Raking

What a beautiful day to be raking fallen leaves
on the last day of October in the sunny breeze.
Underneath my feet the golden leaves crunch
because the leaves are brittle to the touch.
In various shades of gold
waiting to be raked up and then rolled
in the wheelbarrow to put the gardens to bed.
Each year there are more leaves to disperse in these beds.

Two leaf rakes are used as clam shells
loading leaves into the wheelbarrow.
Trucking back and forth mile after mile,
these decaying leaves will give the beds style.
Raking rustles the fallen leaves,
while a breeze will rearrange the leaves.
Crunching underfoot turns these leave to mulch.
An autumn song that mimics:  crunch, crunch, crunch.

Every year the oldest trees leaves fall down to the ground first.
It seems to me as though the younger trees drop their leaves last.
Therefore the raking season is long.
Right up until Thanksgiving comes.
There's a blue jay perched high in the tree
as if he is watching over me.
Perhaps because his sunflowers are gone
he no longer entertains me with a song.

My neighbor's tabby cat visits
just for a minute
than scats
reals fast.
Contrails are seen in the blue sky.
As the sun goes down, dusk is nigh.
The garden slumbers
come November.

* * * * *

At the end of summer the garden changes
when fall deposits frost and rearranges.
The leaves begin their tumble down, summer's flowers are gone,
once again the vegetable garden is barren.

The end of something once familiar to you
is also the beginning of something new.
Consider the metamorphosis of the butterfly.
Change can produce something beautiful by and by.

To the caterpillar change is inescapable.
Would it want to change back into a caterpillar?
Its transformation sets it free.
Free to delight you and me.

When change happens to you, look at it as an adventure.
Adventures are filled with excitement and fear - a mixture.
Remember you are never alone.
There is always One who goes along.

The Lord is with you to provide
when in Him you daily abide.
To the Lord your fears confide,
then enjoy your exciting ride.

For all of life is an adventure, it's true -
introduced when change brings something new.
Since no one knows what today or tomorrow might bring,
look at each change as a new adventure taking wing.

Change is a normal undertaking.
A new chapter in the making.
As seasons testify when they yearly come,
change eventually comes to everyone.

Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past.
See, I am doing a new thing!
Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?
I am making a way.
Isaiah 43:18-19

Crunch

Snap, crackle, pop, crunch -
not popcorn for lunch.

Outdoors underfoot
when a stroll you took
snap, crackle, pop, crunch heard
on the earth's carpeted floor.

Carpeted in red, orange, gold
before turning into a brown load
to be raked one sunny afternoon -
autumn's last bouquet of blooms now doomed.

Snap, crackle, pop, crunch -
into a pile a bunch
of leaves raked
then relocate.

Leaves recycled into free mulch
put on the garden to produce much
for over the winter they'll decay.
You'll find composting does well pay.

Late summer you'll hear snap, crackle, pop, crunch
when green beans are prepared for lunch
or snow peas eaten under the sun -
a snack straight from the garden.

For autumn's dead leaves became
nutrients for the garden's gain.
Snap, crackle, pop, crunch -
decomposed leaves add a punch.

Snap, crackle, pop, crunch!
Rather raking leaves into a bunch
or fresh vegetables for lunch,
enjoy today as you crunch.

* * * * *

There is no waste in God's economy.
He planned earth to renew itself, you see.
Leaves are given new birth
when decompose into the earth.
These nutrients are then fed
to grow our daily bread.

There's a more wonderful new birth
waiting for all humans on earth.
We have the opportunity to be born again
when we believe Jesus came to die for our sins.
This new birth becomes our eternal salvation
that God provided for all men and women.

Just believe
then receive
God's plan of salvation.
It's your regeneration.
Your new birth awaits.  Just pray.
Don't delay.  Do so today.

Dear Heavenly Father, I believe
and right now I pray to receive
your gift of salvation that's free
because you died on Calvary for me.
You made a way
for me that day.
Thank you.  Guide me to live your way
as I seek to live for you everyday.

Everyone who calls
on the name of the Lord
will be saved.
Acts 2:21

October 17th

Sun shining on the hill out my back door this morning.  

When morning guilds the skies, my heart awakening cries, may Jesus Christ be praised!

To order Life Is a Garden Party, Vol II,

go to WestBow Press.

To order Life Is a Garden Party, Vol I,

check out B&N or Amazon.

Crayon Colors

Red, orange, yellow, brown seen
dotting the hills of green.
A crayon box of colors spills
over the mountains and hills.

Mottled, multicolored leaves
seen decorating the trees.
Pigments shining in the sun
dyed by Jack Frost having fun.

Other colors concealed in the shade.
Their intensity a muted shade
as all the shades, tints, tones, hues and stains
welcome autumn with a cheerful refrain.

Burgundies, cranberries, magentas, reds,
yellow, goldenrod, dandelion wed
with orange, bittersweet, copper, sienna,
rust, brass, tumbleweed, and brown sepia.

Notice over the course of the next few weeks
chartreuse, forest, shamrock will no longer peek.
They'll give way to reds, oranges, yellows, golds
shining in the bright sunlight so bold...

before they turn brown
then tumble to the ground
where they complete the circle of life
after shining in the sunlight bright.

* * * * *

The circle of life ends for leaves
when they fall down from the trees.
Someday your life will end.
Are you ready, my friend?

There is life after death, the Bible tells.
Its either in heaven or hell.
You have a choice to make
today, before it's too late.

Hell is promised for everyone who does not believe
that God sent his Son Jesus for us to receive
eternal life through Jesus' sacrifice.
Believe and you'll have everlasting life.

It's that easy for it's not what you have done,
it's what Jesus Christ God's Son has already done
when he died and rose again
and promised a home in heaven
for all who believe
when in prayer receive.

For God so loved the world
that He gave His only begotten Son
that whosoever believeth in Him
should not perish
but have everlasting life.
John 3:16 (KJV)

To Order Life Is a Garden Party, Vol II,

go to WestBow Press.

After

After Jack Frost came
leaves fall down like rain.
The green grass is now stained
with multicolored leaves lain.
When you look out the windowpane
you'll hear raking calling you name.

After Jack Frost came
you will feel some pain
for raking causes strain
and a blister you'll gain.
You might lean on the rake as a cane.
You'll take a break if you have half a brain.

After Jack Frost came
you'll need to deadhead canes
for flowers will look wane
and foliage looks shamed
for Jack Frost is not vain.
He causes autumn bane.

After Jack Frost came
there might be some rain
on the worn weather vane
running down the drain
then drains into the rain
barrel filling up with rain.

After Jack Frost came
shorter days will reign.
Trees, now leafless, strain
against the gray sky stained.
Snow flurries mixed with rain
come after Jack Frost came.

After Jack Frost came
snow falls down like rain
outside the windowpane.
Seed catalogs call my name.
Under an afghan I've lain.
Dreaming of spring, I feign.

* * * * *

What comes after this life?
There's everlasting life
for those who believe in Christ.

It's too late after you die
to give Christ's way a try
for death is a final goodbye.

Goodbye to your loved ones
when your life is done
and death has won.

Bye to eternal life
freeing you from damning strife
which pierces like a knife.

Beloved, choose Christ's forgiveness today
before death comes to call you away.
"I believe in Christ" is all you need say.

If you confess with your mouth,
"Jesus is Christ,"
and believe in your heart
that God raised him from the dead,
you will be saved.
Romans 10:9

Autumn's Blanket

Rain came during the night.
Leaves now tumble in flight
leaving a blanket on the ground
as autumn's rainbow tumbles down.

Gently leaves float down, quiet
settling as a soft blanket
warming the ground
in rusts and browns.

Other leaves are bright burgundy,
or orange from sugar maple trees,
nestling together as they settle on the grass
where they'll slowly turn brown as autumn comes to pass.

These leaves will rustle when the breeze blows
making more work for someone to tow
but in the meantime they will cuddle
forming a blanket in a huddle.

Blanketing the earth in a hug
waiting for someone to come lug
this covering which gently settled
upon the earth in a snuggle.

Autumn's blanket in gold, orange, brown or rust
with burgundy swirling around when a gust
of wind rustles the leaves.
A-choo!  Someone just sneezed.

For autumn brings with it allergy season
until Jack Frost comes again and it's freezing.
In the meantime, someone snuggles,
under a blanket they huddle.

* * * * *

Snuggling under a blanket
at night when it's quiet
when the day is done
just before sleep comes
what do you think about?
Are you filled with doubts?

There's much uncertainty in the world.
Everyday more unrest unfolds.
There might be calamity
filling one with misery.
Many are in such pain and distress
causing relentless ongoing stress.

Everyone everywhere has troubles
but bear in mind God is still able
for with God nothing is impossible.
God has an answer for all your troubles.
He has a plan and purpose already in mind
to relieve you of all the burdens on your mind.

The answer is found in patiently waiting
while everyday in faith believing resting.
Faith believing should be a place of calm assurance
that God is with you and will give you endurance
to battle whatever it is you're going through
and will bestow on you His loving kindness too.

Yes, you are loved by God anew
as each morning breaks anew.
Remind yourself, "I am loved by God today".
It will help you cope with what may come your way.
And whatever comes your way might be God's way
to show Himself faithful to you everyday.

Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed,
for his compassions never fail.
They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
I say to myself,"the Lord is my portion;
therefore I will wait for him."
The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him,
to the one who seeks him, it is good to wait quietly
for the salvation of the Lord.
Lamentations 3:22-26