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The Mustard Seed

Listen to poem:

The mustard seed 

a wild mustard seed took flight 
carried aloft in gathering light 
over thistle'd sage and poppies  
in countless colorful copies

as brash rain showers subside 
the retreat of angry clouds abide
scolded by the Northern wind 
in search of infinity's final end

once barren hills, now painted gold
snow geese forage with fledgling fold  
amid the flutter of swallowtail's wings 
from soil sprouted seedling life brings

'til once more mustard's children are blown
from heaven's heights the earth is sown    

~~~Dedicated to my Uncle Joe~~~

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Moon Harp Date: 1/16/2025 9:24:00 PM Dear Raven, I really like this poem, especially the opening stanza. It really drew me into the poem. Login to Reply

Zyrool Gifford Date: 1/16/2025 9:58:00 AM A beautiful write praising one of nature’s finest seeds. Thank you for sharing. Login to Reply

Edward Wraith Date: 4/6/2024 8:30:00 AM A beautifully crafted ode, tenderly honoring a man held dear to your heart. May his soul find solace in the eternal embrace. “Like the mustard seed, our future generations are borne aloft upon the capricious winds of fate, destined for lands unknown, yet brimming with potential and promise.” -Edward Login to Reply

Hilda Greenhough Date: 11/19/2023 7:19:00 AM A poem of nature with notes of future hope, I found this composition beautiful. Login to Reply Quoth Theraven Date: 12/26/2023 11:33:00 PM Thank you Hilda, for this tribute to my uncle, a loving father, and wonderful man. -Richard

Clifford Villalon Date: 3/25/2023 4:44:00 PM Very nice poem you have here... and a warm dedication to your Uncle Joe. You are a very loving nephew! This is just one beautiful and inspiring poem of yours out of the many you've already written. I like piano too. I thought of a voice over above your poem... Thanks again for your visit sometime ago. I'm honored for your precious time, Sir Richard! My pleasure of reading your other poems. :) Cliff Login to Reply Quoth Theraven Date: 4/30/2023 12:01:00 AM Clifford, Thank you for the warmth, it's I that am honored to be sure. -Richard

Beata Agustin Date: 10/21/2020 8:37:00 PM Thanks for sharing this faith-bracing muse of yours with the spirit-uplifting music that accompanies it. God bless you. Login to Reply Quoth Theraven Date: 11/11/2020 8:28:00 PM Beata, Thank you so much. I liked your poem 'Hear Me Say These Again'. Very nice sentiment for your wonderous family. Blessings for the season. -Richard

Panagiota Romios Date: 9/22/2020 1:59:00 PM Beautifully penned! Such a fine poet! I have a mustard seed enclosed in a necklace. Having that much faith can move mountains. Pangie xx Login to Reply Quoth Theraven Date: 10/24/2020 9:26:00 PM Panagiota, Thank you that is the way of it. The seeds will go where they're needed. -Richard

Lindsay Laurie Date: 9/6/2020 9:15:00 PM G'day Richard ... like many humans, the humble mustard seed travels and begins another generation. Nice verse indeed Richard - Lindsay Login to Reply Quoth Theraven Date: 9/19/2020 4:07:00 PM Hello Lindsay, Thanks for the comment. Hope your week-end is tolerable. The tiny mustard seed, mentioned several times in the Bible. But I still don't know why I picked it. Jesus said, “Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.” Matthew 17:20

M. L. Kiser Date: 9/5/2020 8:53:00 AM Quite beautifully penned with super imagery. Login to Reply Quoth Theraven Date: 9/5/2020 11:29:00 PM Thanks, I was thinking the same of your poem 'Burning Flame Of Life'. Truly wonderful ending., 'Flames burn dim or bright; many deny, their own bright light'. -Richard

Quoth Theraven Date: 9/3/2020 9:25:00 PM Laura, The thanks should belong to me for the kindness. BTW, Petrarch sends his regards. He, like I love the name. Though I of heretical heart cannot understand why I've missed your wonderful writing. Such as 'Last Climb' and 'Stuff is Not Much'. I decided to have a change of heart. -Richard Login to Reply

Laura Leiser Date: 9/2/2020 7:59:00 PM I was blown away by not only your poetic words, but the piano music that sent your words soaring into an inspirational stratosphere! Wow, what a treat, and your picture is beautiful, as well. An instant Fave from me, Richard..thank you! :) Login to Reply Quoth Theraven Date: 10/23/2020 9:26:00 PM Laura, Laura, feminized form of laurus, Latin for "bay laurel plant", Greco-Roman era symbol of victory, honor or fame. I've wondered why I always liked the name. Thank you for that comment Laura. -Richard -Richard

Vijay Pandit Date: 9/2/2020 2:45:00 PM Very scenic--from seeds to beauty--well done, Richard. Login to Reply Quoth Theraven Date: 9/3/2020 9:11:00 PM Vijay, I thank you sir, from loquacious to solemn reverie. -Richard

Pashang Salehi Date: 8/31/2020 1:48:00 PM Very nice my dear... I wrote something similar sometime ago is called Samara... Login to Reply

Jennifer Proxenos Date: 8/29/2020 1:36:00 AM All seeds are blown by the wind or carried by migrant bird. Whatever the case, yes they do eventually have to settle and your mustard seeds settled and gave you inspiration to write this poem. Awesome couplets, a fave for me., as for your pic. loved it. Hugs and blessings, Jennifer. Login to Reply Quoth Theraven Date: 9/3/2020 9:06:00 PM Jennifer, Thank you for the comment on my poem. My Uncle Joe was the inspiration, and from his memory divined. There were never two souls so meant like his and Grace. -Richard

Mark Koplin Date: 8/25/2020 6:08:00 AM You described right where I live. The wild mustard and the geese, very beautiful imagery. Great poem! Login to Reply Quoth Theraven Date: 8/25/2020 8:01:00 AM Thank you Mark, you truly live in a small patch of paradise. A neighbor to the earth. -Richard

Panagiota Romios Date: 8/24/2020 9:52:00 AM I am breathless after reading these totally divine couplets... Truly moving. Panagiota xx Login to Reply Quoth Theraven Date: 8/25/2020 7:59:00 AM Panagiota, Thank you dropping by and for leaving such a nice comment. Technically no such thing as a 'fold' of swallowtails. So..let there exist a flurry of Highland cattle in an alternate universe. -Richard

Evelyn Judy Buehler Date: 8/23/2020 8:30:00 PM You've described one of the miracles of nature quite beautifully, Richard. Your photograph and music are also exquisite. Thank you for sharing. :) Login to Reply Quoth Theraven Date: 8/25/2020 7:52:00 AM Evelyn, Thank you for your comment that mentioned miracles. I still believe in them. -Richard

Connie Marcum Wong Date: 8/23/2020 11:00:00 AM Wow! I am in awe of the beauty of your words dedicated to your Uncle Joe. He must be a special soul. This is incredibly beautiful with the music that makes it feel heavenly. I am Faving this gem Richard! Blessings xxoo Login to Reply Quoth Theraven Date: 8/23/2020 6:07:00 PM Connie, Thank you, he was a special soul. 'Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them'. Apt for all left in loss. I read your words for your dear husband with sadness for the forty years. You've written so many wonderful things of him. I hope the words you wrote will always remain and remind of happier days in life. Much love to you, your daughters & in-laws, and your grand-daughters. -Richard

Krish Radhakrishna Date: 8/23/2020 12:28:00 AM This is a brilliant piece of work! Nature described in simple beautiful sonnet with music! 'til once more mustard's children are blown from heaven's heights the earth is sown Very well done!! Adding to my Fave Login to Reply Quoth Theraven Date: 8/23/2020 5:09:00 PM Thank you Krish. Many will say music distracts from the poem. The real intention; to distract the mind with musically worded wings. -Richard

Anne-Lise Andresen Date: 8/22/2020 3:00:00 AM - Your story is beautifully described, Richard :) - (A beautiful picture too) - hugs // Anne-Lise :) Login to Reply Quoth Theraven Date: 8/23/2020 4:25:00 PM Welcomed comment from one of the Soup's favorite poets, Anne-Lise. Wonderful photo for your poem 'A Little Angel'. -Richard

Michelle Faulkner Date: 8/21/2020 9:16:00 PM This is an enchanting journey, so many amazing lines, like 'over thistle'd sage and poppies' and 'snow geese forage with fledging fold' - and the ending lines put a perfect bow on this beauty! Login to Reply Quoth Theraven Date: 8/23/2020 4:13:00 PM Michelle, Thank you for your 'sage' comment. And congratulations on your fine POTD 'We the People'. We need a message of unity more than ever in this beleaguered country. -Richard

Indiana Shaw Date: 8/21/2020 7:33:00 PM This beautiful story of the mere mustard seed really emanates from this wonderful couplet, Chris, and even more with the music, your Uncle Joe must be a very proud man to have such lovely heartfelt poem dedicated to him, as it says so much more about the journey of life itself . . . : ) Login to Reply Quoth Theraven Date: 8/23/2020 3:59:00 PM Thank you for your thoughtful comment. The mustard seed and its journey are analogous to Uncle Joe, an honorable man that lived and loved, and was loved, though that life has come to an end. I didn't add a pair of dates or RIP, just couldn't put a period on his days. -Chris (wink)

Janice Canerdy Date: 8/20/2020 9:49:00 AM Such a lovely poem, Richard--reminds me of the Bible passage about faith and the mustard seed. Janice Login to Reply Quoth Theraven Date: 8/21/2020 8:52:00 AM Thank you for that comment. Perhaps we're guided in our fate and faith? I only know, sometimes it comes from somewhere else. -Richard

Andrea Dietrich Date: 8/18/2020 4:42:00 PM where is antelope valley? I love this kind of picture! Login to Reply Quoth Theraven Date: 8/18/2020 8:08:00 PM Hello Andrea, Antelope Valley is situated between Tehachapi, Sierra Pelona, and the San Gabriel Mountains on the western tip of the Mojave Desert. -Richard

Eve Roper Date: 8/17/2020 3:49:00 PM Beautiful imagery, Richard, seeds spreading and taking root. Hugs Eve Login to Reply Quoth Theraven Date: 8/18/2020 8:07:00 PM Hello Eve, Thanks for stopping by. How's your base ball-playing grand-daughter? Not much fun when stands are empty I'm afraid. -Richard

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