Amen

A message to the great I Am
Meant to praise and petition
Emotions in the raw
Needing a punctuation mark

February 17, 2007 14:00
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2007/02/amen.html

All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 30,830+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

John

Jesus more direct
Opaque no more
Hear his message
Now it’s on us

February 17, 2007 12:25



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.

Lamb

Lord God Almighty
Answer to a broken world
Mary’s child in the manger
Born to fulfill, for sacrifice

February 17, 2007 12:10


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

Dove

Descending from heaven
Onto the servant king
Veil lifted, in relationship with Him
Everyone is called

February 17, 2007 11:40


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

Your Final Day

A day not unlike today
pulling me back in time
to that fateful day
before the call
from the state police

Nor’ Easter, cold and urgent
gripped the state, the region
cold relentless snow, fell
or hurtled to the earth
covering in feet, not mere inches

Schools and work gave way
giving in to the force of the storm
the fury of its blast, before the
freezing rain fell,
on all too cleared roads
layer on layer it fell,
coating everything bare
in black ice

A tired man, after a long night
at his work, finished project
a day on the slopes,
car trouble after one last run

Down the interstate he flew,
tired and unaware,
to his destiny that night
on the black ice

February 14, 2007 17:10


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

1,100 poems

I have now reached 1,100 published poems on this site.


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.

Oh How I Love Her

She smiled at me,
with my bouquet of roses,
freshly brought
up from their hiding place
in the cold basement
hidden for a night,
to be ready for the morning
to share with my wife
on Valentine’s Day

Oh how I wish I had more
to give her, to show her
the depth of my love
the want for the best
for her each breath
of her day

Reading with joy,
the words of her card
to me, her friend, her husband
knowing the love she gave
in choosing the right one

Holding he so tight as we kissed
murmuring I love you’s
and Happy Valentine’s Day’s
in the still of the house
before the children awake

Quiet, precious time,
spent with her
My love


February 14, 2007 16:44


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

Another Milestone

She reached another milestone
another hurdle cleared
preparing herself for the next step
another moment of success
leading to the calling she feels
the affirmed calling
to ministry
She was admitted, accepted
called to get the good news
of admission to Seminary
to where the sandals, to prepare
to be the hands and feet, and voice,
of the master,
to begin the more formal steps
to go where others have led
learning with new insights
the ancient message
new voice, get ready to sing
drinking in the word
now that you have passed
another milestone


February 14, 2007 16:35


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.

It’s snowing now

It's snowing now
as I write this note.
Little temporal curtains of snow
like pages of paper which
materialize and disappear
into a thousand pixels
They go by along with
the snow showers,
almost horizontal at times,
puffs and pulses,
between the two tenements
little swirls of white.
dancing and falling
to the white below,
accumulating white
where the yard was yesterday
because of the lack of snow
this strange winter
a winter with the first snow
a Valentine’s Day Nor’ Easter
with snow and sleet, and freezing rain
along the coast
It’s snowing still, five hours
since the starting lines of the poem
Cold snow, all silent and white



February 14, 2007 16:29


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

Shanequa - 1st time using knife - last week

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.

Roses for Ruth

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.

Snow Hearts - made by Ruth, photo by Ray

Posted on WMUR website - images 80 and 81 of slideshow - http://www.wmur.com/slideshow/10999150/detail.html?qs=;s=1;p=/weather/;dm=ss;w=400

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.

Intelligent Insights on Intelligence Theories and Tests (aka IQ's Corner)

Check out this cool site on IQ stuff...

Intelligent Insights on Intelligence Theories and Tests (aka IQ's Corner)

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

Servant

Son of God, incarnate word
Eternal king, in human form
Ready to heal, to walk with the last, the least
Violent death, victory in his rising
At their feet to wash the dust
Nazareth home, rejected there
Taking our sin to the cross


February 9, 2007 22:30



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.

Sing

Spirit welling up within me
Inspire me to wonder
Now I am your voice
Give me the gifts to shine


February 8, 2007 15:14


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.

Ruth - acrostic 2

Rare special flower
Unique jewel here in my life
Trust me with your story, moment by moment
Heart of a servant, sing!



February 8, 2007 15:08


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

Heart

His words in my soul
Ever will I seek you
Armed with your gifts
Ready to serve
Tell me the way

February 8, 2007 15:04


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

Life

Live for today
Imagine your last
Fear of the Lord inform your choices
Eternal rest awaits


February 8, 2007 15:00


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

Torah

Thou shalt…
Our law writ large
Retold by Moses, by Aaron
A people set apart
Holy is His Name


February 8, 2007 14:54


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.

Fishermen

Found by the lakeshore
Impossible, unable, to catch fish
Showed a better way by the carpenter, the Lord
Heard his call to them
Evermore his disciples
Readied for service, by his example, his teaching
Meaning in the parables
Emboldened by the spirit
Now fishers of men


February 8, 2007 14:32


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.

Cross

Crown of thorns on his head
Rent his flesh with the spear, the nails
Only sinless man
Suffering for our sins
Set free from death, from the grave


February 8, 2007 14:26



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

Bible

Born in the mind of God
Infinite wisdom
Book of the word; hope for
Life
Everlasting

February 8, 2007 14:18


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.

When the Master Calls

When the Master calls,
will we heed his message
will we follow him
and be fishers of men?

Where ever he goes,
will we follow
where ever he leads us
through the wilderness
through places of war,
of oppression?

Who will go with him,
will we stand with him,
against injustice, against hate
against what is wrong in the world?

What will we say,
how will we answer,
when he asks us to pick up the yoke
to walk in his footsteps
to sacrifice and death,
death to self?

How will we answer,
when the water is waiting,
when he is standing out there
over deep water,
will we follow him,
up over the gunnels, out
over the water, as Peter did;
will we falter,
when the Master calls?

February 5, 2007 21:57

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

Moses

Made to see the burning bush
Ordered the Pharaoh to free his people
Slaves no more
Escape through the sea
Servant of God

February 5, 2007 21:42

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

David

Dear one of God
Anointed king of Israel
Victor over Goliath
In his adultery lost
Doomed by his children

February 5, 2007 21:37

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

Abraham

Abram was his name
Born to live childless
Ready to walk in faith
Aged father to Ishmael, Isaac
His offspring will be like the stars
All will call him father
May we all be so faithful

February 5, 2007 21:34

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

Daniel

Don’t bow down to other gods
Always pray to God
Never fear, for God is with you
Insightful counselor
Ever loyal servant
Lions don’t scare me

February 4, 2007 23:43
February 5, 2007 21:29

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.

Peter

Patriarch of the apostles
Eager to protect the master
Timid disciple
Exited the boat; walked on the Sea
Readied by Pentecost

February 4, 2007 23:45
Acts 2:1-21

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.

Empty Nets

How lucky they were,
these fishermen
when the nets were empty
what a turn of fortunes
from failure, to call by the Messiah
to walk in other footsteps,
to follow another path
to heed the master’s voice
and leave full nets
filling by following the master’s call,
the first time
Making the second so much easier
to following his call
to leave all and follow him

February 4, 2007 23:33
Luke 5:1-11

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

Three Years of this Blog

Poetry Where You Live is 3 years old today. There are now a total of 1,363 posts on the site, including a total of 1,082 of my original poetry.


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.

Holy Failure

He called it holy failure,
the moments of the disciples
failing to catch fish,
believing in the word of Jesus
doing his will, doing what he said
casting their nets again, unlikely results
from the suggestion of the carpenter
telling fisherman how to fish
reaping rewards, when their faith
overcame their doubts

February 4, 2007 15:50
Luke 5:1-11 and John 21:1-11
Based on the Sermon “Fishing”
by the Reverend Peter A. Hey
February 4, 2007,
Wesley United Methodist Church,
Concord, NH

From the desert to the Sea

He moved to ministry
Washed in the Jordan,
touched by the dove,
anointed by water,
the Word of God, the Father
ringing down from heaven above
Tested in the crucible,
the temptation,
hungry, in the desert,
the wilderness,
Choosing to serve, to suffer,
to minister, to fulfill
the prophets’ words.

From the desert to the Sea
The Sea of Galilee
To call fishermen,
to understand fishing anew,
a different catch, different nets
shown by the carpenter, the shepherd

Bringing in the human harvest
souls ready for saving
by the word of the Savior,
the work of the disciples
teaching his message
of hope, of faith, of love
of saving grace.


February 4, 2007 15:34
Luke 5:1-11, Luke 4


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.

Praying Luke 5:1-11

Dear God, creator of heaven and earth,
we thank you for this beautiful day,
for your gifts you heap on us each day,
for this time of holy fellowship
in your house, your church, for this time
to hear and respond to your word.

We join your first disciples,
with Peter, with James and John,
We pray that we would do as they did,
Heed your call to

Drop the net, the catch, the boats
leave them moored, or adrift
leave family, home, safety, comfort
responsibility, life as you knew it
drop it like a cast off cloak, a shawl
step away from everything
Leave it all
and follow me

Follow me, on my journey
my ministry, around the Sea
Galilee, your homeland,
no longer fishermen,
Now you will be fishers of men,
harvesters for the kingdom
of the good news,
the news of my coming,
my fulfillment, my mission
of service and saving
of spirit and law,
of water and the word
fishers of another sort
fishers of men
when you leave all
and follow me.

We come before your throne humbly,
knowing that we are but clay,
that we are too often satisfied with our comfort zone
too easily swayed by the traditional, the known
We struggle to move outside that realm,
to boldly go where you would have us go

There is so much more that needs to be done,
so much pain and loss and lost souls in this world
Help us to help them, we pray oh Lord

Help Us Lord, to hear your
call to us, members of your body,
your holy church universal,
to repent of our sins,
our prior lives, to leave all
and follow you.
To carry on the work
you began, to be like the
first disciples,
fishermen no more
Fishers of people
following Jesus, leaving
behind all they knew
to be true disciples, to make disciples

May we be open to your
message now for each of us

To cast our nets in deep
water, to reap a new harvest
a bounty of men and women
to God.

Amen.

February 3, 2007 13:58
February 4, 2007 13:35
Luke 5:1-11, Mark 1:16-20, Matthew 4:18-22
Two poems joined – “Leave All” and “And Follow Me”,
restated in prayer for the Rejuvenation service tonight,
Wesley United Methodist Church, Concord, 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 19,120+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

A Mother’s Prayer

A mother’s prayer
for her child, for her children
for healing, for grace
for the pain she carries
to be lifted from her weary shoulders
to breath free, without weight
hanging, pulling her down
to see a change, a renewal
a mending of the tears,
the frayed edges of existence
of the interrupted aspects,
the missing pieces of her life
after disruptions and displacement
rebuke, and distance
A change of course, in the offing
in the near future, hopeful still
in the God who has listened,
heeded her call before

July 30, 2006
February 3, 2007 22:07


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 20,780+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

A daughter’s prayer

A daughter’s prayer,
for a best friend,
a hurting soul, torn apart
staggered by the punches
the body blows, gut shots
wanting to join the fight
to step between the blasts
and her weary body
unable to intervene, to step between
at those moments, in the breach
waiting instead, for time,
for reflection, for discernment
in quiet moments
with her, with the creator
listening for the still, small voice
for the answers to these prayers
for one who means so much
loved without thought
cared for to the last
hurting still

July 30, 2006
February 3, 2007 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 20,780+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Sustainer

Support in times of trial
Unquenchable fire
Selfless sacrifice for us
Teacher of the sheep
Anointed one
Indwelling dove
Never giving up hope
Ever loving, even when we stray
Redeemer of the last, the least, the lost, all of us

Started January 29, 2007 22:29
February 2, 2007 22:02
February 3, 2007 22:01

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 19,090+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Prince Of Peace

Prayers on the mountain
Righteous voice for the poor, the oppressed
Incarnate God, suffering servant
Nazarene man, loving savior
Creation witness
Eternal brother, sitting in heaven

Over all the kings, may you reign on high
Forever will heaven and earth bow to you

Protect us from our sin
Erase the stain away
A table before us set
Cup and bread of your body
Endless love of God

January 29, 2007 22:31
February 3, 2007 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 19,090+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Noah's Ark site

See http://noahsark.gotop100.com/in.php?ref=277


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 19,090+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Joseph

Jesus’ stepfather
Ordained to raise a king
Son of David
Everyman
Put in an untenable place
Husband of the virgin mother

February 3, 2007 11:10, 20:04

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 19,090+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Leave All

Drop the net, the catch, the boats
leave them moored, or adrift
leave family, home, safety, comfort
responsibility, life as you knew it
drop it like a cast off cloak, a shawl
step away from everything
Leave it all
and follow me

February 3, 2007 13:58
Luke 5:1-11, Mark 1:16-20, Matthew 4:18-22
one of two poems linked by the last line of this one
and the title of the next one And Follow Me


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 19,090+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

And Follow Me

Follow me, on my journey

my ministry, around the Sea

Galilee, your homeland,

no longer fishermen,

Now you will be fishers of men,

harvesters for the kingdom

of the good news,

the news of my coming,

my fulfillment, my mission

of service and saving

of spirit and law,

of water and the word

fishers of another sort

fishers of men

when you leave all

and follow me.

February 3, 2007 14:02

Luke 5:1-11, Mark 1:16-20, Matthew 4:18-22

one of two poems linked by the title of this one

to the last line of the previous one, Leave All

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 19,090+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Disciple

Doing the master’s word
Indwelling spirit
Servant to our neighbors
Called by the savior
Inspired by the saints before us
Paul led the way
Lord look down on us
Ever hear our prayers

February 2, 2007 22:11


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 19,090+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Creator

Chaos reigned before
Ruler of the cosmos
Eden was our home
Adam ate from the apple
The world was changed forever
Only you could save us
Rise oh Lord on high

Started 1/29/07 22:29
February 2, 2007 22:08


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 19,090+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Risen Lord

Redeemed by his blood
Immortal savior
Sacrifice to save
Eternal victory
Never to die again

Look down on your sheep
Order the harvesters to come
Reclaim your people
Day of Jubilee, Come!

January 29, 2007 22:32
February 2, 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. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 19,090+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

King

King of creation
In his imagination created
Never to be upstaged
God almighty

January 29, 2007 22:32
February 2, 2007 21:50


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 19,090+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Gospels

Good news of the living Savior
Only for the few to understand
Servanthood for the faithful
Peter, John and James left their boats
Epiphany and sacrifice
Lessons of the untainted one
Sins paid for all

Started January 29, 2007 22:34
February 1, 2007 20:33


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 19,090+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Canoeing

Carving through the waters
All is at peace
Nature all around me
One with the paddle, with the water
Echoes of the dripping as I feather the blade
Inner calm washes over me
Night or day the same
Gifts of the creator all around

Started January 29, 2007 22:38
February 1, 2007


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.

God

Giver of life
Omniscient, omnipresent
Deity above all others

Started January 29, 2007 22:30
February 1, 2007 21:17

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 19,090+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Genesis

Garden of Eden
Everything was born new
Noah and the flood
Emblem of the rainbow
Sins of brothers
Isaac of the promise
Story of our start

Started January 29, 2007 22:33
February 1, 2007 20:29

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 19,090+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Mary

Mother of our risen Lord
Angels told her the news
Responding to the call
YHWH in her womb

February 1, 2007 20:25


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 19,090+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Savior

Servant
Anointed
Victor over death
In the flesh on earth
Over all kingdoms
Redeemer of us all

Started January 29, 2007 22:30
February 1, 2007 20:36

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 25,250+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Acrostics

Alphabetic writing
Coming alive on the page
Reading the meaning in the letters
Overcoming the mundane language
Seeing the possibilities in symbols
Trying new things for the art
Intricate lines of distraction
Cause the mind to dabble
Stirring other attempts

January 29, 2007 22:37

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 19,090+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Prophet

Proclaim the truth to the people
Refuse to bow to the common will
Only speak the word of God
Pray for guidance from the Almighty
Heed your call to action, to prophesy
Ever be vigilant to the whispers of God’s voice
Turn away from sin and toward your Creator


January 29, 2007 22:19
An acrostic poem


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 19,090+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Acrostics for Children

Check out this site. Looks like great examples and portals to lots more.

http://www.holycross.edu/departments/socant/dhummon/acrostics/acrostics.html

Professor Hummon, who maintains the site, wrote the book, "Animal Acrostics"
http://www.holycross.edu/departments/socant/dhummon/acrostics/anacros.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 19,090+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

The Greatest is Love

The Greatest is Love

Words of love, agape love,
told to a hand, a foot, an ear,
those with prophesy, with tongues
to share, to preach, to impart wisdom
but with love, for one another,
love grounded in love of Christ,
the body, the church
parts, stitched together
by the one love of God,
wanting to be the feet, the hands
the voice of the brother
in the world today, as was true then
when Corinth needed mending,
when words of hurt, needed lessons
of agape love, unselfish,
unguarded, unilateral love
love like the gift of God’s grace
given freely, without recompense
unbalanced scales, of love

January 28, 2007
1 Corinthians 13:1-13
1 Corinthians 12:13-
1 Corinthians 12:1-12
Matthew 22:36-40,
explains why Love is the greatest


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 19,090+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Touching His Mouth

A prophet, by the hand of God
touching his mouth, his lips
putting His words into Jeremiah’s mouth
Literally, commissioned physically
imparted by touch
the words of God, given
directly, personally, imparted
by a human touch
from our heavenly king


January 28, 2007 18:15
Jeremiah 1:4-10


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 19,090+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Labels added - part 2

I have added labels to 550+ of the poems so far. The labels include separate ones for 25 books of the bible, so far.

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 19,090+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Would You Marry Me, Again

If you would say yes to my plea,
my prayer, on bended knee
I would marry you again, joyfully
for you are the reason I rise in the morning
my partner, my friend, sharing our lives
the paths we walk together, to become one body
joined by God for purposes becoming known.

Known first to God but yielding to discernment
to gathered whispers of your still small voice.

Oh I would marry you again, for your abiding love
for me, for your boundless faith in me
believing in me more than I do, still.

Yes I would desire to marry you once more
for your gifts, your passions, for your
inner beauty, even more fair than your
outward beauty, a beautiful soul wrapped
in your golden package, pleasing to the heart
and to the eye; for your grit and determination
to move forward, boldly, despite obstacles and pain.

Oh please, marry me again, so I could feel my
wet tears down my cheeks again joyfully
declaring my love, my covenant in sacrament,
to God and his children, our children, growing
in faith themselves. To share again the story
of our meeting, our slow and ponderous courtship,
the long days before we joined in marriage, long
only because God married us with our first kiss.

I would marry you once more, in a skipped heartbeat,
for our intimacy, for the joining of our bodies,
the touching of our skin, our lips, for the
rapture I feel in your arms and you in mine,
holding you close to me, never wanting to part;
for the quickening of my heart when I see you
on returning home or even on the phone, I would
marry you again.

I would marry you again, to help you raise our
daughters, three immeasurable treasures, gifts,
from God held by us to nurture, to love, to teach
to bring close to God each day, by the things
we say, the things we do, modeling lives of
service for them.

I would want to marry you again, to share
your joys, your sorrows, your trials, to
lend a hand to your work in this life, to
be your champion, your cheerleader, your
confidante, your husband, seeking the best
for you to the extent I am able. Trying my best
to be worthy of the gift of you.

January 20, 2007 5:40


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 19,090+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

I Forgive You

I want the best for you, only the best
that you would have an easy time in life
knowing the love, the care, the trust you desire
the close relationship with friends, with family
with your God, your Savior
knowing that when you speak you are believed
that there is no doubt, no hesitation
that you are valued, forgiven

I forgive you
for the moment of untruth,
the telling of the lie.

Cement to set the breach, the break
to seal the gap
to get us there again
when we hear your words
and believe.

Just as our Savior
forgives us all,
for our every sin, every breach
for the nails we made him wear.

Just as he told us to do
Seventy times seven.

January 20, 2007 17:11
Matthew 18:22


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 19,090+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Leaves of Ice

A rhododendron bush
after the ice storm
evolving marvels
leaves of ice
mirror echoes
of the green below
separating, new growth
as the air warms
in the winter sun
regal leaves of ice
glassmaker’s envy
of the perfection
in water, frozen in the cold
held by stems of,
branches of ice

January 20, 2007 5:06


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 19,090+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Frozen Bloom

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 19,090+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Icy Storm - 1/15/07

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 19,090+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Dirty Water

“The Jordan River is muddy and cold,
chills the body but not the soul”,
or so said our songs in our youth;
but more, it was the right place
the right place in the wilderness
for John’s strong voice,
for the chosen people,
for the fulfillment,
the passage,
the beginning of the journey
of our Savior
in ministry
to this broken world

It was the place for the people
the bridge, the passageway
from Exodus to the promised land
from the ways of their past
to new life after the cleansing,
the washing away of the old
the infusing of the spirit
The turning from doubt,
that kept them in the wilderness
that brought them home
that brings us home still
through the water

January 14, 2007 14:09
Luke 3:15-22
Inspired by the sermon, “The Jordan is More Than Water”, by The Reverend Peter A. Hey, Wesley United Methodist Church, 1/14/07

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 19,090+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

While in Prayer

In prayer, Jesus was touched
by the physical manifestation of
the Spirit of God, the Holy Spirit
the other end of the trinity
found him in prayer,
understanding this was the moment
when temptation might lead him
astray, away from his journey
his reason for living,
for having human form,
life breathed into him
Found paused in prayer,

January 14, 2007 14:03
Luke 3:15-22
Inspired by the sermon, “The Jordan is More Than Water”, by The Reverend Peter A. Hey, Wesley United Methodist Church, 1/14/07


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 19,090+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

In Bodily Form

We, the heirs, the brothers and sisters
are to be as the dove,
to land bodily on the saved, to baptize
to be the spirit, manifested today
in human form, spreading God’s love
the word of God, the good news
of redemption, of grace
of the washing away of sin
being made whole, clean,
pure, light to the nations
in bodily form

January 14, 2007 14:01
Luke 3:15-22
Inspired by the sermon, “The Jordan is More Than Water”, by The Reverend Peter A. Hey, Wesley United Methodist Church, 1/14/07

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 19,090+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

After the Baptism

The instant, the moment, the second
he was baptized, touched by the spirit,
he began, using the gifts, he had all along
the silent years of his life, those without word
those never written down
A second career move, brought by water
by the indwelling of the spirit
landing on him as a dove, bodily
the light weight of it still a weight
the adding of a burden, a mantle, a yoke
calling him to begin his ministry, his work in the world
Ready to use the gifts he was given
as are we, his disciples, his followers,
his brothers and sisters
fellows in his ministry
using our gifts as they are
to spread the good news
to make more disciples

January 14, 2007 13:57
Luke 3:15-22
Inspired by the sermon, “The Jordan is More Than Water”, by The Reverend Peter A. Hey, Wesley United Methodist Church, 1/14/07
and 1 Corinthians 12:1-11


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 19,090+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

8 Postings from the Revised Common Lectionary for February 4, 2007

Eight of the nine poems I wrote last night, which are included below, are all from the lectionary for the week ending February 4, 2007, as posted on the United Methodist Church General Board of Discipleship - http://www.gbod.org/worship/lectionary/

February 4, 2007 [Green]
Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany
Isaiah 6:1-13
Psalm 138 (UMH 853)
1 Corinthians 15:1-11
Luke 5:1-11


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

Arguing Clay

A cracked bowl, still on the wheel
negotiating with the potter
to save him, take pity
through clever argument
trying to get reprieve
to live, even if flawed

January 12, 2007 22:29
Psalm 138

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 22,950+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Do Not Forsake Me

We are God’s and His alone
from creation to this very instant
the moment I write these lines
words on the page;
the second you are reading
these thoughts pulled
from the thread of time
the wheel of creation
The psalmist’s plea our own
that the Creator, the potter,
would not forsake me or you
a work of his hands.

January 12, 2007 22:24
Psalm 138


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.

Proofs

A legal argument, brick by brick, in
Testimony from many witnesses
those who knew him,
his blood, his kin,
named witnesses,
an eyewitness, first hand
without hearsay
asserting the truth of the matter
that Jesus Christ
was the Messiah
was raised
from the grave
the first fruits of resurrection

January 12, 2007 22:14
1 Corinthians 15:1-11 (and 12-58)


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.

Rotten Fish

Boats left on the shore
holds full of the bounteous catch
Abandoned where they came in
Leaving their harvest
for bigger game
You, you shall be
fishers of men
disciples of the shepherd

January 12, 2007 22:07
Luke 5:1-11


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

How Long?

How Long Lord
must my people wander
How long Lord
will we be in exile
How long Lord
will the land be empty
How long Lord
before we are redeemed
How long Lord
until we have atoned
How long Lord
before the stump
becomes a shoot,
a mighty oak
once more
How long Lord?
How long?

January 12, 2007 21:49
Isaiah 6:11-13


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

Burned Away

A live coal in the grasp
of a six-winged seraph
a burning ember of
a sacrifice
touched to the seer’s lips
sin scorched away
so truth could pour forth
untainted and pure
for the nation of God

January 12, 2007 21:00
Isaiah 6:6-7


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

"Here I Am; send me!"

A prophet answering
the direct call to action
by the Lord God Jehovah
to bring truth to the people
foretell a trial they must face
Whom shall I send?
Here I am; send me!

January 12, 2007 20:50
Isaiah 6:8b


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.

The Hem of the Robe

Like shafts of light, woven together;
sheets of flowing luminous light
like a wall of falling water
a curtain of silent thundering rain
so must the hem of his robe have been
filling His Temple on earth
flowing down from his heavenly throne
down from high above
filling the temple with light

January 12, 2007 20:40
Isaiah 6:1-4

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.

He said, “Come.”

Heeding the simple command
of his Master’s voice
instinctively, reflexively
without thought or doubt
stepping out in faith

Being the servant, doing the impossible
walking on water, the skin,
the wet, liquid water of the sea;

maybe feeling the waves lapping
washing over his sandals
dusty no more from their journey
disciples in his ministry

Bold strides before the magic spell broke
the bubble burst in a gust of wind,
other sounds besides the Master’s voice

A human sinking
in need of saving.

January 12, 2007 20:07
Matthew 14:29a


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.

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.