of his journey
a yoke added; but the yoke
was as a dove, lightly perched
walking with him on his shoulder
Guiding and protecting him
before the intoning of the prophecy
the ministry to come after the testing
but now the wondrous sight
the moment of revelation
confirmation of the fulfillment
of the prophecy of old
when the spirit alighted,
down through the heavens
descended like a dove
onto our Savior

December 30, 2006 8:22
Matthew 3:16
Mark 1:10
Luke 3:21b-22

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 27,380+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Sealed by the Lord

The Lord was the one,
who saved him and his family
the animals, the birds, all creation
from wrath and flood, from the cleansing
the cleaning of the earth
They went according to his will
into the unknown, into the Ark
and were sealed in
by the Lord

December 30, 2006 8:10
Genesis 7:16
“And those who entered [the Ark], male and female of all flesh,
went is as God had commanded him [Noah]; and the Lord shut him in.”


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 19,050+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Christmas Continues

We had another day of Christmas
more family time, more presents,
another big meal, another house full
of squeals for new clothes, new toys
laughter of memories, of old stories
brought back, catching up with family
parents we don’t see that often
rekindling, renewing, enjoying company
Christmas continuing this year
for another day, would that it could,
in all its original glory, beyond
the twelve days, beyond Epiphany
into our every day, into our hearts
all year long

December 27, 2006 20:00


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 19,050+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

A Hug

A purposeful stride across the room,
a draping of a body across my shoulders,
as I write lines on the page, capture a thought
a legal argument, a bit of facts,
a set of arms wrapping around me,
always without asking, without warning
attempting to change my focus
away from my work, my purposes
Attention grabbing,
attuned to her needs, her timing,
against the grain of my schedule, my focus
attesting to her will, above all
a hug, a hug, my kingdom for a hug
at your service, Miss E


December 27, 2006 19:19



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 19,050+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Healing a Nation

That phrase, “healing a nation”
kept going through my mind this morning
thinking about the legacy, the model, the example
set by Gerald. R. Ford, the 38th President,
being a servant first, understanding perhaps
the cost, to him, of his decisions,
the decisions he made anyway,
closing two long painful chapters
in our nation’s history, two periods,
not of his making,
a Man of the House,
destined instead for the other end
of Pennsylvania Avenue
a different mantle, a different yoke
worn faithful, that is the measure of this man
who lost the Presidency;
by healing a nation

December 27, 2006 12:54
President Gerald R. Ford, 38th President of the United States
who died today at 93 year old, the only unelected President
in our nation's history.


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 19,050+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

A Few Hours of Rest

At the start of the day,
a few hours of rest,
without agenda or timeline,
without to do’s and phones
no computer, no files
full belly from brunch
a warm blanket on the couch
you in my arms
and the beauty of a nap
with you

December 26, 2006 20:46


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 19,050+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Christ-filled

A quick email to family, to friends,
deciding to use the phrase Christ-filled
knowing that not all would believe,
that some would question the inclusion
of that affirmation, that adjective
for Christmas, knowing that some are
not sure of the reality of the King,
of the goodness of God.

Using the words anyway, because I believe
that I want to share that bit of hope,
that language of promise, what we long for
a loving relationship with our brother
our savior, our God incarnate, now sitting
at the right hand of God, the Creator
waiting now for his appointed hour
to return and reap, to claim us for himself
to be our Advocate on the final day
when we will go home.

So I use the words, of faith, of the reason
we celebrate Christmas, not merely a
winter holiday; but the moment of grace
the gift of birth, the choice to live as we do
so long ago, in Bethlehem, in Eqypt,
in Nazareth, in service

December 26, 2006 20:40


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 19,050+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Video for our Christmas Eve service

The attached was the background for one of the Christmas Eve services at our church, as we did the Stations of Christmas... It was authored by zenpilgrim (http://zenpilgrim.blogspot.com/ ).

http://www.esnips.com/doc/166eb19b-1a4c-4a4f-a939-cd0d5f912fe3


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 19,050+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Christmas Dresses

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 19,040+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

A Five-Year Old Princess

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 19,040+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

A Dangerous Question

In my trade, you never are to ask these kinds of questions,
questions where you don’t know the answer,
those that can go horribly wrong, alert others to danger,
to culpability, to retribution, to a finding of guilt
No, you don’t ask those kind, their ilk; you avoid them

She knows too, in her line of work, her calling, to serve the Lord
that they are dangerous, unscripted, unnerving, all too prone
to grab the spotlight, grab the wheel or the rudder,
to pilot the plane, or at least her plan, into the ground

Yes, I am talking of a pastor and the children of the congregation
clustered within the expectancy of Christmas Eve, down in the chancel
for the impromptu questioning of a pastor, in “Children’s Time”
Maybe the title of that portion of the bulletin should give a hint,
or give pause; but not this morning

Maybe she felt safe with these children, not quite as secular as the maddening crowd
but they answered in kind, from the tip of the neon reality of Christmas all around.
“Who is coming tonight?” between the Advent wreath lighting and
the reading form Luke Chapter 1.
Naturally, the response was, _______________.
Go ahead, you can fill in the blank as well as I; It was the bearded one
not the swaddled babe in the manger, that was the first retort, almost in unison
With a bit of prompting, they came around; But
She asked again before the prayer, the benediction of the children’s time.
And, … , yes, it was Santa who was coming, once again.
And Jesus too. Thank God. Amen.

December 24, 2006 14:41

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 26,380+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Sensing His Presence

His mother’s voice
through his mother’s womb
gave away his presence, his nearness
his being, so close, so close
a life not yet breathing air
sensing another prenatal life
growing, living, already divine
already being prepared to sacrifice
one to announce and one to save
two cousins, on a preordained course
to change the face of humanity
greeting long before the Jordan
while yet in the wombs
of a virgin and an old barren soul
conceived miraculously,
two uncommon boys,
long hoped for,
over centuries
to fulfill a prophecy
a promise from God

December 24, 2006 14:27
Luke 1:39-56


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 19,040+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

A Leaf Fell

a shriveled, curled leaf
fluttered toward the ground
as I stood, still, watching its path
gliding, curling through the December air
falling toward me,
catching on my suit jacket
ever so briefly, falling further
to the ground, lost instantly in the leaves
already there, joining its brethren
in the passage from life to renewed life
in the turning over of itself to the earth

December 24, 2006 13:16
about a moment on 12/21/06 about 2pm


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 19,040+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Turning Five

No longer the same little girl
or is she, the same, really?
An impish grin, cunning, negotiating
a better deal for herself, the sisters
in a moment she is the same; but
running to the school house,
out of our hands
serious about her learning
clever in the repartee we banter
give and take, or isn’t that such a good idea
negotiating with a five year old
who holds more of the cards
than we like to admit
but whose fooling who,
as if we had a clue
of that growing girl
with the attitude
who now is a big
high five

December 23, 2006 22:26


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 19,040+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Princesses Galore

A house of princesses
greeted our three
on the return from the church,
the pageant practice a lost memory
as we pulled into the space, saw the door
and its allure
This was a place for princesses,
and I a mere coachmen
posters, and bows, ribbon and balloons
cake and signs, plates and tablecloths
the six princesses festooned every spot,
every jot, for the girls to see, to drink the
smell of princesses
for a five year old princess, and her older
sisters two, a friend, and adults too many
to name, to assist mom and
stay out of the way
It was her day, in regal glory
and fidgeting majesty

December 23, 2006 22:20


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 19,040+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Three Candles

Candles of Hope, of Faith, of Joy
burning bright, waiting for tomorrow
with the candle of Peace
only a few hours more to His candle
the light entering the world once more
the ritual lighting of the light
bringing the good news to hearts afresh, anew
telling the old story, reaching new hearts
young hearts, with eyes of wonder
drinking in the story of the baby come
to save our souls, all of us
in a manger bed

December 23, 2006 22:12


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 19,830+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Blogs of Note

Blogs of Note - Have their own page - http://blogsofnote.blogspot.com/

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 19,830+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Boston 1775

Check out the Blog of Note - Boston 1775 - http://boston1775.blogspot.com/


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 19,830+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Being Her Village

A family, coming together
to help him, cheer
send him support, love
But, the village,
extended family, friends
and more, must,
must hold her up, pick up the slack
share her load, her cares, her toil
so she too can achieve
succeed, excel
as we all desire

December 21, 2006 20:23


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 19,040+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Compromise

Tears of frustration
welling up, from deep down
down within the soul, a tremor
a quake in the psyche;
innate sense of self
lost however briefly in the parsed,
the stitched, woven words
of compromise

Is agreement better
with support
or fight to the last
which is the greater costs,
to decide, remember her choice,
not my own,
I the pen, the scribe,
the advocate still

December 21, 2006 13:17


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 19,830+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Cypher

A cipher, nullity, a phantom
stood before them
unknown and unacknowledged
time lost never to be regained
lives turned, away
Left adrift, unfulfilled
unmerited and unheralded
without reference or rudder
crashing on the hidden shoals
the unseen rocks, day by day
below the waves, the sands of time
an unrecognized face, a forgotten voice
only an echo of a specter remains

December 21, 2006 13:08



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 20,130+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Remembering This Sacred Day

Two years ago today
the day we wed
on the stone bridge
in the park
in the snow

A handful of friends,
our daughters, our God
and the cold wind

Your blue dress,
my snowflake tie,
a beautiful silk bouquet
out in God’s creation

Words we wrote together
given by You
to share

Holy scripture with deep meaning
From the Book of Ruth
for us, to read together
through the tears
Speaking your servant’s words

Two rings, a kiss, a toast
promises declared in covenant
sealing the moment
we wed

December 13, 2006 22:07,
edited and renamed 12/17/06 19:26
(during the Rejuvenation service)
December 17, 2004

                                                                   
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 30,920+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Around the Calendar We Go

Another year is about to begin
of a story that doesn’t grow old
of the way we met, the lives we left
the things we learned and we know

For you are my wife, the love of my life
the one with whom I’ll grow old

So these words are written for you
though they may only be a few
they share a tale of love and hope
found in our heads and our hearts
of the dream of a life without end
where we will be more than friends

Where we will walk with
the apostles of old
and we will ever be bold
To run to our brother and kneel
and thank him for what he had done
to give us a chance to live and to grow

So around the calendar we go
to wait and hope to the end
that the world will come to a close
and the glorious day will come
and we’ll bow and we will rise
when we too can look in his eyes
and thank him for his precious gift
of love and of grace

December 14, 2006 22:41

Around the Calendar We Go

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2006/12/around-calendar-we-go.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, 2015. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 37,230+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Ears Revel

Ears Revel
oh they sure do
at the utter joy
in her war cry
charging into battle
bucket in hand
ready for the onslaught
the drenching
But no fear, no worries
just sheer joy
and a blood cuddling yell!

December 14, 2006 22:26


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.

Eyes Marvel

at the wonder of creation
of the fingers of her hand
of the laugh in her smile
bubbles in the corners
of her cheeks
the smell of her changing
the starched newness
of her bib, her small
perfect outfit, still creases
from the store
perfect fingers,
furrowed brow
in slumber in the back yard
nine days home
their little daughter

December 14, 2006 22:23


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 19,830+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

minds wander

in the early morning fog
the bible verses ooze into my subconscious
bleed their message into my soul
bypassing my conscious self
not yet awake for conversation
for focused insights.
no these are the moments of slow
osmosis, across a more dense membrane
drinking in the nourishment
through a screen, into the tissue
behind the veil of sleep
not yet relinquishing my self
from its grasp

December 14, 2006 22:20

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 19,830+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

A Poet's Journal - Heart Quake

Check out Jim Claghorn's site - A Poet's Journal - Heart Quake, at http://jclaghorn.blogspot.com/


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 19,830+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

In a Manger Lay

In a Manger lay
the savior of the world
who came to die
so we would live
in a manger lay
the hope of all creation
the lord of every nation
in that manger lay
our servant king
who would feed the hungry
cure the lame, the blind
in a stable bed
he rested his weary head
and we are safer yet
because of all he said
The hope of all the ages
was watched by animal gazes
in that little manger

December 14, 2006 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. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 19,830+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Perfection is a Rose

A red, red rose,
posing in the vase on the counter
a reminder of the beauty of summer
of the smell of a full bouquet
the effortless, flawlessness
the perfection of a rose
supple petals, thorns to protect
even color, deep burgundy red
rich saturation of red
soothing red, passionate red
enshrined in the bloom
the bud opening in its glory
look at me!

December 14, 2006 21:59

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 18,710+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

God Came Again

The babe in the manger
was not the first time God
walked on the earth,
shared breath with creation, with man
It was the Garden, the holy garden
when God and Adam, and Eve
were together, able to see
and be seen, to feel the warmth
of God with them in person
before the fall, the shame,
the stain of the first sin
breaking the bond
the iniquity plain
Never the same
until the Father was the Son
and Jesus was born in Bethlehem

December 14, 2006 21:54


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 19,830+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Speaking with Power, Authority

Watching her eyes, in worship
as she preached from her heart,
not merely from the words she crafted
oh so carefully; watching her
watch the congregation, read their mood
their reaction to the hope, the exhortation
the call in the words she was given
urged to speak by our loving God
hearing the rush of adrenaline in
her rising voice, impassioned pleas
from deep within her soul,
grounded in the scripture, in a life
of reading, gleaning, sucking the marrow
from the old, old stories, the lives
of our forebears, the saints before us
woven all together, a tapestry
of power, of authority,
empathy, grounded in love,
in hope, in faith
as she stirs the congregation
from its slumber

December 14, 2006 21:28
about my wife preaching this summer
at the 8:00am services at our church


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 18,710+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Messages in the Wind

A quiet cold woods,

crunch of ice and snow

under the snowshoes,

hear the ski pole pierce the skin

of the layers of frozen ground

down through the white

slide silently as you can

moving effortlessly, seemingly

feel the tug on the muscles

the warm wool scarf,

above the turtleneck

lost in thought and reverence

out in the woods

listening carefully

for the message in

the whisper in the wind

December 14, 2006 21:21

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 27,390+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Under the Blanket

A wonderful Christmas
lies poised, ready,
wrapped and bowed
labeled and marked
a pile of presents,
separate paper for each one
hidden from view
out from the car,
into the basement
away from prying eyes
nimble fingers
hard shakes, and
subtle peeks
Need to wait
for the wonder
Christmas ‘morn

December 14, 2006 21:13

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 19,830+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

The Creativity Blog

http://thecreativityblog.blogspot.com/
Check it out when you get a chance.


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 19,830+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Remembering that Day

Two years almost gone by
of the day we wed
on the stone bridge
in the park
in the snow
A handful of friends,
our daughters
and the cold wind
Your blue dress,
my snowflake tie,
a beautiful silk bouquet
words we wrote together
to share
Scripture with deep meaning
for us, to read together
through the tears
Two rings, a kiss, a toast
sealing the moment
we wed

December 13, 2006 22:07
December 17, 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 19,020+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Taillight Soup

The clouds sank down
down to the pavement
between five and seven tonight
taillight soup, headlight soup
we were swimming in fog light soup
down the highway in a daze
watching for the dim light
down the road, in the distance


December 13, 2006 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 19,830+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Marsh Ice

A gray patina, a wash over the day
the colors of my vision
cold, waiting for December rain
rushes, ancient pine, marsh grasses
little tufts of dead life
amidst the frozen pools, dark centers
aerated edges of opaque ice, cracked
pulled away from the land
cold, December before winter
waiting for rain to chill the world further
gray coating over all, muting colors,
edges of objects, landscapes
marsh ice, wanting freezing

December 13, 2006 12:15


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 19,830+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

A Christmas Acrostic

Christ came into the world
Hear the good news
Rejoice that the Savior comes
Imagine the blessed scene
Sing His praises all the earth
That God came to that little place
May we be changed by the news
Amen and amen again, the
Savior lives


December 13, 2006 7:25



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 19,830+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Words I Needed to Hear

The Lord placed words in my heart
this morning in devotion, words
to sustain me, to guide me,
in the choices I have to make, in
leading the life he has laid out
for me, here, now
Help me Lord, to take comfort
in your words, see the path
you have laid out for me
and take it

December 13, 2006 7:01
Philippians 4:4-7 and Philippians 2:1-5,
in Alive Now and Upper Room

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 27,410+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

God Has Provided

Give us this day our daily bread
that line resonates so well for me, for my family
as we end the year, approach the Christ Child
on our knees in humble prayers of thanks
we have reaped the harvest of God’s good will
the bounty of our sustainer’s grace
humbly walking with the Spirit’s aid
so we can all serve where we are called
can touch lives in big and small ways
change for the better the realities we see
not bend or bow from the challenges
but fight for God’s will, the right
because God has provided
and always will

December 12, 2006 22:42


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 19,010+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Bringing Us Home

Two thousand years and more ago
God spoke to the prophet
told him “ I will bring you home”
what a wondrous promise, a hope
for us all, for those who follow the word,
the way of God, who hear the Master’s voice
faithful sheep of the flock, children of the promise
doing the work in the vineyard
until the time of the harvest,
the gathering in, the bringing home
when we can have our rest from toil
share in the family time, with our father,
our mother, our siblings beside us
those who like us, have kept the oil at the ready
remained awake for the coming
of the bridegroom,
ready to go to our home
just waiting for His return
and the final fulfillment
of the promise so long ago

December 12, 2006 22:30
Zephaniah 3:14-20


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 19,830+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Recent Visitors

One of the amazing things
in writing the poems, the posts
for this blog,
the numbers of lives touched
people who see the words
given to me,
spoken through me
sent out into the ether
the little tendrils of thought
Do they evoke feeling
on the other side of the world
in far off lands and time zones?
What a wondrous world
where prose poems gain wings
and flit around the globe
in the blink of an eye,
click of a mouse,
search string
and worldwide web

December 12, 2006
http://www.sitemeter.com/?a=stats&s=sm3lawstudent&r=79



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 19,010+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

She Did It Herself

A sick ten year old
thought of me, before herself
this afternoon, in the quiet of the house
knowing my need to work on cases, files,
to put the client before myself
She acted in kind, and got her own
seconds on the soup I made for her
shut off the timer, agreed with
her younger sister
on the show to watch
left the house quiet
so I could do my work,
not asking, demanding attention
doing it herself
as a gift to me
One I acknowledge then
and memorialize now
Nice job Erica
Thank you

December 12, 2006 22:10


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 19,010+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Oh What a Wonderful Feeling

Oh what a wonderful feeling
that God saved me
Me, yes me,
and all I had to do
was agree;
How about you?

December 11, 2006 22:17

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 30,880+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Meeting Him for a Reason

I shared a word of grace,
in the sanctuary last night
of a client who is seeking
looking to change her life
to find the means to turn
away from her past to see
another way, to find God
again to live his ways and
be who she knows she can
be. Finding strength within
the words, the living words
of the Psalms, of scripture
Unable to give her these
books, devotionals, tracks
I went in alone, to see her
in the cellblock, but I was
not alone, for he was there
in the waiting room, the
same Chaplain I spoke to
in his church last night to
be the hands I could not
be, the hands to carry that
hope to her, to place them
into her hands, give her
another lifeline. So she
can change that life for
good, for real, for God
and for her little girls

December 11, 2006 22:12



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 19,010+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Into the Water

Down he fell, trusting, falling backward
into the tank, immersed by the waves
down into the cleansing waters
of the baptismal pool
telling the people
this was his
way, his
choice
being
saved
He rose
out into the
congregation
joining family
newfound church
His place of belonging
Where he can drink the word
heed the call to service to action
to change in his life, be born anew
Reclaimed by the sustainer, redeemer
the living God, creator of all, savior of all


December 11, 2006 22:05


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 19,010+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

The Shining City

I saw a glimpse today
of the shining city on the hill,
the city with the streets of gold
high on the horizon on the mountainside
the sun a flaming ball perched there
with tongues of orange and yellow,
rich crimsons and purples on the hills,
the living clouds
as the sunset filled
my peripheral view
Seared into my memory
of the beauty of the moving color
the fleeting scene
before it fell behind the distant hills
melting into the darkening sky

December 11, 2006 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, 2013. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 26,950+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

PATRICIA

Pray without ceasing
Always trust in the Lord
Teach the children and grandchildren
Rely on God
Ignite your faith with prayer
Call on the better angels of our nature
In all things do them unto the Lord
Arm yourself with the Armor of God


December 10, 2006 21:50
by Ruth and Ray
for our mothers


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 19,830+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Nodding to the Sermons

I was swaying, nodding to the words
to the words of the pastors,
different styles, different books, different verses
but oh the richness in the meanings
the truths they were milking, gleaning from
your holy word, the bible, the Word
telling stories of men and women,
how lives were changed, how we are changed
by the saints who went before, who were
faithful stewards of the good news,
faithful followers, disciples for Christ

December 10, 2006 20:13

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 36,080+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Hold the Rope

Saul was held safe by the rope
attached to the basket
allowing him to live, to escape
to be the apostle Paul, the man
God used, transformed, the man
of God, who turned from his roots,
the sins of his persecution, became
the man God needed him to be
To go and evangelize, to lead
to lead others to God, to the
saving grace of Jesus Christ
Held safe by a rope, holding a basket,
lowering him down the wall
the city wall of Damascus
What if that rope had failed,
what if the people
holding the rope failed, let go,
grew weary
Praise God they did their job
did it well, to the best of their abilities
How much richer we are, how much
greater is the bounty he harvested
because they held the rope
That we hold it still
in his service
sowing the Gospel,
the Good News of Jesus Christ
the Risen Lord,
whose birth we again await

December 10, 2006 20:02
Acts 9:23-25
Inspired by the sermon tonight by David Carlson,
Pastor of Gospel Baptist Church, 456 Beech St.,
Manchester, 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 19,030+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Crèches

Our house, our home
blessed with more than one
a glass crèche, a solemn crèche,
a crèche of clay
waiting for the Christ child
on Christmas Day
Reminders, representations
of the holy story
of his holy birth
the parents, the animals,
the wise men, the shepherds
the star in the heavens
and the change here on earth
by the glory of his birth

December 10, 2006 15:11


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 19,050+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Visions of Christmas

We who sleep a little later,
ventured from our slumber
found a fairyland of Christmas
of trees, angels, villages, greens
and the feel of Christmas
throughout the house, making it
a home for our joy, our hope
in the Advent, the coming
of the Christ child

December 10, 2006 15:05

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 21,190+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Ornaments

One by one, lovingly,
Reverently, they came,
out of storage, out of their cocoons,
their safety, to be placed
ever so carefully on the tree
One by one, retelling their stories
of what life was like when they were bought
given, received, shared in the family
among treasured friends,
lovingly sharing the stories
the memories of Christmases past
and in the knowing that they would
be remembered in the future
from the telling,
the remembering

December 10, 2006 14:36


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 19,060+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Silence was the Remedy

Not a punishment, not in so many words
that wasn’t what Gabriel had in mind,
not in this case, unbelief was the problem
silence was the remedy.
Think of the change in a life of speaking
of preaching, of counsel, of verbal service
now having to listen, to think, to write
everything down, to say in writing
what was verbalized before; but not punishment,
not disability, this was a gift, a grafting
of gifts together, providing grace
for insight, for reflection, for listening
for deeper meanings, messages
preparing him to speak in wondrous ways,
to speak a prophecy of saving
for the whole people
made more profound
by his silence

December 10, 2006 14:15
Luke 1:5-23 and 1:57-79


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 19,010+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Talk about Expectations

Wow, thanks Dad, no pressure here
oh no, I can choose my own way,
decide what I want to do with my life
I can decide to be a fisherman, a landowner,
a shepherd, whatever I want to be. Not!
You told the world I was going to be a prophet
and not just a prophet, the prophet, the one
the one crying out in the wilderness, fulfilling
the prophecy of old, all those centuries before
that I would be the one to proclaim the healing
the good news before the coming of
the Messiah, the one to baptize in water
the cleansing before the baptism
of the spirit, the turning to God
in the message of the Christ
Fine, so it shall be


December 10, 2006 13:30
Luke 1:58-79


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 19,060+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

A Nine-Month Teachable Moment

Waiting for the birth, the coming of a miracle baby
the son he never believe would come, a son to redeem
would wipe away her shame, the son to bear his name
No, not this son; he was to be named John, a son
for another purpose, dedicated to God, to be God’s
voice in the wilderness; but not right away
He would come in due time, and his father waited
the people amazed, aware that something had happened
when their priest was silent, silent for all those months
not speaking in the Temple, not in the gate, not giving
comfort, relief, as his lot would normally be
No he was a silent priest, mute, listening, writing only

He spoke when the time was ripe, appointed by the Lord
when he needed to speak, when the words needed to be shared
when the people would marvel and be in awe
for the mute spoke, after nine long months,
not in small talk, not in greeting, not in common, routine matters
No, he spoke first, in prophecy, important words of comfort
of hope, of foretelling, of saving for the people,
in fulfillment of prophets of old, and his son’s yoke
to be a prophet to the people

December 10, 2006 12:52
Luke 1:58-79



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 19,060+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Prophecy Broke the Stillness

His name is John.
He will be the prophet we have been waiting for
the leader to tell the good news, that the Lord
the Christ, the Messiah is near!
What a revelation, what a reason to speak
what a marvelous occasion for celebration!
Spread the news, the silent have spoken
let the people rejoice!
The nations declare, the wait is over,
the Christ will come, the prophet
will prepare us, wait for us,
baptize us, make us clean,
ready to greet our Lord
and reap his goodness

December 10, 2006 12:45
Luke 1:5-23 and 1:57-79


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.