Lightning flash, sizzle, bright
Such great brilliance can give a fright
Thunder crash, rumble, roar
But in my home I am secure
Trees swaying in the wind
Shaking, thrashing… how they bend
A plop, a drop, approaching rush
Ever harder pounding in a mighty gush
Sun chased… Obscured by clouds of gray
Summer storms cool a hot, humid day
Charlotte-Anne Allen
Humming busily
Zooming to-and-fro
Waggle dances
For treasures to show
Sweetness of nectar
Rich and fine
Heading there
Now make a beeline!
Workers buzzing
Warm and sunny
Bringing life
With golden honey
Charlotte-Anne Allen
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
Summer’s bright splash of color
Swaying in greeting to wind’s light touch
Quiet conductors with raised wands
Now trills the songbirds’ joy
In harmony with busy buzzing
Neighbor greeting neighbor and
Workers moving in steady contentment
They lead an attentive orchestra
Turning to hear their voices and
Lifting faces to welcome soft touch
So, we move to quiet beat
Giving thanks for day’s harmony
For splashes of color and gentle touches
Work well done and songs well sung
Charlotte-Anne Allen [Re-posted]
Of summer tastes
We can delight
In crispy apples
Or juicy melons
A teaspoon of honey
In season or out
Refreshes one’s spirit
In so many ways
Flavorful berries
Freshly picked
Oh, how wonderful
To eat by the gallons
Sweeter than these
Are kind words spoken
To encourage and brighten
Through nights and days
Charlotte-Anne Allen
Barefoot days
Shorts and T’s
Cool clear water
Garden fresh veggies
Warmth for body
Sun’s rays heating
Fans blowing, shade cooling
Welcome breezes stirring
Birds calling, dogs barking
Yard mowing, weed pulling
Storms rolling, rain falling
Golden sun rays, moist woods
Early morning and evening’s chill
Dew’s sparkle and quiet hush
Life and faith one day at a time
Summer’s rhythm speaks of contentment
• As cool weather moves to summer heat, so does time flow ever forward
• As gatherings bring reunion, so friendship brings renewal
• As outdoor activities and fair weather draw us, so encouragement and enjoyment bring us together and build positive relationships
• As lightning flashes and thunder roars, so is one who seeks attention or hides pain
• As vacations and travel bring welcome breaks, so shared experiences and time bring greater understanding and perspective
• As fields are harvested, so completed work satisfies and brings provision
• As yards are mowed and gardens tended, so treat your own bodies with care
• As the smells of summer cooking waft through the air, so does the telling of stories and revisiting of sights renew and build memories
• As the sun’s light and heat engulf us, so may God’s Word fill us
• As water cools and refreshes, so does a positive spirit bring calm and hope
– from “As… so Proverbs”
Charlotte-Anne Allen
Crunch of snow beneath our shoes
Cold wind nipping at my nose
Winter’s chill hurries steps
Foggy breath declares the news
Harvesttime past
Summer long gone
As crisp air beckons
Some venture forth
I blink at bright sunlight
Dream of lazy warm days
And retreat like woodland creatures
To my sheltered den
Cool touch of dew on morning’s grass
Soft breeze stirs leaf and bough
Tread of foot and word of greeting
Hoes in hand and hats for shade
Bark of dog and back door closing
We make our way to tend summer’s garden
Bare toes in earth’s fresh soil
Soon may seek shoe’s insulation
Sun is rising as weeds are cleared
Call of mourning dove quiet pleasure
Accompanies day’s song of life
Lawn mower thrum and tractor rumble
Rasp of blades and rip of grass and weed
To free tender promises hidden in their midst
Thoughts and dreams of summer’s bounty
Rhythmic movements lift and fall
Another row completed now
Heat and sweat are well repaid
Cool glass of water to quench our thirst
And splash upon warm faces
Times we share in our summer garden
Ah! The joy of releasing tired, hot feet from the confines of shoes and socks! My mom and I used to kid about our “hillbilly blood” because our shoes inevitably fell off when we came home. Warm summer rain showers were the perfect opportunity for my brothers and me to splash barefoot up and down our gravel drive in town. On summer trips with the family, I remember digging my toes into the soft warm dirt of my grandparents’ country drive. Have you ever walked through a wet vegetable garden and ended up doubling the thickness of the soles of your shoes with mud?! Just walking becomes an effort.
Sometimes our lives get like that, mired down with stuff that drags us down and overwhelms. We splash barefoot before God in our pain and doubt and it is difficult to see joy. When His wonderful grace and love showers down upon us, we in our weariness do not always see it. We may be unable to receive until it has had time to soak in. I love the words of the psalmist who wrote, (God) lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. * Like on those warm summer days, we can dig our toes into the strength of His being. God lifts us up and sets us on solid ground. What joy and release when we stand with Him in faith, free of the confines of life which weigh us down!
* Psalm 40:2
The Still Small Voice 