Daily, God* grants me fulltime tasks to spend midst pastime bliss
Creating heaven-on-earth moments I will never miss---
Turning chaotic silence caused by doubt-driven trust
Into vibrant faith that smites honest lies along gladness-crust.
Facing attacks of ephemeral forever doom
My heart perseveres against pain of losing wins’ doom
Bouncing back from woes due to living dead stature
Smiting hellish paradise-angst toward green pasture's nurture.
Leaving cheerful pessimist attitude behind
I behold awfully pretty times as greatly designed
Along bittersweet memories with gratitude’s best
…That though sometimes I'm a wise fool, I always feel blest.
*2 Timothy 1:2 Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.
September 1, 2026
1st place, "Silent Letters and Oxymorons" Poetry Writing Contest
Sponsored by Natasha L Scragg; judged on 9/2/2026
Yahweh is good, A strong defense in the day of distress,
And He knows those who take refuge in Him.
Behold, on the mountains the feet of him who proclaims good news,
Who announces peace! Celebrate your feasts, O Judah;
Pay your vows. For never again will the vile one pass through you;
He is cut off completely.
Nahum 1:7, 15
I can hear.
Yahweh speaks the truth
forcefully
with mercy.
Understanding my distress
His words are perfect.
I can see.
Yahweh breaks darkness
with wisdom
and warnings.
Eternity in clear sight,
He is praiseworthy.
I can feel.
His love engulfs me.
Safekeeping
assures me
I trust Yahweh with my life.
His might perseveres.
I can sense.
He calls me to share
the good news -
Jesus Christ
whose death purchased my pardon,
peace and paradise.
Flying over barren lands
Dried grass, withered roots,
Not a single tree stands
Even in calm weather
Wind pushes heavily
On weary feathers
The dove vows to be braver
But with the weight of the sky
Its wings start to waver
Its eyes search the earth
This bare, lifeless expanse
Lacking its prior glory and worth
Just then, a whisper of green—
Could it be . . . a tree?
Albeit a sapling, scrawny and lean
The dove soars down, coming near
As an olive tree emerges into view,
Defying the dry ground, it perseveres
The tree’s arms reach out, inviting a guest
To land in its branches—
Gratefully, the dove arrives,
Having found, at last, a way of rest.
Alone lost in a crowd
bold silence overpowers the roar of traffic
~ the world perseveres without hesitation
Wordku: 5-7-5 words
AP: 1st place 2025
It is to be that heart achieves by God’s grace
despite despair, distress, difficulties and dearth
while winning life's race…
It is to be that soul keeps on sharing peace-glowing light
radiating fulfillment mirth against discouragement
while persisting with gracious delight…
It is to be that faith triumphs midst test and sin-caused pest
that shows love of compassion-treasure
while staying blest...
It is to be that spirit perseveres toward glad reaching-out
driven by kindness in service of faithful stewardship
while praying for best without doubt...
It is to be that commitment shines with honorable beam
vanquishing arrogance, apathy and unbelief's pain
while enjoying goodness-gleam!!!
Each morning, we begin anew
yesterday lingers, but it does not own you.
Wounds heal, vision clears,
dreams bend, but hope perseveres.
We are here, but not to stay
not to own, just to give away.
So burn bright, rise tall,
leave behind more than the weight of it all.
The ship of dreams, a fragile, drifting thing,
A tattered sail, where love once took its wing.
Arianna gone, a whisper on the breeze,
Leaving only echoes of the heart's disease.
You search for solace, in the fading light,
A lonely figure, lost in endless night.
The memory of her laughter, a haunting refrain,
A phantom touch, a lingering, sweet pain.
I wander aimless, a soul adrift and torn,
By shadows clinging, where love was born.
The world, a canvas, painted shades of gray,
Since she departed, vanished without a trace.
We seek solace, but solace turns to dust,
A bitter taste of ashes, lost in gust.
A flicker of hope, a distant, faint gleam,
Perseveres in darkness, a fragile dream.
Perhaps someday, our paths will intertwine,
And love will bloom, a love truly divine.
We wait, and listen, for her soft refrain,
To mend the broken, and ease the aching pain.
The ship of dreams, a fragile, drifting thing,
A tattered sail, where love once took its wing.
Arianna gone, a whisper on the breeze,
Leaving only echoes of the heart's disease.
Oh, man, a marvel of creation's might,
A distinctive being, with zeal and passion bright.
Ever ready to toil, to provide and to sustain,
The weight of family responsibilities, he bears with no complaint.
From dawn till dusk, he labors with unwavering dedication,
Enduring the slings of insult, from superior and subordinate's desecration.
His strength, a wonder to behold, a testament to his unyielding will,
For the sake of loved ones, he perseveres, his spirit unbroken still.
Oh, man, who can compare your strength?
A pillar of resilience, in the face of life's length.
Yet, as you care for others, heed this solemn refrain,
Remember to tend to yourself, lest you suffer in vain.
For when you're gone, others will remain,
Your wife, a new love may obtain,
Your children, grown, will forge their own way,
Leaving you, dear man, to face eternity's day.
So take time to check yourself, to heal and to mend,
To indulge in life's pleasures, and to be happy, dear friend.
For in the grand tapestry of life, your thread is unique and fine,
Weave it with care, dear man, and make your life's rhyme divine.
Victory to the champ, who perseveres through it all
One smelted and refined through life's red-hot furnace
Who was all beaten down and yet clawed his way back each and every time.
Cheers to our friends who battled internal demons in secret.
And yet sought not the "easy way out."
For they held on to life through all travails.
Cheers to the villains who cursed at us with bitterness.
For they only propelled us to greater plains.
Though we passed through the eye of the needle
We yet cherished the precious, priceless gift of life.
For life's a path fraught with despair at each and every turn, but we sought a greater tomorrow.
Ever telling ourselves, "Things can only get better."
No matter how scared we were, it was our mantra.
Seeking out green pastures in pestilence and drought
Cheers to the ones who blessed us with their fellowship at each phase of our lives.
They taught us life's integral lessons.
My days are void of color
It seems I cannot speak your name
My consciousness lives within my memories
Holding only myself to blame.
The bleakness of reality
My soul, it perseveres
It lives far outside these bricks
I'm left alone with just my fears:
I am one broken half
To a whole I long to be
I am the shards of shattered glass
Of the crystal rose you once made me.
I am sharp cruel edges
Broken thorns, scuffed out shine
I am every tear shed in secrecy
Every single dishonest "I'm fine."
I am drops of paint beneath tables
Hidden corners, lacking grout
I am every hope and wish and promise
That everyone forgot about.
Jim
Loyal, dependable, knowledgeable, big hockey fan,
Brother of Craig and Jeff,
Lover of democracy, the Toronto Maple Leafs and Newfoundland,
Who feels love, empathy and pain,
Who fears failure, loss and going insane,
Who would like to see peace in Gaza, Ukraine and South Sudan,
Resident of St. John's, Newfoundland,
Healey.
My wife and partner is Heather.
She's the one who keeps me grounded; she is my center.
We've been happily married for twenty-five years,
and our love - the deepest kind of love - perseveres.
Heather:
my wife, my partner,
my friend, my lover, my treasure.
She's the one who keeps me grounded;
she is my centre.
She is beautiful, smart, thoughtful, clever
and by any measure,
the smartest thing I ever did was wed her.
(Still not sure what I did to impress her!)
We met many years ago in a choir,
and as events would transpire,
she became my heart's desire.
When I thought of her,
my heart would soar higher.
I just knew I wanted to be beside her
and I've always known
my love for her will never tire.
We have been married for twenty-five years.
There's been lots of smiles and laughter and, yes, a few tears,
ups and downs in our careers,
lots of faith, occasional fears,
but our love...the deepest kind of love...perseveres.
Hear yeah her voice, she perseveres
To paint her skies with gold
Mend her heart, wipe her tears
Her dream never gets old
She sows her seeds from morning till night
For seven days a week
She tries to reach the golden light
Glorious sky is what she seeks
Hear her scream like muffled dream
Like whispers of yesterday
Sunshine gleams her bright esteem
Her glow graces the day
Written: November 20, 2023, For Joseph May Contest
________________________________________________
How pointless to fight for global friendship.
We scatter sand, catch the wind, and waste life.
We could gain a faint peak or bright red ship.
We slide further as shades withdraw the strife.
Despite our confusion, we hound our quest.
The sound venture perseveres to renew.
Nonetheless, the grave gateway is behest.
We grunt a hive to our shock to pursue.
Yet whose charitable tide is smoothing?
Is akin to the vast, unknown ocean.
Deep into our souls, your love is soothing.
That would be requesting your direction.
You are being heard, your palm is raised wide.
Who would be keen on an erroneous guide?
I cast my ballot for Destiny
My dreams halted
My mind behind bars
An inconsolable thought
I greet Destiny with a tired smile
Destiny stares back at me.
She perseveres.
We meet in the middle
Of a fog
Hand outstretched, overfilled with serenity
I am solemn
Solemnly tranquil
as our hands intertwined
I live vicariously through Her
We are linked by the Fates.
Our lives.
No longer separate or singular
Thankfully and longingly
I regret my monotonous life.
A life without myself
Without Destiny
I slip my ballot past the gate.
I vote for my future.
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