Tuesday, October 18, 2022

Wave Strategy - Poem

Wave Strategy

Wave wanders and washes up sandy shore
Trickles backward, popping bubbles in trenches
Where weapon wielding crabs prepare for war
Rattling grains trickle, roll and erase
Bird claw and child footprint place

Again, torrent tumbles
Breaching drawbridge and castle mote
Then gradually retreats
Toward unlimited reinforcements, to gloat
Tumbling tide rushes forward, attempting to capture it whole
Down dives side tower
Leaving remnant of shell armor
Which rumbles and rolls
At last, swollen tsunami crashes, dissolving walls and gated doors
Conquered fortress succumbs and finally is no more
Lump of ruins barely visible
On smooth sandy shore

New day brings new battle
As armed and steady
Knighted child wields shovel and colorful bucket ready
Mote dug, mounded bulwarks, peaked towers, flag anew
Foaming breaker restlessly waits within sunlit view
Forming master tide, wind and storm strategy
To rearrange, remove and conquer new enemy


By Janice Harten 23 Sep 2022

Sunday, January 23, 2022

Flufferella - Poem

Flufferella

Flufferella the hamster went missing
Traps with treats were made enticing
They searched day and night
Hoping to grab her in flight
But lo she eluded all in spite of wishing

Then one day fair maid went washing
When low near her feet she spotted
The swift fluffy critter
As it scampered and skittered
What a dance betwixt rodent and laden maiden

Within minutes thereafter rose a squeal
From a young'un near peanut butter's appeal
For lo she did find
Flufferella divine
Back home from her adventure surreal


Janice Harten
19 Jul 2021

Singed - Poem

Singed

How long must I be in the midst of this fire
like Shadrach, Meshack and Abednego?
(Four appeared conversing there)
I cry out! - Unlike them, I am singed
With flames creeping higher, higher - 
Thy will?

Then purify my feet, my arms, my head
Consume earthly wrongs
Sear my doubts
Char pride's muscle that binds me to man
Scrape ground, blackened by fear carbon
Fill me with light to see what was hidden

Kindle flare of radiant hope
Cauterize weeping sorrow
Shadowy ash mark my cremation
Scattered dust returned to creation
Coal embers glow with God's grace
Memory of sin and error permanently erase

Come tomorrow, blaze bursts brighter still
But when I plead, "No more!"
Heat rises more intense than before
Evermore brilliant than sun at noonday
Impurities liquefy and melt away
Becoming Love's translucent cosmic ray


Janice Harten
18 Nov 2020

Palette - Poem

Palette

Saturated puddle of rich, ripe pigmentation
Mop, swirl, plummet then fling across horizon

Dart, pause, hover midst billowy cushion
Enchanting below, textured peaks and ponds with gem potion

True hues shame amateur's trial rendering
Breathless highlight or purple shadow gradually surrendering

To sparkling ribbon strands flung far and wide
Strewn nightglow beckons glorious surprise

Slowly veiled by glistening morning dew
Artist prepares grand canvas anew


Janice Harten
2 Nov 2020

Shiloh - Poem

Shiloh

Here, an unexpected guest finds His way
Small meal of fish, soft avocado, crust of bread
I hastily array
His body weary pauses for a moment to rest
Chin dips in momentary private prayer, only
closed eyes remain resting there

Hesitant to disturb, eventually I wait to find
awakened, His bright blue gaze meets mine
Reassurance accompanies gentle smile
With unspoken understanding to stay for a while
Thoughtful question invites exchange and contemplation
As dripped honey dresses bread in golden creation

His stories draw laughter and thoughtful instruction
midst black olives, goat cheese and sweet plum crimson
Gentle breeze cools, waves across cream chair
Linger, I silently pray, sensing His departure drawing near
Warm glow, fresh calm in my heart long to remain
Not knowing when He might return again

Long He's been gone from meal hastily prepared
But gentle wind, food, feelings and lessons linger
I sense quiet blessing earlier bestowed
Upon my open, faithful and grateful household
Whose stonewalls, wooden table and simple cloth chair
Still welcome Shiloh's warm, calm presence here

Janice Harten
7 Mar 2021