Black and White

This poem is another re-post.  It's the next one in my notebook, and it's one of my all-time favorites.  I probably spent more time on it than any other poem I've ever written.  I was inspired to write Black and White as I reflected on my mission and how it helped me to see things from others' viewpoints.  I finished it in Israel as I visited various churches and learned about different cultures and continued opening my eyes to the many beautiful cultures and belief systems throughout the world.


Black and White

I used to think
in black and white
A thing was wrong
or a thing was right

Why don't you think
the way I do?
What's right for me
is right for you.

But then one day,
twixt dusk and dawn
I saw the grey
come creeping on.

I stumbled--
There was naught to grasp
No absolute
for me to clasp

But on I pressed
through mists of dark
Not quite depressed
Yet not a lark

And as I toiled
throughout the day
A guiding hand
Showed me the way

And through the struggle
I gained strength
and hope sprang up
Until at length

A shaft of light
pierced through the gloom
And in my heart
I felt more room

The fog was broken
by the beams
of Daybreak’s
diamond dewy dreams

A thousand colors,
shades and hues
Of purple, orange
reds and blues

Danced across
the damask skies
Till teardrops glistened
On my eyes

The golden morning
sailed on
Yet in my mem'ry
It lives on

That day when first
I learned to see
The rainbow's
Multiplicity

And when I'm tempted
to give voice
to judgment
on another's choice

I feel the glory
of that day
And then I'm thankful
for the grey.

Freedom

I think this is an appropriate poem to post, considering the vice-presidential debate tonight and the upcoming presidential election.  I hope all Americans will take the time to vote wisely.


The Stars and Stripes wave ever broadly

through a turmoil-stricken land

Crowds of citizens cheer wildly

As a president takes the stand

Four long years stretch out before us

Changes lurk just out of sight

Will we reach the end triumphant?

Or will time increase our plight?

Freedom flutters on a summit

Balanced only by a thread

One exists who could uphold it

Or could tear it down instead

Though it dangerously dangles

Fear not- hope burns brightly still

God above will guide our footsteps

If we hearken to his will

Snowfall

(I know I already posted one poem today, but since the last one was rather depressing I thought I'd post something more cheerful to lighten the mood.)

A soft stillness outside the window
A flurry of frigid
feathery flakes
drifting daintily down,
frosting the fences
topping the trees
with a white icing
sweeter than sugar
fine and fluffy
the purity of a peaceful
new winter morn

(By the way, is anyone even reading all these poetry posts?  I haven't been getting any comments lately, and I'm not sure if it's because I'm posting too frequently for you all to keep up with commenting, or if I'm just boring you all to death.)

Anxiety

(Note: This is not necessarily how I am feeling at the moment-- it's just the next poem in my notebook.)

I peer through the window

Searching for the truth

Instead I find only

Your fearsome face

I strain to see past

But I can’t

You eclipse all reason

Mask all meaning

I see only darkness

Halloween

Leaves are crunching
Children munching
Costumes fixing
Pranksters tricksing

Witches cackling
Athletes tackling
Vampires biting
Werewolves fighting

Doorbells ringing
Voices singing
Trick or Treating
Over-sweeting

Harvest moon
In the gloom
Fun for all
Every fall

(I know I have posted this poem previously, but since I am going in order through my poems from poetry club, I thought I'd include it again.  Besides, it's fitting for the season!)

New Life

New Life

You were just a speck
A single cell among millions
Now I cradle you
Marveling at each perfect
tiny finger and toe
Who would have believed
That out of obscurity,
miniscule matter
life is created
A child is born.

Untitled Poem

O to be free
Like a bird flying high
Spiraling upward
into the azure
amid the sun’s
streaming rays
and the marshmallow clouds
Not a care in the world
just flying flying flying