Perspiring midst physical training best
my well-being jibes with Summer fun's zest...
here come my pets, dog and cat
pleading for my gracious pat
in God's warmth, we bask under sun for rest*.
*Matthew 11:28-30 Come unto me (Jesus Christ), all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
July 12, 2026
edited on July 23, 2026
3rd place, "A Summer Bawdy or Humorous Limerick" Poetry Writing Contest
Sponsored by Tania Kitchin; judged on 7/19/2026
Rain danced upon the street
it created puddles on low areas
it started to with slow rhythm
and began to hum strongly
the trees began to sway
swinging side to side
two and fro
heavy laden leaves
hung their heads low
as the rain let up
crystal tears hit the ground
disappearing in the ground below.
gardenia's heady scent
heavy-laden with white blooms....
lying clouds float
all of nature hurts without
chipmunk walks rim of birdbath
Along came Autumn,
And she always seems solemn.
And then, along came December.
But February brought an icy winter.
A new comer asked A life long dweller,
"How long has it been since weather like this?"
He replied, "I've never seen a winter like this".
The lonely heavy laden peach tree tells the story.
In February, her limbs were touching the ground.
She looked like a white ice laden weeping willow tree pleading for the sunlight to set her free. She was just barely alive, but
We held out hope that she would survive.
Then, along came Spring, and one could hear the
The peach tree laughing loudly and waving
Her limbs that are loaded, not with ice but living buds.
She was shouting for all to hear, "How do you
Like me now?"
It's late April now, and she's filled with beautiful
Green leaves along with the pear and plum trees. Her trunk is split in 4 parts, but it's clear
For all to see that this aging peach has heart.
She's within 3 months of delivering healthy
Sweet peaches.
Mother lowers her sullen face
against a volatile wind,
tasting the insolence
of a heavy laden gust
As she heaves quietly
from musings of unaswered dreams
grating her senses -- hope clinging--
through pits of lonely thoughts
delicately cleansing snarled faith
and disheveled pauses...
where hours impairs near death
as uncertain answers grow pale
...Waking her slow breaths flowing
from tears... Dad in a stupor :
I dreamed within her own dream
a fervent wish of life restored
that she hears my silent words
her boney figure collapsing --
through the bleakest of bleak nights
numbed from pain ...from agony,
That under panels of glass,
...we clutch onto that wish for life
My dream blending with her plea...
and realize she has learned
to pray with me in the rain.
Shade from the leaves lies on the grass
so silent and peaceful
My eyes and my senses will trespass
For that, I am grateful
The shimmering day glistens with beauty
as a half-moon hangs in the morning sky
like a broken button on a blue coat
tied by a bright belt on the horizon
The Eastern sky is burning red
the sun slowly rises
the last thread of the night has fled
dawn reveals surprises
A relaxed welcome is felt in the moment
breath becomes quiet to welcome the day
I'll keep my movements to a minimum
as my eyes dine with Nature as I rest
Eyes heavy-laden with Nature
the beauty it can spawn
Nature to me is no stranger
I'll watch as life goes on
Do you ever wake up and dread the break of day?
The sun is beckoning but the will is not there
Your heart is heavy-laden, in grip of despair
Yet you have to go outside come what may
and attend to the task that you least care…
Go looking for love again and find it nowhere!
Author Dana Redricks
September 13, 2024
My heart is broken, shattered on the floor, a fragile echo of what was before. The shadows linger, cold as winter's breath, devouring the light, whispering of death.
Each tear that falls, a drop of aching doubt, in this empty space, I scream yet barely shout. Lord, deliver me, from chains that bind my soul, I seek a kindred spirit, to once again feel whole.
The night is heavy, laden with despair, the winds of sorrow swirl, their chill cuts bare. I feel the thunder rumble deep within, a storm of anguish, where will it begin?
Release me from this pressure, a weight I cannot bear, lead me to a haven, a place where hope is rare.
The waves of grief crash hard upon my shore, with every heartbeat, I plead just once more.
Lord, open the door wide to brighter days, illuminate my path with warmth and gentle rays. My soul is weary, but I yearn to rise, to find the sweet embrace, beneath forgiving skies.
So as I stand trembling, on this edge of pain, in the silence of despair, I call your name again. Bring forth the light, break this endless night, for in your gentle mercy, I seek to find my flight.
In the middle of a hot summer morning
upon my return from the beach
throngs of people trudging through
on a busy Sunday, by the water quay
My heart so heavy laden that it doesn't speak
heart breaking beauty that I can only see
she walks by in a tilly hat and shiny eyes
the scent of incense clinging in mid air
I wanted to follow her down the paved path
but I had to go, and I couldn't follow
so I quietly came home to my quiet little house
with weeping walls and windows closed
It was a summer morning like many others
except for the Buddhist woman
her smile, her scent, gave me serenity
she stopped me on my tracks,....
wandering jew plant
slowly drips dewdrops this morn....
pears grow from raindrops
low heavy-laden clouds hang
damp surroundings await sun
Cobalt clouds lie heavy laden
Clear sun's light peeks through gray
Crows cawing says enjoy the time
Even on this rain drenched day
The barn swallows fly out to hunt
Their circles and swoops low
I hope their breakfast is delish
And in the sky God hangs a bow
The air is pleasant, damp and cool
There's an eerie stillness
Will there be thunderstorms today
A day filled with realness
It's so comfy out on the porch
A little break from the heat
This time needed for some real praise
Thank God, for awesome feat
On the prairies
in the land of the living sky
a passion for watching
the infusion of colours
as clouds endlessly float by
some lined with silver
others the purest of white
from thick heavy laden clouds
to thin feathery strands
with the sun's reflections
the skies become alive
from golden yellows
to soft and vibrant pinks
red and rosy hues
moody blues to dreary grey
to orange evenings sunset glow
always a sky watchers magical show.
you think you can save me, you can fix this thing I’ve become: all teeth, snarling, drooling tongue heavy laden with every bloodied word I’ve ever said.
you think you can restore all that I’ve destroyed, can redeem me in our bed.
you won’t.
you won’t.
I promise you that you won’t.
only God can undo these things I’ve done.
only God.
A moonlight silhouette ... of a sleeping mountain.
A living forest ... tall trees in fullness.
Underbrush heavy laden ... a patchwork of paths.
The moon is hiding ... the stars are hiding.
The night air stays cold ... light touches of frost.
All creatures are in stillness.
Unnatural noise awakes ... mountain forest creatures flee.
Darkness astir to bright light.
Chaos tangles a forest ... tall trees and brush full of pain.
Heard by dazed small life below.
Burning light shows the horror.
Moaning, groaning, crying screams ... most are unable to move.
Few hanging in trees ... subtle movements here and there.
Bodies of living and dead ... scattering midst the debris.
Time is of no use.
Many cling to life ... many more to hope.
Desperate prayers for help.
Cold, the enemy of life ... reckoning befalls.
Heartfelt prayers for loved ones.
Devout ancestral prayers.
Many sleeping peacefully ... prayers swept to memories.
Opens a book to scriptures.
A time of Oneness.
Descendants join ancestors.
In a place far, far, away.
Five hundred twenty ... are joined with their ancient past.
The realm of a Dynasty.
Four holds on to life.
Fate chooses for you.
Whether the work-load is manual or high-tech exercises;
Whether it taxes our brain, leaving us without answers;
Or dirties our entire body with dirt, dust, and grease;
Whether the tasks stress our emotions to the max:
Or compel us to take prescription pills to relax;
We all labor so that we may reach a point of rest and ease.
This Labor Day, I am inspired to consider One who has already
labored on our behalf and pointed us to the entryway of eternal
rest. The workload of laws, rules, and regulations; the religious
taskmasters of do's and don'ts have been nullified and set aside.
Christ has taken our laborious job on the 'work your way to heaven
train' and set us free from all the guilt, shame, and pain.
So, on this Labor Day holiday, if not a Christian, consider the
possibilities. If a Christian, meditate on the reality of One taking
away all of the heavy lifting that has been driving and promising us
much but yielding only losses and no gains. Consider Jesus who says,
"Come to me all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you
rest". * May we cease from spiritual labor, and enter His Rest. Happy Labor Day.
090123PS
*Matthew 11:28
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