The Poetry Marathon

Innocent

Trusting

Kind

Believing

Playful

Magical

Imaginative

Creative

Curious

Teachable

Accepting

Unrestrained

Confident

Comfortable

Adventurous

Loving

May we all be as they are

Setting out- the destination was planned

The route was decided

The stops were set

And the tank was full

Along the way there was a flat tire

A thunderstorm with rain so hard

That we had to pull over for awhile

Adjusting the plan was inevitable

We crossed over lines, counties and states

As we continued down the long stretches of road

The stops no longer lined up with the time table

And the course was rerouted once again

As we journeyed further we decided

That the present location was perfect

And maybe where we planned to go

Had never been the ideal destination

Eternal life is given through faith

The promise of heaven

A hope of being reunited with loved ones

And eternal fellowship with God

Meeting those who have gone before

People who walked this earth

Since the beginning of time

And also those who will come after us

Spending all of time as we know it

At the throne of the Savior

Singing praises to the most high

In gratitude and humility

Playing spies with my cousins

After dark at Grandma and Grandpa’s

Hiding behind houses and sheds

Trying to capture the other team

Lying in the grass on a cool summer night

Talking with a friend in the churchyard

Enjoying the simplicity of country living

Looking up at the stars

Fishing trips on summer evenings

As a family, sitting quietly

Swatting mosquitoes

And watching for my bobber to sink

Camping in the yard

In a makeshift tent of blankets

Snuggling down in the sleeping bag

When early morning coolness came

Sledding with my brothers

On trash bags and refrigerator doors

Celebrating a rare snow-day

Two inches of snow on our southern soil

Christmas, always the best

Anticipation and surprise brimming

Hot chocolate and cookies

Traditions and family

Rushing water

Blasting over the top

White foam edges

As it crashes below

Beauty and splendor

Rushes past the rock wall

Forcing it to be smooth

From the sheer strength

The noise so loud

Can be heard downstream

Drowning out the sounds

Of voices and movement

Standing beneath it

Is awe inspiring

Spray washes over you

Saturation in an instant

A penny cast into a well

A dandelion blown into the wind

Starlight star bright

First star I see tonight

Wish for happiness

Wish for health

Wish for long life

And wish for love

Simplicity

Fulfillment

Laughter

And passion

 A smile to share

Eyes that are kind

A hand to hold

A heart to keep

A true and genuine love

We were 12 when we met

In the small classroom

In the little country church

And we became fast friends

You were at my house

Or I was at yours

Every chance that our parents

Would allow it

I became part of your family

And you became a part of mine

There were late night talks and giggles

And the crazy things that teenage girls do

There were face masks

And lemon to lighten our hair

Trying on clothes

And makeover sessions

Then you fell in love with my brother

And over time you married him

We went from friends who wished to be sisters

To being official sister in laws

You will always be one of my dearest friends

The closest to a sister by birth

You will always know my deepest secrets

And my most ambitious dreams

There are so many memories that we share

And many more to make

 I feel truly blessed

To call you sister

Life brings with it freedom

Freedom to be who we want

Go where we want

And discover anything that we choose

There are plans to be made

There are surprises to be had

There is another to love

And there are future generations

We must soak it all up

Immerse ourselves in it

Live it to the fullest

And take nothing for granted

Training for my first 5k

Running for the first time

Building stamina

Fighting the fear

Growing through the process

Becoming more confident

Gaining strength

Facing the challenges

Like many things in life

I was afraid

Of being embarrassed

Of failing

It is a personal thing

Working to achieve a goal

As part of my training

I adopted a mantra

Read in a book about running

I wrote the initials daily

On the inside of my wrist

It sticks with me still

EAMOF-Excuses Are Made of Fear

While driving down the highway

Seeing a tree that is growing

Out of a rock bluff

No dirt to be seen

A person with disabilities

Who is making a difference

Motivates me to try harder

I am without their limitations

The words of scripture

Telling me that I am loved and accepted

That an unthinkable price was paid

For my salvation

A speaker, sharing their story

Of obstacle or tragedy

That I will never understand

But they have risen above it

Everyday people

Dealing with everyday problems

And finding a way to make it work

Against the odds

Friends

Who are always there

To motivate and encourage

Pushing me on to another goal

Inspiration

Can be found anywhere

If we are willing to stop

And look for it