Ripening now upon our stem
What have we now to say?
Offering of our best each day
Our heart, our words
And what we do
Giving freely
Placing all first before God
Trusting Him who does supply
Charlotte-Anne Allen
First Fruits
life
Fruitful Harvest
Possibilities and hopes
Looking forward
For what may be
Though yet unknown
Time to grow
With soil and sun
Roots now seeking
Nourishment and place
Stretching can be so disquieting
Challenges to thought
Fragile buds bathed
… in grace
God’s light shine
Upon our face
Sweet rich soil
We embrace
To till and tend
To weed and water
For fruitful harvest
By His hands
Charlotte-Anne Allen
Cool
Refreshing
Mist upon my face
Soft wind sighing
Chasing away day’s heat
Ice cream
Sliding down my throat
Cool water
Splashes upon warm skin
Bare feet
On a chilly morn
Soft pillow
Beneath my head
Cool hand
Soothing weepy child
Breath of fresh air
In early morning light
Bring with these
Cool’s restful thoughts
Life and love
God’s gentle presence
Charlotte-Anne Allen
Reflections on Mush
- Life’s simple things bring greatest satisfaction
- Great ideas can come from unlikely looking sources
- Kind words spread warmth and encouragement
- Well-intended and communicated ideas are more easily swallowed
- Patience and attention are needed for positive outcomes
- Allow things to set for clearer ways to proceed
- It is not the amount of words spoken that matter most
- Choose your ingredients with care before use
- Stirring often inspires greater kindness
- A pinch of salt brings greater savor
- When all is overwhelming, turn down the heat
- There is great value in versatility and helpfulness
- Thoughtful acts add sweetness to life
- Life’s flavor and nourishment are found in our Creator
Charlotte-Anne Allen
Cloud Speak
Portents of things to come
Stormy sky and pouring rain
Fair weather cotton balls
Gray blanket for a drizzly day
Look about and heed
What do we form for all to see
Sailing high above in swift retreat
Or gusting words to rush about
What times for lifting energizing
Beauty flashing midst struggles deep
Washing sometimes roaring
In our own smallness soaring
Do we speak of fairer days
Quietly linger softly calming
Breath in deeply sweet aroma
Welcome refreshment steady supply
Flying floating freely
Sunlight glinting over all
Rest ‘neath such as welcome
With One much greater above all
Charlotte-Anne Allen
Shush
“shh, shh”
Quiet waves sigh
A gentle reminder
To pause as time goes by
As a mom
Sooths and sways
Gently whispers
Her child she softly lays
Come evening time
Or morning’s glow
Peaceful resting
Let thoughts go
Embrace it now
A time for hush
Release and calm
“shh, shh” … Shush
Charlotte-Anne Allen
Coming In
When up and about
Mind’s on things old and new
What you like. What you need.
Seems you have much to do.
As a bee searching, gathering
Zipping here and there
Returning with what’s needed
Bringing home to share
Some with satisfaction
Others pondering with concern
As day’s time progresses
It’s for home we yearn
Coming in to draw a breath
Coming in to find some rest
Thankful prayers for a place
… As a bird to its welcome nest
Something about that moment
When we finally enter in
Come and find a welcome
No matter where we’ve been
Charlotte-Anne Allen
What Words!
Some curious words
From childhood days
May have some wondering
About those past ways!
Say piffle to such nonsense
When you hear a doozy of a tale
A great hullabaloo of a commotion
Arises when bamboozled… I’ve been tricked!
We skedaddle and leave quickly
When faced with hogwash nonsense!
Don’t lollygag or waste any time
Listening to gobbledygook and meaningless talk
Take care not to get turned back widdershins
Things sometimes do go cattywampus
Good words to take note of
They’re just the right fit
For frustrating or interesting moments
… Perfect for interjecting a bit of wit!
Charlotte-Anne Allen
Reflections on Children
• Inquisitive curiosity feeds discovery
• Play is the basis of learning
• A place of security brings rest to our soul
• Nurture tender life and watch it grow
• Learning and growing is greatest when navigating challenges
• When seen through the heart, each day is a wondrous exploration
• Newness and change need time for adjustment
• Fresh eyes can bring great enlightenment
• May our words and actions encourage and uplift
• Imagination opens possibilities and delves into solutions
• Small things can loom as great mountains
• Speak encouragement and express value for others whenever possible
• Joy speaks through skips, song, and bright faces
• God loves us, His children, beyond our greatest imagination
Charlotte-Anne Allen
What Flights!
What flights
of imagination
do we take?
Stretching outward
Beyond comprehension
Awestruck
Light shining into
a vast universe
dark and deep
Circling ripples upon water
Miniscule or infinitesimal
Vibrant and flowing
In wonder
we bow before
our Mighty Creator God
Charlotte-Anne Allen
The Still Small Voice 