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Inexpressible

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The dictionary is open				
The pages fly beneath my fingers			
My pen is poised but the sheet is blank		
There are no words for this joy I’m feeling  		
There are no words for my joy		

U-V-W-X and Y
Now I’m halfway through the Z’s
My pen is poised but the sheet’s still blank
There are no words for the joy of Jesus
There are no words for my joy		

It’s inexpressible, it’s irrepressible
It’s like a boat lifted by the tide
It’s unexplainable, it’s uncontainable
Can’t find the words though you know I’ve tried	
It’s unexplorable, unmetaphorable
The river is deep and the sea is wide			
The river is deep and the sea is wide			

The Holy Scriptures are open
The pages fly beneath my fingers
My lips are poised and my heart is full
I found a word for this joy I’m feeling
Only one word for this joy:
Hallelujah!

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Bj Legros Kelley

Date: 9/26/2020 1:21:00 PM

Wow, joy leaping from your words, oh yes, our Lord!! Such joy! My heart feels like it is dancing as I read your words. I'm truly blessed!

John Watt
Date: 9/26/2020 3:16:00 PM

Thank you, Betty Jo. Your comment really made me smile today! God be with you ~ John

Sam Kauffman

Date: 9/21/2020 12:08:00 PM

John, sending you congratulations wrapped in joy tied with ribbons of blessings! I loved this when I first read it and am "joyful" to see it on the podium - there is finally joy in Mudville. Casey certainly didn't strike out with this one - right over the center field fence! Joyful blessings!

John Watt
Date: 9/21/2020 3:28:00 PM

Thank you for the effusive affirmation on your return trip around the bases, my friend. True joy is hard to put into words. Appreciate you and your wonderful support! P.S. loved your Mudville reference!

Wendy Watson

Date: 9/21/2020 8:32:00 AM

Somehow, although written as free verse, your musicality and rhythmic flow shone through and along with the sentiments expressed, made this a delight to read,John. Congratulations.

John Watt
Date: 9/21/2020 3:26:00 PM

You saw through me, Wendy, this was indeed written as a song. But then, I would expect someone of your musical caliber to sync up with that rhythm! Thank you, dear friend!

Anne-Lise Andresen

Date: 9/21/2020 6:06:00 AM

- Hallelujah ... amen - Congratulations on your win, John :) - hugs // Anne-Lise :)

John Watt
Date: 11/3/2021 4:21:00 PM

Amen to your amen, Sunshine. Thanks for singing along.

Linda Alice Fowler

Date: 9/21/2020 5:20:00 AM

Amen John. Congratulations on your win! Linda

John Watt
Date: 9/21/2020 3:24:00 PM

Amen to your amen, and thanks for the congrats, Linda!

Regina Mcintosh

Date: 9/21/2020 3:11:00 AM

Congrats on your top winning entry. I love it. God bless you with all your heart desires and more. Love to you, Gina

John Watt
Date: 9/21/2020 3:24:00 PM

Thank you for hosting this wonderful contest, Gina! It was a joy to participate and also to read the winners penning about joy. Your kindness in my placement is also greatly appreciated. God's love and blessings to you ~ John

Sam Kauffman

Date: 8/31/2020 11:58:00 AM

Hallelujah! Amen! Your poem just exudes joy in your song of praise! Love the format, the rhyming and all the "ables." Your ERA and RBI's are rising! All star designation for your inexhaustible creativity! Much joy for you!

John Watt
Date: 9/1/2020 10:39:00 AM

Thank you, thank you Sam for your special friendship and inspiring words. Glad you could resonate with this joy!

Jennifer Proxenos

Date: 8/31/2020 10:53:00 AM

So much you convey to the reader in this poem John, It is a joy to read - indescribable joy! Halleljah, you found the word you most wanted! How could an open dictionary compare to an open copy of the Holy Scriptures - the joy of knowing Jesus can only be found in the latter. A heartfelt, clever, faithful write. Hugs and blessings, Jennifer.

John Watt
Date: 9/1/2020 10:23:00 AM

Your words are always so endearing to my Jenn. Thank you for the time you invest in building others up, in reading and supporting poetry and encouraging your friends!

Andrea Dietrich

Date: 8/31/2020 10:44:00 AM

But I've got me a good N/A if anyone does one of those contests sometime!!

John Watt
Date: 8/31/2020 11:08:00 AM

Hmmmmm.... maybe you ended up the real winner, haha!

Andrea Dietrich

Date: 8/31/2020 10:44:00 AM

Congrats, John, I did not even get to join you in the HM club today!!

John Watt
Date: 8/31/2020 11:10:00 AM

Thanks, friend. With only 6 winners, an HM is taking on a bit more prestige these days.

Andrea Dietrich

Date: 8/30/2020 2:34:00 PM

wow, John, another one I can see how it can be used to kill two birds! This is REALLY great. The way you express indescribable joy by going through the dictionary. Genius!

John Watt
Date: 8/30/2020 3:27:00 PM

Just call me a bird killer. Wait a minute, that doesn't sound too good, does it? Let's just say I'm painting two walls with one brush. Appreciate you getting the gist of this and sending me your affirming words. Have a great day, my friend.

John Hamilton

Date: 8/30/2020 10:31:00 AM

Great write John and so true, hallelujah, praise God (Jah) true joy does come from God's word, second listed in the fruit of the spirit comes after love.

John Watt
Date: 8/30/2020 11:32:00 AM

"The joy of the Lord is our strength" from Nehemiah. "Rejoice in the Lord always, again I say rejoice" from Philippians. Joy is the hallmark (or one of them at least) of a person of faith. Thank you for your wonderfully uplifting comment, John.

Gordon Mcconnell

Date: 8/30/2020 6:51:00 AM

Nice penning indeed John so well executed with good imagery too. Blessings always,Gordon

John Watt
Date: 8/30/2020 11:31:00 AM

Thank you, my friend. Your encouragement is always appreciated and received with a smile. God bless ~ John

Caren Krutsinger

Date: 8/30/2020 3:50:00 AM

You are correct, John. There are no words to describe certain feelings, and this is one of them. Death and birth need their own feeling words also if you ask me.

John Watt
Date: 8/30/2020 11:30:00 AM

It's almost cliche to say there are no words, but people know what you mean by saying that. We've all been a little tongue-tied to fully express something deep. Thank you for your lovely comment.