Sunday Morning Sunshine: A Burst of Poetry

January brings the snow,
Makes our feet and fingers glow...
--Mother Goose

Winter: slippy, drippy, nippy.
--Mother Goose

Lighter than thistledown
Blown by a fairy,
Fine flakes of snow fall through
Space gray and airy. 
Whiter than lily that
Blows sweet in summer,
This first snow of winter,
This gentle newcomer.
--Ivy O. Eastwick

The fenceposts wear marshmallow hats
On a snowy day;
Bushes in their nightgowns
Are kneeling down to pray--
And all the trees have silver skirts
And want to dance away.
--Dorothy Aldis

Whose woods these are I think I know,
His house is in the village though;
He will not see me stopping here
To watch his woods fill up with snow.

My little horse must think it odd
To stop without a farmhouse near,
Between the woods and frozen lake
The darkest evening of the year.

He gives his harness bells a shake
To ask if there is some mistake.
The only other sound's the sweep
Of east wind and downy flake.

The woods are lovely, dark and deep,
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep.
And miles to go before I sleep.
--Robert Frost.

Happy Winter!

Sunday Morning Peace: April, the Tease

APRIL is such a tease. 

Warm and cold.

Sunny and cloudy.

Rainy and wet.

Budding trees and bursts of color.

Leftover brown leaves and greening grass.

A merry sprite.

A prankster laughing up her sleeve.

Tempting.

Delirious.

Wonderful.

Smile . . .

***

The sun was warm but the wind was chill.

You know how it is with an April day.

When the sun is out and the wind is still,

You're one month on in the middle of May.

But if you so much as dare to speak,

a cloud comes over the sunlit arch,

And wind comes off a frozen peak,

And you're two months back in the middle of March."

-  Robert Frost, Two Tramps in Mud Time, 1926 

Sunday Morning Peace: A Vagabond Song

Sunday Morning Peace: A Vagabond Song

A Vagabond Song

THERE is something in the autumn that is native to my blood
Touch of manner, hint of mood;
And my heart is like a rhyme,
With the yellow and the purple and the crimson keeping time.
The scarlet of the maples can shake me like a cry
Of bugles going by.
And my lonely spirit thrills
To see the frosty asters like a smoke upon the hills.
There is something in October sets the gypsy blood astir;
We must rise and follow her,
When from every hill of flame
She calls and calls each vagabond by name.

Bliss Carman. 1861 Blessings!

Sunday Morning Peace

Early Spring

I HEARD a thousand blended notes,
While in a grove I sate reclined,
In that sweet mood when pleasant thoughts
Bring sad thoughts to the mind.

To her fair works did Nature link
The human soul that through me ran;
And much it grieved my heart to think
What man has made of man.

Through primrose tufts, in that green bower,
The periwinkle trailed its wreaths;
And 'tis my faith that every flower
Enjoys the air it breathes.

The birds around me hopped and played,
Their thoughts I cannot measure:---
But the least motion which they made,
It seemed a thrill of pleasure.

The budding twigs spread out their fan,
To catch the breezy air;
And I must think, do all I can,
That there was pleasure there.

If this belief from heaven be sent,
If such be Nature's holy plan,
Have I not reason to lament
What man has made of man? 

   --William Wordsworth

Sunday Morning Peace

I adore certain poems and enjoyed rereading this one.

October's Bright Blue Weather 

by Helen Bunt Jackson

in one of my old poetry books.

I'm not typing the full, but sharing a couple verses.

Nice!

O suns and skies and clouds of June,
And flowers of June together,
Ye cannot rival for one hour
October's bright blue weather.

~~~~

O suns and skies and flowers of June,
Count all your boasts together,
Love loveth best of all the year
October's bright blue weather.


Smiling,
and blessings to you!

Sunday Morning Peace

The Year's at the Spring

The year's at the spring

And the day's at the morn;

Morning's at seven;

The hillside's dew-pearled;

The lark's on the wing;

The snail's on the thorn;

God's in his heaven--

All's right with the world!

--Robert Browning

True Love for Valentine's Day

I love this poem by William Shakespere!

Enjoy!

True Love

Let me not to the marriage of true minds

Admit impediments. Love is not love

Which alters when it alteration finds,

Or bends with the remover to remove.

O, no! it is an ever-fixed mark,

That looks on tempests and is never shaken;

It is the star to every wandering bark,

Whose worth's unknonwn, although his height be taken.

Love's not Time's fool, though rosy lips and cheeks

Within his bending sickle's compass come;

Love alters no with his brief hours and weeks,

But bears it out even to the edge of doom,

If this be error and upon me proved,

I never writ, nor no man ever loved. 

Sigh.

Beautiful!

                                                       Blessings

Meet the author of "A Friend in the Storm"

Cheryl Ricker!

Leave your comment and an email address for a chance to win Cheryl's book.

AND check out this site for a chance to win a KINDLE in Cheryl's contest:

http://www.cherylricker.com/contests

How long have you known that you were a writer? Did you receive a clear “call?” or have you just loved writing all your life?

Good question. God called me to be a writer when I was in elementary school. Later, in high school, I won a poetry writing contest in a literary magazine which prompted me to major in Creative Writing in university. The Lord kept nudging me forward in this pathway. I’ve just never looked back.

What genre do you write in? (Would you explain what it is?)

I’ve written fiction, non-fiction, devotionals, screenplays and poetry. Right now I’m focused on poetry and fiction. I also like blogging on my “Fresh Air” blog that offers help and encouragement.

Can you describe your writing process for a poem?

Sure; It usually starts with a spiritual insight, inspiration or phrase. I pray for wisdom and direction, asking God to anoint my words and make His truth fresh and understandable. I want readers to experience His love so they’ll choose to further trust Him.

Can you give us a general idea of how long it takes you to write a book?

Always longer than I’d like. I’m embarrassed to tell you how many hours I worked on each poem for “A Friend in the Storm.” I kept reworking them because I’m a bit of a perfectionist. I also wanted each poem to fit with its corresponding quote and Scripture so everything would flow together.

I spent many months hunting for memorable quotes and Scriptures. I started the book in 2005 and I didn’t stop editing until it went to press, if that gives you a hint.

Do you ever feel like giving up? Most people don’t understand the stress, the work, and the joy of being a writer. How tenuous becoming a writer is. Do you care to share how it feels, what discouraging/encouraging times you’ve gone through? Who has inspired you the most?

I couldn’t quit because I don’t know what else I would do. Writing’s what I love.

Writing and sharing my faith.

Yeah, it’s discouraging at times. Not everybody gives you a rave review; and if you’re sensitive like me, that can cut. Bestselling author, Gary Thomas, who endorsed my book, recently reminded me of something that helps me keep things in perspective. I’m writing for an audience of One: Christ. That truth tames my discouragement.

Who inspires me most? Billy Graham. He’s not into what others think or say about Him. He’s out to please the King of kings. That’s the kind of evangelist I want to be.

Would you explain how you “chose” (or were chosen by) a publisher? Do you just go “inny, minny, miny, moe?” Grin.

Zondervan was always my top choice, so I’m super blessed to work with them.

I tried several smaller publishers first, but the doors wouldn’t budge. Oh well…

Would you mind telling us some of your likes and dislikes? Hobbies, interests? Where would you like to travel if you could?

When I’m not writing and marketing, I like listening to sermons, watercolor painting and reading Christian books. I also like spending time with my family, biking, swimming, and, of course, eating out!

Where would I like to travel? Paris France. I’m originally from Canada so I speak a little French. I think I’d like to practice in the Eiffel Tower and a few romantic places! I’d bring my husband of course!

Tell us about A Friend in the Storm. What prompted you to write it?

I started writing poetry for a friend dying of cancer. When she asked me to visit her, I didn’t know what I’d say until God reminded me that I could write her a poem. It just took off from there. She wanted more!

After fulfilling her wish of reading them at her funeral, several people encouraged me to turn my poetry into a gift book.

I researched grief and gift books and I realized I wanted not only to speak to the heart (through poetry), but I also wanted to speak to the mind and the spirit ~ so I included quotes and Scripture.

I wanted to address the difficult question: “Why would a loving God let this terrible thing happen?” To do this best, I wrote most of my poetry from Christ’s perspective. He’s the only One who can truly say, “I’ve been there. I understand.” A Friend in the Storm isn’t just a unique conversation; it’s an innovative way to share God’s comfort and help people find lasting hope.

How and where can readers buy your book?

They can purchase them on my website, at most Christian bookstores, Amazon, CBD, Zondervan’s website, and various Barnes and Noble and Borders stores.

Would you give us your blog or webpage so people can check it out? Anything else you’d like to share? Promotional information?

Be happy to. You can find me at:

•  http://www.cherylricker.com/
• on my Facebook fan page http://www.facebook.com/AFriendInTheStorm
• and on http://www.twitter.com/CherylRicker

Thanks for having me! I don’t know what you’re going through, but I know God will never waste pain. Cry out to Him. He’s waiting for you today.

Rest

Throw me all your passing worries,

pressing thoughts and testy weights,

past confusion, mass intrusion;

Throw me all your human hates.

Letting go, you’ll find true lightness

From the One who took your shame.

I’m a pro at trading burdens;

After all, that’s why I came.

Blessings, dear readers! Don't forget to comment and leave your email address for a chance to win Cheryl's lovely book! It's a treasure!

Beautiful Woman Month


To all my friends and readers and critics and family: If you're a woman, this is for you. Written by Audrey Hepburn and read at her funeral. It says a lot and is worth reading and thinking about! Enjoy.

For attractive lips, speak words of kindness...

For lovely eyes, seek out the good in people.

For a slim figure, share your food with the hungry.

For beautiful hair, let a child run his/her fingers through it once a day.

For poise, walk with the knowledge that you never walk alone...

People, even more than things, have to be restored, renewed, revived, reclaimed, and redeemed;
Never throw out anyone.

Remember, if you ever need a helping hand, you will find one at the end of each of your arms.

As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands; one for helping yourself, and the other for helping others.

And your hint for this weekend?
Take a walk
Kick up the leaves
Think
Pick up a leaf
Pick up a whole bunch of them
Lie in the leaves
Thank God for life.



Quote? I love so many, it's hard to choose, but here goes with another good one:
Autumn, the year's last, loveliest smile. -- William Cullen Bryant


Weekend blessings!