Mothering instincts perked up...
... heart to succor invites now
offers haven of God's love*
while blest soul welcomes midst hope
those seeking refuge from woes
and faith is propped to shelter
orphans yon prayer delight
*Romans 5:8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
July 21, 2025
3rd place, "WHAT HAPPENED AFTER" Verse Poetry Writing Contest
Sponsored by Nette Onclaud; judged on 7/23/2025
Categories:
orphanage, character, christian, faith, god,
Form: Verse
Its the sight waft of rotting flesh
That first hits you
While the smartly dressed
Smiling warden ushers you in,
Through narrow turnstiles
There are rows of enclosures
A maze of them, a maze of the wild
Its like a snapshot of danger
A dangerous predator-laden savanna
Danger enclosed
Lions...
You will hear their shouting matches
Royal majestic roars
Like cage competitions
Even the females join in
While one stares you down
Sizing you up
Like a piece of flesh
(Well come to think of it...)
Some males lie down
Nonchalant
Amidst the noise
The leopard paces in its enclosure
Waiting for its daily ration
While the young buffalo
Grazes nervously,
Its enclosure next to the lions
They have emergency exits
Just in case...
You will spot a Serval cat
A croc, bored
And nervous rare Sokoke cats
Terribly out of place...
Categories:
orphanage, africa, animal,
Form: Free verse
I was going to build an orphanage
We would develop our own village
Everyone would feel loved
We could call everyone mother and father
Grandparents would teach skills to us
We would learn to play the piano
The singers would form a choir
The swimmers would learn every kind of stroke
There would be a hospital and a rescue center for pets
The children would learn empathy, and how to be responsible
We would become the world’s happiest family
The workers would be enthusiastically kind
I built this orphanage every night in my sleep
From when I was eight until I was nine
Then the orphanage and the dream stopped
I want it back, it gave me purpose and joy.
Categories:
orphanage, me,
Form: Free verse
Life building is your calling
upon faith strength, prevailing
trusting God Who’s propelling
your mission in care-giving.
With the Lord propping your zest
patience you show by love’s best
steadfast though challenges test
praying for progress that’s blest.
Life builders … such a great role
to raise kids well is your goal
mentoring to heart and soul
divine task along hope’s pole.
God surely beholds your deed
fulfilled by His grace indeed
as you sow compassion’s seed
that meets every orphan’s need.
As parents to the fatherless
and moms to the motherless
your good works nevertheless
will never become fruitless.
Building lives midst loving light
you serve as Moms day and night
guiding children to use truth-might
while in Christ you delight.
Thanks for your kind engagement
surely precious commitment
dear and priceless involvement
beyond earthly investment.
*Colossians 1:4 …We heard of your faith in Christ Jesus, and of the love which ye have to all…
May 3, 2022
1st place, "A Mother's Love, Tributes of Love for Mother's Day" Poetry Writing Contest; Sponsored by BJ Legros Kelley; judged on 5/3/2022.
Categories:
orphanage, appreciation, faith, god, jesus,
Form: Quatrain
I went to an orphanage on my birthday
Thought I would become a sad that day
Saw children of all ages joyously playing
Carefree, they were laughing, enjoying
Each smiled on receiving gift from me
Taught me to live in present with glee
14.10.2021
Categories:
orphanage, 10th grade,
Form: Rhyme
Offering love and care from the Lord
Understanding individual uniqueness
Respecting each one along ministerial glow…
Optimizing blessed compassion welfare
Reinforcing liberty with responsibility
Practicing patience midst prayer pursuits
Hoisting hope upon kind helpfulness
Asserting appreciation for God’s mercies
Nurturing and nourishing every resident
Affirming Christ’s goodness* always abounding
Gearing faith for blessed transformation
Establishing hearts to live with peace and gratitude.
*Psalm 52:1…The goodness of God endureth continually.
September 7, 2021
Categories:
orphanage, appreciation, christian, faith, family,
Form: Acrostic
Walking With My Mother Past Ursuline Convent and Orphanage (Camp Street)
she remembered
meals eaten in silence
agar jelly dessert, the bitterness of seaweed
washed down with milk
rounders with the girls –
the clack of the bat connecting with the ball
exhilaration running the bases
later in the dorm Sister Mary Alphonse
called an early silence
(to quell excitement ?)
daily chapel - once for mass, twice for prayers
standing, kneeling behind
the black wall of nuns
praying for love
and sardine sandwiches
her mother used to make
secrets with lovely Peggy
whose despair became unbearable -
surely God forgave her
longing for love, a husband, children
someone to need her
to start living
Categories:
orphanage, memory, mother, sad, together,
Form: Free verse
Images That Make You Think - Picture #4
Sponsor: Silent One
A sweet song sung for the orphanage tonight,
A refuge that resides one thousand miles away,
Poor lil’ James still puts on a good fight,
All he wants to do is learn to read and play.
Every now and then I fly there; it opens my eyes,
All the luxuries we take for granted I see,
Little new born babies so hungry as they cry,
I am considerably humbled that isn’t me.
My sweet Susie doesn’t see the difference,
She doesn’t care the color of his skin,
For she found a wee playmate without hindrance,
And she sees all the beauty James holds within.
They play hide and seek and spell “apple” with blocks,
Something new he has never played before,
My Susie teaches him to frolic and laugh a lot,
The smiles they wear touches my heart once more.
When it’s time to leave we have heartfelt goodbyes,
Oh, how I wish I could take him home with me,
Kisses on the cheek with tears in our eyes,
James has a lock on his heart, we are the keys.
Date Written: April 8, 2016
Categories:
orphanage, children, poverty,
Form: Quatrain
I was born in a world of poverty and soiled life of a third world country
The way I lived till I was five years of age was walls of boundary
These walls had towers of guards that had no heart or care
If a child would try to climb the wall they lose their life I swear
I was still a baby in the orphanage; the caretakers did not really care about the babies
They stole items and materials those wicked men and maternal evil ladies
I was ignorant about what I drank and ate, as I see white maggots move in my bottle
As I see them move I thought about how they were playing and some were hostel
My two brothers came to see me and sneak food into my crib
The caretaker would find the food in my hands as they grabbed it and hit me on my ribs
As painful as it was I kept eating the food with blood in my mouth as it was instinct
I sometimes laid in my crib dazed and confused with smell of death so distinct
With all my might I kept myself strong and climb the small wall
I finally was old enough to get out of the building and I could hear my brothers call
With tears of joy with short legs that ran as fast as my heart
I ran to my brothers arms and held their hands to have a new start
Categories:
orphanage, abuse,
Form: Narrative
there's a lot like us
mom's died and left us homeless
not putting our trust in anything
especially the government
owning nothing to our names
we can only afford dreams
at least they calm the pain of this hustle
we hope to see Jesus in the streets
when the boys in khaki suits ambush us
take us to central station and label us vagabonds.
Categories:
orphanage, depression
Form: Free verse