A precious flower waiting to bloom
Ready to escape your mother’s womb
I remember sitting in that room
Already creating scenarios in my head
Holding you in my arms for the first time
Looking at you with dread
Finally, I have somebody to call mine
Love at first sight
Initially the thought of you gave me a fright
How will a broken human like me be able to parent
Will my salary be able to take care of you and still have enough left to pay rent
Your existence is magical and baby I love you always
I think I loved you.
I think I still love you.
Not in the way I loved her.
It’s indescribable.
Not able to fit in any box.
It’s different.
Heavier.
Deeper.
But it’s real.
Heavier than platonic.
Lighter than romantic.
Yet it still holds weight.
Though I could never name it.
Couldn’t even place it.
I felt it.
I knew your place was different.
I loved you.
I still love you.
I’ll always love you.
It’s a soul kind of love.
Like a keepsake
Reminding me of home.
Like a souvenir to a tribe,
To a place I know will always be home.
Never found a name for it.
Never managed to fit it in a box.
Only knew what it felt like:
Familiar but not quite so.
Love, but on a different caliber.
If Not For Christ
by Lanier Thomas
If not for Christ I am aware I’d be dead.
When I was young I was quite out of my head.
The wrong things controlled me. I thought it was I.
Jesus still loved me. I have no idea why.
Like a light in the darkest of stormy nights,
Or when the waves crashed about and gave me frights,
Jesus was there and lifted me in His arms
And carried me safely from all of the harms.
I owe Him my freedom, which I did not know.
I owe Him my life that I had squandered so.
I cannot repay Him for His affection,
Love is all He asks for His intervention.
Mirror, mirror on the wall
It`s not my spring, it`s my fall
But despite my old age
I have turned a new page
I don`t care anymore
Whether I am too fat or small
My wrinkles are my victories
Despite hardships and enemies
Gratitude is for the wise,
mindfully celebrating life.
Shifting focus from lack in the eyes,
Gratitude is for the wise;
learning from the lows and the highs.
No distinction of times of smiles or strife,
Gratitude is for the wise;
mindfully celebrating life.
Gratitude is for the wise,
shifting focus from lack in the eyes;
learning from the lows and the highs.
No distinction of times for smiles or strife,
mindfully celebrating life;
In peace, though negativity is rife.
Amid the darkness
And despair and doom,
View the blazing sun
And azure sky...
Or the silvery moon
And nightly black
When the living rest
After a day of light.
Grasp your hands
And flex your fingers,
Be grateful for
Limbs that move:
Legs to carry
You through the day
And arms to fold
On your chest at night.
Feel blessed for breath
That wakes you
Every morning,
For the power to yawn
And stretch,
To frown
Or smile,
To greet a new day.
In this new normal
Of a not-so-gentle world
Of confusion and chaos
Be kind,
For we share one life.
Be thankful for tears,
For to love is to cry and
To die is to have lived.
Despite doom
And despair
Be grateful
To be alive,
To see the sun
And the moon,
For what is the alternative.
Hot water feels like heaven rolling down my back
And even in the dead of winter sweet citrus reminds me of the sun
Sweeter still my mom presents me with my favourite snack
My best friend’s phone is always on for me
I know that he always has my back
My icy breaths give thanks to every growing tree
My grandfather’s piano rings with charming sound
Although the nights are long, dark and black
I will always be grateful for these little corners of life that I’ve found
9/22/2023
Just like the lake of melting wax, on a candle gives off light,
Life is not about championing the selfish, golden prize!
Hopefully, I stay thankful with all my earthy might.
And, pray that I may one day, be welcome to Paradise.
I know how circuitous and bizarre life can be on this earth.
There are bright poet-angels on this firmament to support you.
But you, poets, know how cherished you were since birth.
Through at time..others are so disingenuously untrue!
From me comes deepest, soul-aqueous blue, appreciation
Blessed by waterfall. lessons on life, I studiously learned.
Transformations, not spigots of information.
And I know, you each will get all you truly deserved.
Every person is unique
And so revealed by his thumbprint
An undeniable identity
And so fate may be different
And so wealth, power, fame
May be different too
And so satisfaction and gratefulness
Is rare
And so jealousy
Is obvious
But
To compare with the top
To compare with the bottom
You're still lucky
To have something in hands
Your family and loved ones
Love and affection is invaluable
Because of its uniqueness
And solemnity
As my heart witness
my mouth confesses
and in my spirit, soul and mind
I am blessed
with Jesus
8/24/22
Written words by James Edward Lee Sr © 2022
Just can't reason out
Why
But with a little bit
Gratefulness and satisfaction
Will do
We're renting a room here
We're sharing the earth here
We're searching treasures here
We're sharing the riches here
Though I'm not the richest
I'm not the poorest
Though I'm not the wisest
I'm not the most stubborn
Though I'm not the luckiest man
I still can see kindness on the face of God
Though I may not reach the heaven
I'm not walking towards hell
Be grateful for all you have indeed
Hope for not what you want,but for what you need.
Take heed of greed,
Be kind and do good deeds.
Remember there are a lot of people in need,
Many hungry mouths to feed.
Be a person that leads,
Set a good example,help and succeed.
In the end you will have achieved,
Showing others what you believed.
Grateful to God for blessings' flow
My heart radiates praises glow
Exalting Him with worship zest
Joyfully vanquishing guilt-blow.
Thanking* the Lord with goodness' best
My soul abides in His love, blest
To trek on contentment terrain
Ascending toward service-crest.
Conquering grievous dearth-filled strain
My faith seeks for provisions rain
The Creator grants by grace might
To abound midst thanksgiving-reign.
Triumphant by Saviour's light
My spirit basks in grateful sprite
Reaching-out, sharing wondrous hope
Assured with love, peace, truth and right.
Fulfilling roles midst prayer slope
My life cleaves to gratitude rope
Around vibrant partnership bliss
Warm inside Christ's compassion scope.
*Ephesians 5:20 - Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
June 1, 2022
1st place, "Rubaiyat" Interlocking Rubaiyat Poetry Writing Contest
Sponsored by Sotto Poet; Judged on 6/13/2022.
Your hair in the breeze,
Your anger makes you an angel...
Laughing and time lapsed is what you bring,
My heartbeat was not continued,
Gratefulness are my tears,
When leaving...
Your hair in the breeze,
Your anger makes you an angel...
You liked me as you love me,
You are a woman of smiles....
Your hair in the breeze,
Laughing and time lapsed is what you bring,
My heartbeat was continued,
Gratefulness is my smile,
When leaving...
I
I give thanks to The LORD six days a week. I forget which days I forget!
II
Little Jack Horner refused to sit in the corner: I may be little, he said, but I have a right to free pie
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