The greatness of our God
cannot be imagined by us;
our minds simply are not big enough.
We can’t praise him enough,
thank him enough,
worship him enough.
Remember this,
God can make much of the little we have.
Give him all you’ve got.
He is present in every day.
Live life accordingly,
share
– by your actions –
your deep and abiding faith
in God.
Shout His praise with joy! For great is the Holy One. Isaiah 12:6 NLT
What is that I see
chasing the moon?
Wispy clouds,
bare dark tree limbs
reaching up, up, up
into a darkening sky.
It is a moon night.
All nature points
to luminous lunar beauty.
Thank you for being a reader/subscriber. Your likes, shares, and comments are welcomed. Click the BOOKS tab to find out more about my work and to order my books. Follow me at www.vandermeerbooks.com, https://www.facebook.com/vandermeerbooks, Amazon Author Central. I frequently write about my town, Las Vegas, N.M.Occasionally I use interesting and helpful content from other sources. I also invite guest posts. If you have a topic you would like to share, send to fsvandermeer@gmail.com.
I pray to live into God’s promise,
and embrace the gifts of life and opportunity
with joy and optimism,
living in hope and grounded in faith.
I thank God for mercy and compassion,
the comfort of his love that
brings peace to a troubled soul,
and opens doors to joy.
May I have the wisdom and strength
to close the door on disappointment and anger,
and instead, thank God for love without measure,
forgiveness without limits.
Snow fell today,
…pristine
beautiful…
Creature tracks
break the crust.
Moisture gives us
…hope
…expectation
of a spring
blooming and lush.
Thank you for being a reader/subscriber. It is my goal to present informative, interesting, and creative content on this site. Your likes, shares, and comments are welcomed. I am an indie author of six books and two chapbooks of poetry. Check the BOOKS tab to find out more. Follow me at www.vandermeerbooks.com, https://www.facebook.com/vandermeerbooks, Amazon Author Central. I frequently write about my town, Las Vegas, N.M.Occasionally I use interesting and helpful content from other sources. I also invite guest posts. If you have a topic you would like to share, send to fsvandermeer@gmail.com.
Look beyond
what you see,
look at you,
look for me.
What seek you
in the days ahead?
Health and hope,
not fear nor dread?
It starts within
each gentle soul
as we look
to be made whole.
It is not so simple
is it now,
as we look for
the why, the how?
Do one kindness
on this day,
a smile, a laugh
to pave the way.
See beyond
what is there,
look for joy,
everywhere.
I watched a commercial featuring an elderly man doing a seemingly foolish series of exercises using – I think it’s called – a kettlebell. His actions are a curiosity to his neighbors and downright alarming to some, but he persists, always using as inspiration a photo the audience is not privileged to see, until the end. You can view the ad here. The commercial inspired me to write this poem and served as a reminder to identify what brings joy and focus on that. Happy New Year!
Thank you for being a reader/subscriber. It is my goal to present informative, interesting, and creative content on this site. Your likes, shares, and comments are welcomed. I am an indie author of six books and two chapbooks of poetry. Check the BOOKS tab to find out more. Follow me at www.vandermeerbooks.com, https://www.facebook.com/vandermeerbooks, Amazon Author Central. I frequently write about my town, Las Vegas, N.M.Occasionally I use interesting and helpful content from other sources. I also invite guest posts. If you have a topic you would like to share, send to fsvandermeer@gmail.com.
Peace on Earth
seems far away
as we muddle about
from day-to-day.
Sing the song
of Peace on Earth,
see each person’s
gifts and worth.
Pass not judgment,
hear instead the sighs
of Peace on Earth
from he – or she – who cries.
May I make time to think
of a kindness I can birth
to bring about
Peace on Earth.
2020 has left us reeling and maybe a bit rattled about what lies ahead. I wrote this poem with hope in my heart.
–Sharon
Christmas ornaments reflect light –
iridescent, glowing,
bringing joy,
lifting spirits,
and lighting faces
– young and old –
with smiles.
Like stars alight
in the swirling dark,
their colors shine sublime.
Thank you for being a reader/subscriber. It is my goal to present informative, interesting, and creative content on this site. Your likes, shares, and comments are welcomed. I am an indie author of six books and two chapbooks of poetry. Check the BOOKS tab to find out more. Follow me at www.vandermeerbooks.com, https://www.facebook.com/vandermeerbooks, Amazon Author Central. I frequently write about my town, Las Vegas, N.M.Occasionally I use interesting and helpful content from other sources. I also invite guest posts. If you have a topic you would like to share, send to fsvandermeer@gmail.com.
CHILE NEW MEXICO
The aroma of
chile roasting warms my heart
conjuring autumn.
SQUIRRELY
The squirrel is busy,
so industrious!
Running about, gathering…
what?
It can’t be nuts,
unless it’s pinon,
we have a lot
of that around.
Our shade trees are elms,
not oaks,
the Chinese variety.
They’ve nearly lived out
their life spans,
with crusty bark and spindly limbs
subject to fracture
when autumn winds blow.
But, the squirrel doesn’t mind,
scurrying about in a mad rush,
running up one tree and down another.
Its busyness is calming somehow,
nature welcoming fall
as the squirrel prepares
for a change in the weather,
as must we.
NESTING RESTING
An autumn nip
in the air
sends you snuggling
in your chair.
Pull in,
regroup,
make yourself
some Harvest Soup.
Be alone
by yourself,
take a book
from the shelf.
Time enough
to reconnect.
For now, sit awhile
and reflect.
Thank you for being a reader/subscriber. It is my goal to present informative, interesting, and creative content on this site. Your likes, shares, and comments are welcomed. I am an indie author of six books and two chapbooks of poetry. Check the BOOKS tab to find out more. Follow me at www.vandermeerbooks.com, https://www.facebook.com/vandermeerbooks, Amazon Author Central. I frequently write about my town, Las Vegas, N.M. Occasionally I use interesting and helpful content from other sources. I also invite guest posts. If you have a topic you would like to share, send to fsharon@msn. com.
I have been thinking about – and missing – my friend Kathy Allen a lot lately. In truth, I think about her, and Fred, every day, but on some days, more than others. I still have blink moments when I think, “We’ll see them for dinner on Saturday, or next time they’re in town, or I’ll call her later and catch up.” And then it settles in. Kathy is gone, Fred is gone, and there is an empty spot that only good memories can fill.
I can’t look in many rooms in our home that don’t hold a reminder of Kathy. Our friendship began in the ’60s when we worked at what at that time, was known as Ma Bell, the telephone office where we were operators. “Operator, number please?” Back when a human voice connected one person with another via a dial-up telephone. Over the years we exchanged gifts. In the kitchen I see holiday trivets I keep up year around, on the patio a tinwork angel, a wooden angel wall hanging in the hall, Christmas ornaments and nativities on China cabinet shelves, tiny books and big books here and there, handmade pot and dish scrubbers in the kitchen, drawers full of handmade scarves, bracelets… These small reminders bring on a smile along with a catch in my throat.
I wrote the poem below sometime ago with Kathy in mind, and posted it on this site long before her passing. I repost it today because I wish for one more walk and chance to talk with my friend. I have so much to tell her, all of which , of course, she may well already know. As a believer, I know there is only a thin veil between this shadowy and insubstantial thing called life, and the people we have known and loved. Kathy loved yellow roses, but what she loved most were the people in her life, Fred, Mark and Marlene, her sisters and their families, her friends. I miss her.
WALK WITH ME
Let us stroll along today and talk.
Tell me what makes you laugh, as we walk.
I want to listen to what you say.
Share your heart with me today.
I want to know what makes you cry.
May I ease your worry, wipe your tears dry?
Share with me your anger deep inside.
I will help you slay that dragon, and turn the tide.
I am your friend come what may.
Please share your heart with me today.
The doing of a thing
shapes who we become
making each life ring and sing.
Do a thing today
that makes you smile
or helps another along life’s way.
Make your story chime
rich and vibrant,
splashed with colors sublime.
Sometimes the thing
is a softly spoken word
like the gentle brush of an angel’s wing.
Sometimes it is creating
art, or music, or a tale
so beautiful it’s breath-taking.
Sometimes it’s praying,
knowing God is listening
to what you are saying.
The things we do and say
define our stories
and shape our lives day-by-day.
Sharon Vander Meer 