What do I see, fallen, forlorn, In a field of cattle and goats? An apple tree in bloom. Cracked, Broken, Cast on the ground before fruit could ripen. Now goats tear twigs apart and black cows Strangely gently pluck and eat white blossoms. I begin to weep for a sadness I can’t name. What do …
The ring of the phone harsh and brass. Incongruous sound from slim glass. An exhale and curse haggard, harsh. Numbers slide onscreen, flashing, needy. But it is late, and steam hisses from a kettle. “Hey brother–I’ll be right over don’t worry about it.” A whispered confession, earnest prayer. Water poured down the drain Before kettle …
Then- A voice From dreams and thunder “Call to the lost!” A braying From hoof and refusal “Speak to the King!” A Law From grooves on Tablet “Give to my people.” Now- A charge From teacher and counselor “All work is for Him.” A word From preacher and guide “Love like the Shepherd.” A hug …
This is the first of what I hope will be a series of poems inspired by my Sunday Morning Worship. These poems themselves have been, and will continue to be, an act of continued worship from me, and I pray they may edify you in some small way. Thrown from a fire, A sharp spark …
A few weeks back my son Jonah surprised me with a painting of a Blue Jay. As I looked at the picture, remarking how lovely and fun it was, I was also reminded how beautiful a Blue Jay is. Especially in the Winter. The mountains and fields are grey and brown and the any bit …
“‘Hope’ is the thing with feathers-/that perches in the soul…” Emily Dickinson. This word “perch” catches my eye these days. Because these are days of anxiousness and fear. These are days that require hope. But perch seems so slight a hold, like something teetering on the edge or gripping to a wire in a windstorm …
There are few writers who bring me more joy than G.K. Chesterton. His ability to praise the beauty and wonder of the everyday breathes new life into the reader’s day to day. What other writer could wax poetic about a dreary English rain, calling it the “cosmic spring-cleaner” and the source of “a world of …
‘“For thy salvation do mine eyes behold! The very Christ of God Before the face of all the world foretold— The King whose feet are shod “With gospel Thy peace for all mankind! Not for Jew alone; The Gentile also shall salvation find, For he shall make both one.’ Charlotte Mason,“The Child Circumcised and Presented …
This is a poem I wrote while attending Bonnie Buckingham’s workshop on Poetry at the Charlotte Mason Institute Conference in Roanoke, VA earlier this month. Thanks for a wonderful class, Bonnie! River King: A Paean Above the trees’ swaying limbs, And sometimes through them, Crows chase the hawk and kestrel Away from roost and …
It happened while I was riding to my in-laws with my wife, Emily, after church: the Lit/Comp conversation. We had only been married for a short while, but had just found out that we were expecting our first child. I expressed how excited I was that someday I would be teaching high school literature and composition …