A blink
A nod
Now time has passed
A glimpse
On screen
A lightning flash
A feathered wing
A wind-blown leaf
And another day gone by
Thankful days
Wishful dreams
Riding upon light moving steps
Or perhaps
A whispered sigh
Of love and mourning and rest
Sit back now
And cast your eye
On shady porch or sunny vale
Precious moments
Quiet and still, fast and racing
Of God and faith, all beauty… in a flicker
Charlotte-Anne Allen
“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
What then in time’s embrace
Time and time again again
Speaks now of universe’s vast expanse
Near-sighted vision up close
Blocking out all other input
Enveloped by me me here and now
Or far-sighted eyes ever on the horizon
Unable to relate to other souls
Ever craving more more to gain
What then speaks and what is heard?
Do eyes look but do not seek?
Each day’s gift a treasure before us
Would we succumb to the smog about
Or discover true Light to clear away?
Shine bright streams to birth Faith
Lift worn arms to God’s sheltering presence
Full in this moment this hour this hope
And smile in that gift of inward peace
Charlotte-Anne Allen
As light upon a quiet lake
Sun’s beam glinting, reaching… cast
So, look into life’s mirror
Images, moments… of time past
Lift your head and see the light
Now contemplate… of what will last
As bobbing crafts in calm waters or
Storms’ choppy waves… see an ever-pointing mast
Our great God is ever with us
Reflect, look once again… at love so vast
Charlotte-Anne Allen
Season’s leaves now brown and blown
Insects retreating from wind’s cold embrace
Autumn stretches, reaches into nooks
Touching questing noses wishing warmer place
Plip-plop, plip-plop of sky-chilled raindrops
Encourage hurried walks and blow upon uncovered face
Sun shines bravely, a reminder of summer growth
Gardens’ offering now gathered, leaves and yard tended
Rest, rest and breath in deeply
A pause as the year is soon to be ended
Contemplation upon this year’s past
Looking forward, awaiting… Time briefly suspended.
Charlotte-Anne Allen
There was a hush as time stood still
With indrawn breath
A pause, a flicker… a moment of clarity
Photos taken in darkest of days and
Moments of sweetest remembrance
… Rarest seconds of quiet
Sigh of rest at day’s end
Death’s final march and
Awe-filled eyes before baby’s first cry
Contemplate life and its grand stories
Cherish and preserve its promise
Look to sunrise and set, day night day
Joy in beloved voices around you
Of love and trials and overcoming
Of a great God ever present
There was a hush
As time stood still
Charlotte-Anne Allen
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
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
If time could speak
What wonders would it tell?
Of love and riches deep and true
Or weary roads and much to do
Wisdom’s path, hard-won but strong
Short hard days and nights so long
Facing great storms’ fierce gale
Then in gentle breeze rest well
Of steps taken, eyes ever gazing,
Ears attuned, and hearts amazing
Seconds and minutes, now hours proceed
Seek wants and labors, provision for need
Life’s highs and valleys low…
Faith hope and mercy know
If time could speak…
And does it not?
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
The Still Small Voice 