Radiance of life reigns around sweet relationship
offered by the great "I am that I am" Creator
as I yield to Him Who is my sovereign Director
midst blessed fellowship along wondrous worship.
Against suffering gloom of frustration-caused pain
I am bouncing back with hope-lit serenity-glow
revived to bloom along abundant blessings' flow
since the great "I am that I am" grants salvation-gain.
Gripped by "I am the way, the truth and the life" creed
surmounting unbelief's stroke that attacks the heart
triumphantly prevailing over weakness' dart
I am keeping the faith, shining with love and kindness' deed.
Haunted
Haunted by past mistakes, you have yet to let go
Haunted by the love ones you have come to know
Haunted by voices in your head, running amuck
Haunted by events leaving you feel dumbstruck
Haunted by worries that can consume you whole
Haunted by depilating burdens that takes its toll
Haunted by choices, the right and the wrong ones
Haunted by cruelty, making you stick to your guns
Haunted by fears, so surmounting, so surreal
Haunted by emotions, so overcoming, so real
Haunted by memories, revealed in deep sleep
Haunted by confusion, embedded so deep
Haunted by loneliness, so least expected
Haunted by distrust, feeling so disrespected
Haunted by such anger that we fear to share
Haunted in so many ways, the burdens we bare
In my frailty, God works in His might
upholding me against weakness' pain
toward effective functional gain
surmounting my human nature blight...
Despite frailty brought by carnal mind
the Saviour reaches me with His grace
endowing strength to win in life's race
midst blest restoration He designed...
Admitting frailty of sins' sorrow
my soul confesses selfishness' cry
along the guise of pride I defy
causing heart to wallow in deep woe...
Now, I cast to the Lord frailty's deed
toward heavenly soar by faith's bliss
as prayer comes from spirit's abyss
to do His will, freed from guilt indeed.
Triumphant* against frailty's attack
I do stay in my divine Fortress
seeking His peace to vanquish distress
He assures with great compassion-pack.
*Psalms 25:2 O my God, I trust in thee: let me not be ashamed, let not mine enemies triumph over me.
February 4, 2026
2nd place "Pick-A-Title, Vol 55" Poetry Writing Contest
Sponsored by Edward Ibeh; judged on 2/20/2026
Cat three-tooth, cat stone-deaf, cat sidewinder walk,
Old Bealman stalked the croaking, the croaking,
with forepaws meek stroking
airs of a summer cool night.
Bealman, Bealman, Meow & Sealman,
Pacing, still racing, one two three man.
Bealman—frog fisher & free.
Delphinium, the roses, lupine interposes
a shadow of fortressed green leaf
disguises the notion my Bealman supposes—
to seize, dismember it through,
make self-concocted, dishering frog stew.
Bealman, Bealman, Meow & Sealman,
Pacing, still racing, one two three man.
Bealman—frog fisher & free.
Night hours accounting, morning’s surmounting,
a bird warning Bealman, his patience to thin.
Croaking still blending, a flower stalk was bending,
two legs, peaking out, sent Bealman straight in.
Bealman, Oh my Bealman, Meow & Sealman,
Pacing, still racing, one two three man.
Frog fisher & free.
I saw Bealman beaming; I saw Bealman beaming.
How cats manage beaming I’ll wonder again.
Since Bealman was twenty, any beaming is plenty.
I loved my old Bealman, my frog fisher friend.
Bealman, Bealman, my meow dear Sealman,
Frog fisher & free.
Old Man, which, in your life well spent,
Come as moments of repent?
Nay, rather, what do you recall
As memories surmounting all?
For I stand in my own conceive
And into future wrest perceive
Your time viewed with these mine eyes
And learn from those who have lived wise.
Should one live with no construct,
And treat one’s time as usufruct?
Or design with purpos’d plan?
Which makes in end the better man?
“Think not of God nor her final test
If She exists, she knows the rest
But thoughts simple and reflective of
The blessing to have lived life’s loves.”
With every breath we take
It is the world that breathes
It the world that lives
And when we die what grieves
We are its vital organ
Its senses that proclaim self
Our laughter, our tears, our joy
Individual aspects of nonself
The beauty of a sunset
The wind blowing through trees
It is we who perceive
And through us the world sees-
Touches, taste, smells, and feels
Our dreams are the worlds dreams
All our hopes and our fears
The rushing brooks and streams
The sun rise ‘bove the mount
Surmounting all our doubt
The moon thro’ glooming night
midst the silence, a shout!
We need but feel a part
Of all that which we share
From the stars that clothe us
To every breath of fresh air
"He will progress toward retrogression..."
Mother's heart defied such prognosis
yet it reverberated, haunting soul
thus, faith cleaved to divine pillar
toward hope fueling functionality
surmounting spastic bouts
conquering seizures
then beholding miracles.
Now, milestones radiate
as special child drives himself
midst freedom bliss
maneuvering wheelchair
likewise taking steps with walker's brace
vanquishing mother's fear
toward triumph of impossibilities
enabled by God*, the divine anchor.
*Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
August 23, 2025
15th place, "Killick" Free verse Poetry Writing Contest
Sponsored by Craig Cornish; judged on 9/5/2025
Selfish aims in kindness-guise… I dare to confront
As my soul welcomes challenges with hope
Triumphantly while thankful spirit does cope
Surmounting trials of grievous affront.
Targets midst secret deals… I strive to check
As my heart submits to divine truth’s worth
Exposing transgressions against fake mirth
Repenting for pardon that conquers wreck.
Carnal goals with their deceit… I ought to face
As my mind is illumined by God’s light
With assured vision for heavenly flight
Toward courage to walk tall, blest with grace.
Motives reflecting shame… I need to see
As my faith learns to perceive genuine glow
Against hypocrisy, pride of false show
Living in wondrous love with freedom glee.
Intents lurking as ghosts… I must not fear
As my Lord assures His presence of peace*
Governed by great wisdom that cannot cease
Securing me while others gladly cheer.
*Philippians 4:7 - And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
July 8, 2025
Honorable Mention, "1404" Poetry Writing Contest
Sponsored by Brian Strand; judged on 8/20/2025
Driving by faith*, heart looks
to God midst life's road trips
of triumph's twist and turns
surmounting trial-bumps
then refreshed as pitstops
whisper, “welcome, dear soul.”
*Hebrews 11:6 ...Without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
May 8, 2025
3rd place, "INTO THE HEXALINE GROOVE" Poetry Writing Contest
Sponsored by Nette Onclaud; judged on 5/9/2025
Blitheness bears itself boldly by day,
Surmounting the summit of separative sufferance.
Ridges and ranges below bow in adoring array,
Where homage is payed to the uprising utterance.
Blitheness bears itself blandly by night,
Mollifying the wounds of the worried and the wronged.
Rills and rivulets ripple rosy in sight,
Where brutality is isolated and humanity thronged.
Rejoicing to vanquish attacking woe
My heart now radiates with hopeful glow
Ready to face challenging day midst grace
Trusting the Lord Who holds each tomorrow.
Stepping gladly along triumphant pace
I breathe victory in running life’s race
Surmounting downfalls with prayerful plight
Bouncing upon optimism’s strong brace.
Jubilant toward blest reaching-out flight
Though struggling with angst of selfishness-blight
My faith claims trophy in championship bout
Conquering arrogance with truth’s delight.
Directed toward caring kindness-route
Winning against skepticism and doubt
I strive to ascend, breathing victor’s zest
Joyously grateful against losses’ pout
Cheered to keep on going, doing the best
Never wallowing in frustration’s pest
My spirit breathes victory* of love-flow
Such I share with the rest to the fullest.
*1 Corinthians 15:57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
November 19, 2024
4th place, "I breathe" Poetry Writing Contest
Sponsored by Ink Empress; judged on 11/29/2024
"Autumn knows a mother's heart.
It gives and then lets go."~ Angie Weiland-Crosby
How proudly she stood, surmounting the tallest hill,
a blazing maple tree whose limbs spread far and wide.
In Summer, her green leaves swayed upon soft breezes,
but Autumn painted them shades of crimson and rust.
A burnished canopy, gilded by golden rays of the sun.
Ruffled by an errant wind, each leaf danced like a flame
before her limbs were barren, left in a state of malaise.
The stinging of the season's first frost caused her to weep.
Gnarled were her empty branches, as she stood weeping.
She was bereft and grieving as if she'd lost her children.
Maple held deep loathing for the changes of this season,
when leaves withered and the world was gloomy brown.
She endured Fall and Winter's snow by dreaming of Spring
when again she would glow on the summit of the tallest hill.
Pleased with her budding foliage and a newborn sapling,
she'd be dressed in green finery, where songbirds would nest.
My eyes are open
My mind is pacing
My heart is racing
So I close my eyes
And sit in quietude
I was told it fabricates a different attitude
Looking for the child
who needs to escape
While I listen to the echoes
Of the bowls reverberate
As I look into my Minor eyes
I begin to catechize
As I analyze
I begin to realize
My younger mind has been traumatized
Now I see my inhibitions with great lucidity
So I begin to question their validity
As we confabulated
Liberation is what eventuates
I open my eyes to a new feeling
Once a caged mind
Now unfettered
Once vacillated
Now resolute
Now I embark on an odyssey
With consecrated determination
Surmounting impediments without hesitation
Oh how my life has changed
Since I’ve been acquainted with meditation.
Championing freedom and liberty
Lady of courage midst tenacity
Stands along truth while defying deceit
Upholding virtues with serenity.
Transformed through love’s might from failure’s defeat
Peace-filled lady stays grounded at her feet
Joyously caring, sharing, reaching-out
Showing miraculous conversion treat.
Determined to win over carnal bout
Valiant lady faces attacking doubt
To conquer with prayer afflicting pain
Extricating self from unbelief’s clout.
Seeking forgiveness for soul’s guilty stain
Repentant lady confesses heart-strain
Since pardon drives her faith to do what’s best
Ready in distributing blessings’ gain.
That's my partner midst my spiritual quest
Hope-propelled lady of stewardship zest
Modelling divine nature by God's grace
Smiting evil blight, surmounting sin‘s pest
She's our mother in our orphanage days
Helping us perform best in unique ways
Triumphant midst pain showing her beauty
Now, I am trained to take her wondrous place.
Edited on June 29, 2025 for the contest, "How well do you know your partner (With a twist)" sponsored by Poet Destroyer A.
"One word frees us of all the weight and pain of life. The word is love."
Sophocles, Greek Poet
Radiating joyous thanksgiving glow
Love from the heart shows heaven’s blessing-flow
Triumphant in surmounting pain and woe
Sharing goodness to heal wounds of sorrow
Reaching-out, allowing kindness to grow
Midst care, igniting hope of tomorrow.
Gladly constraining forgiveness delight
Love divine offers haven from guilt’s blight
Vanquishing grief toward faith-soaring flight
That warms fellowship around prayer plight
Toward service height and worship aright
Inspiring trust to bloom, devoid of fright.
Thankful for love of God* brought to my soul
I’m cheerfully spreading it---that’s my goal.
*I John 4:7-8 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. He who does not love does not know God, for God is love.
May 6, 2024
2nd place, "Sonnet - Untraditional" Sonnet Poetry Writing Contest
Sponsored by Constance La France; judged on 5/11/2024
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