“Where there’s a will, there is a way!”
But they don’t tell you everything…
The path may be an endless string;
It may be clear, then make a change!
Take heart! Take courage each new day
To find the Will and go that Way!
—
A “way” Quadrille written for
dVerse.
It seems I post these hymns later and later every Sunday! I apologize for this. I do my very best to abide by the International Metaphysical Ministry Ordination Vows and Code of Ethics, which contain a requirement that says (my paraphrase), “I vow not to let my personal struggles and problems interfere with my work.” I have always taken my Ordination Vows and Code of Ethics seriously, and I am deeply committed to the work I’ve chosen. But lately, it’s been extremely difficult! I thank all of you for your patience and continued support!
Today’s hymn is entitled “Praise Him Praise Him!” It was written by the incomparable Fanny (Frances Jane) Crosby in 1869. I sang this in church as a child, but this is the first time I’ve played it. I hope you enjoy listening to this hymn on zither!
I wish each and every one of you peace, health, strength, and above all, both the knowing and feeling that you are loved!
Instruments, silent
While music rings joyfully
In another realm!
—
Written for
Heeding Haiku with Chèvrefeuille: Death Poem,
contemplating my own transition from earth.
Original Song on Ukulele
When I wrote this song 3 years ago, my nephew said, “I’m gonna sing this at your funeral!” It wasn’t as morbid as it might sound. I laughed and felt good, because I want to be remembered fondly!
Light is covered by the veiling,
Never gone, however darkened.
To its calling we must harken,
If we seek a smoother sailing.
Shooting stars with tails a-trailing,
Closer, closer now they shimmer…
Even as the light grows dimmer!
Let us see with mind and spirit!
Heart and soul, be always near it:
Light within forever glimmers!
—
Written for
Ronovan Writes Décima Poetry Challenge Prompt No. 41: (SHIMMER) in the C rhyme line.
Mary Oliver said, “Sometimes the great bones of my life are so heavy.” I really know nothing about her life, only her wonderful poetry. But judging by this quote, she must have known pain, suffering, fatigue, and even simply the common stresses of life in her time. Whichever it was, Mary knew and understood.
Perhaps she put this down on paper for herself, as a catharsis or release. After all, that’s one reason many of us write.
But reaching beyond herself, Mary Oliver’s words are still shared today, reminding us that we are not alone in the pain, suffering, fatigue, and stresses of life we experience.
I am grateful to writers, past and present, who reach out to let us know, in no uncertain terms: You are not alone!
—
My 129-word response to
dVerse Prosery: Bone Weary,
containing this Mary Oliver quote.
It uses the line, but doesn’t really fit the prompt, which requires a story with beginning, middle, and end.
Original Lyre Music
This is not a lyre.
It looks like one, if you know what a lyre looks like.
It has a rounded soundbox from which two arms reach to the sky.
One arm is shorter than the other,
but it has no disadvantage.
The top of the lyre comes to a point
that, on this one that is not,
faces away from the player.
From the point, the long arm slopes sharply toward the player,
almost like a sliding board.
Along this arm are tuning pins.
You guessed it–
the strings are attached to these
and tied to a bridge on the lower part of the soundbox.
Yes, it looks like a lyre.
Yet this is not a lyre.
It is a music box to say the least,
a magic box,
a mystical box,
the bottle containing
the alchemist’s elixir of immortality.
It won’t make you immortal.
But think about it.
Would you really want to be
immortal, ever remaining in your current form?
I didn’t think so!
But the music
of the mystical,
magical,
musical box
can lead you
to your immortal soul.
This is not a lyre,
but you might misconstrue its unassuming form,
if you didn’t know better.
But you, dear reader,
know better!
This
is not
a lyre…
—
An object poem for
dVerse.
O life can ever pull us down
And shake our moorings, rock our boat.
But somehow we can stay afloat!
We find a sudden path to ground;
We’re battered, bruised, but haven’t drowned!
And that’s the reason people say,
“Where there’s a will, there is a way.”
Despite hard times, it must be true.
There is a way for me and you.
So let us lift our sails of faith!
—
Written for
Ronovan Writes Décima Poetry Challenge Prompt No. 40: (FLOAT) in the B rhyme line.
When we are wise enough not to be foolish,
And compassionate rather than cruel,
We’re apart and together
Through the withering weather,
And we question our answers to prove them.
—
Written for
MLMM Saturday Mix: Opposing Forces.
How we push and we press and we shove
To suppress all our negative stuff…
And each time we do that,
We are not really flat…
On the contrary: We must erupt!
—
Written for
#Threethingschallenge #480: Stuff, push, flat.
To everyone who posts a daily prompt like this, I give you my thanks and admiration! I appreciate your dedication, encouragement, and inspiration, even though I can’t participate every day. Thank you! ❤
First thing was probably a slide whistle.
Yes, the one I climbed the washer and dryer
and nearly fell,
while trying to retrieve it,
clandestine,
from the cabinet.
You know, the high cabinet where Mom hid it,
because I wasn’t supposed to have it.
First thing, I’m pretty sure,
was that slide whistle
shaped like a fish!
Next things were
little cymbals,
maracas,
a triangle,
and a tambourine…
Followed by bamboo flutes
and anything else I could get my hands on!
Finally, at age 10,
I officially became a musician!
But it was organ lessons they wanted for me.
I, of course, had other plans–
plans that were fulfilled
when my parents bought the piano I wanted,
along with the organ they wanted for me!
God bless the lady who had to move
and couldn’t take them with her!
She didn’t know it,
but in selling her precious piano,
she gave me a pathway to peace
that will last my whole lifetime
and, I pray, beyond!
After the piano,
in no particular order, came
harmonica,
ukulele,
harp,
guitar,
Mountain dulcimer,
autoharp,
mandolin,
recorder,
other flutes and whistles,
violin, later viola,
harpsichord,
zither and lyre,
banjo and banjo ukulele,
concertina,
bagpipes,
frame drums
and handbells of all kinds…
I know I’m forgetting some,
and I feel bad for that.
Because each instrument,
no matter how well or badly I played it,
gave me something
I still have today.
I still play,
still love,
still feel the magic,
and still find peace
on the musical journey
that is my life
and the life
I share with others.
This is my Tao, my Way to
joy,
peace,
hope,
faith,
love,
healing,
wisdom and understanding…
My path to
compassion for myself and others…
In short,
my path to God!
Music was my first thing.
It is my current thing.
And it will be
my eternal
last thing!
—
My response to Linda G. Hill’s
Stream of Consciousness Saturday #SOCS Prompt: First thing.
Mystical Strings 
You must be logged in to post a comment.