Sonnettics

The Ace of Diamonds focuses my view
Although its perfect facets seem surreal
It shines with brightness that I never knew
Would find a way to show me what I feel
That diamonds wait below our common ground
We walk on brilliance everywhere we go
And if we ever stop to look around
We’ll find our treasure on a high plateau
But getting up the hill may seem intense
And as we climb we may forget the fact
Our feet tread on the treasures we don’t sense
Awaiting someone brave who will extract
The Ace of Diamomds from the humble earth
Who knows for sure exactly what it’s worth.

I chose to take the edge of life’s last cliff
I watched another pilgrim take his turn
There was no supposition, no blind “if”
The lesson of the cliff was mine to learn
I chose step into that great unknown
I felt no fear; I only felt the call
Of silent grace, I knew I had to own
I knew my final step would be a fall
But then I felt her arms surround my life
“It’s not your turn,” the angel said to me
And so, I left the edge for present strife
And wonder where my life’s supposed to be
I wonder if it matters what I choose
Or if it’s by decision I can lose.

This is the tune I am working into this sonnet:
field
****
I chose a path nobody else would choose
To travel through this blessed thing called life
I’ve used the trails nobody else would use
I’ve striven with that quintessential strife

“Your path is hard, so what,” the Master said
“You’ve chosen to be buffeted by fate”
“You chose to live, my son; you’re not yet dead”
“I know you almost died, but death will wait”

There is no destination, just a path
Though mountains all have peaks, they’re not the goal
Though we may fall, there is no need for wrath
To fall from heights is not to lose control

The choices I have made are mine, alone
My path is hard; so what, I should have known!

The grass below my swing is emerald green;
The sky above my swing is sapphire blue.
And in the air I’m richer than a queen
With gold and diamonds, pearls and rubies too.
The golden sun that dips beneath my feet,
The diamonds sparkling on a distant lake,
The pearly petals of the daisies sweet,
My cheeks flush red as rubies for their sake.
And though I have the riches of my dreams;
I only have them when I touch the sky.
And though I try my best, it always seems
That on my own I don’t swing very high.
But I have found a friend to help me swing
And when I am a queen, he is my king.

A runner’s heart is stronger than his feet
It must be, like the currents of the sea
The waves may touch the shores as they repeat
But currents push the waves and set them free
To run expresses life from point to point
There is no life before the run begins
And finish lines are there to help anoint
The runner as he overcomes his sins
The runner sins by turning from his heart
His strength, and only looking at the road
It doesn’t matter where his run may start
Or finish if his heart is stopped or slowed
So feel your strength within when you’ve begun
And feel your heart grow stronger as you run.

For Wendy,
November 4th, 2011
(and Forever)

You mean the world to me; I love this world
Whatever things I have are yours, and more
My life’s a sacred banner you’ve unfurled
I swear to you, I’ve never been so sure
My life is yours, for better or for worse
With God, my love for you becomes the best!
Your love is joy, in which I will immerse
Your love is sacred water; I am blessed
Take now this ring; it means eternity
Take now my hand; it means I want you near
Take now my heart; I give it, full and free
Take now my kiss, and give me one, my dear!
We’ve filled our hearts with promises, divine
Now I am yours, and Wendy, you are mine.

On our wedding at Leesylvania State Park,
overlooking the water of the Potomac River
in Prince William County, Virginia

This is the tune I am working into this sonnet:
ffigysbren
****
How blessed are the quatrains when they rise
How blessed are the couplets as they fall
More blessed are the poets who are wise
Who see allusive words upon their walls
Who light their metaphoric candles, bright
Much more than just a simile; they are
Fulfillment of the law. They do what’s right
They celebrate the small, sonnettic star
Don’t relegate the iambs to the dust
They need the cleansing water of your tears
Before you walk the second mile, you must
Divest yourself of all un-godly fears
To him that knocketh, doors are opened wide
Compose the songs of muses there, inside.

I’m just a seed; I want to be a tree
I want the sun to kiss my first green leaf
The earth is where I want my feet to be
If life is growth, I hope it isn’t brief!
But if you need my warmth, come cut me down
I grow to give the world my sacred gifts
The earth may touch my roots, the sky, my crown
I know with warmth, the lowest spirit lifts
I want to be a tree to give you shade
I want to give the world a breath of peace
I know you know it’s how your air is made
I know my warmth is mine to give, release
But first, I know my planting is a need
To be a tree of love; I’m just a seed!

The sunrise is how Day forgives the Night
Although she knows he’ll be forever dark
She freely gives her gifts of warmth and light
“Forgiveness is divine!” warmed hearts remark
She dissipates his darkness to reveal
That Love which her forgiveness cannot hide
Her Love, which helps the darkest night to heal
With light and warmth, forever to abide
The apex of each brilliant day begins
When we forgive ourselves and others too!
The same way which our god forgives our sins
They’re washed away, forgotten; we are new!
Like sunrise means a new day has begun
Forgiveness means the darkest times are done!

The warmth of silence wrapped around my soul
Is reverie I bundle deep within
Without the need of freezing, false control
When noise subsides, I feel the warmth begin
I like the sound of water in a stream
I like the sound of wind in leafy trees
But silence is a peaceful, gentle dream
Whose warmth exceeds the wetness of the seas!
It’s easy to be cold, just raise your voice
Or chatter like a chipmunk in the snow
But cold or warm, you have a simple choice
And silent warmth will help your thoughts to grow
Then harvest all your thoughts in quiet grace
And let me feel the warmth of your embrace.