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