Heavenly Composer

Heavenly Composer
By Larry R Linville

Who wrote the songs the birds sing?
Those tune that so sweetly ring
a beautiful symphony
sung from the limbs of a tree.

The low bass notes of the crows
sounds like it’s sung through the nose.
The woodpecker’s percussion beat
with the swallow’s simple tweet.

The fluty sound of the wren
and oboe cackle of a hen.
The duck brings a trumpet blast
as the lark sings very fast.

The loon sings like a French horn
eerie notes that sound forlorn.
The bullfrog tries a big joke
sings it’s deep rhythmic croak.

The whippoorwill’s woodwind tone
sings its solo all alone
While all the sounds we have heard
are mimicked by the mockingbird.

The scripture says that God knows
everywhere the sparrow goes.
He must compose from above
to give us music of His love.

Granddaughter's Picture

Granddaughter’s Picture
By Larry R. Linville

Your picture’s on the television
taken back when you were three.
A great big smile is on your face
as your arms squeeze tight on me.

My smile is just as big as yours
as we pose there cheek to cheek
and as I view this picture now
I can almost hear you speak.

I’m so proud of what are now
and what you’ll become some day
but great nostalgia fills my heart
of days when we went out to play.

I know I must be content each day
to look at that picture and smile
taking the time for a thanksgiving prayer
for those moments in life so worthwhile.

Emmaus Today

Emmaus Today
By Larry R. Linville

Emmaus wasn’t a great town
as far as I’m aware
but somewhere along that road
something happened there.

Two walked that road all alone
as sad as they could be
when a stranger walked with them
but their blind eyes couldn’t see.

It seemed to them he must be dumb
and very out of touch
with their recent tragedy
which caused them to hurt so much.

He shared with them a simple meal
and when he broke the bread
they felt their hearts strangely warmed
understanding what he’d said.

Any road can be Emmaus
when we become aware of God
and follow all the pathways
where Jesus has already trod.

Maintaining Inspiration

I attened a "Walk to Emmaus" last weekend. I've been on several of these events and it's easy to ignore the newness each time and get in a rut. I penned this poem at the beginning as a prayer to God to help me be as open as I was the first time I attended. God answered the prayer.

Maintaining Inspiration
By Larry R. Linville

I’ve done this thing so many times.
The first was so inspiring.
Each time increases the distance
and can become so tiring.

I can’t create inspiration.
It’s given me as a gift
but if it is not nurtured
it can lose it’s upward lift.

Everything that is of value
must be used or it goes away.
So we must remember often
and invest time when we pray.

I start this weekend once again
aware that it can really make
a new impression on my heart
and my apathy it will shake.

Open now this vessel, Lord,
and excite my soul again.
They’ve rung the opening bell
and I’m ready to begin.

Reflections on Lent

I'd like to take a little time to reflect on my recent project of a poem each day during Lent.
I have never tried anything like this. Many times I have "given up" things for Lent but this extra effort was frightening when I started. By committing myself to place in on this blog so I was "answerable" was not easy.

I made it and I am surprised how much it benefitted me spiritually. I hope the poem blessed those of you where checked in. During Lent I had over 800 "hits" on this blog. That is mind blowing.

Now that Easter is over, I turn my eyes forward. I don't know what will happen with poetry. I'm sure I won't be doing one a day. I may even have times when I go "dry" for a time. I do know that poetry has become a real blessing to me and I thank God for helping me find it.

Procrastination

Procrastination
By Larry R. Linville

My schedule’s been extremely full
don’t even have time to shoot the bull.
No poetry writing now for me
work’s piled as high as I can see.

Whose fault is it for this strange fate?
Where did I learn to procrastinate?
I have learned it well that’s for sure
in ways that will really endure.

I try my best to organize
because no one will sympathize.
I got a new “Dummies” book
but haven’t taken time to look.

In fact the book is missing now
it seems I’ve lost it, but I don’t know how.
The book can’t do me any good
when I don’t read it like I should.

I should write a lot of things in verse
But that means I would have to rehearse
so this is all I have to say
I’ll finish up some other day.

Lenten Devotion for Holy Saturday

They had seen their Savior crucified
and buried in a sepulcher.
They felt life had come to an end
and knew not how they’d endure.

Some may have hid all alone
others may have cried together
all wrapped up in their shared grief
like a spell of awful weather.

Women’s nature was to nurture
and they tried to do their best
but it’s hard to nurture others
when you’re facing such a test.

“We have to make the most of it,”
I’m sure someone must have said
but they could not hide the fact
that their loved one was dead.

We know what was ahead of them
the morning of the next day
but they had no idea
and all they could do was pray.

When your life seems as helpless
as the followers had to face
reach back to the faith you have
and depend of God loving grace.

Devotion for Good Friday - Peter Denies Jesus

John 18:27 “Again Peter denied it, and at that moment the cock crowed.”

“Before the cock crows, “ Jesus said
“you will betray me three times.”
Out of nowhere that rooster crowed
as loud as the largest chimes.

As Peter looked away in shock
he saw Jesus standing there
looking straight into his heart
and noticing that big tear.

He was upset with himself
because he knew he had failed
to do what he swore he’d do
evil in his life prevailed.

He had depended on himself
like he had done so often.
Perhaps it took the crowing bird
to get his heart to soften.

When we, like Peter, make a boast
of what we alone can do
we don’t give room for God’s Spirit
when our life we would renew.

He overcame this failure
and all the disciples he led
as the church was given birth
and through the world it was spread.