Four Pre COVID-19 Poems

The first poem was inspired by several books on how keeping things inside robs not only you, but those whom you love. The second poem was inspired by our oldest son when he was four years old – I am not sure whether the metaphor portrays what I wanted to hear, but, I have to admit, is probably very accurate. The third poem summarizes a powerful sermon we heard at Sea Island, Georgia earlier this year. And finally, the short forth poems attempts to encapsulate one of the great paradoxes that all religions contain.

The Shattered Shell 1.11.20
 
In this moment
My fragile shell Shatters
Letting the stuff inside
Spill out and out
 
I emote
From my chest 
From my soul
And Peace enters
 
Constructed by me
To keep things out
It protected me 
And helped me survive
 
But that same shell
Kept wonderful things inside
That I now share
Like drops of tears 
 
 
 
Mommies Are Like Rain 1.13.20
 
He is Four Years Old
A Thunderstorm 
Comes During the Night
And he awakens
 
The Next Morning
Full of Wonder and Curiosity
He Questions His Mother 
And She Responds
 
He is Silent with Furrowed Brow
After a moment he Exclaims
“Mommies Are Like Rain
And Daddies Are Like Thunderstorms!”
 
 
A Sea Island Sermon 1.26.20
 
In a little chapel
On Sea Island
A humble army chaplain
Preaches on servant leadership
 
We sing Amazing Grace
We read 2nd Corinthians 
John Newton wasn’t qualified 
But are any of us qualified?
 
But ordinary people 
Do extraordinary things
Because the grace of Jesus
Makes us all qualified
 
Qualified to minister 
not only through words
But, also through actions 
And through our responses
 
Instead of playing the victim
By lamenting our circumstances
We can minister to others
By overcoming our circumstances
 
 
 
The Long Commitment 2.10.20
 
We crave instant gratification
But God demands patience
We see a long commitment
But God sees living in the moment
 
Through our trials and tribulations
We are encouraged to embrace grace
And to accept that Life is difficult
And thus, life becomes easier