time

May 31, 2026

In the Beginning…


In the beginning
Goodness was bestowed
Day and night
Time established to grow
Sun for warmth
The heavens for majestic balm

Earth for firm homes
Seas for flowing mystery
Creatures to amaze
Fish, birds, mammals, and more
Plants to sustain and nourish
So good, so good

God chose humankind
How marvelous, humbling
Unique, companion, family
Cared for and loved, His children
Come walk with and serve Him
So good, so very very good

Ah, amazing Creator God
Lord, Almighty One
Father and Daddy
Life giver, Redeemer
Healer, Receiver
His love overflows

Imperfect children
Disbelieving, insecure
Yet trembling seeking
Light shines still
Since our creation
Eternal home

With our Creator God
Beginning

Charlotte-Anne Allen 5/30/2026

March 15, 2026

Flicker


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

March 1, 2025

In Time’s Embrace


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

January 5, 2025

Reflect


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

November 24, 2024

Late Autumn Day


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

August 23, 2024

There Was a Hush


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

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

March 23, 2024

If Time Could Speak


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