What are those myriad things that wash against our souls, tidal waves lapping, churning, that retreat only to return again? Crests that are braved leaving us weathered and worn before the relief of calm, sun’s piercing light scattering the grey, blowing the gale away? What when those tides are words and looks, voice inflections, orContinue reading “Those Things Between”
Author Archives: sherryvycitalyork
Thanksgiving Thoughts 2022
Transplanted seedlings we were once Or perhaps some started here In this valley verdant greenWith rivers, mountains, trees and streamsDeserts near for those who would Leave this vale where they did start Planting new shoots far awayIn climes calling to their hearts Yet our roots are intertwined No matter how far they have grown NotContinue reading “Thanksgiving Thoughts 2022”
Seat Belt Gymnastics
A love hate relationship has developed toward a certain two inch black belt, no matter its promises to increase my safety when I am buckled in. During our cruise along Interstate 80 I have begun a crash course of in-car gymnastics…or is it wrestling?…with a seat belt that is bent on ratcheting my neck intoContinue reading “Seat Belt Gymnastics”
Winter’s Surprise – Haiku
Foggy days and nightsWinter’s dawn brings glad surprise Hoarfrost’s sugarcoat ~~~Thank You, LORD, for the exquisite wonders You have freely given us…the glories of Your creativity! Help us to be ever-mindful of all You have given. In Jesus’ name, Amen. Job 37:10-11 NKJV“By the breath of God ice is given, And the broad waters areContinue reading “Winter’s Surprise – Haiku”
Light in the Darkness
People slumbered seeking their pleasureWhiteness covered the moon All that was known could cease without measure Darkness persistent, creeping, determinedThreatened to overtake soon E’en in that nighttime light even greater Beamed n’er extinguishedConstraining the darkBrings hope to masses awake from their slumberShines on a weary world stark Come to the Light here in the darknessContinue reading “Light in the Darkness”
Before Saying, “Aye”
How enlightening are word searches. Looking up the word “aye,” I was intrigued by some of the synonyms listed in Webster’s online dictionary: “Synonyms-Adverb (1)- always, e’er, eternally, ever, everlasting, evermore, forever, forevermore, indelibly, permanently, perpetually Synonyms-Adverb (2)- all right, alright, exactly, OK (or okay), okeydoke (or okeydokey), yea, yeah, yep, yes, yo” This ancientContinue reading “Before Saying, “Aye””
An Ordinary Grand Display
Mountains brown like baked potatoes Appaloosa painted hills Higher yet the piney forests Stand snow-flocked, regal, still Golden carpets flutter under Gloried trees yet shedding leaves Fall is falling all around us Winter blowing icy breeze Clouds perform ethereal dances Shapes from white to darkest grey Faint vermillion bands of color Burst from sunlight’s grandContinue reading “An Ordinary Grand Display”
An Early Winter Light
Shimmered light illumines grasses Flowing o’er the mountain plainsAngus cattle dotted masses Stud the glorious morning sceneHoarfrost, snow skiffs kiss the meadows Trees and all above ground things Wear new luminescent garments Ethereal, ephemeral bling Filling space ‘twixt earth and heaven How can one rightly describe Beauty beyond words or pictures Light inviting, “Come abide”SurelyContinue reading “An Early Winter Light”
Extending Grace
{How long the wait, is the cry}{Before things run without a hitch}{Problems popping ceaselessly}{Seem to go indefinitely}{Pulling thoughts around me firm}{I know the answer, indubitably}{If only others would agree}{Work things out the way I see}WAIT! Could it be a larger view Helps reveal a deeper truth Of a picture greater than One’s own mind canContinue reading “Extending Grace”
Making Art
The pregnant pause of waiting Creativity’s returnTo take my spirit spinningMore elements to learnEach stroke of pen or paintbrushIs but new journey’s startAdventures but unfoldingExploring realms of art Imagining in right brain Left brain assessing someBoth reaching for the balance‘Til work is finally done
When Life Falters
Air thick, like tree trunks without roots her steps were faltering. Would she topple over taking one step to the next? She could see, talk, move her limbs…well, you know the drill…check heart rate and rhythm, squeeze fingers, touch nose, see numbers of fingers in peripheral vision…it was just her legs and equilibrium that wereContinue reading “When Life Falters”
A Game?
How arrogant the game pieces were posturing themselves on the checkerboard, full of their importance, strength, and imagined power, flexing themselves like kids in a sandlot ready to duke it out. So self-important they neglected to learn who they were, who made them, what they were made of, and what was their purpose. Were theyContinue reading “A Game?”
Braving the Door
“Why am I afear’d to go out the door?” Embarrassment crept around me unbidden, like a specter’s shroud. Had this feeling slithered in under the door or risen up from some long ago wound? Frankly, it felt weird…afraid to go out my door to the front yard? Was I losing my marbles? What was happening?Continue reading “Braving the Door”
Bird Psalms
Peaceful silence wakens morn Love’s own Spirit hovers near Offered coos of mourning dovesWhisper holiness most dear Softly comes the serenades Comforting whenever heard Such exquisite joy expressed Humble psalms sung by a birdThen in quiet mountain dark Springs surprise and glad delightJust outside my window frame Owls are hooting in the night On andContinue reading “Bird Psalms”
Mountain Invitation
Mountain meadows turning golden Fall nips with crystalline air Tiny pine trees scattered random March t’wards next Christmas fairRusset cattails border ditch banksGlow in sunlight’s slanting rays Fallen barns heaped in the grassesTestify of bygone days Roadways ever bearing traffic Streaming constant changing times Still the mountains stand steadfastly Monuments of God’s design Rest, indeed,Continue reading “Mountain Invitation”
A Holy Dance
Pirouetting on full point She was a whirling top Held position in her placeUntil the spinning stopped With graceful leaping far from it Arching high into the airFlying free, loosed from her trap Where she had entwined there Such abandon was the danceFrom winding into freeEnergy swirled tightly closeThen flung out joyously Reflection of earth’sContinue reading “A Holy Dance”
Come Alive!
Ever bid a wounded animal come to you? When rescued with gentleness an invitation is given to receive loving care. Imagine the response if harshly approached: retreat, avoidance, a defensive snarl or bite, or perhaps in weakness no response at all. What then of people who snarl and snap out of their conditioning or woundedness,Continue reading “Come Alive!”
Voices
What voices am I listening toDefining life, how I should beNot only in the world around But also what I think of me Do they tell the truthHave you ever heard inside A voice insisting you are small Diminished in some unique wayNot good enough, somehow wrong Just because you’re youWhen I found in ChristContinue reading “Voices”
Jack in the Sunflower Stalk
Jack nimbly climbed the sunflower stalk The prize in sight his aim Reaching long up its full height Plucked a flower head quite clean “Come look and see,” husband exclaimed “He’s grabbed it with his mouth”Us too slow from laughing hardLost pic of Jack going south With a scamper, a victory hopMouth stuffed full withContinue reading “Jack in the Sunflower Stalk”
A Thing About Obedience
“I don’t like the word ‘obedience,’” spouted one of our young grands. Trying to wrangle several children who would rather play than help with chores was a bit like herding cats, or little mice! When such a teachable moment dashed across the floor, this old cat pounced! “Hmmm…I wonder what that word really means?” IContinue reading “A Thing About Obedience”
Forgiven
She was caught in the act, roughly snatched from her lover’s embrace and dragged naked by her accusers to be judged. The rule of the day: death. Humiliation covered her shame as she was thrust forward. The sun had warmed the ground, her feet barely aware. “What about her?” Challenging glares and upturned chins confirmedContinue reading “Forgiven”
The Introduction
“Come on, Rocky! Come on!” she cried. “Hurry up!” “No! No!!” he said shaking his head. “But…p l e a s e…this is important!” “I won’t do it,” he said, reluctantly. Grabbing his arms the young girl literally dragged her second grade classmate, his body and feet flailing, his red hair and freckles nearly glowingContinue reading “The Introduction”
Get Up and Walk!
Thinking about our grandson’s requirement to get up and walk after thoracic surgery, I could imagine his pain and the natural guardedness one has when asked to get out of bed and move. Bearing that pain, anticipating more pain, taking courage, receiving help from others, rising up, taking the first step… Like the pain ofContinue reading “Get Up and Walk!”
A Tough Nut to Crack
Imprisoned in a rigid shell Protected from external force The meat, the heart of the nutGrew surrounded very well Defended from all foe Thinking it was self-containedIt realized not the greater strains That exert great pressure Causing change by measure Beyond what it did knowFearful of much transformation Holding sense of stiff controlIt toughened moreContinue reading “A Tough Nut to Crack”
Entrusting with Hope
So many parents share our hurt A child now grown throws us away Rejects love, the blessings given Denying good we’ve brought her way It hurts, LORD, this rejection deep So well You know the pain we feel Shock, confusion settling in Before air clears to see it’s real Now we must forgive ourselvesOf imperfections,Continue reading “Entrusting with Hope”
Dew Upon The Arbor 