The Voyage - In Memory of Peggy Arnold

With a smile and with

wisdom, with words and with hand,

she spoke love of life and people, 
lifting all of our hearts.

Upon this voyage,
we touched many lands.
Upon this ship,
We sailed many storms.
For as life provides,
the stars will guide.
Not placed by man,
But by the steadiest hand.
Any joy was multiplied,
By our many souls.
Any burden was lightened.
By our many hands.
Though the ship sails on,
your soul is imparted,
upon the hearts of us,
within the halls we walk.
We now journey on,
as we chart our courses,
seeing separate ways.
May the breeze carry you,
as you carry on by day.
May the gulls beside you,
provide life's continued song.
May the stars cover you,
as you lay down to rest.
And may hearts welcome you,
upon distant shores.

A Wicker Chair in Munich

This is the outdoor dining area where the poem came to mind at the Sheraton Hotel in Munich.

 On July 21st there was a frightening incident on a Lufthansa flight from Munich to Los Angeles where a passenger suffered a heart attack.  The pilot and crew made an emergency landing in Ontario and likely saved his life.  Many people had difficulties missing their connections, but Lufthansa went out of their way to make everyone comfortable.  In the course of that day we met a wonderful family over and over.  This poem was inspired by the course of events and conversation.  May everyone who reads this, including perhaps that passenger, know that good things can come of the most difficult situations when hearts of faith do what they can do.

The way of things is strange,

As the circumstance of sorrow,

Can lead to blessings multiplied,

When fate is turned around,

By the willing hearts of faith.

For faces we did see,

In a sea of nameless faces,

Waiting for new arrangements,

Because a heart attack changed a flight,

And an airline saved a life.

In airports around the world,

A family did meet ours,

Time and time again,

And our girls were first to talk,

As we soon all became friends.

Then at dinner we met again,

And we spoke the song of life,

To bring magic back to hearts,

By making time just for each other.

As a spark may cause a fire,

So this night would then change lives,

All is possible if you do it,

And perhaps we changed the world,

From a wicker chair in Munich.

A World of Color - For "All Across Africa"

On a recent trip to Costco my wife and I found a display of hand made crafts from women in Africa sponsored by All Across Africa which does this so that these women can provide their families better lives.  I was inspired by the words of Deana, the representative there.  I was inspired by seeing the artist's face on a tag for each creation.  When I sat down at my computer, I wrote this.

From across the world,

and within the wild,

their voices cry out,

their colors come forth.

In a land of life,

behold the living,

where within the night,

all eyes see clearly.

Within the day,

they daily carry,

the burdens of family,

with the strength of heart.

In their simple villages,

walking roads of dirt,

their hands speak forth,

the love of the heart.

Their hearts speak true,

through designs worn,

and the crafts they make,

for colors speak words.

Against the blues,

they speak of potential,

the blue sky is limitless,

and so is life.

With patterns of red,

they speak of passion,

of pains and joys,

beyond mere words.

Weaving beads and threads,

these ladies weave complex,

for complex are the patterns,

that life does unfold.

For the women of Africa,

do show like no others,

the world which we live,

is a world of color.

Living

Yesterday I went to buy gas on the way to work and saw flowers by the road, yet again.  Thinking about several who have lost loved ones recently, this came to my heart while looking at one of their Facebook posts.

Matter is only energy,

and yet we stand.

Energy is information,

and yet we learn.

Space has no boundaries,

and yet we explore.

Time has no witness,

and yet we age.

Reality can’t be touched,

and yet we feel.

Illusion is never confirmed,

and yet we believe.

We stand all together,

and yet so alone.

Faith is never fruitless,

and yet we doubt.

We know all so much,

yet not what its about.

Our hearts beat together,

then love we give.

God will never forsake us,

and so we live.

Filing Flavor and Feeling

I just left Tia after picking up some records in a file room for our medical care organization.  We spoke of food, feeling, and faith as I quickly told her that I am a writer.  She challenged me to write about the file room where she worked.  This came together in less than 10 minutes.

Light covered isles,

Fill the large room,

Rows of racks,

Papers and stacks,

Caretakers caring,

A ryhthem in tune.

The ladies in filing,

Sort details of lives,

Care given for health,

With knowledge wealth,

Working with smiles,

Together they thrive.

 

From different cultures,

We spoke of tastes,

Feelings of life,

A life with flavors,

Speaking faith with heart,

Not leaving in haste.

 

Our lives are connected,

On paper together,

With light upon faces,

Our smiles leave soul traces,

Imparting in part,

As souls join forever.

As You Are - For Brian Callicoat (1990-2013)

Memorial Site for Brian

Where Souls Come Together

On Saturday we met a woman in her 70's doing a moving sale.  Mary, full of life, captivated our attention as we conversed for some time about matters of life and faith bringing hearts together.  We returned a bit later so I could give her a copy of my book and she was moved to tears.  This is what I was inspired to write.  The image comes from that day as a collection of tiles were displayed on the rocks.  I put some of the faces together.

Souls are images,

Forever changing,

Remaining the same.

Hearts are furnaces,

Love is burning,

Fueling the game.

Eyes are seeking,

Seeing the rocks,

Where we must live.

Ears are hearing,

Voices of lives,

To whom we give.

Life is the song,

Which we are living,

Love is the life,

Which we are giving,

Hearts give us sight,

Through any weather,

For the heart’s light,

Draws souls together.

Unlocking the future,

Underneath the sun,

Souls bear treasure,

Mystery unfolded,

Purpose is found,

Life is forever.

The power holds beauty,

Felt deep in the heart,

As together we meet,

Explorers of meaning,

Fulfilling our faith,

Beyond defeat.

Life is the song,

Which we are living,

Love is the life,

Which we are giving,

Hearts give us sight,

Through any weather,

For the heart’s strength,

Draws souls together.

A candle in darkness,

Dispelling the shadows,

Brings beautiful light,

And through love’s flame,

Leaves nothing the same,

To Heaven’s delight.

Yet a candle’s light,

Is a spreading flame,

For soul to soul,

The candle comes near,

The meaning is clear,

Many it will light.

Life is the song,

Which we are living,

Love is the life,

Which we are giving,

Hearts give us sight,

Through any weather,

For the heart’s love,

Draws souls together.