Beknownst

Time devours all things
In its forward mystery;
What it leaves behind
No one can wrestle from it
To alter, much less retrieve.

This time – a present –
Written upon every life
Turning the lush soil,
Allowing bountiful growth
Sharing LOVE in all moments.

Future hides its face,
Body pressing on drawn drapes
Breaking through the gaps,
Bringing breathtaking wonder
Beauty engulfing the spheres.

Each minute, hour, day
Is become, owned, shaped, written
For progress, helping
LOVE’s universality
Before nature fades away.

© Jo Ann J. A. Jordan

Prompt: As you read, pick out a concept and create something that expands the thought. Any form of art or wordsmithing is appropriate.

Eschew/Renew

We sketch our lives in
Invisible ink on these walls
Of air, earth, fire, flesh;
We pass like roses, beauty,
Only present a short while.
Our hands busy, selves,
Creating foundations for
Futures never ours,
Generations we offer
Our best gifts, accomplishments.
Now, we sing against
Doubt, fear, insecurity –
Fighting shadow blight
Where the fruit will flourish, brave,
In gardens of delight, saved
From degradations,
We erase with consistent
Labor over years
Paying in earnest, never
Letting faith, hope, slip away.
Love, our guiding light
Though we fade in brightest glare,
Almost completely
Unknown, contributing hearts
To lives, we wish to see free.
Words cannot bring
Every dream into being,
But speaking, a tool,
Purpose-built to encourage
Change within lives reached, inspired.
Plentiful, we, examples
Scattered over time, what minds
Mend, creating more sublime,
Love, part an art, taught hands-on
Driving history toward grace
Still, counting every life, face,
A precious gift to embrace,
With confidence, each person
Has meaning, purpose, reason,
Position in time and space.

Opening the Heart Door

Journal Page with Tanka, Poem, and Illustration
© Jo Ann J. A. Jordan

There are times when showing how things germinate and become seem essential to share. The above is a journal page. I think we all need to know that however our process works, it is okay.

Creativity can be messy. It can also travel in lots of directions to get to an end, and even then, we may wonder what we have. Learning to trust ourselves in our media is why I feel working every day is most important. Even when insecurity and doubt assail us, doing what we love is a refuge and something we cannot give up.

Prompt: Share something you are working on creatively, even if you feel it is still rough around the edges.

Gratitude:
I got up today to sunshine and opportunity.
I found some cool guitar jams.
My workstation.
I have great tools.
Sodas.

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All work on Chronicles and Haphazard Creative are © Jo Ann J. A. Jordan. If you wish to share or use something I have created, please give credit and let me know so I can celebrate.

Adding Up

Did you stop to hear the bird sing,
See the beauty of a rose,
Wonder at the singularity of humans,
Have your face licked by a dog?
Do you know with these things
Beloved, God pours out His love?
He counts you precious treasure
And has filled life with His riches,
You are the child He smiles upon
Be confident in the Savior’s heart
You exist with infinite worth.

Exemplars

One feels excessive
When ignored,
Like a used paper cup
Washed against a clog
Blocking a storm drain
Which will finish its
Descent with an outburst
Of rain and a thunderclap
Causing tender ears pain.

Who we are is a blessing,
For we tumble like rocks
In a polishing canister
Until our sharp edges curve,
Beautiful colors gleam,
On our smooth surfaces,
After time expended in
Bringing us through study,
Toil, trouble, to inspiration.

None is expendable,
Gifts arranged like jewelry,
In a showcase accrued
Throughout hours become
Profitable, years when those
Who dream unfettered, sparkle
Like platinum starburst,
Proving love is the attribute
Most attractive and affirming.