A Net in Time

Curriculum and book reviews, faith, homeschooling and more!

Poetry

Conversation Between Mom and Lad

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Today’s word prompt from Miss Kate is routine.  A regular Friday post where we write for five minutes on a word prompt without stressing about editting or being perfect. 

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The other day my lad and I were chatting as we set out to go to the foodbank.  Talking about how to get up on time and what not.  We got to the foodbank and needed to let that conversation rest, but the lad picked it up on the way home again. 

a conversation between mom and lad, a poem

Why?

Why what?

Why is it important mom?  What you said earlier.. why is it important?

Well, because it’s better for me to pray regularly.  It’s good to have that routine and rhythm to life.

But why are you using a thing on your phone?

Oh, because sometimes a person needs help.  Like when I made that chart for you, to help you establish good habits?  Remember how you told me it helped you?

Oh yes, it’s very helpful. I’m glad you did that for me mom.  So does that prayer app help you then mom?

Yes.  AND because I have on it to remember to learn from God, I am able to remember to do my devotions or good book reading too.

Oh!  That helps you mom?

Yes.  It’s a good thing to remember not only to talk to God but to listen to him too.

 

Then we got home and our conversation ended with the settling back into our day of talking with Dad about his orientation being postponed.   And conferring with the lad over what schooling should happen yet. But you know what happened two days later?

“Mom, did you remember to pray?

 

 Warmed my heart. 🙂

Provided Questions, Provided Answers

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Provide

When I think of this word a number of ideas run through my mind.  Things I struggle with right now … wanting a church where I will feel fed, yet… needing to meet the needs of my lad who attends Cadets at this church and needs boys he can grow up in the faith with, and a wonderful middle school group that discusses the sermon after church.  I think about all the things I want to get done in the house before our move and feel tuckered out by physical limitations too often.  I think of the grin on hubby’s face with a job granted him, even though it’s not the one he really wants (and is well suited for).  I think of my bunnies and how I want to care well for them, and wondering how to best do that with an impending move.   So many thoughts run through my brain. And then God reminds me that he has it already worked out.  He moves, he builds faith.

Provided questions, provided answers. a five minute friday word prompt poem.

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Provided Questions, Provided Answers

The Lord 
  I want to know
  I need the answer
  What do I do?
  What do I pray for?
  How do I decide what the best course is?

Will provide  
  He tells me he will provide the answers.
  Hubby says one day at a time.
  I want to know now... 
  Worry sometimes floods my mind.
  My bunnies?
  My son's upcoming surgery?
  A part-time job...should I be looking?
  Hubby's long-term job outlook?
  
All my needs  
  He will meet them all.
  But I want it now! 
  I don't want time to sort it out.
  I don't want to wait for answers to be revealed.

According to  
  In time, in his way, according to HIS will.
  It's so hard to remember.
  To see the truism of this statement.
  My mind calls it out.  
  Answer my wonderings NOW Lord NOW!

His riches in Glory.
  Whose glory am I seeking?
  Am I looking to my own satisfaction?
  What is drawing me in?
  What worries do I need to face down?
  What faith do I have> 
  Will I allow it to be strengthened?

In Christ Jesus.
  Do I remember where my faith is founded?
  Am I looking for Christ daily?
  Where is God's glory based?
  I think in my heart... be still.
  I think in my heart... remember.
  Call yourself to order and remember
  Be sustained knowing that through this time
  God's glory needs be seen. 
  Have faith.  Be strengthened.

And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19

STOP

 

Come join us over at Miss Kate’s for Five Minute Friday. Five minutes to freewrite on a given word prompt.  A time of encouragement and learning. 

Tired, a poem leading to rest

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Tired, a poem, a five minute friday post

Tired

Exhaustion takes its toll.
 Weariness floods the mind.
 Fatigue runs through the bones.
 but
 Come.

Dog-tired, beat down by life
 Ever so ready to drop
 Knocked out by the demands placed.
 but
 I will give you rest.
Constant care tuckers me out
 Mental energy is overused.
 Everything feels so cliched.
 but
 learn from me.

Overused, overworked,
 Worn out, sick to the death of
 the noise and bustle.
 But
 Find rest for your souls.

Heavy hearted and burdened
 Bored by the everyday worries.
 Beaten by expectations 
 But
 Find Gentleness and Humility.
Come oh thou bone-tired.
 Come Oh thou whipped ones.
 Come oh thou weary ones.
 Come

 Find
 An easy yoke.
 Find a light burden.
 Come.
Rest easy.

”Matthew 11:28-29 “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

 

Five minute Friday is hosted by Miss Kate.

Oh why, tell me why

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Oh Why tell me why

Why tell me why
When I look at history
It seems that everyone 
has a different opinion about what
What truly happened?

Are there really so many sides
to the same story?
How then does one determine truth?

Recently I looked at
Black history.
Some say "Canada's history is whitewashed".
Others say "Canada was a benevolent land".

Who is true?
Who is false?
Perhaps, it's just another story
from another people we need to listen to.

Confusion washes over
Making facts like quicksand
Sinking deep into the fabric of time
Memories fade
as the stories are mingled.
No truth, some truth, a mingling of 
dirt and water. 

How then can we see?
How then can we know?
Time
Time to wash it clean
To just tell the stories
And let them sit.

This, this is why those
stories must be written.
Just as God's word is written so 
His words can't be changed
Can't be mingled with 
other perspectives over the course of time.

Write down those words.
Don't second guess.
Let the words stand. 
Know the written truth.

Why Tell Me why.. a poem wondering on how oral history gets changed so much.

Privileged I Am

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A five minute friday post on the word PrivilegeTwo days this weekI faced
Clutter and Mess

Muscles tensed,
Headache commenced
Worry floods my mind.

What if I started and
could not finish?
Would I let down my boys?
Would frustration commence?

Choice to be made
Start and maybe fail?
Start and work it through?

Prayer
Stories unfold from a
Tablet close by.
Hugs from a hunny each time he passes by.

I remember the Israelites
in Ezra’s day and how they worked
A temple to complete.

Popcorn so old I can’t
remember the date. BUT remember
well the love of a friend who gifted it.

Curious cat winding her way,
Peering within,
Footsteps stumble
Avoiding a fall
A cat heedless of danger
Curiousity to fulfill.
lizzie a calico cat, curious about what I am doing
Old toys abandoned
Broken and worn
I still hear the cries
Joyful play, moments shared.

Dishes of old, new ones now had
Give to another
To “The Ark” to be shared.

As I work
The energy I find
A new perspective gained.

Privileged I am
There is much to toss
A hubby who says “take a rest now my dear”
A boy happily saying “let me load that up mom”.
It looks so much better! GOOD JOB mom/hun.
____

Five minute Friday is all about a five-minute freewrite on a word prompt provided for us by Miss Kate. Join us won’t you? It’s a great time for encouragement and refreshment.  This week the word Privilege.

Create an Image: Use Adjectives Well

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How does one add colour to their poetry?   That’s the question before us today.   Last week we learned about the importance of using strong verbs. And using good verbs is part of writing good poetry, but if those verbs don’t have words to hang on to, then all you have is emotions and action that goes nowhere.  Using good adjectives is paramount to taking your nouns and verbs into the hearts of your readers.   It is the verbs and adjectives you use that lend excellence and quality to the lines of your poetry.  “The force, power and beauty of each phrase, expression and line grow out of the poet’s use of adjective or verb or both.”  (Fairchild)

Using adjectives well helps a poet create an image that draws people in.

When a poet uses a noun in his verb, the poet isn’t thinking about the tree… he’s thinking about the colours changing, a child swinging, of whistling choruses, and safe havens for birds, of seasons passing as weathered leaves flies to the lonely honking of the winter geese.    When a poet thinks of house she brings to mind sweet memories of overbaked pies, and voices raised in shock and smoke billowing as laughter fills a room at a stove forgotten.   The gleaming black of feather falling from the sky that lifts the soul to consider angels in the heavens.   

The poet personalizes these objects he finds bringing them to life and soul, drawing in our hearts as we see the world through her eyes. Use those adjectives, show the world how you see it.  The images we make are the anchor of our poetry.  It gives our readers something to hold on to and those images will bring them back. 

Remember.. this imagery we give our readers isn’t just visual picture but a precise language the evokes any of the senses.. taste, touch, smell, sound.   Consider this: The scared rabbit has soft brown fur.  OR  Plush velvet greets my scarred hands, chocolate hues fighting for freedom.  Which sounds more inviting?  Which gives you an image you can hold in your head?

The use of sensory language is what makes the adjectives used in poetry so inviting.  They help us see the world through the eyes of the poet.  Drawing and holding us in.   Use your adjectives well.  Give them a purpose… Create an image.

Would you like to practice this skill?     If so, click here for a work sheet.

 

A Conversation Runs

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A Conversation Runs the word prompt agree had this poem called "a conversation runs" spill out.
A conversation begins.

“Hi,
I want a chocolate coloured bunny
A female if you please.”
A lady inquired.

“Okay, Let me think
about which one of the
three I could sell.”

Later I respond
I have this one,
Miss LilyBane
I’ll sell her to you, but
you have to wait until she weans her kits.”

“Wonderful, I’ll come in
Three weeks then, that’ll
work out so great! Gives me time
to clear my shed.”

An agreement made.

I can't make it." I hear.

"Why Not?" I wondered aloud.

"Oh well, I just can't today.
.One of the kids is sick''

"Okay, so in another week?"

"Yes, do you have any others for sale?"

"Indeed, I have these three
a buck and two does."
Was the cautious response.

"I'll take them too.
Give me a deal?" 
the query came. 

I worked out a price. 
We figured a day.
And... well....
the pattern continued.

My husband is sick.
My truck broke down.
I have no money.
I......

For three months she
led me on and on..
Legitimate sounding all.
But still... LilyBane remains.

An agreement broken.
A conversation ends.

Choice: Be Frustrated?
Choice: Be Patient?
Choice: Be Business-like?

Decision: sell what you will.
Let the three go.
Let LilyBane stay.
Another litter to bear.

A Good doe.
No hesitation.
Spring brings a new time.
Peace Settles.

No more frustration.
No more agreements need to be made.
and then... broken.

Five minute Friday is all about a five-minute freewrite on a word prompt provided for us by Miss Kate. Join us won’t you? It’s a great time for encouragement and refreshment.