Category Archives: Poetry

Pink Flamingo #Writephoto #Poem

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When reality is an illusion,
And you’re fretting and full of confusion…
Simply take a deep breath,
Go deep into yourself
Where the Light gives you calm and conclusions!

Pink Flamingo

On Ukulele

Download Mp3

I wrote this song 4 years ago. It was inspired by an inflatable flamingo my parents had in their pool, and something my nephew said about hiding sins. It has nothing to do with this week’s photo, but just the word “fantasy” in Sue Vincent’s
Thursday #Writephoto Prompt, Fantasy.

This is the closest thing I’ve had to a hit song so far. It was much requested when I performed at nursing homes, rehab centers, etc, and a few listeners would sing the refrain! What an honor for a songwriter! 🙂

The Ring of Power #Poem

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“If you want your children to be intelligent, read them fairy tales. If you want them to be more intelligent, read them more fairy tales.”
–Albert Einstein

Once upon a time was born a princess,
Royal, yes, and gentle, good and kind.
She wanted more than everything she had;
A ring of power, then, she sought to find.

One day beneath a jacaranda tree,
An ultraviolet sprite to her appeared.
The blackberries she picked turned to a ring!
(Outside of fairy tales, this would be weird!)

She put it on, and POOF! she had it all;
The mysteries of life she came to know.
The princess realized all the power she had,
If not used wisely, it would bring her woe.

When she awoke, the purple ring was gone,
The berries in her basket turned to mush.
The princess thought of what she may become,
Then went home in a great excited rush.

As royal as she was in life to be,
Her deeds would ultimately come to naught,
Unless she chose obedience to the King:
The One, Creator, loving Father, God.

This tale I tell in story, but it’s true.
It’s yours and mine and everyone’s, for sure.
We’re children of the King of Heaven and Earth,
And in His Will, we live a life of More!

—
My “once upon a time” for Linda Kruschke’s
Paint Chip Poetry Prompt #31

Opinions#Poem

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Your opinions about me
are not about me at all.
They are really about you.

Whether consciously or not,
every time you think of me,
you think in truth of yourself.

Am I pleasing you right now?
Am I saying what you want?
Am I validating you?

Do I feel the way you do?
Do my emotions match yours?
Do I make you feel secure?

Do you approve of my work?
Does what I do disgust you?
Do you like my responses?

When you ask me how I am,
does my answer fit your mood?
Do I join your misery?

Do I affirm your choices,
your situation, your life?
Do you feel uncomfortable?

If you don’t, perhaps you should.
How can you ask for freedom
when you don’t extend the same?

You ask me not to judge you,
but you judge me constantly,
simply for my existence.

It’s OK. I understand.
I know just why this happens.
Don’t worry. I forgive you.

Your opinions about me
are not about me at all.
They are about your ego.

If you treat me this badly,
when you don’t know me at all,
I am left with one question.

How much worse
do you treat
yourself?

Blessed Bread #Poem

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The Bible says,
“Man cannot live
by bread alone.”

I guess that’s why
God made bagels,
pretzels, crackers,
donuts, muffins,
brownies, cookies,
pastries, and cakes!

The bread of life
bakes many forms!
So I thank God
for his Manna
straight from Heaven!

What a Friend We Have in Jesus #Music

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Download Mp3

Joseph M. Scriven, a minister, wrote this poem in 1855. He wrote it to comfort his mother, who lived in Canada while he lived in Ireland. Scriven originally published the poem anonymously, but he received full credit in the 1880s. Though the hymn has other musical settings, Charles Crozat Converse composed this one in 1868. I hope you enjoy “What a Friend We Have in Jesus” on zither!

Bright Idea #Poem

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I had a bright idea once,
To get a little pet.
My nephews had a hermit crab,
And one fine day we met.

I put my finger in the cage,
A kind of little bowl.
I’m lucky when I pulled it out
The finger was still whole!

No hermit crab for me, it’s clear,
And no tropical bird.
A peacock, so I hear, is loud,
And must have the last word.

If not pets, then a garden full
Of flow’rs and fruits and trees,
Beginning with a lotus
And some pomegranate seeds.

The only baby’s breath I found
Was lost as my son grew.
Perhaps the pets and gardening
Are not my thing to do.

I had a bright idea once:
Don’t try to fit a mold!
Be happy in God’s plan for me:
Unique, authentic, bold!

—
My response to Linda Kruschke’s
Paint Chip Poetry Prompt #29: Long Lost