Like a pendulum, they swingSilent o, silent ohFrom edge to edge, they swingSilent o, silent oThe winds whisper, the earth shiversFurther they go, further the swingIn full rhythm at timesThe rhythms lost sometimesBut they swingSilent o, silent o
I · 28When The Flowers Bloom
As the winds of springSpread their wings across the landA beautiful scentwafts through the airThe initial quiet nightingaleBlooms into a shriekThe colorful soundsof plethora of birdsBegin to tug at our soulsThe children of spring are sprung upon the earthThe melodies of their cries ring into the heavensAnd the angels danceTo the tune of your voiceAhoy, it's your birthday againAs the angels rekindle their dancingRejoicing at your presence on earthA gift to the worldA gift to your friendsA gem to those who cherish youYou are celebrated todayFor bringing the springInto our hearts
II · 28When My Heart Bleeds
My heart screams, my soul screamsMy spirit explodesIn this lonely worldI feel the aches, I feel the painWhere do I go, to whom do I turnIn this lonely worldWith neither of you hereI can't see you, not sure I can feel youIn this my lonely worldBut in the horizonThere's a lightDim like a whisperA whisper in the darkIt is full of life, angels and cherubsA glimmer of hopeSurrounding me with loveIf I can just open my eyesThe glimmer growsInto a cacophony of soulsThe noise of despair is loudBut the music of hope could be louderIf I can just hold on, to this creaky worldIf I can just hold still, in this stormy timesThe music of lifeThe smell of hopeThe beauty of loveFriends, family, communityAnd I am one of themA branch on this treeThe tree that gives hopeA community that needs meA family that counts on meMy grief hurtsBut beyond it is lifeA beautiful lifeAnd you are part of itUnseen but still thereAnd my life will go onWhen my heart bleeds for you
III · 28A Beautiful Love
In the beginning of timeHe who formed existenceInitiated the beautiful loveA man, and a womanOne from the rib of the otherA perfect unit, from an imperfect unionA story that can be told and retoldIn lives across the aeons of timeA random meeting, a wobbly walkA calm smile, an enduring laughterTugs at the heart of manA kind word, love for the things of GodMan is the thing of GodWho from the tapestry of lifeAnd the pains of laborWove the beautiful loveScioning three beautiful soulsThrough festivities and painsThe sinews of life etchedAs the seasons come and goLives lost and rebornThe hands of God steadyThis beautiful love spawned legions of beautiful livesFar and near it imbues its essenceFragrance of the heavenSeeds of God's kindnessPetals from his gardenA beautiful loveThe story of Margaret and GlennGod's seed in our lives
IV · 28It Is Morn Again
It is morn againI know it because of the smellThe soothing smell of lifeWafting softly through the air sillsThe calming cool breezeRuffling the curtains into light wavesTheir touch on my face, my skinLike the kiss of a loverGently caressing my soulYes, it is morn againI know it because of the soundsThe melodious cackling of the mocking jayThe gruff croaking of the distant frogAnd the incessant chirping of the cricketNature is waking upAnd I can hear her waking soundsMan is waking upAnd I can hear his sounds tooCars whirling in the distanceEvidence of a new dayIt is morn againAnd I am waking upLife beginning anewBogged with the baggages of yesterdayYet open with the opportunities of todayAnd the dreams, the waking dreamsOf morns to come
V · 28A Love Like No Other
At the dawn of creationLove existsThe very breath of GodGiving all things lifeThe unseen tissueLinking God and manA special giftImbued into our soulsRight at the dawn of lifeAnd the son of God proclaimThe two foundations of lifeLove of God, Love of manA single thread is trueIt is all about loveThe purpose of life is loveLove of selfLove of neighborLove of GodThe reigning sound in heavenThe necessary song on earthThe universe resounds with the tunesThe heaven proclaims its melodiesLove, the song of the AngelsIt is the season of loveGod's example to manA comforter, a companion, a friendA savior, a healer, a providerEmmanuel, the epitome of loveA love like no other
VI · 28The Journey
As we sojourn through spaceHurtling on a special spaceshipCrafted by the graceful handsHands of the almightyWe yearn to see his faceAnd touch the helm of his garmentTo hear his voice singArise! And follow meOur hearts longFor evidence of the LordBut behold, his words"And lo, I am with you always,Even unto the end of the world"A promise we can count onWhen life happensOn this journey of lifeHe who created the pathAlso created the craftHe who created the journeyIs with you, always
VII · 28Our Shared Humanity
When a child is bornThe earth rejoicesBut sometimes our eyes are cloudedEvil descends on our soulAnd we fault the innocentA child, the very test of RorschachFor love, kindness and toleranceFor hate, cruelty and xenophobiaBeyond the skin, beyond the genitalsBeyond the shapes, hair and eyesThe color of the blood is sameTherein lies a soulSeeking the truth of existenceSeeking the source of lifeA connecting tissue that bindsLike the stalk between leaves and treesOur shared humanityThe tissue of lifeConnects the African kid and his Chinese sisterThe web of existenceLinks the Arab babe and his Jewish brotherThe nexus of loveGlues the Sikh toddler and his Muslim siblingsThe thread of our shared humanityWoven in the hands of our makerUnshaken by the fallen one
VIII · 28The Kindness of Stranger
From the Azure of lifeAn angel of kindness descendedAnd there you stoodFilling a gap in my existenceA stranger at firstA kin nowClarity in my soulThat I am beloved and cherishedLike a sister you fill a gapIn a restless and cankerous worldBut I am filled with gratitudeFor the kindness of a stranger
IX · 28You Kick My Heart Into A Flutter
Its been a whileAnd the art of living becomes a dimThe art of loving becomes forgottenAnd then you appearedLike a comet from a distant shoreAeons away in the interstellarA one in a billion chanceBut it happenedProbability is a witchConjuring the strings into muonsLittle particles of connectionTapestry in a quantum worldLinking the neural nodesFor a momentI felt the tugTiny ripples through my veinsSensations of gulp in my heartA node of recognition in my brainOf a familiar emotionDid you do this?Or am I dreamingConjuring another-verseA preferred dimensionExisting free of guiltExisting free of fearAs my mind roamsIs this human or AIShould I linger or should I roamThis stellar space is unexpectedBut a cell to cellCan morph into tissue to tissueTelekinetic, telepathicHeart to heart, soul to soulHeaven meets earthAnd lives intertwine
X · 28A Prayer For My Friends
As the new year approachesI ponder the gifts of this yearYour love and kindnessYour generosity and graceYour presence and prayersThe hope that you gave meIn you I see the face of GodIn your words, I hear his voiceIn your deeds I feel his graceIn your kindness I feel his presenceMay the new year bring you renewed connectionMay your bond with your maker be strongMay Matthew 6 be etched in your heartAs you daily ask "Thy will be done"May your cup overflow with juice of lifeMay your plate always be fullMay your heart be full of contentmentMay your spirit rejoice in the LordAs the sun sets on another earthly yearMay the footsteps walking beside us in the sands of timeBe visible to our soulMay you remember you are not aloneMay you find peace in your stationAnd find the fortitude to lay your burdensAt the feet of he who laid his life for you
XI · 28Where Is My God?
In the twinkling eyes of babesThe smiling faces of strangersAnd the flailing leaves of treesIn the blooming petals of flowersThe hot sting of sunlightAnd the bright rays of the dayIn each twinkling night starThe billowing waves of raging seaAnd the fierce gust of tornado windsIn the caressing lips of the night breezeThe clouds that envelop the nightAnd the cold flurries of snowIn the kind gesture of strangersTheir benevolenceAnd the caressing touch of a partnerIn the gay laughter of springThe love of friendsAnd their friendshipIn my weakness and painMy despair and hungerAnd yes — the very breath of life
XII · 28Death
When death comes knockingI will be readyI've been ready, just not willingBut now I amLife has made me readyBeaten, broken, bentToday is full of miseriesA good moment hereA second of hope thereThe rest is cloaked in anguishDead bones, rotten sinewBent body, wrinkled skinThe pain overcome my sensesMemories of the pastHang over my consciousnessThoughts of tomorrow fill me with dreadMy dignity is goneYesterday was a nadirToday is deeperThe depth of hades knows no endSo if death beckonsI am readyTo be free of this carcassTo be free of this shameA long and final sleepThe escape to another realmWhat lies beyond may be darknessWhat lies beyond may be lightWhat lies beyond may be heavenBut please — not anything like thisIf death is an open armI am ready for an embrace
XIII · 28A New Day
From the heart of heavenA proclamation was madeAnd the stars shone brightThe firmament illuminating the skyThe air smells of freshnessAs the wind wafts by my noseThe birth of a new dayStill dark but hopefulBecause soon, even if hours awayThe sun will riseTo warm my skinAnd enrich the plantsAll by the proclamation of the most highMy God who made everythingMy God who makes everythingThe wind proclaims his nameIn whispers and howlsThe stars point to his gloryThe sun, soon will exclaimOur God, the most highThe maker of this new day
XIV · 28The Heart of Heaven
The heart of heaven beats in rhythmThe soul of heaven glows with gloryMy soul, rhymes alongMy spirit in sync with my makerThe holy of holyKing of the universeLord of my soulAt the beat of heavenMy heart beatsMy breath is shapedTo the breath of the GodWho gave me lifeGlory be to my GodYahweh of eternity
XV · 28Sovereign
The creator of heaven and earthMan use words like universe and multiverseWe discover planets and starsAsteroids and black holesBut our mind cannot fathomThe extent of your reachYou made it allThe I am of creationYou are sovereignOver all that exists — over all that wasYou are sovereignOver all will beThe creator of eternityYou are sovereignOver time and existenceMy God and my KingYou are sovereign over the heavenThe stars and the moonYou are sovereign over the earthOh Yahweh of old — The I am of ancient timesYou are sovereign over the heart of manMy God and my hopeYou are sovereign in my heartThe author of my existence
XVI · 28A Brother
At the dawn of creation God made brothersOne asked if he was his brother's keeperOthers schemed to steal their brother's heritageSome were so jealous they schemed his deathBut one brother lovedHe forgave — he saved his brothersAnd gave them hopeAnd pointed to a futureWhen a brother will arriveTo cleanse the worldJesus, son of God — Jesus, son of manBrother to all menHe fed, he healed, he resurrectedYou my dear friend have been such a brotherWhen I needed a hand — you lent me a handWhen I cannot walk — you pushed my wheelchairWhen I cannot do my groceries — you ran my errandsYou helped me get dressedYou helped me stand upYou fed me — you paid for my mealsYou drove me aroundYou helped me stay connectedMy brother — not by blood but by bondYou gave me all when I have nothing to giveMay my God, our God, bless your nameMay my God, Yahweh of old, bless your homeMay Jehovah, The I am of SinaiWatch over you and all that is yoursMy brother — have a happy 50th
XVII · 28The God of Presence
When eternity began at the dawn of creationThere was an omnipresent presenceOur Lord YahwehPresent at the birth of the earthPresent at my birthPresent when I lay me down to sleepElohim, Elshadai, El Elyon na AdonaiPresent in the hills — present in the valleyPresent at the mountain topPresent in the depth of the oceanPresent in the desert and in the rain forestPresent in the dark and where the sun shinesPresent when I am sick and when I am healthyPresent in the times of want and of plentyPresent when I cry and when I laughEvery breath speaks of his presenceThe Most High — worthy of all praisePraised by Angels — praised by birdsPraised by the lilies and by the butterflyOh, Almighty — Arrayed in MajestyThe God of PresenceThe Omnipresent PresenceI worship you
XVIII · 28Vessel
My heart is a repository of loveMy essence a storage etherMy soul is a container of existenceMy spirit the extension of hisI am a vessel of the most highMy presence is an apparition of The I AMI am an image of YahwehThrough the Risen Christ I claim lineageThrough The Way, I am come to his presenceA reflection of my FatherThe King of KingsI am a prince of heavenMy mouth spews out his wordsBecause my soul is the vessel of GodI am a vessel of GodI am a vessel for JehovahI am a vessel of ElohimI am a vessel for El Shaddai
XIX · 28God Sent You
As I journey through the wilderness of lifeOceans and mountains to navigateSome friendly, some perilousWhen my boat hit stormsAnd I needed extra hands to row with meGod sent youYour kind words, your encouragementYour generous gifts, your prayersThe glass of water, the nourishing mealThe smiles, the kind textsYour phone calls, the trips to the pharmacyHelping me stand, taking my trashCleaning my home, staying with meIn little things, and in the big onesI see the hands of the one that made usGod sent youTo steady my boat and quench my thirstGod sent you — to be my hands and legsGod sent you — to be my eyes and my earsGod sent you — when I needed a voiceWhen the rain falls and my shelter is goneGod sent you — the hands of God
XX · 28A Gift Supreme
At the inception of creationMan went astrayAnd fell short — far short of the glory of GodAt the dawn of creationMan lost any rightAll claim to the kingdom of the most highHe was naked, bare — sin shamed himRobbed him of his inheritanceBut a merciful creator gave a giftThe supreme giftHis only begotten sonHeaven gave her most precious possessionThe only incarnation of GodWrapped in the womb of a womanThe prince of heaven was deliveredSwaddled in a mangerThe King of existence became manThreatened with death at birthThe hope of mankind became a refugeeIt was the price of a giftIt was the price of redemptionIt was the cost of salvationHis son for usThe supreme GiftDelivered in a manger
XXI · 28People Like Me
I hear news of coming apocalypseA world in disarray, carnageFlooding, loss of electricityA strange and dying worldAnd then I look aroundTethered to a machineMy blood flowing in and outIn and out of a catheterThe dialyzer — a drop-in for my kidneysAn essential organ for livingAnd then it dawns on meIn an apocalyptic world — I have no hopeNo electricity — no kidney — no lifeIf I had to walk — I wouldn't make itIf I had to run — I wouldn't make itWhat about my suppliesWhen they run out — I run outMy life depends on a supply chainA well oiled supply chainA direct bounty of this developed economyI owe my living to this developed economyIn an apocalypse — people like me will dieEven if we survive the first wavePeople like me are doomedIn an uncivilized world
XXII · 28A Soothing Balm
The God of the universeThe creator of all thingsA loving and caring forceThe maker of our frameA God that soothes our painWith a kind, healing balmThrough the whispers of the windCooing of the dovesThe kind and thoughtful voicesThe prayers of a friendThe God that speaks through thunderAnd the muffling sounds of snowThrough the tapping of rainAnd the songs of the nightingaleHis touch on our soulA caressing soothing balmRelieve the pain we bear
XXIII · 28Flowers
On your anniversaryThe day the heavens collideAnd God's first gift to AdamThe bone of his bone — flesh of his fleshThe sacred moment in creationWhen your twin became oneA blessed union — a blessed coupleBecame God's gift to the earthI have known you through threeThree anniversariesThe God filled yearsAnd you have blessed meWith your unyielding loveUnparalleled generosityIndefinable kindnessYour gifts have nourished meYour prayers have sustained meYour kindness rekindled my hopeSo your anniversary is not just another dayIt is a glorious dayBecause your union has become to meGod's Gift
XXIV · 28Birthdays Are Like Flowers
Our first breath — the very expression of GodA remarkable featGod's crowning achievementA gift to existence, to creationA godlike entity, in the image of GodCreated to live, to love, to tendCreated to create, to nurture, to buildThe very hands of God — the voice of GodOur birthdays — the anniversary of God's opusA celebration of our creation, birthA celebration of God's workAnd the Angels singThe Angels and the hosts of heaven jubilateThe heavens sing melodies of praiseTo the King of KingsFor another of his glorious creationsYouIt's your birthdayAnd your deeds adulate your creatorYour kindness, a reflection of your makerYour love, an expression of hisYour generosity, as the hand of GodIt's your birthday — and the heavens rejoiceIt's your birthday — and the earth is blessedHappy birthday — your presence is God's gift
XXV · 28A Poem for Omosede
When Angels are born — the heavens make a songWhen the daughters of God are bornThe Universe bows for its queenAnd so it was at your birthFlowers bloomed — petals dancedBirds sang — butterflies flapped their wingsHearts rejoiced, hearts in melodyAs the world welcomed her newest princessAnd your glow has lightened the heart of manyAnd your kindness has brightened the path of manyAnd your love has touched the soul of manyAs you waltz through the path the Lord has pavedYou delight the world with your beauty and gaitYou delight the world with the kindness in your voiceYou delight the world with the light in your eyesYou delight the world with your generous heartOh strutting queenThe epitome of God's gloryBlazing like a fire from the heart of EdolandAptly named as greater than wealthTo the ones who love youYou are more precious than GoldTo the one who made youYou are the apple of his eyesToday and alwaysAs you brighten the world with your lightYour life will be brightened by the lightOf the creator of existence
XXVI · 28The Fortune of Knowing You
In a shared world, our shared existenceThe nethers of life are linkedBut we seldom meet the grace beyondAnd if we do.Our lives are blessed.My life is blessedBy the fortune of meeting youMy life is enrichedBy the fortune of knowing youToday I am grateful — I count my fortunesThe fortune of knowing you
XXVII · 2881
A mathematician's dreamAt the root — the 4th primeAt the crown — the 4th powerA spiritual foretellingFour generations of blessingsTo the power of four moreYour seeds are blessed for generations to comeFather of many — some by bondsThe branches you have fedThe branches you have nurturedThe trees you planted — the trees you waterThe sick you have cared forThe homeless you shelteredThe forgotten you have attended toThe hungry you feedThe imprisoned you visitedThe orphan you adoptedIn your heart you hold many lovesYour age is goldenYour life a beautiful gardenFull of the wonders of lifeThe love you gave freely to many undeservingSo when the day comes and you are 81Remember you are belovedBecause you loved first
XXVIII · 28Vessel
My heart is a repository of loveMy essence a storage etherMy soul is a container of existenceMy spirit the extension of hisI am a vessel of the most highMy presence is an apparition of The I AMI am an image of YahwehThrough the Risen Christ I claim lineageThrough The Way, I am come to his presenceA reflection of my FatherThe King of KingsI am a prince of heavenMy mouth spews out his wordsBecause my soul is the vessel of GodI am a vessel of GodI am a vessel for JehovahI am a vessel of ElohimI am a vessel for El Shaddai
XXIX · 30Niobe
A great woman is wailingBemoaning, the bestrewing of her childrenThe great mother is whimperingMourning, the extinction of her offspringHer lovely flowers, her wonderful gloryOh! Her future is being erodedWhat now is the essence of existence?Her hope is being dashedWhere then is the dream of tomorrowShe sat by the riversideWeeping, aloneHer tears mingling, with the flowing riverHer cries mingling, with neighing windHer sorrows infecting natureBut her wail is lost, on the passerbyOh! Help save my babiesPlease help rescue my seedsHer cry can be heard, a legion awayHer sorrows can be felt, in a thousand knotBut no one pays attentionEven her children failed to observeThat the one she wails for could have been themEven they trudged alongEvery man for himselfNo one noticing the menaceThe coughing dangerStealthily waiting,for another, of her childrenNow the only preys are the passersbyGrowing fatter, with each preyGetting more daring, with each unanswered wailTheir inaction, had become complicityTheir complicity is turning into their nemesis!The predator growls, and roarsBared its fangs, ready to springTo tear down, its next preyThe monster grows, stronger!The mother's cry reached a crescendoThe children got decimatedThe last one is gobbled upThe passersby still gawked — out of fear, nowThe little monster has become, a mighty daemonDevouring allEven the wailing mother is un-sparedStill moaning, she was swallowedAnd the predator hunts, for other preys
XXX · 30Portland, Oregon
Portland, Oregon is a city with characterGeographically, a place of wondrous beauty, yet forlorn seasonsPartly crested and partly submerged in the shadows of great peaksHost to snaking rivers and rivuletsYour man made crossings interminglingWith those crafted by the godsHabitated by your lost, your unwantedYour abodes, nested within your trees and bushesMan making peace with natureSights of green dot your landscape360 days unendYour diversity, a shock therapy to the soulA façade of harmony between man and godBut the gods weep in their perpetual mourningYour colors are visible for all to seeYet hiding, in plain sightTolerance for the unbathedEnticed by your food trucksAnd never ending coffee troughsLittered in parks, you conjure images of the jurassicBut the wild litter your crevicesAnd your wretched children begging!Your dogs funk the airBut your spirit is gayWe don't belong here! they wailLonging for escapeA chase for identity, a crass of personalityYour metamorphosis, jaunting high risesHard at work, masking the blightThey rise and sink into your meandering valleysMan and god negotiating a balanceThe daughters of man clothed in tears of the godsYou are beautifulYou seduced my soulYour peaks caress my beingYour aging tease on my heartIn your imperfectionsYour perfections shine throughYour perfect imperfections
XXXI · 31Like a Petal on a Rose
Like a petal on a roseI stand in the continuum of existence and timeAlone, I'm not completeAlone I'm still the sum of a wholeWhen I fall and witherI become part of the wholeMy essence permeates the earthSeeding through its transformationThe rebirth of another