River Thoughts: Poems.

 

River Thoughts

Copyright (text, drawings, and photos) : Alison Lawrence.

Dedication: For Jesus. 

*** 

I Am Beckoned To The River

I am beckoned to the river;

and there, the world stills.

I will go down to the water,

and there I will find many happy things.

If the children go with, we will see even more:

a ginger kitten in emerald grass, 

a determined tortoise striving to cross the road,

a parrot brightly saying hello.

Then round the corner, we stop.

because there is the blue, green, brown river,

concerned only with traveling to the sea.

Yet, at every stage, we humans 

can enjoy its prescence as it goes by.

And as you walk, you can't help

but keep your head turned its way;

to watch and exclaim over

the river's companions:

pelicans comical, jeweled, diving kingfishers,

sober and regal, the heron,

his opposites, the rabble seagulls.

Wind is whipping, birds are swooping,

screeching, flapping, walking, stopping,

walking, stopping;

water is lapping, slapping,

twinkling, moving,

flow, flow, flow-

calling us to walk, to live

slow, slow, slow -

so we have time to see the soft

brown sparrow eating breadcrumbs

and the first day of the Spring,

as we wend our way home -

slow, slow, slow.

Landscapes

A soft charcoal landscape

where smudges forgive;

sharp pen detail in a 

black and white frame.

and there is the dreamy watercolour,

here my impassioned oil scene.

How would God portray His world?

***

Red Bishop

A little sign of hope

on a dreary day:

the Red Bishop sways on his reed.

Vivid red shouts:

here I am! 

Back again,

although never to stay.

Just for now,

just for now,

I'll brighten your day.

***

***

Little Black Cat

My cat looks so homey

when he curls in a tight ball:

he makes my house look cozy,

and brings delight to all.

But whether curled on grass or bed,

no matter where he lays his head,

he wraps us round his paw.

***

***

My Garden

Sunshine flowers blow

gooseberries wait for their time:

my first real garden

***

Buds

Folded jewels dance

in light cool shadow waiting

'til Bridegroom appears

***

If Only

Iceberg rose didn't make it,

but lavender is growing

and crimson blooms

in my garden.

There are clumps of green

and dancing dainties

in my garden.

If only Mom could sit awhile

on the dappled bench

in my garden.

***

Morning River

Down to the river in the morning,

and seagulls are circling,

crying,

passing on messages of fish below,

in wheelbarrows and trucks,

bunches shaded from the sun.

Cars, sunglasses, craning necks,

and people drinking coffee.

and the shrieking gulls above it all.

I gaze away to the river,

to recapture the calm,

but the gulls are

dipping, diving, and calling -

inward I must go:

where no earthly noise disturbs

the peaceful glow.

***

***

Rush

Feet rushing, rushing;

hands are wearing themselves out:

Jesus is my rest

***

Love

Wind tearing through the washing

and whipping your hair:

hands wrinkled from soap-sudded dishes

resting on the brow

wearily lifting from the bed

at the midnight hour.

***

Marriage

Why did I marry you back then?

It wasn't because I wanted to love you;

rather, wanting to be loved and cherished,

It was all about me, me, me -

thirty - something years later -

why am I still married to you?

Because I want to love you -

you, you, you -

because ultimately,

it's all about Him.

***

Extra Mile

He brings the bread and milk

after work

and cooks a meal

on aching feet,

and gives you a chocolate

bought with his last money.

I think he loves you.

***

Success

What is success,

and how is it measured?

You say I can make a huge sum

if I market and plan

just this way,

you say I can sell a ton.

But what if I help

just one in distress.

Will that be called a success?

***

Do You Still Love Me?

It is many years now

since the little stone chapel,

the scent of mauve orchids,

the I do's.

So hot and cloying:

I ran so I wouldn't be late.

Six  babies later -

life, chores, work, cares -

do you still say I do in your heart?

I wake.

You are not in bed,

yet,

once more,

my tea

is on the bedside table

***

***

Evening River

Walking by the river

in the evening:

serene is the street,

and noisy feet are gone.

Cooking smells of 

onions simmering

 

for suppertime waft.

All lonely and still 

at the river;

the gulls have sought their beds,

and fishermen have hosed 

their boats,

now eat their meat and bread.

Tourists are doing tourist things

in the evening.

But I am walking

to the calm sound of whispering water

and the soft songs of 

birds ending their day.

*** 

***

Childhood

In the inky, twinkling night-time

eternity of lights,

a little girl is searching -

searching for Jupiter.

head back, standing on her toes -

whilst I hurry by

***

Frenzy

Frenzied shoppers rush;

gadgets and goodies entice.

You ask, is it Christmas?

No, just another Sunday.

***

Sorrow

Swathes of mist descend

and wrap their sorrows round us:

light comes piercing through

***

Messages

My Bible whispers

as I turn fragile pages:

dove song and thunder

***

***

Misty River

Down to the river

in the swathing mist:

it's faintly raining.

Gentle quiet enfolds the street,

and I am walking:

yearning for the soft, gray peace

waiting at the river.

The tourists have preferred their beds,

and fishing boats

lie quietly at their moorings.

Wintering birds,

and one early soul

enjoying the misty river.

***

***

River Walk

Going down to the river

on a faith walk today;

keeping my eyes on Him:

The One Who picked up His cross,

and saved me from sure death.

Going down to the river

with the One Who first loved me,

as I carry my cross

over dusty paths,

where rocks are strewn in the way.

Walking by the river

is The One Who loves me,

carrying me and my cross.

Joy and hope He brings to the journey,

even when darkness falls.

Walking by the river,

walking by the river,

walking by the river

with The One I love.

***

Thanks for stopping by :)

May God bless you.

***