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

Steel, Today

All things exist within us,
Anxiety, doubt, fear, pain,
Gaiety, happiness, joy, pleasure,
Each one a reaction of the heart
Gifted by the immensity of soul.

We allow feelings at times
To overwhelm us and drift
Into a morass of despair,
Or deep jungles of desire;
We learn to steel ourselves.

Nothing and no one can have
Power over us, without
We permit and submit;
We are made so bold, strong,
Able to evade traps set before us.

The Love within us, our gifts
Of emotion and intellect are honed
To protect us from mighty storms,
We shall not be forced to conform
To what negates our justification.

All we are a precious company
Set forth to aid humanity,
Pressing forward, not gazing behind,
Fixed inside this time of confusion
To dispel destructive delusions.

Wield well the weapons given
Leading others into the glow
Even as the shadows grow
Like a cold forbidding night;
All belong in Christ, made bright.

Short – Shorts

Doubt, fear, those lies do not master us, we are overcomers, made to renew and begin again.

1
The ravens of doubt
Peck our garments of courage,
Rain finds every hole.

2
Voices say we are
Worthless, unreliable,
Some trust still remains.

3
Lying on the floor
The others are tall, strong, more,
Stomach acid boils.

4
A quick glimpse beyond,
We are brave enough to stand,
Race encroaching night.

5
The rain stopped its pour
While the sun rose to its place;
Broad smiles graced each face.

6
Pain reminds again
There is no power within,
Gives self-destruction.

7
Heroes break apart,
Lose ourselves inside the dark,
But life recalls us,
The fighting starts, we join in,
Forsaking all fears, to win.

The gremlins are overactive. I am wrestling on multiple fronts with technology, and the body has its own ideas. Still, it is right; I am here.

All the best to each of you. Find reasons to believe and keep on going. Life rewards those who continue, the alternative is untenable.

Redefine

Why must there be hate?
Why must the lovely be killed?
What possesses those
Who cause inestimable
Harm to individuals?

Somehow combat must
Ensue within hearts, homes, schools,
To irradicate
That nurturing such malice;
LOVE must permeate, prevail.

Exemplifying
Kindness, LOVE, bringing wisdom,
Generosity,
To the commonest of days;
Change may begin, take hold, win.

It can happen now
If our hearts – love and care, embrace
For the human race,
Treasuring each thing shared here,
LOVE leaves nothing still undone.

When I read of people meeting a violent end, it cuts into my heart and makes me feel that there should be better ways to handle life. All the stories ended, when a person dies are such a horrible tragedy to me.