Best Wherewith Poems
Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it
be salted? It is henceforth cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. Matthew
5:13 KJV
In ancient history, salt was sought and bartered. In some places it was carried by
camels across scorching deserts such as in West Africa where eager merchants
traded it to waiting customers. Salt was used for money in some places, thus giving
us the word salary.
Today salt is used for many purposes, stocked in grocery stores, and is available on
virtually every table.
We use it medicinally, and blocks of salt satisfy cattle’s craving. Salt in water raises
the boiling point, yet salt melts ice. Put salt on meat and it preserves it. Leave salt
off the table and your appetite leaves with it. But too much salt is harmful. It makes
your feet and legs swell and too much is hard on the heart.
Examine one grain of salt under a microscope and note its cube shape. Its sides
are made of two elements, sodium and chlorine. These combine to form sodium
chloride – salt.
Imagine soldiers in a tug of war. An ion of chlorine glares from one corner at a
sodium ion guarding the opposite side. As crystallization occurs the chlorine wins in
the stare-down. Sodium surrenders its single valence electron to chlorine and
together they become sodium chloride. Consider it in verse:
Salty Sentinels
Sodium ions stable,
assembled on the table,
salivating palates crave.
Chlorine ions tiny,
mustering soldiers briny,
guarding corners brave.
Sodium chlorine making,
crystal shakers shaking
cubes so salty white.
Ever fighting blandness;
vectors adding grandness,
enhance the appetite!
There is no wonder Jesus used salt as an example to the disciples in his Sermon on
the Mount. He exhorts Christians to have salt in themselves and have peace with
one another. See Mark 9:50
Salt is the seasoning, the spice of life
The reason for giving out
Flavors to heal hurt
Herbs to relieve grief
Suggestions that fill minds
With hope, faith and love
Salt is the zest of giving
The tang that touches
Upon the heart’s feelings
The additive that suggests
We all need God’s healing
With the adoring light of living
Salt is the flavoring, the hint of
Hope that rises inside one
Who knows that love is there
Alive on the inside of the soul
Where the Holy Spirit lives
And guides us toward much more
Salt is the sense of truth
That beckons to our minds
Heavenly suggestions of joy
Inspiring the spirit to delight
In the wisdom of sending out
Laughter, smiles and gentleness
Salt is the aroma of tears and sunshine
The grasp of feeling inside one
Who knows that faith is alive
Providing a sense of assurance
Insight into the scriptural blessings
That thrive with pure inspiration
Salt is the touch of color pouring down
From the edge of the rainbow
From beginning to end, shades
Of pastel gentleness relieving souls
Of the sorrow, worry and fear
Sending love through that stunning arc
Salt is the essence of God’s breath
Sighing with the whisper of a caress
Gentle appreciation sent down to us
Who know that He lives and sends us
Quiet joy, hope, faith, serenity and more
To fill us up with unconditional love
Matthew 5:13 King James Version
13 Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.
Salt Poetry Contest
Sponsored by: Anthony Biaanco
February 25, 2021
Being a bountiful Coffee tree
I have a privileged status in my country
Aside from being functionally free
I’m sought-out as Christmas fixture for December glee.
Every year, I’m a decorated Christmas tree in an Orphanage-home
And I’ve witnessed love, exercised inside compassion’s dome
Along kindness with packed gifts upon comfort’s foam
For youth who once in the streets did wantonly roam.
Delighted am I to behold blessings shared and given
Making abandoned kids receive provisions in their new-found haven
Merrily unwrapping presents tied with care, constantly proven
From donors contributing cheerfully, verily joy-driven.
In my commitment for yuletide holiday's celebration
I stand with the conviction to serve my purpose, full of jubilation
Doing my role that in my beauteous fortification
Special children courageously smile midst their difficult situation.
“Oh, Christmas Tree*…” I hear such song addressed to me with prayer-ray
An ode acknowledging my usefulness in blissful triumphant way
Not only as a Christmas celebration-display
But most of all, to honor the Creator in my tasks every day.
*Judges 9:9 But the olive tree said unto them, Should I leave my fatness, wherewith by me they honour God and man, and go to be promoted over the trees?
December 12, 2018
12th place, "Screwed XIX" Poetry Contest
Sponsored by Rob Carmack; judged on 1/2/2019.
??Judges 9:8-15 KJVAAE??
[8] The trees went forth on a time to anoint a king over them; and they said unto the olive tree, Reign thou over us. [9] But the olive tree said unto them, Should I leave my fatness, wherewith by me they honor God and man, and go to be promoted over the trees? [10] And the trees said to the fig tree, Come thou, and reign over us. [11] But the fig tree said unto them, Should I forsake my sweetness, and my good fruit, and go to be promoted over the trees? [12] Then said the trees unto the vine, Come thou, and reign over us. [13] And the vine said unto them, Should I leave my wine, which cheereth God and man, and go to be promoted over the trees? [14] Then said all the trees unto the bramble, Come thou, and reign over us. [15] And the bramble said unto the trees, If in truth ye anoint me king over you, then come and put your trust in my shadow; and if not, let fire come out of the bramble, and devour the cedars of Lebanon.
Drops of precious blood
Out from great Deity’s love*
Shed on Calvary’s tree…
Absolutely the only ransom-payment
For every sin-guilty hostage
To gain triumphant liberty
From death, transgressions’ wages.
*Ephesians2:4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us...
June 18, 2019
The Past, Our Ancestors Gifted Us As Our Future
There are no words we know, fragrant and green,
Wherewith to show how welcome you have been.
You solaced us with many a song-caress,
O' marvelous was your music's loveliness.
You have called back from the unknown
Lost hours our hearts would fain have held our own.
In your souls life's echoes rang as sweet
As silver bowls dream-children gently beat.
Laughter of harvest lighting and the glee
Of tingly frosty nights ran joyously.
Among our shadowed memories, when you
Revealed the gladness we are born unto.
There are no words swiftly luminous
As those white birds your joy released to us.
Such gifts you bought and freely bade us share
As kings have sought and found not anywhere.
No day will end, all of your days that be
Some far off friend will not have memory.
How you guide us from a dreary road
Into a wide and wonderful abode.
No close will come to any bitter night
But someone will live again delight.
Roused at golden touch of gracious hands
That weave in swallow-flight their myriad strands.
Praiseworthiness our children shall attain
May be no less the fruit of some rich strain.
That once was yours and gladly lingered on,
As love endures, long after you were gone.
So dear ones, fare you well, and nobly well
Beyond the rare things silence has to tell.
12-24-2015
Poem written about this past year and my thoughts as to
what my children ,grandchildren and great-grandchildren will
remember of me. As I remember that of my grandparents and
my ancestors.
Love of my family and my ancestry has made me glad to be alive.
For in all the world riches and times, I would choose no other!
We humans like all creatures to have a purpose, an aim,
From one-celled amoebas to fungi-spore glebas,
They need a good reason to compete in life's game.
Consider cats: They school us in hygiene
Licking their paws and their fur shiny clean.
And how 'bout tiny ants, who teach us industry,
Or lions and their bravery--and foxes with their knavery?
But what reason have seahorses to be in the sea?
What can they teach us? How can they enlighten you or me?
Can they sing or dance? Can they 'cut a rug' in the water?
And if they can't, do you really think they should ought to?
Well, please know that things aren't quite what they seem.
Seahorses are special, unique, and highly esteemed;
In the eye of the sea, they're jewels, all sparkle and gleam.
See the distinctive manner wherewith these fish swim:
Upright! propelling themselves ever higher via dorsal fins.
Then there's the spectacle of seahorse sex and mating--
No other males on the planet hold the eggs while waiting
To release them of a sudden by the thousands at a time,
And then go back at it with their 'exes' on the turn of a dime.
All this leads up to how traditional Chinese physicians
Prescribe 'seahorses' for whatever their patients get sick in:
Everything from wheezing and pain to inducing labor,
With TCM's** practitioners, these fish are ever in favor.
It's clear, my fellow humans,
From Peking to Paris and on to Toulouse,
Seahorses can certainly be put to very good use...
*****
...Prompting this little 'caboose:'
Let US ask this question: Is human activity equally productive?
---Or do WE choose to engage in things far more destructive?
April 19, 2018
**TCM = Traditional Chinese Medicine
God with His omnipotent love* prevails
dispels angst of fear engulfing grieved heart
sufficient midst mercy when own strength fails
timely to shield soul from bitterness’ dart
yeah, indeed vanquishing woe that assails
hoists faith along caring and sharing rampart.
*Ephesians 2:4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us…
April 18, 2020
2nd place, "Each Letter Threads The Verse" Poetry Contest
Sponsored by Joseph May; judged on 4/29/2020.
For thus I am entangled in a web of despair!
A widow's orb of woven thread.
'Tis a stalker's venom that keeps me there.
A visceral poison; paralyzing it spreads.
Transformed; trampled, worn and threadbare!
Wherewith in my mind; 'tis death that treads!
Bid me this death and I shall dare!
A malignancy that carries to suicide’s deathbeds.
Somewhere in whirlwinds dreary mist;
Ruthless emotions that I’ve amassed.
O’ what of these debilitating migraines that still persist.
Of these imperishable thoughts that last and last;
Then I question; what of my youth placed at risk;
Gone like the dusk, dim and vast!
And of the fragrant flowers that no longer exist?
Withered by remorse from my past!
A lonely dispirited soul, frayed by angst, I ride on misery's carousel;
Persecuted by unquenchable blame;
Ensnared with guilt; shackled invisibly to a living hell.
Plagued, tormented; a scorching paranoia set aflame.
I've suffered and watched as life slips away, a pitiful soul, an empty shell.
What of this dishonor its tainted my name.
There in the darkest depths of the abyss where I dwell;
I’m tormented in evil’s shame!
Guilt leads the way along this desolate journey; filled with anguish!
And what of this wretched heart that keeps me stirring?
That’s perched me upon a precipice where my joy does languish;
Alone and trembling!
O’ sweet joy, sweet precious joy, I pray do not vanish.
I seek this buried treasure that keeps me yearning.
This desperate quest filled with years of dead despair, I cannot relinquish.
My eyes red, masked with anger; smoldering
'Tis a mighty river’s rush, a surging anger dwelling deep within.
A thunderous beating pulse pounds my chest,
Unbearable this terror; this debilitating din
O’ this intolerable throbbing that I detest;
Its heaven’s glorious mercy I seek while engulfed in sin,
My body quivers, I've given my all, I’ve done my best.
And sought relief, but realize that what’s to come has already been.
For it is these demons that I cannot put to rest.
Liberty
propelled by love
leads heart to choose
truth and right midst faith’s might
surmounting doubts, vanquishing fears
conquering selfishness of pride’s dominion
toward joy, worth sharing not kept to be cherished alone.
Love-led liberty
devoid of selfishness
while caring for others
drives ransomed soul
to reach-out along mercy and grace
braced through the Lord's hand of goodness
making possible faith-performance, against vain freedom show.
* Galatians 5:1 Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.
March 18, 2021
Edited on April 15, 2021
2nd place, "The Poet's Hands Are Tied" Poetry Writing Premier Contest
Sponsored by Kai Michael Neumann; judged on 6/27/2021.
Mercy! How playtime has evolved since I was a Hoosier lad!
In the olden days you made-do with what little you had.
Our cell phone was a string stretched 'twixt two old soup cans.
That way we avoided strict federal communications bans!
Our swing was an old tire with a rope tied around a limb.
That, and a plank across a barrel for a seesaw was our gym!
My fishing rig was a safety pin hook with a willow twig for a pole,
Wherewith I spent languid summer days at my favorite fishing hole!
Many cold and snowy days were spent bundled in winter attire,
Racing down the steepest hills on my sleek Flexible Flyer!
Rainy days were spent huddled reading in a secluded nook,
Or crafting model airplanes that I happily undertook!
Though I savored a rowdy game of marbles, I was never very deft.
That saucy neighbor girl always beat us guys leaving us bereft!
In the pasture we made a diamond for our raucous games of ball,
Taking care, of course, to avoid bovine deposits, that above all!
On many a mellow, moonlit Hoosier summer's night,
We'd capture fireflies in mason jars on their wing'ed flight.
How did we manage sans all the gizmos kids now have at hand?
I suspect my grandkids would find my playtimes rather bland!
Robert L. Hinshaw, CMSgt, USAF, Retired
© All Rights Reserved
The Almighty’s love*
sublime, gloriously divine
awesomely magnificent
overlooked my human nature's defiled stature
to re-create me --- to be His peculiar child.
God’s love, so wondrous
redeeming transgressors from sin’s wages
assures me peaceful bliss, heavenly indeed
when I accepted His offered pardon
that ransomed my soul.
With the Lord’s great love
intensifying His truth and grace
my faith, midst turbulent, doubt-stricken world
is secured, braced by His boundless compassion
against jeering hatred of skepticism's mockery.
By Christ’s love, precious
exemplified through His sacrifice
I'm granted everlasting life
with satisfying abundance
overtaking vanity's worthlessness.
Love of the Master, ceaselessly enabling
transforming perfectly
toward joyous ministerial servanthood
settles my devotion's fulfillment
stamped by His approval, making me yielded to Him.
Gripped with Jesus’ love
constraining through His mercy
I share His care’s gift
prompted by His goodness-fervor
while repenting from carnal selfish pursuits.
Gratefully joyous
I praise God, genuine love’s Source
Charity's omnipotent Alpha and Omega
verily deserving of my wholehearted adoration ---
without Him and His lovingkindness, I am nothing.
*Ephesians 2:4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us…; 3:17 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love; 3:19 And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God; 4:2 With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; 4:15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ.
July 23, 2019
Edited on November 11, 2019
2nd place, "Love is the Answer" Poetry Contest
Sponsored by Lu Loo; judged on 11/19/2019.
Christ’s constraining love* sublime
Frees my heart from guilt’s fetters
Enclosing me with His grace
To enjoy His peace.
Around my Lord’s divine care
My soul seeks great revival
Toward fiery service-bliss
Against sin’s venom.
*Ephesians 2:4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us.
July 5, 2019
Honorable Mention, "1400 Brian Strand" Poetry Writing Contest
Judged on 8/4/2025
Great symbol of patriotism and hope
Captain America’s shield has prevailed
Showcasing courage of heroic scope.
As needed and vital armor from Christ
Mine is shield of faith, being God’s soldier
To win for what is right, graciously priced.
Made of vibranium, but purely fiction
Captain America’s shield stood time’s test
Reigning still with its iconic function.
My shield of faith is actually divine
Based on undisputed truth, and it’s real
Crafted by the Lord of heaven’s design.
So completely vibration absorbent
Captain America’s shield was awesome
Protecting him from villainous agent.
Tested and tried in Christian fighting bouts
I trust my CAPTAIN with my shield of faith
To surmount temptations for triumph shouts.
Marked by bravery for his dear country
Captain America handled shield well
As offense and defense for victory.
Indeed guarding me from satanic blows
Shield of faith* I use assures champion stand
Serving the Almighty, conquering foes.
*Ephesians 6:16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
August 4, 2022
Steadfastness of faith-altitude
Anchored by Sovereign fortitude
Such is my humble prayer-plight…
Lord, brace my trust-impact full might.
When angst prevails midst life’s pressures
Your statutes of divine treasures
Prop up my soul for holy fight…
Lord, brace my service-impact height.
Abiding in Your fellowship
While following blest leadership
I’m geared to do well, sans sin blight
Lord, brace my steward-impact light.
Confessing guilt and transgression
My heart cleaves to Your compassion
Being pardoned to be contrite…
Lord, brace my walk-impact aright.
Hearkening to Your truthful voice
To stay against deceitful poise
I stand* firm on wisdom’s insight…
Lord, brace my choice-impact from fright.
Triumph of Your empowerment
Marked by blissful accomplishment
Keeps me pleasing You day and night…
Lord, brace my love’s impact; oh, bright.
Devoting all my utmost best
Praising You with gratitude zest
This poem for You I humbly write…
Lord, brace my poetry-impact flight.
*Galatians 5:1 Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.
June 18, 2022
3rd place, "This or That, Vol 12" Poetry Writing Contest
Sponsored by Edward Ibeh; judged on 7/1/2022.