Best Unmoveable Poems
the tallest I’ve ever seen was in primary
towering like a General in the military
a haggard expression of pain and disgust
the needle like leaves his ooze would discard
he seemed so staunch in his camouflage and upright salute
the pinecones resembling a grenade assault
as curious children do, to climb we were too eager
mystery lay hidden somewhere in his evergreen erect figure
the teacher would soon be called to the rescue
climbing down now an impossible chore
some disciplinary action would be enforced
he wouldn't even be swaying in the wind this unmoveable force
then one day the war would finally be won
it took a couple of grades of broken bones and casting stones
high up in his clutches where our balls would be stuck
he would be uprooted and loaded onto the back of the truck
but when he left, the school grounds seemed so empty
he had retired after generations serving this country
that's why it now felt like such a pyrrhic victory
in hindsight, he was truly our sentry
08-23-2015
Contest: Charlotte Jade Puddifoot's Trees Personified
Mute
but immutable.
Unmoving, unmoveable;
timeless, yet tireless.
Solitary stalwart sentinel
surveils undulating horizon.
Aberrant, achromatic clouds
pock-mark the skies, as distant
rumblings herald his adversary's
latest gambit in their age-old conflict.
The wrath of a thousand crashing,
clashing, thrashing fists batter
against the beleaguered sentry.
Ceaselessly, remorselessly,
the maelstrom assails him.
But the foundations are firm and
noble gatekeeper stands steadfast.
Single-minded of purpose, placid
custodian morphs into combatant as
his luminous, voluminous blade carves
luminescent arcs through chthonic cloak.
Tenebrous tendrils wither and dissipate,
impotent under intense lambent onslaught.
His victory is only fleeting, as vanquished
foes are summarily supplanted by more of
their ilk in a seemingly continual surge.
Again and again, over and over, tormentor
presses the attack, exploiting any weakness.
Over and over, again and again, valiant warden
repels the barrage and despatches his enemies.
And so the pattern repeats endlessly, unabated,
as these eternal opponents jostle for position
in a perpetual cycle of aggression and defence.
Until eventually, finally, ultimately, the stale-mate
is broken; when Tempest's tantrum is tamed and
Blizzard's battalions have been banished, all is calm.
Tranquillity is able to reassert herself and order has
finally been restored; at least for the foreseeable future.
Obligations fulfilled, the triumphant Guardian can now rest.
Until the need arises again, until he's called upon once more,
he will wait patiently, watch diligently, in unflagging vigilance.
Forever resolute, a beacon of sanctuary, a symbol of hope, his is a
thankless task, but the Protector of Mariners will always be needed.
-----------------------------------
(C) John C Michaels, 27 July 2017
For Eve Roper's "Lighthouse" Contest.
(1st Place)
Serving the Lord demands complete trust in the Saviour,
… testing total obedience
What matters most is our faith, coupled with patience and resilience.
We must seek His presence, not just stirred in our own confidence
Let’s abound in God’s work* with earnest dependence!
Ministering is both for God's glory and honour,
…while it is people-oriented
What matters most is our response as spiritually prompted.
We must be divinely-led, not foolishly blinded
Let’s abound in God’s work as to Him we’re fully yielded!
Stewardship pursuits call for fervent involvement,
…being blessing-laden
What matters most is our willingness to carry the burden.
We must be a help to the needy, not a hindrance as a leaven
Let’s abound in God’s work, leading others to go to heaven!
Being a servant of the Lord is challenging indeed,
…at the same time rewarding
What matters most is our attitude in toiling and giving.
We must thank Christ for our calling, not complaining and regretting
Let’s abound in God’s work, counting the cost while faithfully laboring!
Following the Master asks for consecration,
…along promises' fullness
What matters most is our genuine humility and meekness.
We must be submissive to His will, not upheld by self-righteousness
Let’s abound in God’s work, surrendered to His life-building business!
Staying in the work of the Lord is filled with commitments,
…and it also brings satisfaction
What matters most is our pure heart and honest intention
We must be motivated by God’s love, not by personal ambition
Let’s abound in God’s work, pleasing Him with our faith’s dedication!
Laboring in the kingdom of the Lord offers privileges bountirfully,
…yet requiring sacrifices
What matters most is how we go through the right process.
We must grow in grace, not waste chances in our servant’s experiences
Let’s abound in God’s work, eternally enriched midst temporal losses!
*1Corinthians 15:58 "Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord."
February 3, 2019
Abiding in God’s will, let’s serve the Lord with joy
Beautified through His grace to minister along gladness-glow
Cheered up midst Scriptures’ truth, smiting hypocrisy and deceit
Delighted by the Almighty’s blessings toward stewardship-triumph
Empowered for fruitful compassionate reaching-out
Fortified to encourage upon strengthened faith
Girded, guided, geared up against human frailty’s endurance
Hoisted as held with Christ’s omnipotent and gentle grip
Invigorated, ceaselessly fervent around Holy Spirit’s revival
Jubilant, gratefully testifying: “Our labour is not in vain in the Lord.”
*1Corinthians 15:58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.
August 24, 2019
Just come along with me to the town
where long time ago I bicycled,
walked and ran about whenever
I wanted to smell the fragrance of Saigon
where I raised my hand to salute the
spirits while passing by the Lang Ong
Shrine and bathing my body among the
incense smoke drifting out over the
streets and worming my way away from
the crowds of fortune-tellers talking
endlessly about their understanding of
universe and keeping silent on their own.
just come along with me to the town
where I said hello to people in the
Ba Chieu Market where they yelled and
boasted about their bargain prices
and always be prepared to load
all their stuff on their shoulders and
heads and run away from the police
and jump over all the walls on their ways
while scattering behind with sandals,
sunglasses and hats... while throwing
into the sky their yells and screams – and you
see now, those sounds still vibrate in my heart.
just come along with me to the town
where I have left many parts of me
onto the dirt trails of Dong Ong Co
leading to my dharma uncle’s temple
and please gently step into the village,
please softly move and try not to break the
standstill air here, where you will see
my footprints still visible around the altar
where decades ago I asked the old
monk Thuong Chieu about the way of
Zen, and then he smiled – and now
I would surprise him when he first time sees
a lady walking beside me. My dear, please
walk gently here in my unchanged
village, where you will see the cows still
standing in the field with their heads staring
at the far-away sky, the birds still reaching
high into the sky, the monk still sitting there
with his endless smile, and there the answer
he gave me now still remaining in an original
state: he threw a piece of tile against the wall
and asked if I heard the sound and then said
that that was the way of Zen – you now see
that that piece of tile still remains floating in the air
just come along with me to the town
where everything stays unmoveable,
and unbreakable endlessly, where the
monk and me live like the unmovable statues.
By Phan Tan Hai
Serve God with your best
By His empowering grace
Exalting His glorious name.
Your all… He deserves
Midst utmost blessed sacrifice
Since mediocre work is void.
Serve wholeheartedly
Vanquishing slothfulness
Faith-propelled, be victorious.
Midst weariness’ grip
Toil for the Lord’s honour
Your labour is not in vain.
*1Corinthians 15:58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.
May 14, 2019
Ransomed from sin’s debt, I’m freed
Paid by Saviour’s blood indeed
Willing to be spent with grace
My precious life gives Him praise.
Striving to live through faith’s creed
Propelled by God’s mighty deed
I abound* in good works’ ways
Optimizing wondrous days.
*1Corinthians 15:58 …Be ye…, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.
April 17, 2019
Taupe people stand tall, thin,
disconnected from the crowd
from each other, in fact, shells
of sinew strung erect, unmoveable
What can be said to each other
after all? - about prismatic dreams
shining futures in grand life
warming to another's soulful song
Monodirectional, they can't relate,
yet the child is still held tight
as if frozen existence might melt
into some knotted ball of oneness
© Goode Guy 2013-11-18
ekphrastic for 2013-11-24 at
the Charles Taylor Art Museum of
glass "Fragment of Solitude" by Emilio Santini
Lantana blossoms beautify hedge-fortress
Radiant colors relieve distress
Pink and red pink of varied hues
With yellow sun’s cues
Brightly show
God’s bliss!
Flowers blow
Oozing sweet fragrance
Celestial scent’s endurance
Refreshing Summer midst glowing heat
Along hope’s steadfast* light, pests attempt to beat.
*1Corinthians 15:58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.
June 28, 2019
3rd place, "Writing Challenge 2, June 2019- A Summer Flower" Poetry Contest
Sponsored by Dear Heart; judged on 7/7/2019.
White-Washed Walls
As she sat in the back seat quietly hoping to be invisible,
Like a breeze that has blown in and placed her there.
She waited for words or anything that would take away this pain.
She hoped that no one would see her.
Or notice what surely everyone must see…
How filthy dirty and stained she was.
Surely this God of which they spoke
Could never have loved one, such as her?
Her father had told her of a love
But he was like a white-washed wall.
He always looked so pure and clean on the outside
But on the inside….?
Hard and unmoveable
The way he could tear you down and when he drank too much…
The terrible things he did.
As she sat all alone,
she wondered if the singers, singing joyfully,
were singing songs for her?
They were about grace and goodness that runs after you,
and reckless love?
Surely for everyone but her!
As she sat… waiting to implode
she thought that maybe…?
This love of which they sang
started to wrap itself around her like a fuzzy robe
enveloping her with its soft warmth.
She felt the sparks of what seemed like a gloriously stoked campfire
Bringing comfort to her ever so tired and weary heart.
As the man at the front spoke
she knew that maybe this WAS real…
That THIS God could love one as putrid as herself.
These words sent out arrows of forgiveness intended for her heart and soul.
She felt like the stains were being rubbed away
with a gentle kind of soap.
Tenderly and sweetly, they disappeared.
As tears fell down her cheeks and rolled into the ocean beside her
Forgiveness, grace, mercy, love for her?
She did not want the white-washed walls of her father!
She needed cleansing from the inside out.
Grace Daub December 9, 2021
Exposed to life’s enigma
midst fulfillment-search ennui
propelling courageous vigilant choice
between the ephemeral vis-à-vis the eternal
along reality continuum, challenging perceptions
upheld by differing perspectives as well as varied philosophies…
I’m grateful to the Sovereign Creator for settling me in His will divine.
Now, my spirit asserts that I do possess living faith in the Almighty God
Who quickened me, bestowing His compassionate redemptive grace
reaching down to offer me everlasting opulence through His truth
enabling vibrant relationship of partnership with Him
toward the experience of His miraculous wonders
mysterious deliverance, merciful providence
mighty dealings, magnificent fellowship.
Likewise, my soul does rejoice that I have a name written down in heaven
not thru my good works, but thru Jesus Christ’s imparted righteousness
nor because of worthy stature, but because of the Saviour’s pardon
never by religious inclination, but by the Lord’s clemency
freeing me from sin-wages’ wrathful condemnation
when I trusted HIM, and eventually sealed
assured with the Holy Ghost.
Re-created, my heart beats for my Master
converted, my mind seeks Scriptures’ direction
called to serve in His ministry, advancing His kingdom
exalting His name along faithful stewardship of blissful worship
via prayerful fortitude, battling temptations provoking selfishness
while teaching, discipling, sharing the Gospel, involving in life-building
thanking the Lord for all opportunities to abound in His work*, indeed blessed.
*1Corinthians 15:58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.
November 16, 2020
2nd place, "It's a part of me - Life and the perceptions and philosophies you hold" Poetry Contest; Sponsored by Silent One; judged on 11/17/2020.
Unmoveable
Tall..Stout
Strong..bend..
Sway but,never give in
To the force of the wind..
Thick..Rooted
Unmoveable..
Wind through my hair
You feel that it was there..
Decorated..Colorful
Seasonal..Tips
Reach across the sky..
One gets loose..fly away, fly
Tall..Thick
Decorated
Past scars deep in many grooves..
Bend..Sway but, will not be moved.
November 6 Scripture Meditations Based on 1Corinthians 15-16
Key Verse – 1Corinthians 15:58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.
MY GOD, THANK YOU FOR LETTING ME ABOUND IN YOUR WORK
Thank You for letting me abound in Your work’s prosperity
Enabling my salvation to be fruitful by Your security
Allowing Your gracious bounty
To reign over me despite crises and scarcity.
Thank You for letting me abound in Your work’s provision
Enabling my sacrifices to be profitable by Your compassion
Allowing Your abundant satisfaction
To encompass me despite distress and depression.
Thank You for letting me abound in Your work’s power
Enabling my service to be approved by Your standard rater
Allowing Your mighty tower
To uphold me despite calamity and disaster.
Thank You for letting me abound in Your work’s proficiency
Enabling my skills to be enhanced by Your efficiency
Allowing Your perfect sufficiency
To develop me despite inability and deficiency.
Thank You for letting me abound in Your work’s purposefulness
Enabling my spirituality to be functional by Your faithfulness
Allowing Your gentle effectiveness
To mold me despite iniquities and sinfulness.
Thank You for letting me abound in Your work’s principle
Enabling my stewardship to be productive by Your example
Allowing Your assured blessing-multiple
To prevail above me despite slothfulness and negligence-ripple.
Thank You for letting me abound in Your work’s pleasure
Enabling my stature to be holy by Your censure
Allowing Your righteous pressure
To revive me despite being lukewarm because of comfort and leisure.
November 6, 2022
My Rock, strong tower
Your strength draws me
Into your presence come
Oh! you great magnolia flower
Solid strong unmoveable
Your love for me was first....
Adoring the unloveable
With a love that is transformable
https://m.soundcloud.com/user-921599710/of-wonders-and-miracles
Of wonders and miracles
Remover of obstacles
You are unstoppable
My Lord you reign
Unshaken invincible
Of justice permissible
Indifference unthinkable
My Lord you reign
Of presence intangible
Almighty wonderful
Love that’s unchangeable
My Lord you reign
Truth undeniable
Peace unmistakeable
Steadfast unshakeable
My Lord you reign
Sovereign unmoveable
Strong unassailable
Power unbreakable
My Lord you reign
Written by Geraldine Taylor ©