Moments Paid

A few things I lost
Along my wild rambling way
No permission did
Any seek, so none I gave,
Though parts now, I would recall.
The games our hearts play
Are often much uncertain,
Win one, another
Lose, as favor slips away
To leave arms open, empty.
Beauty questing fades,
With swift count, seasons turning,
But what exists deep
Within the pure soul, solid
As sweet joining bands of gold.
Music still remains
No force can forbid, steal what
Feelings it rouses,
A thrill long returning though
Presence, event, memory.
Lost, perhaps, but lived –
Free and candid, trusting love
To withstand each storm,
Taking time for sweet wonder
Passion’s rapt glory measured.
A few things I lost
Along my wild rambling way
No permission did
Any seek, so none I gave,
Though parts now, I would recall.

Anyway, Love

In bright times laced with smiles,
On long days covering too many miles,
When success breezes in, dreams come true,
At moments when failure occurs, as it will do,
Find yourself constant, love anyway.

Discovering a new love, quite delicious,
Dealing with a terrible loss, needing one solicitous,
Welcoming the advent of excitement with joy,
Finding tedium and boredom in things that cloy,
You have the power within, love anyway.

When tired beyond bearing, yet cannot sleep,
Tempted by whatever pleasures, unable to keep,
Disappointed by those you hold precious, dear,
Facing intense battles, riddled by fear,
Square your shoulders, head held high, love anyway.

Embraces that gladden hearts near despair,
Confidence enriched from many, everywhere,
Friends on whom you can depend,
Relationships breaking to suddenly end,
The brightness and darkness, love anyway.

Love is not a few words, aptly said,
Invite it to live and tuck it in bed,
Love can be defined by no measure,
Love is all, present forever, infinite treasure,
We are our most competent best when we love anyway.

Photo taken in the Chapel at Callaway Gardens. I was there a number of times doing photo shoots.

I was struggling, not knowing what I would write tonight. A phrase leapt out of the novel I am reading, “he loved me anyway.” I immediately thought we should all love anyway. The poem came with some work, but it sure is nice to be loved anyway. I believe unconditional love is in somewhat short supply.

I hope each of you has a productive week, peppered with enough relaxation to keep you fortified for all that comes your way. May you gain the successes you strive for and find peace and love in all your ways. Be well, God Bless You!

@ Jo Ann J. A. Jordan

May Be Icky

Sometimes I feel like
Poecilia Sphenops, the Common
Molly, swimming darkness
Imprisoned in an aquarium,
Time-limited, inside is mine.
For moments hold blessings,
Horrors without regard for
My delicate frame, constrained,
The world around me seeks bones
And ick may infect at any time.
Ebony scales blighted white
Only hours left in which to fight,
A lifetime passes, blistering speed,
Still, I am often blinded to its fleeting
Until I see its work in others, completed.
Always swimming, set
To bear whatever comes of day,
Giving my utmost to stay
In the mix, put into play,
Belly up is not, shall not be
What I choose as mine, my way,
I search the inside for an out
And I am making myself to be
Better, more fantastic than ick.

Process Note: Out of nowhere, the idea of writing a story about mollies and ick came to me earlier when I was singing. I started listening to the album, Black Star by David Bowie, which is indescribable. I wrote the poem in my journal and added to it on the computer. I did not have a picture of a Molly, been a many a long year since I have maintained an aquarium.

Blink

I sit here thinking
What a moment might hold for
The ones left waiting;
Such glory we may witness,
The return of the King of Kings!

Suddenly, the dead,
Raised, reconstituted, rise
Joining Jesus on high;
Fantastic congregation
Praising, together in the sky.

The Son lending light
Whether it be day or night,
Everyone aware
He is living, He now reigns,
God is more than we did claim.

More than mere words may
Explain, Christ’s LOVE, everything,
The gifts received precious
Beyond value, comprehension,
Eternity with God, our reason; being.

Sometimes the praise and wonder take over, and I cannot hide what moves my life.

Request

You are precious, smile,
The light fills your face anew,
I can feel your love
For all and everything,
Believing in miracles.

Nothing is hidden
Because you are open day
Sky alight, bright blue,
Pages wrote, simplicity,
The freest beauty to find.

I listen and know
There is no way to travel
All your places, see
Every face whom you have known;
Today, tomorrow, though, I go.

Holding you so dear
Letting you know love is with you
Every further step you take;
There is us now, together,
No more missions done alone.

No, for those curious, (is anyone interested?) I do not have a love interest sudden come into my life. There is a long tradition of writing love poems (especially when spirits are in the dump), so I am listening to Air Supply’s All Out Of Love album and composing pale verses of my own. I saw them in concert in another lifetime, so it seems.

The Birds of Prey are from a field trip to Callaway Gardens. I forget, sometimes, that I do know my way around a camera.

I hope all is well with you. Do something for yourself that makes you smile, and bonus points, if you get someone else to laugh also.