<NaPoWriMo 2022 Collection>

1/30    
To Know Mercy      
      
Before dawn, in quiet        
morning solitude, You are waiting.      
Head bowed, I lay at Your feet        
many heavy burdens.      
Though chaos churns with foolish deeds        
my spirit is lifted from dark waters.        
Arms carry me across thresholds unseen        
and into folds of mercy.        
Each day, washed anew by holy light.      
     
2/30      
The Gardner      
     
Oh gardener of mine heart,      
I pray You sow within me,      
seeds to create a perfect peace.      
Bring forth fruit where fields      
have lain barren.      
Pluck from it those vines      
which choke my faith      
in thine holy presence.      
Pour out life-giving rains:      
quench this thirst, and grow      
Your child’s spirit.      
     
3/30    
The Pathway    
     
I endeavor to build upon stone,    
a foundation of trust: mine heart    
shall seek Your authority in all things.      
     
Even as men loose their arrows,    
protect my spirit against      
weakness and doubt.      
Dismantle dark veils, revealing      
true intention, casting light on deeds    
which set feet stumbling away    
from narrow paths.    
   
4/30    
Be Still    
   
My knapsack bears crushing weight:    
overflowing worries I am unable to overcome.    
   
Sometimes, when searching Your voice    
of comfort, the atmosphere remains quiet.    
   
Despair takes hold with two    
clenched fists: hollow heart weeping    
for compassion.    
   
These moments require complete silence—    
   
Turmoil ceases.    
You speak love, gentle as soft summer air.  
   
5/30  
Luminous Inhalation  
   
I'm crawling inside lonely memories  
filled with slow motion moments:  
I can't close my eyes.    
   
How can peace be obtained when trauma    
digs dirty nails beneath shedding skin.  
You see these bruises hanging around,    
screaming to fade out of existence.    
   
Carry me past somber exhalation  
and into Your luminous inhalation.    
 
6/30  
The Plan and Her Destiny  
 
Tiny miracle burst into being,  
rearranging my inner fabric.  
Logically, she wasn’t mine;  
but hearts always tell  
us different stories.  
 
Shaking inside, rattled to depths unimaginable: the love her parents  
built became a soothing balm.  
 
While I was wrapped in fear  
and grief, withering within,  
You orchestrated Your perfect plan.  
 
7/30
The Potter
 
We are soft clay, molded  
into being: every detail a study  
in perfection.  
Throughout our journey  
cracks appear, making it increasingly  
more difficult to keep moving  
without losing vital pieces.  
 
You, the potter, always repairing,
patching holes, refilling bare vessels.
Your gentle care and love fills  
us with healing waters.

8/30
Another Life

Inner voices whisper
lies that stir a great pot,
simmering to brim
with malignant thoughts.
Daily strife casts shadows
across forehead, lips, eyes:
each tainted  pictures
of passing years.

These lines and worries
will one day lift away
when You carry from tattered
shell, my weary spirit—

Giving life eternal.