A Breath of Fresh Air

One day it happens
You wake up with a thought
Who am I?
What is beautiful in this world?


Pulling the blinds
You see the clear blue autumn sky over red trees
You can hear the cars drive by and kids
         playing in the street
A few light, wispy white clouds hang in the sky
Birds chirp
Squirrels run about
Stepping outside, you take a deep breath


On this morning, no school or work,
         you discover something
Where there is love, all things are beautiful.*


5-20-12


*A quote from the song 'Where there is love'
by Unhindered

Those Things

The smile of an old friend
The embrace of a brother or sister
A calm, orange sunrise
Waves lapping on the shore
A baby's yawn
My wife's eyes
A forest of green
A funny joke
The peace of the Spirit
Blooming flowers
Dinner with friends
A fun game
A great book
A raise at work
The midnight sky
That cool, crisp spring air that gently blows
An encouraging word
Holding on to every Word God has spoken
Writing poetry
Dancing wildly
A wonderful meal
Fresh mountain air
A rainy day with good company and 
             plenty of games
The handshake of a proud father
Watching someone light up because you
             said or did something kind to them
A smile
Knowledge that everything is going to be
             wonderful


5-12-12

With Great Speed

Traversing this land of greatness
I drink in the green forest
Exotic birds of many colors
A shaded floor in which to rest


Lush green grass and flowers
Bushes with delicious berries
And fruit grows in abundance
Hanging from the trees


As I venture farther in
The canopy grows taller
The height of trees increasing
The tops of trees appear smaller


A canopy thousands of feet high
Tree trunks two hundred feet wide
Huge antelope-like creatures
Gallop by my side


One gives an inviting look
I leap fifteen feet high
To mount the giant antelope
Then I see them draw nigh


Other saints mounted on antelopes
Such a beautiful cavalry
Arrayed in such vibrant colors
Traveling lightly and swiftly


Then we ride towards a clearing
Where all we can see is sky
The ground then ends abruptly
We leap off the ledge and fly


Down, faster, down the cliff
The largest cliff I've ever seen
I can see the ground miles below
A vast sea of blue and green


The wind blowing furiously
As we travel at such great speed
Waterfalls to my left and right
Fish swim up and down as they need


After a long, long descent
We finally reach the ground
The difference is striking
And I hear a beautiful sound


The birds sing such sweet melodies
Flying so fast in great flocks
The trees short with many branches
I see a great beast like an ox


The ground covered in tall daisies
With many rivers flowing
Little animals scurry about
In this land with joy abounding


5-8-12

But a Taste

A moment in time
Splits the universe
A rift in the darkness
Lifting me, drawing me like a vortex
Entering this rift
Colors become extravagant
More vibrancy than I've ever seen
Angels dancing
Joy burning like wildfire
Golden streets
Clouds of glory
Wonder, awe, and power
An utterly bottomless well of peace


Time stops with my memory
As I traverse this rainbow bridge
The stars are so bright
I enter that beautiful room
White light all around
Twenty four elders
Cherubim and Seraphim
A glorious throne
Love that reaches deep
Deep within my spirit
Moved from the depths of who I am
Why would I ever want to leave?


4-29-12

Twisting Fires

Two lovers from heaven
One heart beating before time
An idea risen
From oceans it did climb


For God knew you before
In His ocean of passion
His lavish love He did pour
Into your heart's inscription


Married, joined, united
Two spirits entwined
Each the other's beloved
A priceless, eternal find


Unity breathed in fire
To shake earth's foundations
To pull hearts from the mire
To form new creations


People will look in awe
At the love you carry
God's Spirit without flaw
Setting their hearts free


You will show people
The dreams inside their heart
Earth shaking yet simple
Revealing their own art


Your love transcends the heavens
Is felt by God constantly
Every day it brightens
As it grows into a tree


4-19-12

The Orchards

Come with me on a walk
Through lush orchards abounding
Where the most wonderful fruit grows
And birds can be heard singing


Come with me through green fields
Until we reach the grove
With the most delicious fruit
A delectable treasure trove


Let us run, now fast
In the bright noon sun
With the wind in our face
As we jog, skip, and run


Endless hills of grass
Lead to the great orchard
Where the fruit has such rich texture
Let us run faster, onward!


There they are!
The fields of goodness and wonder
Let us pick a bushel of apples
And eat them while sitting under


The canopy that shades our picnic
As the squirrels come to see
Birds and animals gather
From a rabbit to a chickadee


The lions and sheep come
To join our excursion
Then bears and deer too
All sit with expectation


We toss some fruit to each
And we all eat in peace
Enjoying each other's company 
Joyful love that does not cease


4-24-12

A City Upon A Hill

I gaze upon the mountain
As the golden sun beams
Bright blue sky with trees 
        all around
The city atop the great mountain
Shining with golden brilliance


Hiking the smooth trail I climb
Til I reach the golden gates
It's pillars shine with pearl white 
Two mighty angels guard the entrance
They smile at my arrival 
Eyes of fire
Swords of steel


The gates open in silent beauty
The courtyard golden brick
With a great fountain springing 
        hundreds of feet into the air


There are guitarists playing
People dancing
Drummers drumming
Poets writing
Singers singing


The floor made of beautifully 
       colored gems
Creating a great picture
Of an orange sunset on a purple sky
A vast courtyard of breathtaking beauty


I venture into the city's interior
Passing wonderful houses
Every one unique
Architecture earth hasn't seen


Climbing up and up
I notice a strange thing
There is no castle peak
No house for the king


The city is simply filled
With beautiful houses
Gardens, rivers, pools
That number in the thousands


A child informs me
Why there is no palace
"We are all one" he says,
"And filled with thankfulness"


"No king need rule here
For we serve but one master
Our great joy and source of life
The loving heavenly Father."


4-15-12