Verse Novel Challenge!

I did it!

I read 5 verse novels
back
to
back
in the past 2 months.

Now all I want
to do
is
write and speak
in verse.

I hope it doesn't get annoying,
but I am in love.

Here's what I read in order:
1. Far From You
2. Out of the Dust
3. Heartbeat
4. What My Mother Doesn't Know
5. What My Girlfriend Doesn't Know

Want to join me?
Of course you do!
Drop by Caroline by line
to enter and win a copy
of her new verse novel
MAY B.

Beneath the Terebinth Tree

As our women's bible study group went through the story of Sarah in Genesis, I was struck by the words "Terebinth tree". It sounded like something mysterious and beautiful and I wondered if it had any significance to the story.

The Terebinth was an unusually tall oak-like tree that stood out in the landscape of Palestine, even used as landmarks for travelers. They are long-living and majestic in appearance, often used as a symbol of strength and durability. It was also a source of turpentine tapped from the trunk, for commercial and medicinal use.

Perhaps with all that Sarah had been through, all of the waiting, traveling and trials, the Terebinth near their campsite in Mamre was a comfort to her. Perhaps reminding her of God's strength and provision.

This is my imagining of that moment:

Beneath the Terebinth Tree

From dusty tent Sarai, head down,
walks slowly, seeking peace.
Touching bark reverently, gazing up
through branches broad, stretching heavenward.
Majestic, full of grace,
the tree is strong and steadfast as the Lord.

Thoughts roam back, find well-worn paths:
Even good men make foolish mistakes;
strength and youth of men fade away.
The tree endures, with powerful limbs protecting,
providing shelter.
What comfort to a woman travel weary, disillusioned.
Struggling, bitter against husband
whose dreams she follows,
endlessly.

Waiting for prophecy fulfilling
and aching to cease.
The tree is a soothing balm
for soul worn out, no tears
remaining.
Regretful of rash decision,
jealous of another quickly blessed.
Heart sick from hope deferred.

Dare she believe?
Empty womb, alive and bearing
longed for son.
Sarah laughs, embarrassed and afraid.
God has heard, remembered, is faithful.
He speaks:
“Is anything too hard for the Lord?”
Child of laughter arriving,
borne of promises and joy.

6/22/10

April is National Poetry Month

Here's my offering of the week:

Sky kissed
blossoms of white.
Gently swaying,
love notes from
Springtime.

The Snow Crab apple trees outside my school are in full bloom and brought a smile to my face as I left yesterday. So I sat in my car and wrote this poem. I think the poetry powers-that-be deliberately chose springtime for national poetry month. It's easy to be inspired when the world is in bloom.

Poetry Links

Get inspired! Here are some links...

Why Poetry?

Sermon notes in poetry form

Poetry resource (history, famous poets, current American poetry)

My one and only attempt to share a poem with you dear readers...
perhaps there is more to come.

Did you know?

That April is National Poetry Month?

Would you like to join me in writing new poetry or dusting off your old poetry? Or share how poetry has helped you express the joy, pain and beauty of life?

Drop me a comment or link to your blog! I'd love to discover some new poets out there!

Blog Discovery

If you need a little (or a lot) of peace, poetry and beauty then spend some time at the Holy Experience. I was temporarily transported to another place. One without beeping monitors, incisions, tubes or pain meds.

Life Half-Lived

A few months ago I read a post by Big Mama about letting go of the fear in her life and truly giving it to God. I wrote this poem in response:

The Fear of Letting Go

The fear of letting go grips my heart.

I long to run, I yearn to fly, I need to create.

My heart turns cold.

I fear being nothing.

I fear losing everything.

I don't want to waste my life.

I'm tired of trying to please everyone.

I'm tired of falling short.

I'm falling apart at the seams.

I long to feel the warmth of the sun.

To stand on a hill with the wind in my face.

Holding nothing back.

I am released from this half-life of fear.

I will let myself be shattered.

Free me and make me whole again.

3/1/08

I am generally a very private person but in my quest to become more of the person God made me to be, I have chosen to process my thoughts and feelings out loud. Perhaps to give myself some sort of accountability or just to be more open and known to others? Maybe some of these ramblings will help someone else? Maybe this is some form of therapy for me? Whatever it is, bear with me!

I have been told before that I am too serious and that I think about things too much but as I expressed in my poem, I'm so tired of trying to please others and not be myself. I don't want to worry about being too much for some and not being enough for others. I am who I am and it's time for me to accept this and stop hiding the real me. I grew up hiding my true thoughts and feelings and I have found that the habit has stuck. It's time for me to realize that God loves me and accepts me "just as I am" as the old hymn goes. That is enough for me. I don't have to hide anymore.

The song Unbreakable by Fireflight perfectly expresses what I am trying to say, "God I want to dream again, take me where I've never been. I want to go there, this time I'm not scared!".

Jen