An unusual sense of foreboding hovered over the gloomy low-ceilinged parking garage. I drove cautiously to the second level before finding an empty spot, and was relieved it faced the outside light. An older grey sedan pulled in on my left moments later, and out popped an equally older, short, wiry man whose wrinkled, weatheredContinue reading “For That Veteran”
Author Archives: sherryvycitalyork
Mountain Spring Time
Old Man Winter began to shave His white beard shorter day by dayBalding head with white tufts plain Sideburn whiskers yet remainRidges, crevices of his nose All his wrinkles full exposed Now grow tender fuzzy hairEager sprouts on mountains fairWhile he closes eyes to slumberSweating in the noonday sun Rivulets pour from his crown RiverContinue reading “Mountain Spring Time”
A Beautiful Meeting
There he was…dark haired, mustached, tall and lean…just as in their youth. She’d heard, then saw him looking for tools in the workroom, his mannerisms reminding her of Dad, purposeful and precise. Decades pulled them from each other, stretched like taffy. Previous grand gatherings dwindled with growing families, varying interests, different friends, the pandemic; allContinue reading “A Beautiful Meeting”
Overcoming Again
She lay flattened on the floor, the wind knocked out of her from the never ending battle. She awakened each day this way, a lingering shred of hopelessness refusing to let go. Was she a mother sorrowing for her adult children, their choices hurting them? A wife caring for her ailing husband? One enduring herContinue reading “Overcoming Again”
The Father’s Care
“Go! Into the house now!” her father thundered. His elder daughter’s defiant eyes flashed as she stood daring to glare at him. “Go now!” he growled, not with menace but authority. She spun on her heel and fled, slamming the door behind her as she stomped into the house. She, with her mother, had selfishlyContinue reading “The Father’s Care”
Hope Deferred
Waiting with prayerful petition Goes on forever at times Months slow turn into decades Years roll languidly byHeart sick heavy with sorrowRefusing to heal, to mend A shroud of heaviness hangingMulling its way in the dim Why yet no answers so wanted Those heartfelt cries to aboveOh to see the great picture See with God’sContinue reading “Hope Deferred”
Fading
Wispy like clouds…that’s how she felt. Stretched for so long it seemed holes were holding her together. No wonder an emptiness invaded. Not depression really, just a void. It was a strange experience, more tolerable the older she grew. Watching changes in her loved ones and friends added to the taste of life distancing…becoming lessContinue reading “Fading”
Our Tombs
The door slammed shut blocking any trace of light entering the pitch black room. He might as well have been dead and buried; the crushing experience was the same. Isolated, abandoned, rejected, ridiculed, he could only cower in a tight ball thankful he could still breathe. He had been beaten and bloodied…again. The boy wasContinue reading “Our Tombs”
In Glowing Winter Moonlight
Three o’clock in the morning was a ridiculous time to be awake. Frosty thoughts tripped over Rachael’s sleepy mind as she closed the weather app and set her phone down. “Happy New Year,” she frowned shaking her head at the bedside clock flashing <10:00>. “Just great! Who knows when the power will come back on?”Continue reading “In Glowing Winter Moonlight”
Patches of Blue
Storms everywhere crowding meWith spiritual warfare cruelYet beyond great cumulus clouds The sky held patches of blueSome clouds white, others grayDarkness lofty grewYet thunder signs could not blot outVibrant patches of blueBe still my heart, all is well Though pressures fall and risePray, veer from internal storms Look up, still blue’s the skyThroughout the dayContinue reading “Patches of Blue”
Caterpillar Cousins
A crawling squirming wormDestined one day to fly Dreamed through mighty effortsWould by itself lift high Stuck still soundly grounded Wrestling besetting things Revealed in layers deeper‘Twas yet a wormy being In self it could do nothing All energy to plod ‘Til resting in Christ’s presence New birth a gift from God Oh to beContinue reading “Caterpillar Cousins”
The Helmsman
What to do when asked to goInto waters yet unknownMatters not if calm or stormUnfamiliar though they are The Helmsman knows the way How to navigate from deep Through shallow shoals that want to catch Would He who guides forsake us then Leave our ship to list and wreck Forgotten on the way Fear notContinue reading “The Helmsman”
The Strength of His Hand
She wasn’t completely sure who they were, this darling couple and others who came to visit time and again. They called her Momma or Auntie or Nona… who were these people? Her once short coifed hair had grown long and limp, the slow loss of curl and shine reflective of the persistent fading of herContinue reading “The Strength of His Hand”
While Waiting
‘Tis not a final failure when A vessel’s power drops No wind to fill its sails fullSans force it finally stopsEnters doldrums not foreseen “Take charge and sail,” it’s told“Make the choice, demand your way” “Compel the winds to blow” Inept to stir the mighty wind Command, exert its will Rather readies for the changeContinue reading “While Waiting”
Heart Song
As if from the LORD: Shhhh…can you hear the vibration? Beyond the noise of screeching, thumping, whirling? Beyond the voice of opinion, fear, confusion? Can you hear the music My sacrifice brings, conquering earth’s cacophony to touch your heart? Be still…listen. Quiet yourself that your soul might hear My still small voice whispering Love toContinue reading “Heart Song”
Seas of White
Purity glisteningSunlight reflecting Shimmering crystals From iced boughs and skyMiniature angelsDancing and twirlingTransforming landscapeTo vast seas of white They spread and they cover Hovering o’er all usAround the whole world Seen by cleared eyes Look now, imagine Snowfields a’glazing ‘Neath wings’ a’stirring As angels pass by Messengers bringing Good News and courage Promises changeless InContinue reading “Seas of White”
The Man on the Curb
Traffic slowed. The right hand lane emptied at flashing lights ahead. At the stoplight an enormous white pickup sat at a slight angle blocking the right hand turn; a man sat on the curb nearby; three police cars parked parallel to the sidewalk faced him and the truck. No other vehicles evidencing an accident wereContinue reading “The Man on the Curb”
Chaos or Chorus
What undergirds my milieuWhat pond floats my nestIs it nourishing to me Or a jumbled messy messWhat is my life’s tempoAre there pauses and still rests Peaceful sublime music score Or constant turmoil’s testAnd if a loud chaotic tractHow to move to gentle soundsTame the churning deep unrest ‘Til quiet can be found I needContinue reading “Chaos or Chorus”
Singing to a Flat Soul
Barren as the windswept plains So my soul feels on this day Homeward bound to unknown things Earthly cares a’jumblingTugging on my heart LORD, help me set aside the thoughts Of things I cannot understand And look to You to guide my day Taking burdens from my hands As I trust in You Keep meContinue reading “Singing to a Flat Soul”
Unfettered Praise
The world did its best to silence the voice of Truth, to silence the purposes of Love, of Life. Yet there they stood, hundreds gathered…each one masked in obedience to man’s law of the day. The players of wind instruments had a measure of freedom…faces bare only when their instruments were at their lips. AllContinue reading “Unfettered Praise”
Broken for You
“Broken in my heart…then offered to the Father…” These were the words that highlighted her mind as she slowly awakened. Correlations came as she pondered why Christ’s body was broken for mankind. The ultimate offering of self for the uplifting, the nourishing, the restoration of life for others. What exactly did those words mean personallyContinue reading “Broken for You”
Turkey Trot
While returning home from a glorious trip to Banff, Alberta, Canada, dear husband and I were enjoying a leisurely drive through Northern Idaho. The beauty of mountains and pastoral scenes surrounded us in peace and quiet as we drove into the gathering dusk. Without warning our reverie was jolted as something banged against our frontContinue reading “Turkey Trot”
Freddie
She was petite in body with an inviting and generous spirit that radiated from her quiet demeanor. The mother of my dearest nursing school friend, Freddie was a pastor’s wife who had a penchant for small owls that trapped themselves in her fireplace, working with young children, and collaborating with her family to write andContinue reading “Freddie”
Taking Down the Tree
Such a glorious thing, that tree that springs up in our living room each December. Aglow day and night it needs none other to bring light into the room. The ambiance feels warmer than a cozy blanket or sweater. It seeps deep into one’s very being…and longings…of past, present, future. Glad ornaments festoon the branches,Continue reading “Taking Down the Tree”
At the New Year
Hush…Stop the noise and listenSilence the numbing soundsGod calls for our attention Let holiness come down Hear Abba’s Words eternal Infusing to our soulsThe Spirit’s holy whisperings Brings life to make us whole Wait upon His strengtheningDeeper to greater need Be still and know that He is God Oh hear Yeshua speak Teach us LORDContinue reading “At the New Year”
Dew Upon The Arbor 