Poetry

Your Year Write Here

So you’ve stumbled out of bed and made your coffee and rubbed the little crunchies out of the corners of your eyes. You sit down in front of the computer or notebook and there it is… 2013. All of it. A blank slate. Waiting to be filled in. Do you:

grab a pen
grab some paper
is that enough?
no, more paper
it’s a whole year
that’s a long time
does this poem have to rhyme?
nah

okay, more coffee
the cup’s already low
I’ve only started
this is going too slow
okay, focus

well, there’s your bucket
you know, the list
what’s still there?
what have you missed?
do you climb that mountain?
do you sail that sea?
if you’re still in school
will you settle for a B?
no, an A this time!

then there’s your work
is it your life?
besides paying for stuff
is it mainly strife?
what is in you
that God has planted there
the gift that is you
you’re intended to share?
it could be spectacular!

the lights are blinking on and off
planning uses up watts!
i need more coffee
more coffee, Jacques!
right… i don’t have a butler
got it
sip

okay, what about service?
is it all about you?
God can use your hands and feet
and your noggin too
He can use your muscles
even if they’re small
He can use your height
even if you’re not tall
for someone else
now that’s exciting!

now we’re cooking with gas
now we’re inspired
now we’ve figured out
how we are wired
’13 won’t be easy
sure, ’12 wasn’t either
but you can get started
after a breather
and maybe one, more, cup.

it takes a whole village
to make a village run
it takes hard work
to have the best fun
it takes many hands
to fashion a church
to open a bakery
what rhymes with church?
teamwork!

well, you’ve got your orders
Mr. Mrs.or Ms.
you’ve got your plans
you’ve got your list
you can always develop
and stretch and adjust
all planners surely
know this much
you can do it
that i know
with God, all things are possible
now
on with the show!

Poetry Waltz

The following should be read with the rhythm of a Viennese waltz

You start with two words
Like love and you
And add a third word
It could be too
Perhaps add a thought
The concept of love has baffled scholars, engineers, and rodeo clowns for centuries.
It won’t have to rhyme.
See line above
Insert a grand flourish
Our love is bigger than the Grand Canyon, more exciting than a Lady Gaga costume change, longer lasting than the mustard stain on my sweatpants incurred during the unfortunate 49er’s loss last Sunday.
A secondary flourish
A lot of people think you should change your oil every 3,000 miles, but I’ve read that every 5,000 is just fine. The thing is, you have to be consistent.
It runs so smooth
And conclude
I will
Always
Be yours
I’m yours

Little One

A big world is contained in your little eyes, dreamer. Your crooked smile has me melting in your hand. If I had the best of this earth and what’s beyond it to give, you know I would. While you’re so young all you meet thinks you’re to die for. If I could protect you from their fickle ways, count me in. But life won’t always be easy, Little One. Cause Little One the road will at times be rocky, just like all the times when it is smooth. You know I’ve got your back, yeah I’ve got you, Little One. Among all the prayers that I am praying, is as you go that you will be so brave, to go through the storms… still trusting, Little One.

Can Little One play with me today? Oh, she’s sick? That’s too bad. I’ll pray for her before I go to sleep. Can I ask again tomorrow? I’m glad you guys moved here. I’ve got a big brother but he thinks I’m a baby. Little One likes the same stuff I do. Well, I’ve got to get home now. Tell her to get better, please.

Little One, the growing will get easier, with the exceptions of when it hurts, the learning will go smoother, except for those times when it doesn’t. The little boys in ways will stay little, but some of them will actually become men. If I can, I’ll show you the difference, older one.

Some say loving someone is like your heart walking around outside of you. Yet even though we know it’s a risk, we still dare. Even when we listen to God’s instruction, we know part of loving is risking pain. A poker player calls it “going all in,” and we do.

Little One someday you’ll be wiser, someone who is little too will look to you. You’ll be scared just like I was, Brave One. Share the load with someone who loves you and is willing to grow along with you and your Little One. Little One… Little One…

Jesus loves me, this I know
Joy to the world, all the boys and girls
I’ve got you, under my skin… I’ve got you, deep in the heart of me.

Mud Puddles

from the time I was younger than three

I sought them out with glee

the watery dirty depths

of a mud puddle step

did so much to satisfy me

 

and later, ‘round the time of eight

I’d stop somewhere short of the grate

ahead of my siblings

with their gleaming white shoe strings

and plunge feet first to my fate

 

then somewhere late in my teens

much too serious for childish things

I carefully walked around

and with regret missed the sound

that splashing mud and water brings

 

now some years have passed

and I’ve earned at last

the right to jump again as I’m able

in imagined giants’ ladles

of water and mud broadcast

Heavy Hearts

Heavy hearts. Loads we cannot seem to carry and don’t know exactly how to put away.  Heavy hearts.  Grief so infinite, our very bones begin to groan while our bodies start to sway.  What do we do with the weight?

And there are times to weep with those who are weeping just as we would rejoice with those who rejoice. Times we join hands with strangers and are there for those so crushed with sadness that they have lost their voice.

Heavy hearts. Bending our knees and asking God for answers to answerless questions as we look to the sky.  How do you measure, the tears that could fill an ocean? Could they wash away the pain? It’s so hard to stand by.

There are times to weep with those who are weeping just as we would rejoice with those who rejoice. Times we join hands with strangers and are there for those so crushed with sadness that they have lost their voice.

Heavy hearts. Our shoulders are not big enough to carry that much weight; It was never part of our design. There is only one we know who could outshine that much evil and carry us through such dark days. Pray for comfort for those left here on earth, the ones who must wait to rejoin those who fell. Give away some love to someone you don’t know. As darkness threatens to overtake them, share the light.

There are times to weep with those who are weeping just as we would rejoice with those who rejoice. Times we join hands with strangers and are there for those so crushed with sadness that they have lost their voice.

Robin

i wonder if the robin who has landed in my yard
thinks the best worms are to be found here
thinks you know their bouquet is rarely excelled
not even by the ones in the big field with the oak
i wonder if he cocks his head and briefly looks at his
reflection in a cold glistening rain drop
hanging just barely from an extra tall blade of grass
does he hop up into the little dogwood and survey
the lawn from his lofty perch of four feet
and wonder if he should top off the worms with a few
miscellaneous bugs before he wings into
the big tree across the street and puts his beak into the wind
whistling through the bare winter branches
wonders if any of the other robins know it’s his yard
it doesn’t matter
he does

time’s money

if our table lamps shone money
and our pocketbooks held time
I’d not presume what’s mine is yours
or even what’s yours is mine
but should your lamp spend less brightly
or a hole in your wallet lose time
you’re not to fret or worry
always i’ll ensure you’re fine

© Joel Clayton Tipple and, Write here, Joel. 2012-13. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material and photographs without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Joel Clayton Tipple with appropriate and specific direction to the original content. Thank you.