Wind - Poem

Wind

Childish wind tumbles down hillside with reckless abandon

Grass and trees bow and crack in humble prostration

Earth’s fall cleaning, sweeps and stirs with blind ambition

As terra summersaults with man’s possession and obsession

Toward some chaotic goal

Where nature triumphs and humanity folds

 

By Janice Harten

This Is Why We Came - Poem

This is Why We Came 

We will suffer sickness

We will see loved ones pass away

We will feel discouraged

We will be exhausted at the end of a day

We will see injustice

We will have pain

We will grieve for others and ourselves

We will pull each other up and start over again

We will cry tears of sorrow

We will not understand

We will long for peace

We will wonder if this is part of the plan

 

We will see miracles

We will feel hope and inspiration

We will find moments of peace

We will seek justice

We will discover joy and new strength

We will look beyond ourselves

We will plead for deliverance

We will kneel

We will love and lift others

We will give our all

We will find each other

We will find God

 

This is why we came

 

 

By Janice Harten

Leap Frog - Poem

 

Leap Frog

 

Said one frog to another

   Let’s travel cross this field together

Croak, leap past rock, then hold

   Does not matter fast or slow        

 

Again the first said to the other     

   Now crouch down then I’ll leap over

Said the second to the first

   Then I’ll jump while you’re at rest

 

Bounding past each obstacle

   Fitful journey, loose control

Tail to head and head to toe

   Over, under, through they go

 

Eventually field’s grass edge they find

   O’er gravel, now pond on lily wind

Each companion to the other

   Joyful leaping life together

 

 

Janice Harten

Lay Down My Tears - Poem

Lay Down My Tears

Lay down my tears, empty arms and sorrow

Quiet grief wrapped heart I would borrow

Till air and breathe return within

And tell my body to live again

Yet opening veiled watery eyes

Witness within bright glorious skies

Twirling two forever together plus more

Brought thankfully to exaltation shore

Crossing heavenly continents, spared suffering

Of dark fallen world and buffeting

To rest and bless and joyfully prepare

Earthly mother and father’s reunion there

Lift up understanding and open eyes

Light, glory and power expose worldly disguise

Combined work above and faith below

Wraps Christ’s love and salvation round all bestowed

For Emily and Rob

26 Nov 2019

Perched Upon Her Daddy's Toes - Poem

Perched Upon Her Daddy’s Toes

Perched upon her daddy’s toes

Golden hair, laugher and innocence pose

Twirling, twinkling, swung up high

Triumphant child and father fly

Carefree youth with emerging grace

Playful in traditionally awkward place

Where vision, skill and desire grow

Smiling, delighted mother behold

Performing only what some imagine

With discipline, excellence in practiced vocation

Graceful illusion and exuberant passion

Movement song performs full soul expression

Embracing full purpose, nobility sublime

Wed, and bears three plus more children divine

Fleeting dance, lullaby and whispered stories

Mirror movement of heavenly mother’s glory

One grand leap, dramatic change of story       

Arabesque and pirouette into clouds of glory

Leaving sight of brief earthly call

To join God of love, creator of us all

Where limitless love, light, power and glory

Shines and continues personal story

Of love here, there, and in between

While entwined in promised forever binding

Flowing, celestial robes of brilliant white

Billow round woman bathed in light

Perched on Heaven’s Father’s toes

As round and round and round they go

By Janice Harten

13 May 2020

For Katie Shumway McKay’s family

Janet and Roger Shumway