Mom With Prayer Shawl
*
In this time of sorrow
We are reminded, that none of us get out alive
Yet, I treasure the belief
With remembering we all survive.
*
On my last visit to Mom
She wore a shawl
Draped over her thin shoulders.
“The shawl is so beautiful, Mom.”
“Yes, Son, I love the soft blue.”
*
“The other day a young woman
Came to my room, opened a box,
And there was the shawl.
She said members of the church,
Crochet prayer shawls.
The young woman asked
If I would accept this Shawl of Hope
With their love and prayers.
Now, Son, I didn't
Mean to make you cry.”
“I know, Mom, but you always said
I was a sensitive guy.
I wrote it in my diary.”
“You and that diary...
One can't get away with anything.”
“Nope, I got it all on paper
And treasure it.”
Mom looked at me with tears
And asked me to come closer.
She whispered,
“I am being warmed
By loving hands
Responsible for each
Entwined strand of wool.
The shawl is blessed with hope
And its warmth
Keeps fear out in the cold.”
“I will sit by you, Mom,
And feel its warmth.”
*
Categories:
prayer shawl, mom,
Form: Free verse
gnarled hands ignited,
with the maelstrom of belief.
knotty knees do bend.
unseen, the heavens
opened up, did look beyond
the darkness of earth,
to see a pin drop.
ancient one, in the gnarled woods,
God is drawn to you.
the straw in haystack -
most dwellers go through back doors,
but she’s kneels in church -
with bent frame, eyes shut,
a prayer shawl around shoulders,
cold, yet immersed in light.
with lanterns, she joins
others in trimming their wicks -
firestorm of belief.
a humble leader -
behold, lifetime membership
in peaceful dwelling.
many are the weeds -
celebrate on holidays,
they’re pregnant with bread and wine.
she’s not at the bar -
look for her at the altar
with her rough gnarled hands.
on arthritic knees,
she’s closest to the Savior -
he sees her asking
and He draws closer
to see ev’ry tear that falls
begging “one more soul…”
Christ gives her what she asks for.
Categories:
prayer shawl, prayer,
Form: Choka
Theodore Herzl's, "If you will it's no dream"
Lord Balfour's declaration gave it more steam
Hebron's Massacre and Arab Riots
White Paper's Rejection and Hitler's 'Zeig-Heil-It'
Nothing deterred us, no matter how extreme.
The War of Liberation in 1948
The Sinai Campaign -- 1956 was the date
The Six Day War in 1967: "The Temple Mount is Ours!"
The Yom Kippur War in '73 -- our conscience jarred.
Terrorism's ascent all through the years
The Munich Olympics brought us to tears
George Habash and his ilk, criminal masterminds
Sadam Hussein and Arafat, two of a kind
Disappointments galore:
Yamit, Oslo, Gush Katif, Gaza, and so many more--
To list them all's a thankless chore--
Hopes for peace dashed on each and every shore.
Yet in spite of it all, Israel stands tall
Her spirit strong, unwavering
Wrapped in a prayer shawl:
In spite of it all
Israel stands tall
A Beacon of Hope
Shalom to One and All
Congratulations to the People of Israel on Her 70th Year of Statehood
in the Modern Era
Israel Independence Day
April 19, 2018
Categories:
prayer shawl, dream, hope, independence day,
Form: Rhyme
Sympathy
Sympathy of violins,
Sensate sliding of heartstrings.
Canorously caressing.
Like cherry brandy - feels good.
The warmth spreads, like a prayer shawl.
Fermata holds on too long...
10/2/2017
Early October Premier Contest
*Fermata - prolonging a musical note
**Prayer - with 1 syllable
Categories:
prayer shawl, grief,
Form: Verse
How Should I Pray, Lord?
How Should I Pray, Lord?
I need you to explain
‘Cause I’m not familiar with prayer;
It’s not been my past domain.
Do I just talk to you,
Or do you need some fancy words?
Should I sing to you instead,
With some accompanying chords?
How Should I Pray, Lord?
Is there a special time?
Can I talk to you anywhere?
Do you want my words to rhyme?
I can’t pray the fancy words
Of preachers from a pulpit.
I’m just a simple person,
With simple language to submit.
How Should I Pray, Lord?
Do I need a prayer shawl?
Because I’m a Christian,
Your gift of repentance I wish to enroll.
I ask your forgiveness
And mean it from my heart,
But I don’t know how to pray, Lord;
Your grace to impart.
How Should I Pray, Lord?
Please teach me today.
I am a complete novice
And need to know your way.
If I’m too familiar,
I ask your royal pardon.
How Should I Pray, Lord?
Teach me how to pray and petition.
© Copyright 2012 Maureen LeFanue
www.maureenlefanue.com
Categories:
prayer shawl, faith, inspirational, prayer, me,
Form: Rhyme
How many words can you think of
That we call little girls who play ball
Who’re bright and bold and assertive
And know how to take a fall?
How many words can you think of
That we call little boys who like dolls
Who’re bright and shy and thoughtful
And know how to knit a prayer shawl?
How ‘bout promiscuous fellas
Now for promiscuous gals?
What are the implications?
And where’s the rationale?
Categories:
prayer shawl, social, words, prayer,
Form: Rhyme
The Woman Stands By The Wall
… knowing No Harm Shall Pass Thru
It is Strong … Made of Stone and Tall
A Constructed, Marvel – True …
The Woman Places By The Wall …
… a Basket of Hopes and Dreams
She knows, No Creepy Creature Can Crawl
Past This Foundation, as Deep as the Seas …
And The Wall Reaches to Destinies Un-Shown
Long Distance, Soaring Sure and Straight
So, the Woman can Lean Upon
and Rest on This Journey So Great
The Woman Stays By The Wall
The Wall Blocks Out Horrible Views
And Screams and Things Too Evil To Call…
… She Never Wants To Go Over You …
The Woman Holds Onto The Wall
Admiring Its Fortitude, Its Texture
And Tho’ Her Hands May Be Small
She Will Attempt to Respectfully Measure
… This Reliable, Wonderful-Wall
Stands Built, for Her Pretty Protection
So, This Battle-Scarred-Wall, Will Not Fall…
… from Her Supporting, Adoring, Affection
For God, Took Away Her Prayer-Shawl 1 Cor. 11: 5
as She Marched, Under Heavenly-Protocol
and Master-Builder, Chose This One Over Them All
to Be Her Outstanding, Warrior-Wall !
… The Woman and The Wall …
Categories:
prayer shawl, allegory, daughter, faith, family,
Form: Light Verse