Mt. Sophia Ideas» Poetry

One Last MSA Poem

Vicki Tillman — Mon, 29 Nov 2010 22:48:13 +0000

We have to stop sometime. This is Noah Taylor’s poem.

Bitter Work

Noah Taylor

Bitter work and hopelessness

Plague the waking hours

Of the man that has been stripped

Of all his former power.

Who is this man?

What is his place?

Why must he live and beg?

We are all self-proclaimed

Judges and Critics without diplomas to our names

He may beg, but dies he lie?

Does not one ear hear his cry?

Does not his affliction turn our heads

When we know the sidewalk is his bed?

What happend to the Benefit

of the Doubt when it counts?

He’s no one’s own, all alone,

In the company of himself.

“Get a job, Vagabond!”

“My money you will not gain,”

Says the man who has too much

To the one who lies in pain.

Dejected, disdained, forlorn, rejected.

Laden with sadness and dappled with depression.

What will you do

When the chance comes around?

Will you be the one

By which the Savior is found?

He will be pleased

The Savior, that is

If you help the man

Who is broken and needy

He said once,

Along time hence

Everything you’ve done

Unto the least of these

You have done unto me.

MSA Poetry- Again

Vicki Tillman — Sun, 28 Nov 2010 22:47:56 +0000

In this next-to-last installment, Stacie reminds us of the summer.

Untitled

Stacie Martin

The whispering wind tousles my hair

My lungs fill with a breath of salt-filled air

Tumbling waves thunder in my ears

Shimmering sand swallows my toes

The sun warms me with radiant heat

The twinkling water tickles my feet

I toss to the heavens the foaming liquid

And cast away my copious cares with it

Another MSA Poem

Vicki Tillman — Sat, 27 Nov 2010 14:23:36 +0000

Jillian’s poem was a favorite in the Brit Lit class.

My Solemn Vow

Jillian Feeley

In darkest times of trouble

Art thou not there with me?

And in the midst of thy fiercest storm

Dost thou not calm the sea?

Thou art my comfort, my peace, my love

And all good things in me

Thou art my hope, my faith, my joy

In life’s greatest misery

Nary thee ever lead astray

Nary canst or ever shall

I follow you henceforth

This is my solemn vow

A Christmas Psalm

Vicki Tillman — Fri, 26 Nov 2010 21:51:29 +0000

British Lit student took the poetry writing opportunity and this holiday season to praise God in psalm.

A Universal Song

Zach Watson

The tune that all the universe sings

Is a praise to the Lord our God.

From people to planets and all other things

A chorus is proclaimed in harmony.

All celestial bodies, grand in their size

Still praise the great King of the skies.

Not only the heavens, but also the earth

Make song of Jesus Christ’s birth.

MSA Poetry Continued

Vicki Tillman — Wed, 24 Nov 2010 13:10:35 +0000

Beautiful imagery and psalm-like praise are important in AJ’s poem.

Fall Leaves

AJ Duzan

Leaves turn red, yellow, orange, violet, and brown

They flitter peacefully and silently to the ground

For they acknowledge that winter is near

And they will come again next year

Falling, crawling, and creeping in the wind’s direction

Alas, they care not where they have swirled and whirled

But praise the One who created them and the world

In His marvelous and awing discretion

More MSA Poems

Vicki Tillman — Tue, 23 Nov 2010 12:01:52 +0000

Having been working on their 10-page papers, Bear Smythe presents his look at his frien-emy.

Computer Oh Computer

Bear Smythe

Computer oh computer how great thou art

Absorbing time hour by hour

Possessing knowledge of a thousand men

Combined in a small play pen

Computer oh computer you are in charge

Why can’t you repair the font enlarged?

Eyes are squinting close to the screen

After 5 minutes I want to scream

Poems from MSA continued

Vicki Tillman — Mon, 22 Nov 2010 05:26:52 +0000

Our British Lit class strikes again- this time at Math:

Math- by Stephen McKearin

Algebra I and Algebra II

Are much more than one plus two.

Squares and triangles are what comes next.

Oh, Geometry. Now that’s the best!

Calculators! Calculators! Yes, you need ‘em-

Especially when you use the Pythagorean theorem.

In Calculus, you’ll have a blast!

Whatever happened to Elementary Math?

Wings Unfurled- Lisa Schea

Vicki Tillman — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 19:20:59 +0000

We delivered our third son to college this week, and my nest is feeling increasingly quiet. This poem is for him, but I thought I would share it here as well.

Wings Unfurled

You burst into my life one day
So rushed to make your mark
You never even stopped to breathe
And almost broke my heart

Our fears relieved by your strength
You overcame that shaky start
My child of laughter and delight
Took on the world a boy apart

Though life confused you many times
By your determined heart
Somehow you made your way
Your life God’s work of art

All I knew and tried to teach
From all the love within my heart
You’ve soared beyond, wings unfurled
Flying from a running start

My son, now grown a man
Tested, strong and smart
Seize the future God has planned
Your life, His work of art

Sometimes Culture Changing Means Just Getting Through the Day

Vicki Tillman — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 18:37:59 +0000

My friend, Lisa Schea, homeschools her 3 younger sons while struggling with COPD. She is such an inspiration to me as she continues to rest, serve her church, rest, serve her family, rest, serve MEK and TEK. She shared a poem with me that moved me so much, I asked her permission to post it. Life doesn’t have to be perfect- we just have to keep going- even when that looks like resting.

A Sickroom in Spring

Breezes flow unnaturally

From fans around the room

Sheer curtains still as columns

The breezes not through windows

Those are tightly closed

Protecting all from pollen’s harm

Walls tinged green by leaves reflected

Cool and soothing to the eye

The light is LED and cold

Sunlight blocked by clouds

The room is dry though drops are seen

Sliding down the window pane

A rolling cart beside the bed

Lies covered by the drugs

Modern marvels every one

Made to keep disease at bay

Sorted, ordered daily doses

Well known by hands they serve

A pitcher filled with water

Beside an oft-used glass

Perch balanced on a magazine

Near books half-read and cast aside

Sticky notes and pretty pens

And wrappers left behind

A bible & devotional lying within reach

A lamp, a phone, a tissue box

Drawers for sundries, cards to write

Simple quiet games to play

The outer world still races on

But here, all is becalmed

The room is silent as it waits

For life’s energy to flow

Shattered only by the squawking box

Telling stories of unreality

Turn it down, not so loud

Senses too easily disturbed

The rocking chair waits patiently

For visitors arrival

The sofa now is just a space

For linens in reserve

Life is blooming beyond these walls

And beckons more than silence

Lying in this restful bed

Propped up by common pillows

The patient dozes peacefully

Not left alone at all, you see

For Christ knows every breath

And holds her tenderly

New School Year Poem by Lisa Schea

Vicki Tillman — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 01:22:34 +0000

Here I sit at 2am

The house is finally quiet

Dishes done, laundry folded,

Lesson plans arranged

Oh, wait, that was just a dream…

The day IS done

And I’m worn out

Another Monday night

Papers falling off the desk

My files a family joke

Still I’m smiling

Grateful for the day

Rejoicing at what God has made

As his word commands

Because he gave it all

Chores and messes

But laughter, too

Smiles and hugs and simple prayers

I savor and remember

The blessings each day brings

about my weaknesses as Paul did, but at least I know that I have a place in His chorus, tin ears and all.