Best Steadfast Poems
Some parts of life are permanent,
alas, some aspects not:
The morning temperature feels chill;
by midday it grows hot.
The money spent on cell phones'
long-term value which I sought,
Too soon is gone, as more is spent
on upgrades I've since bought.
The sun in its celestial course
yields light, black night, or shade.
Old years tossed out with calendars
as fire's embers fade.
Some friendships evanesce,
forgetting promises we'd made
Our children grow and move away,
as hair grows thinned and greyed.
Staunch boughs of trees are shaken by
harsh winds, enduring long.
'That time of year thou mayest in me
behold'; thy love's more strong.
You've been my life's sweet constant
as we harmonize our song -
One truth is undeniable:
in your arms I belong.
// Dedicated to Janet, my loving bride of 35 years //
Subtitled: I'll Walk Again
Some tomorrow soon, I shall walk again,
though not as I walked in days past.
To reach that doorway - my foremost campaign
and thus I'll keep walking my last.
Therapy is pain; it's a stormy fight
taking great effort in this cast.
The doctor reports my future looks bright,
I'll walk again, my grit steadfast.
The memory of the accident still clear.
Walking alone I had just passed
the corner turn that leads back from the pier.
dune buggies race the storm too fast
in sand too deep, too wet for certainty
lightning and collision contrast
In time, I'll grasp life as an amputee.
I'll walk alone, my grit steadfast.
New normal I tackle with amnesty,
I cannot cast blame nor lambast.
For such is pathetic activity
generating storms far more vast
than one which caused my disability.
My good broken leg is the mast
where my banner flies with tenacity.
I'll walk at peace, my grit steadfast.
“With patience and perseverance
We can win the hardiest race.”- By author
**************************************************************
Patience and Perseverance
On the journey of life when we embark
Let patience allied with perseverance
Be the lighthouse, our path to lit with spark
And permeate our spirit with endurance;
When wilful whirling winds waft down our soul
Let us not yield to dark clouds of despair
But forge ahead steadfast towards our goal
Without a single shaggy seam of scare;
Let`s not try the hilltop at once to clinch
As we may tumble down a dizzy slope
But, move forward step by step, inch by inch
With patience and perseverance to cope;
With patience we earn the Lord`s divine grace,
With perseverance we win the tough race.
A three year old dreamy child
lying down beside his dad
at night on the open terrace
eyes wide open gazing at the sky
asked him the following question:
"Dad what are those bright white speckles above?"
"They are stars", dad replied.
"Will they fall down on me?"
"No. They will not".
"They are so bright and shiny. I wish to go up there and play with them".
Dad laughed at his little one's innocence and said:
"My dear, they are huge glowing balls of gases in the universe. Our sun is also a star. There are trillions of stars in the universe".
The child was silent for some time.
He stared gape-mouthed at the
black canvas of the night sky
sprinkled with silvery dots
guided by the glorious full moon
for some time and asked his dad:
"Do they have names?"
"Yes. Some have names we give to them but most of them do not"
"Is there a star in my name?", the child asked with sparkling eyes.
His dad replied:
"If you grow up to shine bright to eliminate the darkness of ignorance..."
"If you share your love impartial to all, just like the stars sharing their energy..."
"If you are steadfast in carrying out your responsibilities to make the world a better place..."
"Then there sure will be a Star in your Name!"
The child gave a bright smile as if
satisfied with his dad's answer.
Date: 11/11/2020
Submitted for 'There Is A Star With My Name On It Poetry Contest'
Sponsored by: Silent One
Second Place
The mistress to her lover:
a once steadfast stream
now flows dangerously low. . . .
this valley grows dry
His reply:
at its mountain source
the stream takes what nature gives
hills depend on water too. . . .
though valleys need streams
snowfall was sparse this season
for Debbie Guzzi's Contest:
"Love Talks"
Our God is a refuge,
an almighty tower,
our help everlasting
in every dark hour.
Although the earth trembles
and oceans may roar,
through all of our trials,
He reigns evermore.
The Lord, God Almighty is with us,
steadfast like a fortress.
Be still, and remember He is God;
exalted is He.
Come, witness the Lord's works,
He makes war to cease.
He comforts the nations,
and brings the world peace.
Though storms rage around us,
and lightning may flare,
though pestilence plague us,
He'll always be there.
The Lord, God Almighty is with us,
steadfast like a fortress.
Be still, and remember He is God;
exalted is He.
Based upon Psalm 46
May be sung to the tune of "Chariots of Fire Main Theme" by Vangelis
Waiting only forces the old wounds open -
suffer, silent, pray that the guards will falter,
standing vigilant at mistrusting doorways;
ego, their master.
Imprisoned heart yearning to be free..
Silent chambers echo the cries back to me..
Sheer idiocy haunts as an unwanted tenant..
Choices of yesteryear are engraved in the present..
Unfortunate trials play havoc with the mind..
Heart full of chaos, life is cruel and unkind..
Bowing before my savior, peace I've found at last..
The Author and Finisher of our faith, His love is steadfast.
God the eternal and all knowing one
who can be compared to such as He?
the creator of everything reigns on high
He has always been and ever shall be
This God even pardon’s iniquity
passes over all our transgressions
for we His remnant He’s inherited
pouring out on us untold blessings
A holy God describes His character
hating sin with anger but not forever
for delights this God in steadfast love
show His grace and mercy to deliver
True compassion is sent from heaven
this warrior king our sins will tread
completely underfoot never again be seen
casting every one in deepest sea like lead
Thankfulness fills your heart to burst
considering all of God’s steadfast love
full of compassion our saviour is
praise eternally never be long enough!
('Who is a God like you, pardoning iniquity
and passing over transgression
for the remnant of his inheritance?
He does not retain his anger forever,
because he delights in steadfast love.
He will again have compassion on us;
he will tread our iniquities underfoot.
You will cast all our[e] sins
into the depths of the sea.
You will show faithfulness to Jacob
and steadfast love to Abraham,
as you have sworn to our fathers
from the days of old.')
Micah Ch. 7 vs. 18-20 (ESV)
Sentinels of hope,
Beaming light on water’s edge,
~ a guide to safety
Symbols of comfort,
Nothing more altruistic,
~ Mariner’s lighthouse
Written by Lee Ramage
September 9, 2011
For Contest by Russel Sivey
“In the Light of Haiku”
Honourable Mention
Love as clouds.... creates emotional confusion
Love as doubts .... spins fear's illusion
Love as exploited .... aids evil's intrusion
Love as steadfast .... endures any emotion
Love as sincere .... befits hearts intentions
Love as unselfish .... reaps divine conclusion
Volcanic flame made
Rocks- battered by ocean waves
Steadfast be their name
Steadfast in the faith you should be constantly
Invest well in God’s kingdom-business faithfully
Gird yourself for the Lord’s soon coming earnestly
Now and onward, live for Him victoriously!
Occurrences as signs of times* are sure warnings
Falsehood attacks; thus, discern real meanings…
Tribulations’ distresses are sad happenings
Hardships’ trials must be cause for trust-refinings
Expect wars to triumph only by Christ’s winnings!
To prepare; be ready always should be your goal
Ignorance, you must vanquish; fight fears of your soul
Mount upward; ascend toward fruitful service-pole
Entrust your life to God Who knows your best and whole
Seek to help; fulfill your blessed steward**-role!
*Matthew 16:3 ...O ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky; but can ye not discern the signs of the times?
**1Peter 4:10 As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.
April 26, 2018
4th place, "Sign of the times" Poetry Contest
Sponsored by John Hamilton; judged on 5/1/2018.
THE STEADFAST LOVER'S QUERY
True, I remain--
Fear sparring Passion--
Which mountain is too steep?
Victoria Anderson-Throop (c)
December 8, 2012
Wash over me, thundering, icy water
Under your salty lash I remain unfazed
Wash over me, midnight blue wave of terror
My purpose remains clear through the haze
Look unto me, bone-soaked and weary traveler
My blazing eye will warn you from destruction
Look unto me, brave and steadfast lightkeeper
Inside my walls, I will give you protection
Sustain me, oh beloved caretaker
On sunny days, polish the rust from my head
Sustain me, oh mason and painter
When I appear strong, it eases their dread
Again hit me, deepest waves surging tall
Your gritty surf and gales I’ve felt before
Again hit me, violent storms and squalls
What doesn’t break me, readies me for more.
4/7/16
For Conest: Sentinel, Quatrain Form
Sponsor: Eve Roper