Saturday, April 23, 2011

Easter Acrostic

"Easter Acrostic"

This is an Easter poem written in the acrostic form which I signed away the rights to (so I can't repost it here, but I can share the link!)

Monday, April 18, 2011

Palm Sunday

Palm Sunday
(Elation)

Behind, in the hot distance,
in dust and haze,
a mystery-cloaked cloud approaches,
a playful meander
breaking the monotony of day.

The anticipation of something special
catches the pulse and breath of pilgrim souls
on the road to celebration.
Whispers grow to discussion,
opinion to argument,
theories fleet between mouths and ears.
A dignitary on his way to the feast….
A groom going to a wedding……
A prince comes…….
All forward trudging stops -
expectant voyeurs,
glad for the chance to rest,
turn their weary bodies
to view the distant disturbance.
Children look up, their enquiring glances
piercing parental armour,
breaching their ignorance:
answers hidden in that veiling distance.

No music escapes the approaching cloud,
no prelude clue to a wedding party,
nor mournful wails precede the dust,
no funeric suffering or life-engulfing loss.

Occasional gasps ripple the lookers-on,
sidelined and puzzled.
Prophetic words begin bubbling
through grey remembrances
in uncoordinated trickles.

Palm leaf fans keep the heat at bay
as, foot-weary, they stand and stare
into the distance, into the past.

Someone glimpses a colt
fading in and out
of the approaching cloud.
Another makes an association,
begins a mental journey through scrolls,
half forgotten temple arguments.
A donkey, a king, Jerusalem,
meeting, melting, intertwining.
History, legend, prophecy, melding:
a whirlpool of delight and fear.

Discussions become awed whispers.
Palm leaf fans drop – early Autumn
coming upon that dusty pathway.

Glimpses become sightings
unencumbered by the fatigue
that dogs other pilgrim marchers.
Half-heard phrases Chinese-whisper the roadside.
Noise becomes words, become shouted greetings:

“Praise to David’s Son”, psalmist’s words,
its speaker’s thoughts finding voice
in trembling recognition and surprise.

The party passes by,
and the sea of souls parts before its riding figure
taking their cues and echoing words

“Bless him who comes in the name of the Lord” ,
a clamour of “Hosanna”.

Each excited voice adding adrenalin
and volume,
accelerating the expectation,
the puzzlement, the wonder.

A prince rides into Jerusalem,
a groom comes for his bride;
this excited festival crescendos
in a swell that storms the gates of heaven
and will shatter the doors of hell.


NB this is one of the poems in the 'journey through Easter' section of my book 'in moments like these'
Read more: http://wordsculptures-keith.blogspot.com/

Friday, April 15, 2011

Sestina: The Son, the Cross and Glory

God the Father sent His Son, through whom we are forgiven.
Yet man, preferring darkness chose
To shun the light and hence from heaven driven.
Oh the crimson price from Him that flowed
To purchase man’s redemption and be risen
That we with Him, victorious arose.

The life of Christ is vain, had He not arose.
The Father’s chief ambition: that we be forgiven!
The glory of the Cross is: He has risen!
Sin’s penalty is broken when men chose
To come and in repentance kneel where mercy flowed.
His invitation ever hails where nails were driven.

Oh His love for sinners; those for whom He’s driven.
Christ, the Lamb of God who from His throne arose
To come and to redeem us, what grace from heaven flowed.
Jesus is the “gift” for the forgiven.
Our faith is predicated on the life He chose:
To reject Him, one is lost; to receive Him, one has risen.

It is at the Cross, where new life has risen.
Condemnation, guilt and strife away are driven.
If in defiance, one rejected Him and chose
To turn and walk from Jesus who arose,
Then there is not a way to be forgiven.
The well of living water’s where all pardon flowed.

The glory of the Cross; where mercy flowed!
The story never wanes on heavens risen.
These understand the gift of the forgiven.
For love of Him, to his feet they’re driven.
These rose anew because this One arose.
It is all through faith in Christ, that saints had chose.

Call upon the Lord, you will see that when you chose
To ask Him for forgiveness, sin’s hold away had flowed.
Easter’s glory is not death; it is when the Son arose.
It’s in salvation, new creations, destined to be risen!
While we battle with our sin, Christians all the more are driven
To magnify our Lord, and to relish in “forgiven.”

Rejoice all you who chose the One who’s risen.
Where in flowed the life and out death’s driven.
The Son arose, that you may be forgiven.

By TSV

Acts 4:12 “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”

Thursday, April 14, 2011

Poem: Evening Sky

Gazing into a starry night,
I see a deep indigo sky
with perfect placement of twinkling light.
Stars reveal the expanse of time
from before the birth of humanity;
their existence came from dynamic energy
which was created by spoken word
that no man has ever heard.
Solitary spirit of awesome might
painted this heavenly canvas
with a flick of His hand and uttered thought.
Divine creation shared with you and me -
It's part of our heritage and His eternal legacy.




----------------------------
From my book: Reaching Towards His Unbounded Glory
The ISBN is: 1-4196-5051-3

Learn more about me and my poetry at:
http://www.squidoo.com/book-isbn-1419650513/

Poem: Avoiding Hell?

Have you sealed your fate
with the rejection of Him?
Accept Christ now
before your life wears thin.

For in permanent separation
there's no God or peace -
Only continual torment and anguish
without any comfort or release.

Alone in the dark
as fallen angels without light,
you too will become a demon creature
lacking hope of spiritual sight.

Forget about Purgatory,
but make a decision today -
avoiding Hell can be done,
for Christ is the Life, Truth and Way.


------------------------------
Learn more about me and my poetry at:
http://www.squidoo.com/book-isbn-1419650513/

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Forgiveness is the Key


To be forgiven, you must forgive.
Christ shows us, this is how we must live.
There will be bumps on the road of life,
when relationships are filled with strife.

Maybe someone has offended you.
They may not even have a clue.
Do you become bitter and hold a grudge
or the intentions of their heart judge?

Forgiveness in relationships the key
to restore peace which sets you free.
Free from a bitter and weary heart,
grace to another soul to impart.

Christ is our example to follow.
In self-pity don't ever wallow.
Pass on the precious gift of grace
as forgiveness and love you embrace.


Judy Wood

Monday, April 11, 2011

Easter & Spring Poetry

Easter is coming up! I hope some of you have some Easter and Spring poetry to share!