Writing Challenge - Day 3

Roses are red;

Violets are blue;

I know this is rubbish

But it's the best I could do.

Don't know if you'll read this

Or if you will care

That I've poured out my heart

On the test of dare.

They saw me  look at you

And pulled me aside.

They said that they'd help me

If I gave up my pride.

Of course I refused

Thus paid for it dearly

By writing this poem

That has not come out clearly.

I'm not good with words

But the feelings are true.

If you couldn't guess,

I really love you.

If you think I'm creepy,

Just throw this away.

But if you want to meet me,

I'll be waiting all day.

Writing Challenge - Day 2

(inspiration for story below)

All It Took Was a Look

I remember the day I met him. Father was hosting a party for Mother's birthday and had spared no expense. I missed much of the preparations being away at school. When I asked how it had all come together in my absence, he said he had relied heavily upon a new secretary that I would meet him later that day for dinner. That evening, I came out to the parlour and saw my father sharing a drink with a young man. The man turned at Father calling out to me. “Elsie, this is Arthur Lynthol. Arthur, my daughter Elsie Cooper.”

P.S. This would have been posted yesterday but I accidentally hit the "save" instead of "publish" button.

Let's Try This Again

So ... my initial trial at posting every day failed. However, I am not to be so easily defeated. In the words of a movie: "Why do we fall down, Bruce? So we can learn to pick ourselves up." Thus am I picking myself up and trying again. I am also going to be amending my earlier challenge with simply posting any kind of writing whether it be haiku, other form of poetry, or short story. Perhaps starting on the first day of the month will help motivate and keep me on track. Only time will tell I suppose.

Subject: Sleep

Closing my eyelids
Like curtains before a play,
Dreams begin their act.

Silent Morpheus,
King of dreams and lord of sleep,
Softly touches me.

I try to begin
"Now I lay me down to sleep"
But it is too late.

Haiku Challenge - Day 1

In light of my revelation yesterday, I have decided to embark on a quest. I am going to write sets of three haikus every day through September 30, starting today. My hope is that each day will have a different subject, but I don't know that I can necessarily guarantee that. Therefore, with my imaginary glass, I raise a toast to aventure and take a large gulp before setting out upon this new-set road. Wish me luck!

Subject: On viewing art at the Festival of the Arts in Laguna

Paintings, drawings, prints,
Sculptures and performances;
Art is versatile.

For child or adult,
All it takes is a small brush,
Paint and a canvas.

Imagination
Can be clothed in dif'ring forms
And still shine through all.

Tea Haikus

I must admit, I like writing haikus. There's a simplicity and elegance in formulating something beautiful in seventeen syllables. Because of my love of structure, I find comfort in its 5-7-5 syllable limitation, yet, aside from that limitation, the possibilities are endless. All this introduction to say, I have written a few more of these lovely little poems, this time on one of my favorite beverages after having an interview at a tea shop. Hope you enjoy them.

As the kettle sings,
Leaves loose their secret fragrance
With a quiet sigh.

Cream and two sugars
Or just natural flavour,
How'd you like your tea?

Into porcelain,
The aromatic stream falls
Amid steaming clouds.

Haikus on Fire

I just back from church camp today and while I was there, I wrote a few more haikus. During our time, a lot of fire imagery was alluded to such as being coals brought to life, the effort and persistence it takes to start a fire by rubbing sticks together, the embodiment of the Holy Spirit as flames. All this fire then brought images from my time at St. Katherine as well as other Bible stories to mind and then requested to be written down. I hope that they are enjoyed as much as they were a joy to write.

Amidst the incense,
Fire burns before Christ's icon
And in His icons.

Before the I AM,
Seraphim alight with love
Sing "holy, holy."

The pillar of fire
Acts as light and protection,
Burning with God's love.

Musings on the Church and Its Branches

The modern Christian church is well known for its splintered nature: the Roman Catholics, the Anglicans, the Lutherans, the Calvinists, the Orthodox, the Pentecostals. It is well known how Christians have hurt other professing Christians because of differences in doctrine, killing in the name of the God of love. Families, communities, and churches have been broken apart because of differences of opinion on scriptural interpretation and church organization. While there have been efforts towards reconciliation or working together for a common goal, the church has remained segmented, often at animosity with other parts of the body of Christ.

Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 1:10-13 against church division, and what happened in a minor scale in the church of Corinth has happened on a major scale in the church at large. People were claiming Paul as their head, others Peter, others Christ. They splintered off, believing that the pieces of each could not coexist. Today, the church is doing the same. Some say they follow the original apostles, some the Pope, some Luther, some Calvin, some the Holy Spirit. We are no better than the church in Corinth. We have made their struggle one that has encompassed the Church in her entirety.

I do not know how to solve the differences; I am no better than a whistle blowing as a house is burning. But I believe it is better to recognize where we are in the context of history than to ignore or dismiss it because the past may enlighten how to proceed for the future. Lord, have mercy on your church.