Sunlight streaming
Through the panes
Casts a glow…
A wondrous light
Colors bold
Or soft and gentle
Life statements
… holy spaces
From ancient days
Of olden lore
History reaches
Out its hand
Speaks of faith
Of family and beauty
Determination, battles
Loss and gain
Natures touch
Through shining light
Built through stains
And earth’s embrace
Come settle before
Its silent illumination
Ponder meaning, mystery
Heaven’s quiet presence
Charlotte-Anne Allen
Much can be said for in “between”
Not here, not there but just so now
It’s in the journey, as we go
Learning, growing, wondering how
We discover here a new better outlook
To walk, to pause, to quietly abide
Gaining perspective where we are found
Misty vales, plains, or vistas wide
Not always content when in “between”
It can be worrisome and most unsettling
So, draw a slow breath and look above
Seek calm, gather peace, to cease fretting
Each day, each moment, is life itself
Time moving, ever turning in this place
And God’s Son who came between
Precious treasure… full of grace
Charlotte-Anne Allen
From this… life springs
Marvelous wonders
Unimposing treasures
Waiting for time of planting
Sown upon fertile soil
Drawing nourishment
Water, air, good soil, light
Breaking forth in newness
Digging roots downwards
Reaching ever upwards
Forming, growing, bearing
In turn enriching others
Nourishing and life bringing
… We seeds of God’s making
Charlotte-Anne Allen
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
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
The Still Small Voice 