Best Retrogression Poems
Revolving around LOVE indeed…
that’s life as glanced by our special child
blessed by God*, the source of precious breath
and the author of wondrous existence…
Such is proven while beholding his miracle-filled survival
anchored by compassion nurturing him against diagnosis
of “progression toward retrogression”~~~
upheld along care enveloping his being
despite “congenital anomalies”~~~
beautified through comfort supporting him
though afflicted with cerebral palsy~~~
asserted in sign language
expressing his grateful gestures toward
guardians and friends in the orphanage
now serving as his dear family…
I pray with faith for that perspective to prevail
since LOVE of the LORD reigns!
*2Corinthians 1:3 Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort.
March 10, 2021
5th place, "Life At A Glance" Premier Poetry Contest
Sponsored by Mystic Rose Rose; judged on 3/12/2021.
All the DNA I allowed myself understand
remained silent within
All the ruptures I wished to shout, illuminate
All that I paid with pain and grew in peace
remained testimony in my dreams
I sing melodies that carry graces
profound from so much sage pain
full of nightmares from truthful pathways
with small deaths
in the iridescent aurora
and retrogression to infinite twilight
Fascinated with butterflies, he is charmed by these creatures' freedom-flight. My child, secured in his wheelchair delightfully grips yellow crayon. Along creativity challenge, he pursues artwork schedule while struggling against spastic restlessness... Soon with glee-filled countenance, championing his thumbs-up trademark devoid of bashful gesture he shows me his masterpiece: a glowing butterfly radiant in yellow he has painstakingly colored…
Witnessing his gracious achievement of gradual milestones, I'm thankful for God-wrought* remarkable changes, notable indications that he is “educable.” Why so? He was diagnosed to “progress toward retrogression” by his pediatrician more than a decade ago... (We then learned that she left earth, but that was another story.)
Yes, I’m beholding actual metamorphosis toward joyous fulfillment. With faith in the Sovereign’s miracle, I envision my boy in his functional zest like a butterfly that has surmounted infantile epilepsy --- now becoming triumphant over “global developmental delay.”
*Psalm 92:4 For thou, LORD, hast made me glad through thy work: I will triumph in the works of thy hands.
July 3, 2020
Edited on October 2, 2022
2nd place, "Chapter 1" Narrative Poetry Writing Contest
Sponsored by Matt Caliri; judged on 11/1/2022.
"Praise ye the LORD. O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever." Psalm 106:1 of the King James Bible*
“He will progress toward retrogression…”
oh, gloomy tidings --- verily heart breaking news
I was confronted with, more than a decade ago
announced by a pediatrician neurologist.
“… Retrogression…”
every day, I kept defying said medical prophecy
not that I was in denial of our special child’s condition
but was anxious his infantile spasm epilepsy would be fatal.
“… Toward retrogression…”
such reverberated, intensifying my angst
every time I beheld his restlessness
propelling his fatigue before going to sleep.
“… Progress toward retrogression…”
yes, I questioned diagnosis with mixed emotions
as fear swelled over courage, striving to prevail
yet, faith in God surmounted my motherly qualms.
“… Will progress toward retrogression…”
nonetheless, the Lord with His miraculous mercy and might
worked along our loving nurture midst supplication-filled care
in the orphanage that serves as his home and family.
“He will progress toward retrogression…”
that was then (2010); and so saddening
since the doctor whose assertion is now being nullified, died (in 2018)---
could not behold and rejoice for our child’s development.
Today, our son is showing remarkable progress
marked with gratefulness, peace, and joy
while in sign language he prays and worships---
---expressing that the Almighty is good*.
February 6, 2021
3rd place, "A Meaningful Poem" Contest
Sponsored by Constance La France; judged on 3/26/2021.
Indeed, there are three sides to every story
multi-faceted, alerting us against fake news-misery
thus, wisdom is needed to unravel twists and mystery
along circumspection toward seeking truth's victory!
Here am I presenting a story
along my role in child-rearing ministry
facing challenges on how to handle information-delivery
yet staying calm, though reality-check makes me feel sorry.
One decade and five years ago,
our special child was diagnosed
with infantile spasm epilepsy
along global developmental delay…
Side 1 ~~~ Perspective of the doctor:
The pediatrician with her neurology expertise
explained the CT (computed tomography) scan
result of our child’s brain --- as having an atrophy.
Then she declared this prognosis:
“Your child will progress toward retrogression.”
Side 2 ~~~ My poetic viewpoint in ABC with alliteration:
Apprehension midst anxiety agitated my angst
Baby in our life-building bosom
Calls for compassionate care due to cerebral palsy condition
Diagnosed with debility, demanding diligent duty---
Enabled with endurance for extra-effort
Fervently facing feats for faith-fueling
Guided with God by His grace and goodness
Hope-filled to help our child, we are hoisted that his
Infantile spasm epilepsy should not be ignored…
Side 3 ~~~ The Omniscient vision of the Divine Almighty:
By faith in the Sovereign Supreme Creator Who knows
perfectly what’s best, I see His miraculous power in
our child who is now 15 years old…progressing
toward milestones, midst the Lord’s provision,
with our love, prayer and trust, testifying
“With God, nothing shall be impossible.*”
Indeed, there are three sides to every story
multi-faceted, alerting us against fake news-misery
thus, wisdom is needed to unravel twists and mystery
along circumspection toward seeking truth's victory!
Here I stand today along triumphant territory
winning over unbelief, skepticism and guilt's fury
learning that the Almighty can overrule man's story
since He knows everything, and such is proven in our history!
*Luke 1:37 "For with God nothing shall be impossible."
November 29, 2024
1st place, "Three sides to every story" Poetry Writing Contest
Sponsored by Silent One; judged on 12/16/2024
Come, dear child
Soar high with me
Toward zestful freedom…
Let’s zoom above
Unchained from wheel chair
Along blissful delight…
Fly with mirth-filled laughter
As you welcome exploration zeal
Propelled by courage to let go…
As paper plane beholding your art work
I witness your functional advancement
Assisted with faith's loving guidance…
Keep on moving up by God’s grace*
Surmounting diagnosis 13 years ago
That you’ll “progress toward retrogression.”
*I do not frustrate the grace of God…
August 31, 2022
Delightfully coloring a butterfly drawing
my child, secured in his custom-built wheel chair
grips, midst obvious struggle
his yellow crayon…
Wow… he’s enjoying his creativity-schedule
as he painstakingly finishes his artwork
along bugging restlessness
overcoming “butterfly-in-pupa stage” syndrome…
Soon with glee-filled countenance
devoid of bashful gesture
he shows me his masterpiece:
a glowing butterfly, radiant in yellow…
Witnessing his gracious achievement
I see in him God-wrought remarkable changes
indeed precious indications that he’s “educable”
undoubtedly, not progressing toward retrogression…*
Yes, I’m beholding metamorphosis in process
thus, with faith in the Sovereign’s miracle
I envision my boy in his functionality
like a butterfly in its blessed beauty**.
*"Expect that he will progress toward retrogression..."This was uttered by the pediatrician-neurologist that diagnosed our special child of infantile epilepsy and global developmental delay in 2010. Today, our son, by God's grace is doing well.
**Psalm 90:17 And let the beauty of the LORD our God be upon us…
October 4, 2019
Honorable Mention, "Writing Challenge, October-Butterfly" Poetry Contest
Sponsored by Dear Heart- Wiishkobe Ode; judged on 10/5/2019.
Fascinated with butterflies
midst their freedom-flight…
dear child*, secured in his wheel chair
delightfully grips yellow crayon
along creativity challenge
to pursue artwork bout
while struggling against spastic restlessness...
Soon with glee-filled countenance
championing his thumbs-up trademark
devoid of bashful gesture
he shows a masterpiece:
oh, glowing butterfly
radiant in yellow
he has painstakingly colored…
Witnessing his gracious achievement
of gradual milestones
I'm thankful* for God-wrought remarkable changes
notable indications that he is “educable”
thus, not “progressing toward retrogression”
as diagnosed by his pediatrician
more than a decade ago...
Yes, I’m beholding actual metamorphosis
toward joyous fulfillment…
so with faith in the Sovereign’s miracle
I envision our boy in his functional zest
like a butterfly that has surmounted
infantile epilepsy --- now becoming triumphant
over “global developmental delay.”
*Today, July 24, 2026, the child in our church orphanage is now 17 years old.
** 1Thessalonians 5:18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you..
July 23, 2020
1st place, "STRAND completely new (12) any theme any form" Poetry Contest Sponsored by Brian Strand; judged on 7/23/2020.
“… Progress toward retrogression…”
yes, I questioned diagnosis with mixed emotions
as fear swelled over courage, striving to prevail
yet, faith in God* surmounted my motherly qualms.
Now, our special child in his wheel chair zooms toward progress
singing praises to the Lord in sign language blissfully.
*Mark 11:22 And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God.
February 20, 2021
edited on June 24, 2021
3rd place, "Bite Size Poem no.9" Poetry Contest
Sponsored by Line Gauthier; judged on 7/2/2021.
Grateful am I to explore marvelous life bestowed by God Almighty. Honouring the Lord for my miraculous survival, I am blessed to experience life’s magnificence toward optimum enjoyment. Yes, life is beautiful as I behold the joyous countenance of my orphanage family, especially the endearing hearts of my surrogate parents who keep on asserting that I am handsome despite my disability. Furthermore, life is meaningful while I comprehend through sign language that I am valued by the Creator Who has allowed me to surmount the challenges of abortion attempts, and the rigors of being surrendered to a residential facility. Meanwhile, life is purposeful when I take part in reaching-out to others with love and faith while giving-out Gospel tracts though I am wheel-chair bound. Life is indeed wonderful since I continually grow in peaceful bliss amidst the grace, goodness, and greatness of the Saviour Jesus Christ, through caring people who are helping me attain milestones against the diagnosis that I would “progress toward retrogression.” Worshipful, I exalt the Lord Who is my life.
endowed by life* Source
existence best maximized---
everyday praise-blest
*Genesis 2:7And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.
June 22, 2022
7th place, "Like A Child" Haibun Poetry Writing Premiere Contest
Sponsored by Regina McIntosh; judged on 7/21/2022.
“He’ll progress toward retrogression…”
such was neuro-pediatrician's lamentable diagnosis
grievous… torturous life sentence!
What a woeful condemnation...
...yet marvelous life’s persistence
our special child should never miss
while enjoying love’s wondrous bliss.
Though he is epileptic
midst gestures obviously spastic
his disposition --- jubilant
radiates cheerfully triumphant.
With thanksgiving gesture’s delight
marking faith of ascending height
he shows notable progress-might
in conversation endeavor
along comprehension fervor
revealing wondrous miracles
defying doubtful manacles.
Now, as a handsome fourteen-year old* lad
he praises the Lord Who blesses
in his wheel-chair’s trip, daily glad
to victory,** he progresses.
*He was born on April 28, 2009
**1Corinthians 15:57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
January 11, 2020
*Edited on January 11, 2024
7th place, "A fairytale or not, Short story poem" Poetry Contest
Sponsored by Fire Bird; judged on 1/22/2024.
Original Title: Progress Victorious
Honorable Mention, "STRAND no 660,any theme, any form" Poetry Contest Sponsored by Brian Strand; judged on 1/30/2020.
Haunted by loss-angst that once gripped my heart
I couldn't defy my soul's crying shout:
"My coin... down the storm drain... gone forever!"
Acquainting me with treasure-loss despair.
Missing first slot for scholarship-honour
I felt that "gone forever" was my chance
Torturing my mind as a young learner
Jeopardizing my aim to be on the top.
Academic failure brought forth sorrow
I equated to grand award loss
There down the storm drain of good future jobs
Midst exertion of my dead-level best.
When confronted with my Mom's "sudden death"
I found myself losing a dearest love
There down into the storm drain of grief panic
Making me feel helplessly pitiful.
On my Dad's victorious celestial flight
My spirit rejoiced, yet dread attacked me
There down in the storm drain of burial grounds
Where departure does welcome loneliness.
With my special child's grim diagnosis
Of progressing toward retrogression
I seemed to be pushed into the storm drain
Patiently waiting for a future loss.
For all these painful loss-experiences...
God has upheld me with His grace and love
Teaching that "gone forever" means "not end"
Since in Him is reigning eternal triumph*.
*2Corinthians 2:14 Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ.
March 19, 2019
1st place, "Down a Storm Drain Gone Forever" Poetry Contest
Sponsored by Eve Roper; judged on 3/22/2019.
Diagnosed with cerebral palsy blight
To progress toward retrogression strain
Our special child was spastic day and night
Struggling along restlessness’ grievous pain.
His global developmental delay
Marked by seizures that caused wearying shake
Made us constantly alert all the way
Aiding him, compassionately awake.
He is now fourteen, showing milestone leap
Driving wheelchair amidst triumphant zest
Learning much along good hygiene to keep…
His orphanage life proves miracles’ best.
God's love* surmounts disability’s need
With caring kindness, heart is surely freed.
*1 John 4:16 - And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.
May 23, 2023
1st place, "Sonnet" Poetry Writing Contest
Sponsored by Sotto Poet; Judged on 6/12/2023
Edited on June 13, 2023
Bestowed by God with faith according to Scriptures
I do strive to seek Him, begging for His guidance
Believing His wisdom, always perfect and right…
Divine intervention --- such I desire so well.
1985…
Toward college degree, yet away from my home
Scholarship gained along academic freedom
Yet Bible studies’ truth brought me to the Saviour…
Divine intervention --- my soul redemption set.
1991…
Alighting from the bus; then sprawling on the street
My body rested there… along that busy road
No vehicles passed by as I managed to stand…
Divine intervention --- the Lord guarded me well.
1996…
Teaching career flourished in great institution
Voluntary service versus secular job???
My choice must be resolved for full-time reaching-out…
Divine intervention --- The Master granted peace.
2003…
Ministry adjustments for orphanage venture
Government compliance and license to cope with
Another course-challenge; my heart yielded fully…
Divine intervention --- The Almighty gave joy.
2018…
Desirous for global poetry publication
My persistence fainted; but was soon ignited
Since providentially, I came across PS*…
Divine intervention --- Sovereign endowment.
2019…
My Daddy wished to leave the hospital alive
Doctor handed waiver as prayer was fervent
No to euthanasia; yes, I loved Dad so much…
Divine intervention --- Creator took him home**.
2021…
Our special child’s milestones definitely highlight
Miracles so wondrous despite pandemic blow
Diagnosed to progress toward retrogression***…
Divine intervention --- reflects God’s grace at work.
I thank the Lord indeed; His eyes**** watch over me
His hand remains outstretched to secure my footsteps
Blessing my trust in Him, blocking me from wrong moves…
Divine intervention --- His love’s affirmation.
*My Poetry Soup membership commenced on April 9, 2018.
**My Dad went to be with the Lord on January 2, 2019.
***Our special son is now 12 years old.
****2Chronicles 16:9 For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him…
December 22, 2021
Narrative in modified Alexandrine form
6th place, "DIVINE INTERVENTION" Poetry Writing Premiere Contest
Sponsored by Chantelle Anne Cooke; judged on on 1/4/2022.
I traveled back in flashes. . .
A rapid retrogression of life’s events,
backwards through this blare
into the depths of time. . .
arriving at that faraway and mystical
sphere of an untainted pre-existence,
the place I’d once believed all hearts
would yearn to be could they but see.
But seeing it again with educated eyes
that held my newer and terrestrial recollections,
I understood at last. . .
integrity is not an innocence,
progression is eternal,
and never can the past be resurrected.
4/30/2010