Poetry

June 30, 2024

Velvety Night


Velvety night calms and sooths
Softly touching after day’s turn

Star lights twinkle …are peeking
Through wisps of drifting clouds

Summer’s warmth lingers
Slowly giving way to cool surrender

Night creatures call out …now seeking
Distant and mournful, or sharply alerting

And so, we draw breath in and out
Somehow more finely tuned to body and earth

Filled and quietly resting …not speaking
Bathed in moon’s soft shine

Velvety night brings comfort
Contemplating, in God’s calm presence

Charlotte-Anne Allen

June 1, 2024

Grit


In times of hardship, stand up determined
Pluck and spirit, firmness of mind

Stick to it… Be resolute
Firm-jawed, with a purpose

Preserve solid character and moral fiber
Choosing to persevere, to carry one through

Rely on the Mighty, the True, and the Faithful
God grant us courage, strength, and resolve

… Grit

Charlotte-Anne Allen 6/1/2024
From “Words of Interest”

May 18, 2024

Prayer for Stillness


Oh God, sometimes it’s hard to “still”
To seek, to listen… trusting Your will

Guide me in Your steps today
Ever in Your presence stay

Set my feet firmly on the rock
Not slipping sliding… “on my clock”

All anxious thoughts, please set aside
Draw me, calm me… in You abide

When I feel the sun and smell the rain
Hear joyful laughter and smile again

I’m thankful God
… in Your stillness

Charlotte-Anne Allen

April 27, 2024

Balm


Warm sunshine and soft country breeze
Quiet sunrise with golden rays
Soft laughter and companionship
Gentle, calming… sooths the soul

What this balmy day can share
Lifts the spirits everywhere
Healing salve for body and mind
Fragrant oil and cooling drop

Home and comfort during trying times
Kick off the shoes and breathing deep
Curing unguent for renewal and rest
There is a balm both caring and sweet

Cracked and dry we seek balsam’s touch
Absorbing goodness to now be restored
Kindness reaches out like Gilead’s finest
… Feel God’s ointment sinking in

Charlotte-Anne Allen

April 21, 2024

Triangle


Arms open wide to greet the day
Or bow the head against the wind
Uplifted ‘neath the dome of sky
Wait and rise with hands’ sure touch

Bold and strong, it speaks its way
Standing resilient, ever-linked
Connected as in prayer upon firm base
Persisting daily through nature’s pounding

As mountain peaks and volcano cones
Butterfly glides and flower sways
Rocks and tents and stars above
Pyramids solid, constellations shining

Clasping hands in unity
Harmony coming… mind, body, soul
Linger here to make us whole

Past, present, future starting anew
Holy Spirit, Son, and Father …One
Mighty God, great above all else
Set us strong upon our way

– From “Forms Around Us”
Charlotte-Anne Allen

April 7, 2024

Blink


Memories open time’s album
Eyes wide open upon days’ dawns
Open-shut-open, open-shut-open
Arriving here and then… days gone

In our blinks we pause and see
What has shaped us, has made us be
Light quickly flashing, a momentary gleam
Revealing treasures, struggles, and more

Ah, time’s reward upon it’s trek
Whether quickly upon us or swiftly away
As blink and blink and blink again
Casting off past and gaining new

And so, each day we open a promise
Mindful of time’s precious blinks
Do not let them pass you by
But live and grow and quiet your soul

Charlotte-Anne Allen