Step forward now in a brand-new way,
Encourage yourself as David did say.
The balancing acts, the burdens we bear,
With weights in our hands, will soon vanish in air.
As we worship Him, He steadies our path,
Guiding us gently, withholding His wrath.
Jehovah Jeriah, Rapha, Nissi -
In His Grace and Blood, we walk freely.
We are pressing through, we are coming strong,
We are overcomers, that’s where we belong.
With divine wisdom, re-arrange the ruins,
Transforming lives and cities, breaking chains.
Build a new, for miracles draw near,
On our path, manifestations, will soon appear.
Listen closely to your heartbeat’s sound,
Let your uniqueness be truly unbound.
We are stepping forward, no longer delayed,
In purpose and power, divinely arrayed.
Categories:
stepping, inspirational,
Form: Free verse
May we be blessed wherever we travel in life
through states, countries and time zones…
to be able to turn any predicaments we face along the way
from predicaments…into stepping stones.
Categories:
stepping, life,
Form: Rhyme
step stones across stream
look easy to pick and tread
some were raised upright
wanting to be idolised ~
as landfall stands for the soul
Categories:
stepping, river,
Form: Tanka
I stood on edge of stream
crystal clear and cobbled,
with stones jagged and rough,
smooth flat and rounded.
How could this rumbled jumble
or rocks and gravel have got there?
Which stone was tossed and thrown?
Which was skipped there by tiny hands
trying for eight skips or more?
Which was placed strategically in
a row of stepping stones for dry-feet
to cross the stream to the other side?
Which stones slid and bounced there,
from way upstream, carried by
the last raging snow-melt torrent?
My path through life has similar
ups and downs, with slips and slides,
rocks and gravel, all rumbled
and jumbled together.
With the legacies of the ways I've found to
skip, step and slide,
to reach my milestones in the
sinuous stream of life,
riddled with scattered stones.
Categories:
stepping, river,
Form: Free verse
Divorcing self from awful negatives
I step ahead, bouncing through God’s power
Gladly inspired with cheerful directives
To share love's bliss and peace of grace-shower.
Triumphing against selfishness-trial
Freeing from “me-I-mine” so prison-bound
To reach-out for others, sans betrayal
My heart sows goodness seeds on kindness-ground.
Persisting against vain personal gain
I join with fellows midst blest partnership
Prevailing against separation-pain
Creating new vibrant relationship.
*2 John 1:3 Grace be with you, mercy, and peace, from God the Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love.
May 16, 2025
8th place, "Divorced" Poetry Writing Premiere Contest
Sponsored by Kai Michael Neumann; judged on 5/27/2025
Categories:
stepping, blessing, christian, divorce, faith,
Form: Rhyme
“The best way to treat obstacles is to use them as stepping stones.” Enid Blyton
**************************************************************
Stepping Stones to Success
In the deep depth of their dreams many souls
Aspire to reach atop a scenic hill
Whence they can eye the vista as a whole
And view the landscape of the distant fields;
But when wild woeful winds of stark failures
Rock their spirit, hurling them to the ground
It is ripe time to change their behaviour,
Time to move step by step to get around,
Time not to try to reach the sky at once
But to make every step a success tale
Time along the stairs not at once to bounce
But to learn to confront the stormy gales
And over woeful wild winds to prevail.
Categories:
stepping, inspirational, life, motivation,
Form: Rhyme
It was a stepping-stone,
ten and half years, but a stepping-stone
A woodstove burning on the hill
Distant mountains seen through bare trees
A place of laughter and many tears
Accidents, achievements, love and loss
Flowers and wildlife so wild, but tame
Quietness that settled the soul
Bird songs that brought a yearning to dance
Sunrises and sunsets seen through the windows
A timeframe in life, that will live in my heart
A stepping-stone to here, with pieces from there
Now, a new illuminating place, filled with grace
Heidi Sands
4/8/25
(C)opyright
Categories:
stepping, appreciation, change, home, life,
Form: Free verse
Birth and death are like stepping stones
on our path to eternal life.
Beyond physical skin and bones,
birth and death are like stepping stones.
From our cradles to our tombstones;
life leads us to the afterlife.
Birth and death are like stepping stones
on our path to eternal life.
Categories:
stepping, birth, death, faith, how
Form: Triolet
When growing up, I had a dog
And when he had to go,
He did his business in the street;
A leash tug let him know.
We didn’t have a pooper-scoop,
But we’d prevent a squat
On sidewalks where pedestrians
Might cross that very spot.
Yet nowadays, the owners let
Their dogs go where they please
And even if they clean it up,
It doesn’t quite appease.
Just yesterday, I took a step
And - take a random guess -
My sneaker sole with lots of tread
Became a stinking mess.
It took a while to get it clean
And here I will admit
That, in my mind, that owner is
A selfish piece of ……spit!
Categories:
stepping, dog,
Form: Rhyme
Steppin’ Off
My Platform
I
Will
Miss you,
It’s only so long
And not a swan song
I have projects awaiting
They need some attention
An untenable encumbrance
Far too many to mention
So I’ll be takin’ time out
Or bound to get worse
September First
Steppin’ off
Categories:
stepping, appreciation, change, farewell, goodbye,
Form: Shape
Sometimes, it is necessary
When under attack.
Whether or not mandatory,
Take a break - step back.
Often, we become sucked in
Within activity.
Resting is somewhat tucked in...
Leads to calamity.
Time and effort get away...
Start taking their toll.
Take a step back - in this way,
You will regain control.
Otherwise, it will be forced
Upon you - feeling tired.
Designation of exhaust...
Refreshing is desired.
Not much of which is required
As you reassess.
Perspective can be acquired...
Some relief of stress.
When fatigue sets in and slack
Reveals other intrusions,
Make the choice of stepping back
To reach your best conclusions.
Categories:
stepping, care, recovery from,
Form: Rhyme
Taking a break to find my passion in life
Categories:
stepping, life,
Form: Monoku
It’s easy sticking to routines,
Though some might find it boring,
Yet out beyond your comfort zone
Are risks not worth ignoring.
Away from home, your bed and bath,
Especially untested,
Might make you worry that you won’t,
When morning comes, feel rested.
And all the unfamiliar foods,
So different and appealing,
May be too tempting to resist
And leave your stomach reeling.
And even if you do your best
To get your things together
And pack your suitcase carefully,
There could be freaky weather.
Another possibility
Is illness when you travel
And being sick away can cause
Your spirits to unravel.
I get why people never leave
Routines which keep them going,
But sometimes stepping out may tap
A part of you worth knowing.
Categories:
stepping, anxiety,
Form: Rhyme
along waters edge
stones gather as stepping stones
assorted colors
Categories:
stepping, nature,
Form: Haiku
A warped board on a bench seat
causing discomfort
to an old bum, an aching foot,
a touch of pity all came to keep me
self-sealed inside a bag of skin.
I took no note of the river
almost licking at my feet,
the evening's prayerful quiet,
the sky slowly switching on
its nightly extravaganza of stars.
I was too far into myself
to see past my rim.
One can get lost in a stare,
that blank, formless blur
reflecting the endless distances
stretching across the self.
I was bubbled there.
Then slowly things happened,
a tugboat went past, seagulls
protested my presence,
the smell of river mud
thickened the air.
I stepped out and saw
an old man on a bench seat
who I have long known,
brushed the dandruff
from his shoulders,
helped him up and walked
him home.
Categories:
stepping, eve, river, self,
Form: Free verse
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