Crunch
Crackle
Swish
Rattle
Leaves shaken from restless limbs
Roar
Rumble
Screech
Hum
Noisy leaf blowers make a job go quickly
Laughter
Shouts
Calls
Screams
Voices calling for favorite sport teams
Whisper
Sigh
Rustle
Swoosh
Soft breezes usher in winter’s nip
Season’s shifting
Night’s chilling
Sun’s glint sparkling
Cool air carries
…Sounds of Autumn
Charlotte-Anne Allen
Towering giants
stretch their bare arms
To cloudy sky
Weekend dreamers
Slumber in warm cocoons
As quiet reigns
Soft breeze
Gently stirs bushes…rustling
In morn’s dim glow
Feathered residents
Silently huddle in chilly patience
Winging fleetingly aloft
Footsteps sound
Crunching on dry grass and leaves
Delivering morning meals
Nipped nose
Draws in crisp fresh air
This mid-winter morn
Charlotte-Anne Allen
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
Gather now on mountain’s slope
Valley’s vista spread before
In-drawn breath to pause with hope
As sun’s slow rising opens its door.
Growing light quietly warming soft shade
Twinkling touch wakes window pane
Time whispering flowing across glade
Marvel, marvel… strength to gain
Joy-finder mid chaos and fear
Children, laughter, friend, and smile
Elder’s touch and calm wisdom here
Life in full to walk a while
Look and see inside our heart
And for true peace this day embrace
Doubt or grief, new life or start
Another year we lift our face
God reaches out and gathers us up
Opens eyes and ears to know He’s there
… He invites us in with Him to sup
Joy-bringer to joy-finder within His care
Charlotte-Anne Allen
Bold and strong
Or weak and trembling
… yet we stand
On solid rock
We will not fall, so
Watch for sand and gravel
One step we take
And then another
Daily onward in prayer and faith
Stepping forth
We’re not alone
… Guided by God’s sure hand
Charlotte-Anne Allen
“Oncet” there was a Beginning
And from that shone a great light
Illuminating a realm so vast
So glorious to one’s sight
Infant call upon that plain
In wonder and great delight
To run, to swim, to fly so free
On limbs uncertain and new
Now we in our own garden
Living laughing where they grew
Making a difference as we follow
What will we bring and do?
… What words spoken of our “oncet”?
Charlotte-Anne Allen 6/2/2023
** “oncet” (wŭnst) adv. “once”
Southern & South Midland US
Meadows and bees
Song and breeze
Mount and sky
Clouds against blue
Gurgling streams
Splashes and cool
Rustles and song
Rattles and tread
Bursting forth of life
Bud and bloom
Refreshing waters
Nourishment and newness
So, we bask in God’s creation
Soaking in His Wonder
Renewing and resting
His Light warming and filling
from “OF… Songs of Life”
Charlotte-Anne Allen
• See the beauty woven into the fabric of life
• Hope is like drops of dew amidst fragile strands shining in the light
• Outward fragility can belie strength and purpose
• When sticky situations rear up, hold on to what is good and kind
• Dishonesty builds tangled webs of deceit
• Nurture that which builds lasting relationships and overcomes storms
• Attend to tremors and shakings signaling significant arrivals
• If caught unaware, we run headlong into that which can trap us
• Know there is still purpose when we are dusty and spent
• Recognizing our smallness builds humility and empathy
• The spider’s mountain is still a mountain
• We are nourished as we are being formed
• Be one who draws others to receive healing
• When ragged and torn, turn to God who makes us new
– From “Reflections from the Everyday”
Charlotte-Anne Allen
Shining, glistening
At dawns light touch
Life to drink
And hope inspire
Living water drawn
From God’s deep well
Drops to wash away life’s care
To touch those now upon one’s face
Cleansed washed renewed
As rainbow’s promise
Another day and year’s passing
New beginnings made possible
Through precious drops
Of Christ who gave his all
Shining, glistening still
At star’s bright light
Charlotte-Anne Allen 12/31/2022
Warning touch and growing rumble
Feel it building coming coming
Welcome respite or call for shelter?
Jarring one from settled niche
These drops intruders in our day
… A sigh a chuckle as we retreat?
What do they say of grief or toil
As waters surge and tumble by?
Pale countenance sinking down
Or head uplifted to cool embrace?
Built up dirt and grime release
Muddy churning wash away!
Letting it go, now light and free
Cleansing. Revealing… sparkling stones
Charlotte-Anne Allen
The Still Small Voice 