(The) Devout of Africa

Pixabay

“I had some yarn in Africa”*

 

It is amazing what faith and determination can accomplish.

There are many, when misfortune befalls them, that will bemoan their lot and blame the world.  Others will turn to criminality or immorality to “make ends meet.”

This is not the story of one of those, but of a woman of faith.  Her’s was a faith in her God, herself, and in the principles of enterprise and thrift.

She had found herself in the situation of having to provide for her own needs, and those of her three children.  She had practical talents in arts and crafts, but little monetarily.  What she had – she invested; not in speculative ventures, but in real feet-on-the-ground practicality.  She knit, she crocheted, she fabricated slippers.  She above all believed in her principles.

She secured for herself a market place.  While only a stall on the pavement – it produced.  It produced income.  It produced an outlet for her creativity.  It produced an enduring example of what true character can achieve.

Through it all, her devotion remained strong.   Through her servant nature, her children were not only provided for, but believed themselves secure.  And secure they were in her love.

She had some yarn in Africa, but she wove more than mere crochet.

 

Padre

 

*With apologies to Meryl Streep

Where Are The Flowers?

Photo by Kristina Paukshtite on Pexels.com

Where has that rose-scent – heady gone?

Has it dried and blown away?

Leaving just the husks left behind –

Like from Miss Havisham’s wedding day?

Or have they been picked with bright intent –

And now with tears – gone far away?

Like the blooms of which Pete Seeger sang

On tombstones now displayed

Where has that rose-scent – heady gone?

May they fresh in your vase be found –

Each day with enduring and pure emotion

And may you with your loved one dwell

Roses a symbol of an undying devotion

 

 

 

Padre

 

Photo Challenge #323

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mothers’ Fears, Mothers’ Tears

Pixabay

I had two very moving and very similar conversations earlier this week, one with a Black American woman and the other a White South African.  They resonate in my heart, as they are not isolated.  I had one almost identical with an African-American woman a couple of years ago as she prepared to return to the USA.   Why moving?  They are moving because these are godly women, wanting no more that what’s best for their families, safety for their children, and to be able to live their lives without being targeted just for the colour of their skin, or the perceived “otherness” prescribed on them by others. Each is in my prayers, and each needs to be stood up and protected by those of us who have the means.

The distant cries of those oppressed

Tears of  worried mothers distressed

They seek not to – political be

But just to live and  – be happy

Yet fears for their little ones

Their hearts do fill

Helplessness overwhelming 

They too often feel

Let us who have a voice to speak

Call out for the justice that they seek

 

Padre

 

A Shoulder

Pixabay

When feelings long buried – towards the surface climb

When dark and painful memories – their ugly heads rear

When emotions overwhelming – from within you explode

Remember peace and comfort are for you – ever near

 

There is for you – One – who unlike any other –

All of these burdens – will help you bear

And there are among your sisters and your brothers

Those who will bestow their love, and show you that they really care

 

Padre

 

 

 

 

Her Every Command

Image by WagnerAnne from Pixabay 

“Honey do” and Honey don’t

Every word – to be obeyed

Even if contradictory

Leaving you dismayed

 

You may think you’ve heard it all before

Same old thing – on another day

Have you listened close enough

To think why it might be that way?

 

Listen carefully – Don’t just hear

Find the meaning in the things she may say

Her words may not be about the things you do

But in how you understand, and love each day

 

Padre

 

Nocturnal Call

Pixabay

ToWitt, Towitt comes the nocturnal cry

Then waiting for partner’s distant reply

Voice heard and understood,

Though but single phrase echos in the wood

The pair thus linked, no words they need

For they are bound together in heart and deed

 

Padre

 

Lovebirds

What are lovebirds?

Is that a thing?

Is it only that couple –

That together – Coo and sing?

Is it those who

In tandem take to wing?

No,

While such things are cute and sweet

A lovebird is so much more – A deeper thing 

Fulfilling hopes,

The other’s needs to meet

True lovebirds are there

For each other

Through all that life’s journey may bring

 

Padre

 

 

FOWC with Fandango — Lovebirds

Soulmates

Pixabay

Colleen’s challenge this week is to pen a syllabic poem using synonyms for “transition” and “harmony.”  I have used the reverse cinquain form to approach this.  I have tried to capture the melding of the two people into one which comes when individuals become a couple in a relationship. I hope you will enjoy it.

Adapt
A metamorphosis of life
Grow ever more in tune
Kindred spirits
Soulmates

Padre

Colleen’s 2020 Weekly Poetry Challenge No. 177 #SynonymsOnly:  transition & harmony

Your Tune Goes On

 

The piano’s silent now

And yet your tune* goes on.

 

Padre

*My wife Dianne was a classical pianist and musical accompanist.  I lost her back in September, but her “tune” still fills my life.

 

Weekend Writing Prompt #155 – Tune  in 10 words

 

 

The Year of Firsts

The year after a bereavement is “a year of firsts.”  The first “first” for me came only three days after my wife’s passing as she went to be with her Lord just before our wedding anniversary.  Yesterday was another of those “firsts,” the anniversary of our “meeting.”

My wife and I “met” in a chatroom for single parents.  This was no “online dating site.” It was a Christian site with the purpose of discussing being single parents and coming up with advice and strategies for dealing with the responsibility of that role.  We seemed to have much in common as far as approach, and that in turn showed other things we shared.   Our online contact moved on from that and about 3 months later we met for the first time face to face.  God works in wonderful ways, and through such an unexpected medium, I found the perfect partner and wife.

A chance meeting while seeking help

No thought of what it might become

Discussing with strangers the issues of life

And then we became as one

 

How odd, our meeting was while far away

In a help room for sharing advice

And then we would click, bond, and grow

And you agreed to become my wife

 

So simple a meeting,  no thought of a link

Lone parenting our only aim

But it all came together faster than you’d think

Our destinies proved the same

 

Padre

Dianne you are loved and missed.