Earthen Sundae - Poem

Earthen Sundae

Chocolate mounds
plopped, stacked and
tottering
ready to be licked
before they drip
onto smothered
crunchy
red and green sprinkles

Leaning
cavernous sloppy scoops
arched and
balanced wondrously
precarious
topped and peering into
wispy
cream and blue

Heaping perilous creation
of delicious consumption
too much to swallow
in one view

Janice Harten
23 May 2024
Arches National Monument

Knockout - Poem

Knockout

Loud, Boisterous

and bloviating Anger

rush from one corner

and crowd into my space

Pushing, jousting, jabbing

out of order

demanding to be heard

shouting "Justice!"

With red-faced lather

and puffed-up blather

shoving Peace aside

causing Pride with Enmity

to colide

While in opposing corner

blissful Hope

patiently chooses

strategic moment

And with deft side-step

followed with repeated

padded Faith

applies leverage

to disable, disorient

subdue opponent

then grasp them in firm hold

and whisper --- let Peace

unfold

Unbalanced

on the ropes and then

collapsed to the mat

exhausted

Ten counts declare

punctured Pride and Anger

knocked out

High Hope

united ringside

with

persistent Peace power

remain the victor

Janice Harten

22 May 2024

Shawl - Poem

Shawl

A father lifted protective shawl

off his shoulders

To gently drape

onto crown of departing daughter

His heart and love wrapped

into one little bundle

round her face

then to each side

one fringed edge atop the other

finally tucked over her shoulder

Covered against world's icy chill

Gray homespun cloth of no particular worth

now held his greatest treasure on earth

Moist lingering gaze

bestow cherished blessing

And plant within each of their hearts

prophetic threads that weave and bind

through unmeasured distance

of eternal place and time

Scene stirs remembrance

of a sacred pattern

and veiled moment

near Kolob's door

When glorious Father there bid good bye

with moistened eyes and anointed blessing

upon His beloved child

leaving for earth's distant shore

Who one day upon her temple shelf

like protective shawl

discovered garment and robe

pure white

shield from world's bitter foe

With apron, sash and flowing veil

He covers and crowns her head

with power, glory and light

Christ, the anointed

bearing marks

direction and pathway straight

Beckons to follow Him

back to Father in Heaven's heart and home

Enveloped within His shining place

and His tender love's embrace

Janice Harten

3 Mar 2024