The Poetry Marathon

There it stood, as finally,

What I always hoped would be–

The mailbox showing clear, my name,

At my cottage beside the sea.

The box reveals the strange one there–

The one who holds the deed,

Who never thought she’d ever live

In a home washed by sea breeze.

But there, it stands, in sunshine hot

Just waiting there, in time

For new ones coming through the door

Who love bright rays and brine.

The rooms will fill with laughter;

The floors will creak with cheer;

The air will smell of happy times

When friends and family gather here.

And though storms will come raging

Against its quiet, calm façade,

It will shelter well from gales

That blow and tempests dodge.

I see the promise has been kept–

The seeds have turned to bloom.

Early planted, in the spring,

Too much rain, I feared, had doomed.

But soon the sprouts broke through the soil,

Then taller, grew each day.

And now, a rainbow shines among

My garden, in display.

Pinks and orange, red and white,

With fragrance, nostrils fill;

Those seeds that fell beneath the ground–

Their purpose was instilled:

To bring delight to those who pass

Beside the road–so hidden–

Their quiet beauty shouting loud,

“Find me, and love the given.”

It was simply magic

The day I fell in love;

My days were long, and I had lost

All hope that love would come.

But just like that, he came–

Out of nowhere, walking

Into the life I’d walked alone–

I heard the magic talking!

Our dating days were short

As we could hardly wait

To walk beside each other;

Holding hands in magic’s fate.

Our Holy God above, is named the Great I Am–

So who am I, but bit of dust, to compare to Calvary’s Lamb?

Truly, I am only dust, given life by Him;

But what a blessed life I have, as He falls fresh within.

I am a sorry, sin-filled soul, washed clean by Calvary’s blood–

The thought of how He suffered, as it flowed just like a flood,

Is one that makes me stand in awe, almost in disbelief,

But Love that He showed forth that day, brought dusty souls relief.

I am sent to tell the world of His great love for us.

To tell of His Forgiveness of sin that rots and rusts

The very bone and marrow that make our frame within,

Then washes us with grace, given undeserved by Him.

I am a slave to Heaven’s jewel–My Master loves me so!

I pray there’s nothing He would ever ask, with answer, “No!”

For just as dust is scattered when cleaning chores are done,

He can scatter me wherever sinful souls need won.

I am a student of His Word; it fills my mind each day.

To feel Him walk beside me, jolts my step to one of sway.

To read the Word, and learn of love the Father gives to all,

I am blessed each day, humbly leading this dust ball.

Hello! This is a brand new adventure for me, as it is my first Poetry Marathon, and just like I love new adventures, I’m looking forward to this one. I love poetry, and since October of 2017, I’ve written at least one, and sometimes three, per day. Sometimes when I’m just letting my mind wander, I notice that my thoughts take the form of poetry, even when I’m not aware…interesting. I am 65 years old, and a retired elementary teacher, teaching for 34 years. Since retiring, I’ve enjoyed having time to spend on writing. I’ve written a book about my teaching years, with all those funny stories provided by my students and my own foolishness. I’ve also published two children’s books. All three books were done through self-publishing companies. I hope to put my poetry into a book at some time, also. I live in Kentucky, and my husband and I are blessed with two children, who have both left the nest. We’re waiting to see what adventures their lives will take. I’m active in my church, and I love to sing, read, and study, along with writing. I love to travel, with my favorite trips being to Hawaii, Israel, and Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina (the setting for many of Nicholas Sparks’ novels). My days are also filled with practicing piano, as I have begun taking piano lessons in my retirement years! As I said, I’m looking forward to the Marathon, and the challenge it will bring. I really don’t know how I’m preparing, other than just continuing to write for practice, and setting my alarms to make sure I’m alert! I’ll be interested to read all the other introductions, and I wish each one success!