"But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain..." 1 Corinthians 15:10-11 King James Bible
Blest by the Lord
I am one who is gripped with peace
Enclosed around divine redemption seal
Bound toward freedom bliss
Vanquishing doubts hurled by attacking skeptic darts
Smiting gloom of besetting tortures due to guilt
Grateful always for pardon’s best
While worshipping my Saviour, exalting His name.
Midst love and grace
I am enjoying God’s goodness
While reaching-out to others serenely
Sharing Gospel of hope
Steadfastly trusting for miracles to happen
Believing that faith moves yon what’s impossible
Triumphant against my weakness
As I rest at the omnipotent Champ’s bosom.
December 1, 2024
4th place, "Who I Am" Verse Poetry Writing Contest
Sponsored by Constance La France; judged on 12/11/2024
Walls sadly look at me
As I wait until everyone's asleep
The room has its all ears on me
As I cry myself to sleep
Pillow silently absorbs the tears
That run down my face
Fighting all those besetting fears
That occupy all my space
My snuggly blanket tries to comfort me
But I use it instead to blot my tears off
My little fan sings cool breeze for me
While my bed helps me laugh the pain off
Walls. Room. Pillow. Blanket. Fan. Bed.
Walls. Room. Pillow. Blanket. Fan. Bed.
Some things.
Some things.
Aroused by achievement ardor, awakened by the Almighty
Blest being of mine blossoms beyond besetting boredom blight
Carving creations circumspectly
Delighted by dreams’ desire to dare and do…
Empowered toward exploits* earnestly enabling
Freed from frustration toward faith-fortitude flight
Girded, governed, geared toward growth's going glow
Hope-hoisted held high, happily healed
Illumined, instructed, influenced for instilling and imparting---
Jubilantly joining reaching-out journeys
Kindled with knowledge while exercising kindness
Living in the light, led by the loving the LORD along learning-leaps!
*Daniel 11:32 ... The people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits.
Alliteration in ABC
January 21, 2024
6th place, "YOU CHOOSE ONCE MORE" Poetry Writing Premiere Contest
Sponsored by Brian Strand; judged on 1/27/2024
Arousing achievement ardor
affirming assertive aspirations
Beaming brightly
beyond besetting blight
Carving creations consciously
circumspectly with care
Dreams are stars of clarity that direct
delighting desires to dare and do…
Empowering exploits midst pain-exposure
earnestly enabling with empathy
Freedom to fight fear
fortitude flight fueled by faith
Girded while governed for growth
geared toward going then glowing
Hope-hoisted held high
healing against woes' hindrances
Illumining then instructing
influencing to ignite interesting interactions
Jubilantly pursuing joy
junking jabs of wrong judgment
Kindling kindness
kaleidoscopic in its worthy kinship...
Leading in loving the LORD
as light* toward learning-leaps!
*Matthew 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
ABC with alliterations in free verse
December 1, 2023
2nd place, "Stars Of Clarity" Poetry Writing Contest
Sponsored by Ink Empress; judged on 12/3/2023
Like travellers,
We cross this arid land
Aiming at the city of rest.
As we traverse the landscapes
We may, of a truth, sully our feet
With besetting dust of sin
But we must from time to time
Remember Calvary, the place of cleansing
Where mercy flows immeasurably
We go through marketplaces
Let’s be pleased with divine supplies
Lest we are tangled with vanities of life
We faint many a time
But we are resuscitated; we move on
We despair not.
We shall win!
We are soldiers in the warfare
Let’s fight, holding onto the cross
A Time Of Reflection
And Forgiveness
Miracle Man
2/9/2023
Though hard to believe, it is oh so true,
besetting things of twenty twenty two.
But thanks be to God I still have a voice,
so I’ll live my testimony and rejoice.
Forgiving those times when feeling abused,
and others when knowing I was being used.
For those who thought I was a bank ATM,
Though I’ll remember I won’t condemn.
I’ll forgive each one these circumstances,
for where am I without second chances?
HOUSE OF CHARACTER
(Based on Matthew 7:21-27)
If your house is built on sand
It will never, never stand.
The sudden storm which comes someday
Will blow and wash it all away.
Yet if you know your Savior true
He’s spent much time in knowing you.
You can be sure your house will stand,
For it was not on sifting sand.
Be prepared for what will come,
For this will be the total sum.
If your life is built on Him
God will free you from all sin.
Your house of character is complete
Before this storm you finally meet.
If besetting sin does not remain,
You are prepared for wind and rain.
It’s now we must turn around,
And then make sure our house is sound.
The final storm will come someday.
We can’t afford to now delay.
God will give you strength to build,
With His life you will be filled.
So give your heart to God’s great plan,
And then your house will always stand.
Copyright Oct. 2014, Kathryn Search
David sang of Deliverance
Blessed in God's mercy
We sing of forgiveness
Great is God's Love
Our sins washed away
Transgressions out of sight
Humans love disobedience too
You know us inwardly
Yet Grace is available
When we turn away
From sins besetting humanity
Embrace and release the Lord’s grace
Offering forgiveness delight
Marked by love of caring gaze
Toward sharing midst kindness plight.
For heart to bask in peace nurture
Embrace and release the Lord’s grace
Reaching out through bliss-filled venture
Glowing bright, smiting gloomy days.
Despite pain, besetting life’s race
Persist patiently, propped by hope
Embrace and release the Lord’s grace
Strength He grants for soul to cope.
Oh prayer warrior, thanks indeed
Your cheerful prompt guides from doubts' chase
Inspiring with working faith-creed
“Embrace and release the Lord’s grace*.”
*Acts 11:23 Who, when he came, and had seen the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord.*
May 7, 2021
1st place, "ALL YOURS (May 16)" Poetry Contest
Sponsored by Brian Strand; judged on 5/16/2021.
another day is almost done
scented bubbles - an anticipation
warm water calls her by her name:
a relaxing "mom time" accommodation
with exhalation, hands gently grasping
a book binding worn to smooth
eyes lusting for a deep escape
each written word meant to soothe
her heart covertly coveting,
for a short time, an empty abode
her favorite novel only just begun
short self-care arrangement is bestowed
time ticks its fast advancement
bathwater wrinkles, besetting
children caterwauling with woes of needs
each knock - a sound on nerves - upsetting
husband now calling through the door
she's pleading for a moments peace:
"One more page," she responds to all
hoping for the complaints to cease
Illnesses besetting
Parents aging
Chilled waves of anxiety
buffet the shore
Thunderclouds dampening
soil and spirits
Cellos, subdued in minor sonority
play Eleanor Rigby in my mind
Painted ponies gnashing
at their metallic captivity
In February
Health returning
Sandpipers scatter as we approach
Collecting shells
with smiling mother
Children's laughter rains down
on half-filled sand pails
Thundering gales of glee
as they test the frigid ocean
Trumpets dance to the melodic riff
of Good Day, Sunshine
The painted ponies go up and down,
'round and 'round
the brass ring again in sight
In February
Hustlers
Written: by Miracle Man
8/6/2019
There are those in our path who take great pride,
And trying to hustle others, is their full time job.
They won’t work full time when they can get a free ride,
What they can’t beg or borrow, they’ll steal or rob.
Sometimes we’re caught up in a feel good day,
And occurrences at the time aren’t so besetting.
Or we’re lacking fortitude to turn some one away,
They take this as synonymous with our forgetting.
But without accountability, we feel mistreated,
Because they took advantage of our good heart.
But until such day that our time is depleted,
A kind talk from God’s word we try to impart.
In a kingdom full of perspectives
Much I marveled the ideal principle
Deep into that darkness hunching
Vision - tormentor of my dreams
When I thought of the Vision
~
I heard a designing, happy dreaming
Of binoculars that are mainstreaming
I had dreamed of storms screaming
The light seemed happy streaming
~
Deep into that darkness fretting
I crave the puzzled, preliminary prevue
All my soul within me besetting
Ahh, the beautiful, colorful rainbow view
Deep into that darkness buffering
And the preview never frosting
~
Iris, retinal, view if you see this
I’m sure you do
Panavision multicolored reality decision
And the preview never frosting-vision
4/16/19
Written words by James Edward Lee Sr.2019©
The God of heaven prospers us in life building*
While we yield to His patient scraping shovel’s might
Molding us to guide others to righteousness-light
Perfecting our masterpieces by His leading.
With abundant supply of provisions’ bounty
The God of heaven prospers us in life building
As we reach-out to the lost in His upholding
Bringing them to His radiant wisdom’s certainty.
Midst varied besetting rigorous challenges
Coupled with tribulation for service-treading
The God of heaven prospers us in life building
Affirming us our labour’s heavenly wages.
In the crucible of scraping shovels’ girding
We cease not to teach and mentor through the Lord’s grace
Assured that His power is faith's foundation-brace
The God of heaven prospers us in life building.
*Nehemiah 2:20 Then answered I them, and said unto them, The God of heaven, he will prosper us; therefore we his servants will arise and build.
Enclosed rhyme with modified “quatern”
March 11, 2019
Edited on May 5, 2020
3rd place, "BRIAN'S CHOICE 4,any form,any theme" Poetry Contest
Sponsored by Brian Strand; judged on 5/6/2020.
Protracted Years
Written: by Tom Wright
6/18/2018
Protracted years have seen,
My days become scratchy,
Like a cheap pen’s nib on a cardboard box,
And my thoughts are silent utterances,
Of developments long ago;
Today, my sub conscious is plagued,
By besetting remembrances, as I jettison things,
And find no moments for retention;
Sub Categories
Looking for the formal definition, structure, and history of this poetry form? Visit the Poetry Dictionary entry below. Then return to explore how PoetrySoup members bring the form to life through their own poems.