Category Archives: Prayer

Darktober #Poem

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The darkness of the womb I could not stand!
I came three months too early, so they said.
It wasn’t part of anybody’s plan,
Except my own for newborn wings to spread!

I heard much more than most, but could not see.
The darkness of this world I know so well!
They sent me to another family
Wherein the story of my life to tell.

It’s not all dark and dreary, though each year
I feel the light is fading from my mind.
And when my birthday comes, I have no cheer,
For though I cannot see, I am not blind!

I see the hell and hatred of this world
And people feeding into it in droves.
It’s like a battle banner is unfurled.
We truly are the same, yet no one knows…

I’m only one, and one I’ll ever be.
I cannot save another soul at all.
But if, somehow, I find the Light in me,
Then someone else may stumble, but not fall.

I have my music, comforting and sweet,
To keep my mind from reeling in the dark.
And books have always been for me a treat,
An inspiration showing me a spark.

I’d like to think, by sharing who I am,
I could inspire another just the same.
Though heartache brings the tears and bursting dam,
There’s still the Light, and Light is still aflame!

Therefore, I do not ask the dark to go,
For night has all the right of every day.
I only ask, God, through the darkness show
The next step on the path that is my way.

October can be dark and cold and drear!
But by the blaze of Spirit, Light is here!

—
My true life story, told as a dark October theme ballad for
dVerse Poetics.

Fall Letter to God #Poem #Music

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“Wings of Autumn,” original song on zither. After the poem is the ukulele version with lyrics.

Download Zither Mp3

Fall Letter to God

Dear God,

Thank you for the changing seasons!

I’m really glad the pollen count goes down in Fall,
or does it?
We really don’t know anymore,
but you do!
I’m also glad for that!

I’m so grateful for the ability,
the opportunity,
the decision,
and the courage to talk to you!

There are some things I need to say.
I dare not discuss them with my fellow humans,
because everyone is so darn touchy nowadays!
They would think I was talking about them,
when really I’m talking about myself!

Nevertheless, Thy will be done!
Every now and then,
at least once in a blue moon,
would it be too much trouble
to have a day when I’m not sizzling inside like hot lava,
feeling angry at you-know-who (not you, the human I live with),
or worse, making him angry with me
by simply expressing an opinion
that doesn’t match his?

You know
it’s not just the current world crisis
making us this way.
It’s been like this
our entire marriage!
I say that
as if we’ve been married a long time.
But it’s only been 18 months!
And every month,
every week,
every day,
sometimes every hour,
it gets worse and worse!

Is it true what he seems to think,
that marriage means always
and
forever
saying
and
doing
what your partner wants,
just because he thinks it’s best?
And that
doing things this way
promotes harmony
in the relationship?

You’re heaps wiser
than either of us
will ever be!
So, I know
that you know!
Please, God!
Help me know the truth!

Am I insane?
Unreasonable?
Crazy?
Delusional?
Wrong?
Ungrateful?
Argumentative?
And all the other things
he claims?
Am I
really
that
bad?

If I am,
why doesn’t he leave?
After all, he’s the one
with all the money,
whereas I have none!

So, if I were in his place,
living with someone
I thought was so terrible,
I would leave!
Not sit around
complaining about it!

Please, God!
I need help!
And I know
you already know
what I have need of
before I ask!

I call upon your
love,
healing,
wisdom,
creativity,
and humor
(Or is it humour?),
and whatever else you grant me,
not to change anyone else!
But to change me
as you see fit!
Make me like a babbling brook,
always moving merrily along,
never getting stuck or stagnant,
so that I may live a life,
regardless of the people in it,
that is pleasing
to
you
and
you
alone!

Thank you, God,
for your time
and Almighty attention
to this matter!

Yours Truly,

Crystal

—
My response to Linda Kruschke’s
Paint Chip Poetry Prompt #39, Yours Truly.

Wings of Autumn on Ukulele

Enjoy the song with lyrics
here.

The Good Book #Poem

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Book, chapter and verse,
Some quote it impressively.
Do they live the Word?

Do they live the Word?
Shakespeare, Thoreau, Emerson…
Truth from any source.

Truth from any source!
Religions choose just a few;
Some leave out the heart.

Some leave out the heart,
But it’s all we really have
To discern the truth!

—
This is a Shi Rensa Haiku. You can learn how to write one
here.

“Kumbaya” DSE #7 #Music

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Download Mp3

“Kumbaya,” also spelled “Kum Ba Ya,” is a well-known campfire song. I know I spent many happy Saturday nights around a campfire singing it as a child. Even those who couldn’t sing managed to catch on and make an effort.

No one really knows the song’s origin; in fact, there’s been some controversy surrounding it, as
this article
points out. To me it was, and still is, a common song that I, personally, have used to bring people together.

This is number seven in my
double strung experiments.
You will hear the melody played on zither, which has steel strings, and harmony on the lyre with softer, nylon strings. Notes of the melody and harmony echo each other at times. This is one of the many fascinating effects available on a double strung harp. As usual, it’s easier heard than explained, so I ask that you have a listen, and enjoy this peaceful arrangement!

Journey of His Plan #Poem

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Give me liberty or give me lemons!
Regardless of which one,
Be they fresh-squeezed or otherwise,
I pray “Thy Will be done!”

A blank canvas I seem to be,
But really I am not,
For God made me with plans in mind,
And so my life He brought.

The rainstorms cover me indeed;
He always brings me through.
Under the sea or on the land,
Our God cannot be moved!

Sometimes I’m like a tumbleweed
That’s tossed and blown about.
Tongue-tied, I call Him in my mind;
God takes away my doubt.

Though one green flash I’ve never seen,
I feel his loving hand.
And in it I remain throughout
The journey of His plan!

—
Another response to this week’s
Paint Chip Poetry Prompt!

A Simple Gift #Poem

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Play or download the poem, accompanied by lyre, one of the oldest known stringed instruments.

Download Mp3

When you feel broken, you can mend.
When you have fallen, take these wings.
They carry you on weightless strings,
For music is a trusted friend.

As notes and words and voices blend,
Your soul is free and mind is clear.
Your heart refuses now to fear.
In time your body knows the wealth
Of perfect love and joyous health
From Spirit’s music given here.

—
This is a Décima for
Ronovan Writes Décima Poetry Challenge Prompt No. 22 (BLEND) This week, it’s the A rhyme line.

I’ve been reading some of the responses for weeks and finally decided to try writing one! I really enjoyed it!

This bass line and chord progression are the same ones I used in
Song of the Bluefin Tuna,
but different accompaniment and rhythm change the mood. 🙂

Song of the Bluefin Tuna #Poem

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Play or download the poem with zither accompaniment.

Download Mp3

I opened up a can one day
And heard a chilling song,
Lamenting how our human wants
Have done the tuna wrong.

It sang, “You fish and fish for me,
When you have had enough,
For something you call sushi
And that other money stuff.

“I keep the balance in the sea
Atop the chain of food.
I dive with such quicksilver speed,
Fins flashing as I move.

“I’m not a goldfish in a bowl;
The ocean is my home.
I live on up to 40 years,
In breezy mists to roam.

“So, when you eat your tuna,
Because I know you will,
Take time to give a little thanks,
A moment to be still.

“The red rock desert of your heart
Is where it all begins.
Expand yours like my ocean home
Of harmony within.

“Take what you need and nothing more,
And let the others live.
Though we may be endangered still,
You understand the gift.”

I listened to the tuna’s song,
And then I bowed my head
To thank the Lord for blessing me
With tuna fish and bread.

—
For Linda Kruschke’s
Paint Chip Poetry Prompt #36, Endangered Species,
with bluefin tuna facts from
World Wildlife Fund.