Going Overboard?

We have to ask ourselves, are we piloting our ship, or have we gone overboard?

In times like these, many find it hard to keep control. It can be a harrowing struggle. Bad news, financial setbacks, difficulty at home – in family and relationships, abridged social engagement, hassles at work – or lack thereof, all these and more can make a person consider going over the brink.

From whatever position is now maintained, be encouraged to take a firmer grip on the wheel. If we surrender our ship, leaving it vacant, powers we prefer to avoid might invade our space. It might become difficult, or even impossible, to return to our place.

In challenging times it bodes well to remember:

We are strong. Up until now, we have survived. Survival is an outstanding accomplishment because staying alive is hard. Many fail.

If we examine our lives, we will see we succeeded most of the time. When we made mistakes or failed, we made corrections and went on to accomplish our aims.

There is a temptation when we make mistakes, fail, fall short of expectations to abandon the endeavor. Our true selves lose honor in quitting. We should look for a better path, another way, and finish what we set out to do.

We are not alone on our journey. Other persons, creatures, things, imagination, and creativity can aid us as we go. God grants us abilities, blessings, energy, gifts, talents, which allow us to achieve our purpose. Our lives are not accidental; we are part of the Master’s plan.

If we feel alone and ready to desert our vessel, we should contemplate the many blessings in our lives; we will understand that so much given us would not be, if we were unworthy of God’s anointing and favor.

We sail our vessels with faith, hope, and love. Storms will come with lightning and thunder, but we, every one of us, are capable. We can continue and reach our destination. We can share our love and do much good along the way. Every moment, every day, is a test, and we need to get out of our way and lead as the strong warriors we are. The ships launched, we must be the captains we deserve.

© Jo Ann J. A. Jordan

Closely Now

What if writing here, I could somehow see into the person you are? Would you happily share your deepest self with me, or want to hide reality?

I will tell you what I already know of you and what your future might be. Come along and see:

You have come through a lot. Sometimes you are not sure how you survived your struggles. There are days you can almost consider giving up, but you do not allow the word, quit in your vocabulary.

There are people, maybe only one or two, or a few, who you could never disappoint, they are a devoted team who stay ever close to you.

You have people who admire you, looking to you for encouragement and inspiration though you may not now or ever know it.

There are things about your life you could make no better if you tried because they are the best already. Some things you hope to change and eventually will because you keep trying even when everything appears impossible. You refuse to give up, and thankfully, persistence usually pays off.

A few things you may have, or have to, let go. No matter who we are, sometimes our purposes may fail to go according to plan. It is okay, though, because you keep going, keep taking another step. Even when tears fill your eyes, you choose to smile and reach to help someone else. You are an excellent and dependable friend, although your circle of influence may be small.

You may not have all you want and may think you will never succeed to the degree you wish, but because you fight negativity and work creatively in every aspect of your life, more and more positive results will find you. Bit by bit the good you expect will evidence in your existence. You are loved. Blessings will come, and your gratitude will assure more manifest. God sent you here with a purpose, and He will never desert you.

© Jo Ann J. A. Jordan

Racing Deadlines

Precious seconds mine
With you close beside, only
Moments out of time.
Going home a must, leaving,
No hurry, no rush, but still,
I have a deadline.
I must rock it, so speeding,
The curves sneaking up,
At ninety, slightly leaning,
Not that I should be trying
Such, I am not fit,
But ah, the years fall away.
I remember when
Driving like a racer was
Routine daily, so again.
The typing it goes
Slower, I never was good,
And poems are hard
With the making scattered words
Come together on the field.
Since it is before
The midnight hour, I am done,
Count it victory,
I beat the cruel beast time –
Oohrah, I remain alive.

© Jo Ann J. A. Jordan

Plying Forms

The broken bottle
Lying in an amber spill,
The stools toppled like
Memories of a cherished past;
Who were we, thinking love lasts?


The music was such,
Bright magic in which we could play,
Until we forgot
We were only mortal too,
Disassociating us.


I said, “I love you,”
Because I have, always will.
You answered, “I know,”
And that is the reason, dear,
We were never together.


In the eaves lie leaves
Scattered, plastered like these dreams
Only echoing;
Waste to be driven away
Discarded on barren ground.


Sometimes I write us like a new thing as if we shine diamond bright. In reality, we were the stolen pleasure of a season, a forever consisting of only a few love drunk nights. The dust, rust, tarnish gather as the moments further recede into the emptiness of history.


I have hidden all
There remains of my power
But more battles come;
I will not whimper, beaten,
I shall don my armor, sword.


Walking toward what
Defines this deviant hour,
Ready to exclaim,
“The past fades into distance,
Our present embraces a change.”


Your touch sends ripples,
Sensation through my body,
After so long, much.

© Jo Ann J. A. Jordan

Bubble Over

Sometimes there is nothing,
But if you hold on, keep going,
You may discover everything.
Life keeps right on giving
Amidst times both good and bad,
Love shows up unexpected
Bringing joy you never had.
Look for the happiness
Make it if you must, you have
Within you the wonder, the purpose,
To become whatever you wish.
Believe, never give up, you are
Strong enough to gather
All you need to change
Any situation, dare to capture
The courage residing in you
Make your dreams come true
Change the world that holds you.
Be bold, be brave, do not allow
Others to tell you who you are;
For only you, yourself has
The right and power to define you.
Your creativity, passion, love
Are what is needed now and always,
To lift lives and let others see
We, everyone, can be free.

© Jo Ann J. A. Jordan

Today it seems the words are most insistent. I cannot escape them; they keep coming strong. I have my doubts about them because they seem no audience to find, but I keep trying. Poets writing poems, it could be a thing. I make it mine anyway. I hope maybe with the post of this; I can pull away. I get tired of inciting no interest, and I have an abundance of other things; I should do. Usually, though, when the muse takes over, I lay everything aside and let what words come, that bubble up, from inside.