beneath the snow
the vernal seed
awaits the weeks
when cold recedes
through wintry term
that labors long
the seed forgives
so reaps the song
and bud and leaf
are surely sought
in springtide air
not near forgot
for sown we are
in Gardener’s grace
and grace again
reveals the place
and perfect time
of winter’s end
the greener days
His fullness sends

For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. – John 1:16

image: Winter Walk by Tony Cook

the scouts have lined
the trees for sale
with lights and painted plywood
the snowy wet
and merry kids
unearth the heeds of childhood
grocery stores and shopping malls
exude the yuletide commerce
and truth be told
their jingled songs
recall a homeward chorus
truffle mint
and egg nog morn
mark the happy thing:
Christmastime
has come again
hark the angels sing!
tempting so to quicken pace
in step with season’s bustle
and yet my Lord
pursues my peace
to pause amidst the hustle
for all the feast and ornament
is merely to adorn
the miracle
God is with us
Immanuel is born.

Then a shoot will spring from the stem of Jesse, and a branch from his roots will bear fruit. The Spirit of the LORD will rest on Him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and strength, the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the LORD. – Isaiah 11:1-2

image: Christmas tree wallpaper, 7 themes

my treadmill faces windows
and though it’s tempting
to drop the blinds
against the south sun
I keep them open
and absorb the sky
columbia blue
with high cirrus clouds
I watch descending flights
and walk away what’s anxious
one plane
two planes
deep breath in
deep breath out
ironmen nearby
rep eccentric circuits
but I am not annoyed
or much distracted
by the sounds
love thy neighbor,
and I do.
calm expands before me
and peace

And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. – Colossians 3:15

image: photograph by Keith Jacobshagen

curly hair
fun and free
fit for rebirth
I think of it sometimes
and wonder
if I’d still feel like me
with those curls
so long after chemo
I loved them enough
that honestly
a future perm
is not out of the question

reborn blood
healthy and new
it was what mattered most
for a time
but perform and produce
were smuggled back in
I think of that too
the wellness gift
when it was enough
and I was enough
just being His
and free

He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit. – Titus 3:5

Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day. – 2 Corinthians 4:16

image: Swinging with Butterflies, ink drawing by TheExtentofSilence

hulu binge
with tea and wine
afternoon
the good unwind
mint and grape
a lovely mug
unstring strung
in shoulder’s shrug
task and type
will soon renew
sweet recharge
delightful due

“A little nonsense now and then, is cherished by the wisest of men.” – Roald Dahl

Image: Cup of Tea by Gretchen Hancock

yellow house on Lyndale
stucco, warm and bright
sits upon a steep incline
surveying what’s in sight
so much the canary
who knows its song is best
saffron hut, in maple glow
a perfect golden nest
I can feel its windows
regard me on its lane
I wonder what it tallies
of my upward lasting gaze
perhaps it deems I don’t belong
on Lyndale long agleam
a borrower of sidewalk views
address pretend and dream
but I suspect it honors me
this girl who marks its worth
stucco, warm and yellow house
perched in light and earth

“We do not want merely to see beauty… we want something else which can hardly be put into words- to be united with the beauty we see, to pass into it, to receive it into ourselves, to bathe in it, to become part of it.” – CS Lewis

image: painting by Mark Rothko

contact fail
and we so frail
a jar reduced to rubble
so incensed
we sink the mess
to utter inane muddle
the thing is though
I love you foe
and quarrels matter not
compared my friend
to spirit’s mend
the gold that good begot

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Philippians 4:23

image: book cover art from Mended by Angie Smith

the odd kid at the bus stop
drops his backpack in the grass,
sorta with defiance,
but not really, not actually.
do you know him?
he gets quite near my space.
odd comments, odd questions.
where is his mother?
I’m on his side,
but I feel awkward
pretending it’s not awkward
(though I try).
home
we
go,
me and my kid,
and the odd kid
circles the bus stop awhile longer.
friday (or was it monday?),
we saw him on the corner
as we drove by in our car.
he smiled and waved,
sunny like, funny like,
as if we were his people
and he was ours.
or maybe he didn’t, not actually,
but I saw him that way
that day
he being he, not odd at all,
and me
not awkward.

For God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart. – Samuel 16:7b

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. – Romans 12:2

images: School Boy with Backpack, by Karen Ahuja; magic 4 walls wallpaper anime

would it be bold
to ask of Thee
a google map
of plans for me?
arrogant,
to think I know
direction clear
on where to go
for I’m not deft
at north and east,
and west and south
are mysteries,
and though You’re near,
my Compass best,
faith remains
a tough request.
perhaps if I
just close my eyes
and squeeze my lids
and visualize,
the perfect sight
of Your design
will meet
this insufficient mind?
or better yet,
SPEAK UP, my Lord!
and every word
I will record.
. . .
if this appeal
offends or wearies,
forgive me God
for unfit queries.
prepare instead
this foolish child
to silence strife
and inner wilds,
and pray for heart
that listens greater
to guidance rife
from my Creator.

O send out Your light and Your truth, let them lead me; Let them bring me to Your holy hill And to Your dwelling places. – Psalm 43:3

And the Lord will guide you continually and satisfy your desire in scorched places and make your bones strong; and you shall be like a watered garden, like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail. – Isaiah 58:11

image: Map of Where to Go, by Susie Anderson (my 5-yr-old) ❤

cash and check
are zip in measure
to currencies
the soul does treasure
like time for scope
for fertile thought
to cultivate
what force cannot
and hopeful words
a nod and grin
encouragement
when doubt sets in
gratitudes
for willing hours
re-bed and build
the tumbling towers
yet when these fail
oft earthly tended
think upon
what’s chief and splendid
paid in full
your life in wages
the love of you
for all the ages

1 Corinthians 13:8

image: lindsayletters.com