Published inWeeds & Wildflowers·PinnedMember-onlyOde to HibiscusThe Master Gardener cares for all things — a poem — Ode to Hibiscus I gazed in wonderment at your majestic crimson trumpet dazzling like the dawning sun. You gracefully unfurled silken veils, revealing hidden treasures of gold and ruby, welcoming passersby drawn to your beauty. Hummingbirds quenched by your nectar, bumble bees hid in your inner sanctuary, gorging on your provisional bounty. But…Poetry2 min readPoetry2 min read
Published inKoinonia·PinnedMember-onlyHow I Forgave My FatherAfter all the years of abuse — Forgiving the Old Man You look so old lying there tucked under the pristine white sheets. What am I doing here after all these years and after all the pain? The pain that lingers in mind, body and spirit long after the bruises are gone. You have pain now, too, they say. One that…Christianity3 min readChristianity3 min read
Published inWeeds & Wildflowers·PinnedMember-onlyJust a MinuteA single minute contained in a poem — Just a Minute News spews endless atrocities every minute of every day of every week wars and politics and wars about politics and countless voices vying for attention with urgent needs and opinions while speeding cars and trucks race like rats away and back again. But I wasn’t created for this. I don’t…Poetry2 min readPoetry2 min read
Published inWeeds & Wildflowers·PinnedMember-onlyEnglish Container GardensHistory and haiku poem — The Purpose of a Garden To give us delight refreshment of mind and a heart of gratitude. I grew up as a mid-century West Yorkshire lass of working-class parents. We didn’t have the vast manicured gardens and manor house that you see on popular tv shows. Although, I love to watch those shows and remember…Gardening3 min readGardening3 min read
Published inThe Memoirist·1 day agoMember-onlyShe was Thinking of a Secret PlaceWhen my mother washed the dishes — I remember my mum singing Love Me Tender by Elvis Presley when I was a little girl. She sang it often as she stood at the kitchen sink, washing the dishes, while I drew pictures of ballerinas and dreamed up stories for them. …Memoir2 min readMemoir2 min read
Published inKoinonia·5 days agoMember-onlyHow We Know God Cares for UsWhat is humankind to the Creator? — “When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them?” — (Psalm8:3–4, NIV) The Hebrews were enslaved in Egypt when Moses said God…Christianity1 min readChristianity1 min read
Published inThe Shortform·Sep 8Member-onlyMy Acrostic CatLearning poetry with my pet — “S.M.O.K.E.Y” Sometimes affectionate Most times not Once in a while, a purr Knows how to cause trouble with Express runs across furniture but Yes, we love you anyway An acrostic poem is written from a vertical word about a specific topic, as I did in “S.M.O.K.E.Y.” Each letter in the…Poetry1 min readPoetry1 min read
Published inKoinonia·Aug 29Member-onlyWhen We See Him Face-to-FaceA tanka poem about life after life — I’m exploring some new poetic forms. It’s fascinating to me how long sentences can be shortened into poems. I originally wrote this piece as a paragraph when contemplating a friend’s passing from this life to the glorious life to come. The style of a tanka poem The tanka is a thirty-one-syllable poem, traditionally Japanese. Tanka translates…Christianity1 min readChristianity1 min read
Published inThe Shortform·Aug 18Member-onlyObjects in Mirror are Closer Than They AppearA frightening life lesson on perspective — Short Story1 min readShort Story1 min read
Published inWriters’ Blokke·Aug 15Member-onlyThe Art of the Short-Form StoryElements of writing short stories — I’ve been writing for a few years and tried many forms of writing, including a novel and a book of poetry. But I’ve learned something about my work recently. I don’t enjoy reading or writing long pieces anymore. It could be that I get overwhelmed easier now, or it could…Writing5 min readWriting5 min read