I walk among the makers
Those bright minds shaping language
Into lanterns that rise above the page
Their lines move like currents
Steady and certain carrying me forward
Even when I arrive empty-handed
In this place called Poetry Soup
I learn by watching brilliance
Unfold in quiet generous ways
Every verse I read becomes a doorway
Every stanza a reminder
That craft grows best in company
Here encouragement is a living thing
A creed beneath each comment
A warmth inside each shared attempt
As I study these talented poets’ words
I feel my own begin to take shape and rise
Clearer…braver…more wholly mine
This community doesn’t just inspire
It steadies the hand and strengthens the heart
This community encourages you to become
The best version of the poet you carry within
Thank you, fellow Soupers!
Poet's Note:
Written for the Skeletons Poetry Contest. This dramatic monologue uses "skeleton of hope" as a metaphor for resilience that appears during grief.
Ash Into Phoenix
You ask why I walk barefoot through this frozen forest?
The broken road cuts me, and dancing fog swirls at my feet.
Every step is heavy and cold.
Demons of sorrow and despair circle me.
I thought grief would bury me in the dark.
Then the skeleton of hope rose from my chest.
He wore a gown of silver, with stars on its glittering seams.
He sat beside me, a golden staff in his hand.
He took my hand and looked into my eyes.
"Hardship burns your old soul," he said.
"From the ash rises a phoenix of hope."
"Grief is fire. Let it light your path."
"In darkness, you can still glow."
He smiled at me, at the person drowning in grief, and said:
"Grief is not a punishment.
It is the polish that strengthens your inner self."
And then I stood, because he was right.
I Run
I run.
Sometimes I run fast.
Sometimes I slow down.
But I run.
I run. I run.
I wish I could run all day long.
I run.
In my dreams, I'm always running—flying downhill on mountain trails, leaping over rocks and hills, free with every stride.
Oh, I run.
I even love the climb. The incline strengthens me and is kinder to my knees.
I run through challenges.
I run toward purpose.
I run because it makes me feel alive.
Oh, I run.
And as long as I am able...
I will run.
The phrase that paves the way for any possibility
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” Phillippians 4:13
If not for the wrong I have
witnessed, I’d have little to
know of good -- discovering
worth by contrast --
From chopping wood I
have found, the breaking down
of hard labor strengthens us.
And love has taught me to endure.
And that friendship wrought is all
I need of victory.
It grows and grows....
On private lawns and in the wild, it shows
It smiles at the sun before the day begins
And it winks when it catches a cool wind
Through the storm and rain, it grows
Its place and purpose on Earth, God knows
It drinks from Mother Nature's nourishing cup
It stays and stands strong in the sun as it gazes up
-- AIN'T LYIN' --
Often stepped on, pulled, and sprayed, but never dismayed, like a lion it comes roaring back
Back like it never left, just like that
In early spring, bees and butterflies compete to be in the same space
Just a buzzing and fluttering with energy apace
But man, oh man, he comes to cut, pull, and spray without delay
In his feigned egoistic genius, he doesn't realize it was meant to stay
-- AIN'T LYIN' --
Plentiful food and medicine for man to consume
But he sweeps it away like a hand with a broom....
From its deep roots to its green leafy tips
It heals, nourishes, and strengthens; only truth comes from these lips
Long live the dandelion,
I Ain't Lyin'
I carry a part of the void with me wherever I go. It was with me long before I felt it. Longer still before I knew what it was and what it was taking from me.
I always feel its pull now, slowing my every step, draining my every thought.
I tried to ignore it, understand it, make peace with it, accept it, destroy it...
But it never slows.
Only grows.
Every knock down strengthens it, draining more and more of whats left.
My chest is hollow
My legs are weak
My mind is collapsing.
How much longer, how much more can it take, before im reduced to nothing?
I can see almost nothing but the void,
hear almost nothing but its crackling hum,
feel almost nothing... except its pull.
Am I even really here anymore?
Im slowly losing all sense of separation.
The only thing left that keeps me here is Hope.
Hope that I will find a way out.
Hope that ill find myself again.
But can Hope outlast the Void?
Can I?
I honestly dont know anymore.
The Hope is my last remaining tether.
But how long can that hold?
Maybe I will find a way out.
Maybe whats left of me will be enough.
But if Hope can't even survive...
What will be left of me?
My fever dream involved Praise to My King.
Jesus/Yeshua my best friend thank you so much for being my true savior.
On you alone may I depend. Your hands hold me in safety.
Your Light brightens my heart. You Lord Guide me to safety.
You Lord give me Love that always strengthens me.
Trust in you sustains me.
Juniper roses for your sweet day Anna.
I know that life, my life is sustained by Lord Yeshua.
Open eyes to Jesus as God The Man who died and rose again.
A juniper rose that lives forever now. Every knee will indeed bow and every tongue will Confess that Jesus Is Lord Almighty.
Walk slowly through your days;
the world will rush without your help.
Let your breath be the first teacher—
it remembers what you forget.
Choose kindness when no one sees;
it strengthens the unseen self.
Small mercies tilt the balance
of a life more than grand gestures do.
Hold truth like a lantern,
not a weapon.
Let its light fall gently,
revealing not wounding.
Listen for the quiet things~
they speak before the loud ones do.
Wisdom rarely shouts;
it waits for you to lean in.
And when the path grows dim,
step forward anyway.
Courage is not the absence of fear~
it is the decision to keep moving.
The Holy Spirit Unleashed
Jesus, the Builder so loving and true,
Makes all things beautiful, faithful, and new.
The Holy Spirit gives courage each day,
And strengthens our hearts as He leads the way.
Like Stephen so bold, full of grace and light,
We stand strong for Jesus and choose what is right.
Lord, let Your Spirit shine brightly in us,
To follow and serve You with faith and trust.
When we feel weary, discouraged, or weak,
The Spirit brings comfort and peace that we seek.
He teaches us kindness, compassion, and love,
And points every heart to our Father above.
So let us surrender and answer His call,
For the Holy Spirit can strengthen us all.
May Jesus be King of each word, thought, and choice,
As we walk in His Spirit and lift up our voice.
Short, sweet, and simple, the message is clear:
Avail yourself to the Spirit so near.
For when we surrender and let Him take part,
The Holy Spirit will reign in our heart.
Walk slowly
when the world insists on haste;
your breath remembers what you forget.
Choose kindness
even when no one is watching~
it strengthens the unseen self.
Hold truth
like a lantern in your palm,
letting its light fall where it may.
And listen~
for wisdom often whispers
long before it speaks aloud.
422.
Accept God's Gifts
God's graces are perfected by His gifts
These supernatural presents help us avoid mischiefs
Wisdom & knowledge make us aware of our actions
Understanding & counsel make us realize our situations
Piety keeps us holy and worthy of reverence
Fortitude strengthens our faith and sustains our patience
Fear of the Lord prevents us from sinning!
-12/05/2015
(Dumarao)
*29th Daily Reflection from Catechism Booklet
Everyday, anytime
I go through pains
It strengthens and sharpens me
Making me stronger and bolder
To strive and thrive relentlessly.
Everyday, anytime
I go through threats
It makes me courageous and fearless
Sharpening and awakening
My soul to venture amidst danger.
Everyday, anytime
I go through a test
It brings out my best
Resetting my mindset
Giving me rest.
Everyday, anytime
I go through defeat or deceit
It makes me wiser and smarter
Lighting my awareness
If you don't go through it
You won't know what it takes.
wealth prosperity abundance not synonymous
accumulation leads to conceit of rich
complex opulence
dualism anxiety
inferior-superior byzantines
wealth increases mentality illusions
fierce finance hoarding arise
this happens only in material plain
having does not guarantee prosperity
second always embrace aspects of being
relationship and active community —
when prosperity focused
simplicity flows, transparency results
philanthropic outlook gives
circulates
flourishes self and others
breath within breath clear
core strengthens
organically
prosperity, abundance a potency
in mentality
subtle vibrations move heart
slowed frequencies develop
transmuting third dimensional character
increases focus on spiritual as
starting point
abide quietly, knowing
abundance moves each sand grain
ear of wheat, water atom
every thread of chromosome
it moves in circles
live spirals in human flesh
giving back to family, community
ultimately to divine
fresh moulds are circulated
dances authentic
powers stability, serenity, peace
contentment births clarity
of godly purpose
______________________
Much like the emptying of womb
Each time a mother gives birth
Increase in disasters and violence
Act as catalysts to cleanse the Earth
Many want to cling to safety
The smooth rhythm of waters around
Provision offered in waves
Without abrupt noise of unanchored sound
Along around the seventh month
Warning signals tense and flex
Preparing through unwanted movement
That strengthens muscles to pass the test
Resistance is futile against tide
Yet the unaligned will pull and resist
When birthing time arrives
The baby is found in an emergency twist
Many worlds have come and gone
The survivors are the lining of the wall
Memories are wiped each time
But new waters have helped them recall
...we are not from here
Written by Trudy Schrader on 04-16-2026
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