April

Thankfully no snow here but I know there is in other parts of the country.

April

April flowers, where art thou?

Hibernating still, 'neath the snow

for winter's blanket 'tis cold

as flowers slumber below.

With much anticipation, April

is welcomed each spring, yet...still

awaiting for flower bulbs

to spring forth and become.

Each new morrow and morn

snowflakes befall and adorn

this month of April when

flowers shouldst begin to bloom.

Too cold, too cloudy,

too gray, too wintery.

Methinks the warmth of the sun

shouldst befall; aye blooms hasten.

In the meanwhile, April's

graceful arrival is spoiled

by cold snow which covers and cradles

the landscape like a betrayal.

Gardeners can'st wait to discover,

when out from hibernation, flowers

haply ope (by chance open),

at last - hope!

Perchance the snowflakes wilst be envious.

It's knownst, flowers enhance one's countenance.

Wilst snowflakes and flowers parley (negotiate with)?

Posthaste, will snowflakes scurry,...

as in, return to the heavens?

Thank heavens!

My voice exclaims "yes!"

as does many a lasses.

None to soon spring's apparel

will happily wave their colors.

Everyone everywhere will exclaim: Marvelous!

April's flowers are most intently glorious!

Ahhhh, April

come...my angel,

ever faithful

become now wakeful.

* * * * *

Alas!

Alas!

At last, at last,

winter is past.

When winter is past

it's springtime – at last!

There's a red or blue flash

from songbirds doing the dash

who joyfully sing with each task,

a Capella, not heard in vocal class.

Colorful spring bulbs pop up in mass

causing happy smiles to be cast.

Bees return at last.

Don't touch or you'll sass!

There's much to do when winter is past.

Each year we long for spring to come fast.

Soon we'll be busy with spring tasks

as warmer days come to pass.

Time to open the window sash

and spring clean the window's glass.

Then shine the front door's brass

door knocker when going past.

Earlier each morning the glow of the new day's sunrise is cast

as gardeners stretch and determine to complete each day's tasks.

Later each evening disappearing sunsets paint a rosy repast

while lullabies are sung by songbirds as dusky twilight is cast.

Yes, spring is here at last

as temperatures warm up fast.

Some can't wait to go fishing for bass

then prepare a fish fry at last.

Happily, we see the greening of grass.

Soon we'll need to buy lawnmower gas.

We forget about dandelions amassed

until more return each year despite last year's task.

Everyone's glad to see winter has passed.

Especially we who garden in mass.

Rather a garden lad or lass,

we're happy winter has passed.

Spring is here . . . at last -

until a surprise blast

of arctic air is cast

upon this country vast

and lasts and lasts and lasts.

Will this winter ever pass?

We're aghast!

Alas! Alas!

* * * * *

Shakespeare wrote, "Parting is such sweet sorrow,"

but not when winter continues to burrow.

We long for spring after months of snow.

Spring can't come too soon, we often crow.

It seems that the birds radar was off

for their return signaled spring's takeoff.

Perhaps their song woke up the crocus

and even bees who gleefully buzz.

Then surprisingly more snow...

and it's too cold to melt the snow.

Will winter ever be past?

When will spring come – at last?

Yet spring is an unknown

as our days are unknown.

We don't know what tomorrow will bring.

Hopefully joy and not suffering.

We seem to long for what we don't have

always hoping for the best life has.

Our focus is on the temporal

instead of on the eternal.

It's what's done for eternity that lasts.

So when you come to an impasse

this question you should ask:

will my faith live on and last?

Hebrews 11 talks about faith that lasts.

Faith that generations could not unmask.

Faith that continues to hold fast

irregardless of what comes to pass.

Faith is a certainly that will surpass

daily doubts that often harass.

Faith will turn your weakness into strength that lasts

for faith is the key that always removes doubt's mask.

See! The winter is past.

Song of Songs 2:11

The length of our days is seventy years -

or eighty, if we have the strength;

yet their span is but trouble and sorrow,

for they quickly pass, and we fly away.

Psalm 90:10

...for such a time as this...

Esther 4:14

Faith is being sure of what we hope for

and certain of what we do not see.

Hebrews 11:1

Read Hebrews 11.

Be very careful to keep the commandment and the law

that Moses the servant of the Lord gave you:

to love the Lord your God, to walk in all his ways,

to obey his commands, to hold fast to him

and to serve him with all your heart and all your soul.

Joshua 22:5

But you are to hold fast to the Lord your God,

as you have until now.

Joshua 23:8

Life Is a Garden Party

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March 20th

Though the observation of this poem does not apply to the northeast this year, it has in other years, and I know it applies to the midwest right now.

March 20th

It's here! Finally! The day we waited for.

The day anticipated by gardeners.

According to the calendar, there's a birth -

as the first day of spring is March 20^th.

Birds should ring in

the first day of spring

with songs they sing

each new morning.

A day when the sun should glow

and you see spring flowers grow.

A day when temperatures warm

and you don't need your mittens.

A day when winter is past

and the snow is gone, at last.

A day of mirth

over the earth.

For everyone can't wait

for this dividing date

when spring is scheduled to begin.

A date when gardeners dig in.

But apparently the weatherman doesn't abide by

the calendar, unless the calendar is a lie.

This morning the sun didn't rise

so the birds didn't sing their lullaby.

Instead of the sun ascending

there were snowflakes descending;

instead of a carpet of green grass appearing

there is a blanket of white snow in the clearings.

Winter's hanging on,

and on and on and on.

Each new spring seemingly waits and waits and waits.

Did, perhaps, my calendar have the wrong date?

* * * * *

What do you find yourself waiting for?

Something that you've forever endured.

Perhaps a way out of financial debt?

Maybe a child gives you reason to fret?

Perhaps you're waiting for employment

or maybe it's time for retirement?

Is there a health problem that lingers?

Do you want to change your figure?

Maybe the birth of something new?

That seems to take a long time, it's true.

Waiting is difficult to endure

and can take forever, that's for sure.

Whatever it is you're waiting for,

waiting, we find, has good things in store.

It's in waiting that patience is truly matured.

Perseverance builds character by its nature.

Waiting patiently – seems to be an oxymoron -

though simply waiting solves many problems.

Waiting patiently – two opposites that attract -

and, in the end, is God's best for us. How about that!

God made his promise to Abraham...

I will surely bless you and give you many descendants.

And so after waiting patiently,

Abraham received what was promised.

Hebrews 6:13-15

We consider blessed those who have persevered.

You have heard of Job's perseverance

and have seen what the Lord finally brought about.

The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.

James 5:11

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Out of Hibernation - 3/18/20

 Crocus

Daffodils 

 Hyacinth

 Autumn Crocus

Allium

 

Day Lily

At this time in history, humanity is in hibernation.  But nature doesn't abide by man-made rules.  Nature has it's own internal clock and it knows when to come out of hibernation.  It's a time of jubilation for bulbs and rhizomes - and definitely for plant lovers!  Plant lovers know that nature has much to teach us about God's faithfulness.

May your time of hibernation be one of learning anew God's faithfulness.

My prayer at this time in history is that God will use it FOR GOOD (as He did at the time of Joseph's extended imprisonment which corresponded to the famine, and in the end his family's unity [Genesis]).  (If you're looking for a story of disharmony, deception, intrigue - extreme emotional highs and lows, this is one.)  

My prayer is that dissension will collaborate.  That humanity returns to the basics of respect, of humility, versus self-centeredness.  The world has gone so astray in that wrong has become right, as in accepted.  We needed something to shake us out of our hibernation of wrong versus right and perhaps this hibernation is it.  

I shared with others earlier this week this chorus God brought to mind:

"Our God is in control, though troubles may burden the soul.

He allows both major and minor, in His perfect harmony..." (Andre Crouch)

Seeing the empty shelves at the grocery seems otherworldly.  We're living in a strange new world.  God knows.  He can turn it into good.  Good being for His glory.

The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, 

as some understand slowness.  

He is patient with you,

not wanting anyone to perish,

but everyone to come to repentance.

II Peter 3:9

Spring Fresh

SPRING FRESH

Snow has disappeared.

Spring is in the air.

Robins seen zoom,

flowers soon bloom.

Rain pings.

It's spring!

Rain greens the grass

making it grow fast.

The air smells clean

when the grass greens.

Soon dandelions will be seen

adding to the spring-fresh scene.

Spring's fresh perfume

invites bees to zoom

when hidden flower bulbs stretch and yawn

and flowering trees light up the lawn

into a rainbow of delight

scenting the air at first light.

Is it the spring rains that makes the air smell spring fresh?

Or does flower's perfume contribute to the freshness?

When laundry is hung on the line,

how does it then spring-fresh mime?

Irregardless there's a magic about spring

that causes birds and humans to yearly sing.

Here's something we all know:

spring showers and rainbows,

returning songbirds and flowers,

flowering trees all holler -

spring is here!

We all cheer!

* * * * *

The smell of fresh laundry hung on the line

cannot be bottled even if tried.

If fabric softeners try to mimic

they would be outlawed by this cynic

for fabric softener causes me

to become weak in the knees,

red in the face, lose my voice.

As said "outlawed," if my choice.

Become a participant in the "go green" theme:

a scent-free, environmentally friendly scene.

Everyone will be better off for it

when chemicals you can eliminate.

Look for the "green" packaging

on unscented product packages.

It's a healthier way of living.

Incorporate the "go green" adage.

Eliminating man-made scents

is healthier and makes a lot of sense.

Buying organic also makes sense.

Growing your own will save you cents.

What's more pleasant than tomato plant's scent?

You might plant a herb garden of scents

then watch the bees work in the fragrance.

Just use your God-given common sense.

Pay attention to what I say;

listen closely to my words.

Do not let them out of your sight,

keep them within your heart;

for they are life to those who find them

and health to the whole body.

Proverbs 4:20-22

Life Is a Garden Party

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Dance

Dance

Spinning, swirling

twisting, twirling.

Floating, drifting

while fluttering.

Lovely, quite ethereal

sent from the celestials.

One by one more appear

dancing together near.

These gossamer tu-tus

catch ones attention, they do.

Light as a feather

they now gather.

Performing their art

in mute, soundless parts

for no music is heard,

not even a chord.

Spinning, swirling

twisting, twirling.

Floating, drifting

while fluttering.

As if chased, they run

in a waltz of fun -

graceful, poised -

bringing joy.

Not one misstep

for each step

is orchestrated,

as if conducted.

Who is it that dances away

yesterday and again today?

Fluttering down from the heavens

are dancing snowflakes from heaven.

* * * * *

May your spirit dance

despite your circumstance.

My joy abide

whatever betides.

May there be a song on your lips

that will cause a smile to lift.

May thankfulness be a part

of every beat of your heart.

You turned my wailing into dancing;

you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy,

that my heart may sing to you and not be silent.

O Lord my God, I will give you thanks forever.

Psalm 30:11-12

Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord,

always giving thanks to God the Father for everything,

in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Ephesians 5:19-20

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