Premise of Joy

Joy cannot be raised as though it ride the back of a song.
It is a gift and for that we should laud the giver with praise.
The heart races into overdrive as the mind fills with wonder.
Our physical and vocal constraints suddenly are unbound.
The mind and senses suddenly to a higher plane are lifted
and our reactions no longer seem to need a leap of faith.

When we walk the aisle to say “I do”, we do consider faith.
I seem to recall such feelings of humility, my body in song,
in tune with the lilt of the moment and the suppressed lift,
of the shout building within me.  I offer ever lasting praise,
of the promise of one walking to me, to He whom I am bound.
As, in unison, all who watched us say I do, approve in wonder.

They remember their own vows, their own time of wonder.
I remember standing before the observation room in faith,
promising Him that if only this little babe not yet bound 
to me, already powerfully making my heart burst to song, 
were only normal, I would raise him to give Him all praise.
I loved the smell of baby powder, as the blanket was lifted. 

Days at our beach house, a respite which always was a lift,
from the day to day routine of work, was always wonderful.
To be able to walk on the beach and stand in awe and praise,
knowing that the sun would rise and tide would fall in faith,
as the sand dabs hid and the seagulls surround them in song,
the power is in Him Who made the earth and to Him is bound.

One cannot be a true southerner and not be honor bound,
to explore the beauty of the Blue Ridge; to smell the lift
of air rising from the basin gently through long leaf singing,
on the outcrop above, as the eagle circles in wonderment.
Exploring Chimney Rock and crawling through with faith,
the Devil’s Kitchen, giving such surroundings due praise.

How could one possibly contain and not express praise,
for such intricate beauty, surely every man is duty bound
to seek out and enjoy beautiful things which speak of faith,
those simple vibrant things which give life a joyous lift.
We need those things which fill us with so much wonder,
we feel our nerves tingle, our skin crawl, and heart sing.

A Life devoid of giving praise, never feels the spirit lift.
If threads of doubt are bound, life can be filled of wonder.
Life can produce such faith, our being delights in song.

My words are:  sing,  praise,  wonder,  bound,  lift,  faith
© 26 Nov 2010 For Deb's "Joy to the World"contest
Copyright © | Year Posted 2010

Poem

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Brown Avatar
December 13, 2010 at 11:06 AM
Congratulations on your win Charles in Deborah Guzzi's contest. Love, Carol
Dietrich Avatar
December 11, 2010 at 4:14 PM
gosh, Charles you outdid yourself with this sestina. Awesome portrayal of what brings you joy. Congratulations! LUv, Andrea
Kendrick Avatar
December 9, 2010 at 2:53 PM
Congratulations on your win..Sara
Mehta Avatar
December 9, 2010 at 4:05 AM
Congratulations on this well deserved win in the contest of Deb, Charles
Sweetheart Avatar
December 8, 2010 at 5:59 PM
Congrats Charles on your big win in Debbie's contest with this exquisite write and entry .. emotive and excellent my friend.. enjoy your spot at the top with luv..
Gorelick Avatar
December 8, 2010 at 3:40 PM
Congrats Charles..what a lovely poem. BG
Guzzi Avatar
December 8, 2010 at 2:08 PM
Congrad's on your well deserved win. Such a profoundly romantic man, your wife is very lucky as are we to read your verses. Light & Love
Guzzi Avatar
December 6, 2010 at 10:15 AM
I know how hard you've worked on this! All is well except verse 7 needs tweaking to be consistant with everyone, I have requested line 1 be 2,4 line 2 be 6,5 line 3 be 3,1 and that the words be in the body of the line. It should just take a sec...I'm sorting today ;) Light & Love
Devonshire Avatar
November 29, 2010 at 1:06 AM
You have led a joyful life, Charles, and your love still makes your heart sing. Wish I could visit those sites you mentioned in the Blue Ridge. It is nature that never fails to bring a smile to my face. I love the way you summed up the essential components of faith and thanks in your final stanza. A wonderful entry for Deb's contest! Love, Carolyn
Mehta Avatar
November 27, 2010 at 2:52 PM
What a beautiful write on HIM which is the greatest giver of the joy and himself a joy, Charles. Good luck with this fine sestina.
La France Avatar
November 27, 2010 at 9:24 AM
You did an excellent job writing this amazing sestina, a very challenging form. , I am sure Deb will enjoy it, best of luck in the contest~~
Richards Avatar
November 27, 2010 at 8:36 AM
Wow....you did a stunning ode to Joy with this sestina, Charles. I had such a challenge with this form...your's is wonderful ! :)
Dufresne Avatar
November 27, 2010 at 4:21 AM
I have no idea how you could have made this creation of yours any more clear or better for that matter, Charles. Thanks for taking me on that trip today with you.
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