Category Archives: Spiritual practices

Breaking Free

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I cannot function in the world today.
Life’s keeping all my feelings bottled up.
If I surrender, hell is what I’ll pay.

My mind is full of many words to say.
How well I know the pressure building up.
I cannot function in the world today.

My heart insists it feels a better way.
And deep within my soul is burning up.
If I surrender, hell is what I’ll pay.

The darkest night is taking me away
And forcing me to see the wounds show up.
I cannot function in the world today.

There’s freedom at the breaking of the day,
But one persistent thought I can’t give up:
If I surrender, hell is what I’ll pay.

Yet older than the mind, my Spirit wakes!
And I pour out this stale and empty cup…
I cannot function in the world today;
If I surrender, hell is what I’ll pay.

—
A villanelle for day 21 of NaPoWriMo.

Related

Breaking Point

Lenten Mischief

The Gift of Words

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I gave you my words.
It felt like nothing,
free for the taking,
willingly given,
no sacrifice required.

But you received them
like the parched gulp water,
and the hungry devour a crumb,
and like the lost who find direction.

My humble words,
so naturally shared,
with no expectation
except to cheer…

And cheer they did!
You were lifted
by a Spirit not my own,
but everyone’s,
and all by a few simple words!

—
I had the privilege of singing at a senior home today. I was nervous! Most of the residents didn’t know me, and because I’m a singer/songwriter, they didn’t know the songs either. But I received at least as much from them as they did from me. Minds were opened, spirits were lifted, hearts were blessed, and bodies forgot their pain–at least for a while. What more can we ask than to be a blessing to each other?

Written for NaPoWriMo day 20 and shared at
dVerse OpenLinkNight #194.

What I’m Doing

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Just catching up on some reading
where folks tell what it’s like
to be in their shoes.
It seems I’ve worn some of those shoes.

Just listening to a song
that came from someone’s heart,
touched by another.
It seems I’ve felt that touch.

Just enjoying the breeze
sent to cheer the day
and lift the birds to new heights.
It seems I’ve flown that high before.

Just catching up
on the life you’ve given me
to remind me of the beauty
I don’t seem to remember enough.

And just saying thank you!

—
Written for NaPoWriMo day 19.

Related

Only a Whisper Will Do

Thank God

Gratitude

Postcard from the Heart

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I’m poeming here in the land of sun
With birds and flowers, sweetness and fun.
The only thing better, it’s perfectly clear,
Would be poeming with your laughter near.

I’m singing here in the land of love
With all of these blessings straight from above.
And the greatest one I’ve seen so far
Is the Light that shimmers between our hearts.

With me you go; with me you stay,
No matter where you are today.
Tomorrow you will come along
In heart, in soul, in poem and song.

—
A short (enough?) postcard poem for De’s prompt at
dVerse.
Come travel the world with all the amazing poets this April, and join in. We don’t bite!

Midnight Song

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It’s midnight as the hours turn.
The clock is ticking; candles burn.
As I embrace the dark that churns,
It’s midnight as the hours turn.

It’s midnight as the world spins.
The time is passing; hear the din.
I reach for moonlight deep within;
It’s midnight as the world spins.

It’s midnight as the mind repairs.
The time is healing, easing cares.
I rest content to be in prayer;
It’s midnight as the mind repairs.

It’s midnight as the soul awakes.
Forget the clock of time and space.
As Spirit lights the dreamland scape,
It’s midnight as the soul awakes.

—
Yesterday’s prompt at napowrimo.net was to write a nocturn, or night song, a musical prompt I really enjoyed.

Easter Day

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Shouting, touting all the way,
“Christ is risen! Bless this day!”

Whirling, swirling everywhere,
Awe-inspiring breaking day.

All have come and few have seen
Glory on this joyous day.

But suddenly the crowd believes,
Claiming for their own this day.

Stranger things were never seen
By those who follow every day.

Many who would not believe
Brim with faith and hope this day.

“Christ is risen!” ringing out
On this longed-for wondrous day.

Whether now or then or when,
May we bless this Easter day!

—
This is a ghazal, a strangely haunting Arabic/Persian/English form. Today is NaPoWriMo day 16, and this was day 13’s prompt at napowrimo.net. Read more about the ghazal
here.

I Am the Life

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If you received this post by email, click the URL to hear this song.

Christ is risen!

He is risen, indeed!

Quotations from The Holy Bible, New King James Version (NKJV)

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?”
–John 11:25-26

For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
–Philippians 1:21

Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus.
–Philippians 2:5

I Am the Life – Lyrics

(Capo 1)

1. Dying to ourselves so we may come to live,
Accepting all the life that Christ alone can give,
Let the mind in us be the mind that was in him,
For Jesus said:
Refrain:

2. Jesus sacrificed so everyone may live,
When we pledge our lives, it’s the least that we can give,
Trading passing things for the greatest joy in him,
For Jesus said:
Refrain:

3. Everlasting life is not for just a few,
It belongs to everyone believing in the Truth,
Christ alive within is the resurrected proof,
For Jesus said:
Refrain: (Twice)

I am the life!

Refrain:
I’m the resurrection,
And I am the life.
If you believe in me,
You live even though you die.
And if you believe,
You will never die in me.
You will live, live, live, live,
For I give, give, give, give
Eternal life,
I am the life!

Download Mp3

Right click this link and choose “Save target as…” or similar to download.

I Am the Life – Easter Mp3 Download.

Related

Paradise

Arise!

Lenten Mischief

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For Lent we’re giving up the giving up
And sacrificing sacrifices due.
We’re pouring out the pouring of the cup,
Uncorking every cork to try the fumes.

But drinking now is not a drinking binge;
It’s taking for the taking of a rest.
For those controlling self-control to win
Have not the need to have not all the best.

So give up all your giving up I say,
But keep your learning learned, as well you should.
When breaking free at breaking of the day,
You moderate in moderation good.

Lent helps us as a fast, we fast forget,
But from the wine and wining of regret!

—
A Sonnet for NaPoWriMo day 14, with no disrespect to all those–myself included–who made Lenten sacrifices!

When we choose next year’s Lenten activities, let’s remember to fast from things that truly harm us, things like gossip, self-criticism, complaining, defensiveness, and other negative mental, emotional, and spiritual behaviors, as well as physical things.