Every spring I wait for it. And every spring I stand in awe.
The colors of new life astound my eyes. Has there ever been another green so vivid or so pure? Surely this is the first time I've seen anything like it.
I tell my heart to slow down. I've seen it all before. But silly heart, it doesn't listen to my words. Not when the evidence lies right there, for all to see:
Spring Treasures
Small creature appears
And my own heart gives a throb
Will you leap or stay?
--BG
And while my heart is awakened, I think back to another new life, the ONE that changed everything. The same life that even in the womb stirred something deep. It's a Christmas kind of thought that matches this New Life way of thinking:
"When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. In a loud voice she exclaimed: 'Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear!'"
And I am led to ponder, to wonder,
what will my heart
say when He
brings New Life
to my own days?
New Life Leaps
My soul will you throb
When Breath of Life comes new, fresh--
Recognize and Leap?
--BG
This spring I took an online poetry mini-course offered by Jamie Wright Bagley. I was so blessed as I moved through the chapters of her course called "Poetry for A Wild Existence." Many of her lessons were accompanied by photo prompts, or word prompts, or questions probing our thoughts about what poetry stirs up in our hearts.
This poem was created in response to a photo
showing a beautiful and inviting sunroom, with a one-word
prompt of "present:"
Are there treasures this spring that cause
This poem was created in response to a photo
showing a beautiful and inviting sunroom, with a one-word
prompt of "present:"
Feasting
On the porch
I rest my soul
The robins "cheerily, cheerily, cheerily,"
And the chickadee "dee, dee, dee"
Sing the music
for my meal.
I feast on sunshine
And drink of the breeze
I am present
here with God.
--BG
Are there treasures this spring that cause
your heart to leap within you?
Is New Life being stirred in you?
I would love to hear your thoughts,
just leave a comment below!
If you have a desire to try your hand
at a beautiful and fun poetry course,
visit Jamie's site, at JamieWrightBagley.com
If you have a desire to try your hand
at a beautiful and fun poetry course,
visit Jamie's site, at JamieWrightBagley.com
Or, if Haiku appeals to you, then this week's #Haiku #Poetry prompt
led by Ronovan Hester over at his site,
includes the words "Leap&Throb."
If you love poetry, why not give either of these a try?
I am also linking today with:
Meg Weyerbacher, #TeaAndWordTuesday
Jennifer Dukes Lee, #TellHisStory
Mary-andering Creatively, #LMMLinkup
Debbie Kitterman, #TuneInThursday
I am also linking today with:
Meg Weyerbacher, #TeaAndWordTuesday
Jennifer Dukes Lee, #TellHisStory
Mary-andering Creatively, #LMMLinkup
Debbie Kitterman, #TuneInThursday
What a sweet post, Bettie! Your poetry is soothing to the soul. I, too, love spring and am so happy you chose to share your thoughts and feelings. Spring to me represents all things new. God is at work and He is doing something good in this season of new. Blessings to you! Visiting you here at Tea and Word :)
ReplyDeleteDear Mandy,
DeleteIt's so nice to have you visiting here today! What a treat to find another springtime lover. What a precious thought to think about the good that our God is doing in "this season of new." Blessings to you today too!
Ah, beautiful and soothing, Bettie! The highlight of my spring is the arrival of the hummingbirds--they scold and buzz and provide hours of entertainment on my back porch :).
ReplyDeleteOh yes, I love the hummingbirds also! They are such feisty little creatures! We watched one "spear-fighting" with a bee one summer! :-) Spring-time Blessings to you!
DeleteI do like Haiku!!! Your spring sounds very similar to mine!
ReplyDeleteYes, Susan, isn't Haiku fun? And I think we must be gardener-kindreds! The best place to be in springtime! :-)
DeleteBeautiful poetry. This is the first spring in years that I have had my own home that I can plant and garden. It's been so much fun!
ReplyDeleteHi Natalie,
DeleteI'm glad that you are able to enjoy springtime in your own home this year! I hope that your garden is bringing you an abundance of new life! Springtime Blessings to you!
Hi Bettie,
ReplyDeleteI admire your forays into poetry since they speak to us so powerfully about nature and God! Your flower photo reminded me of a book I'm reading about a woman in the 1700s who at the age of 72 started creating flowers out of cut papers and they are now in the British Museum. I love the theme of birthing something new in the spring -- at any season of our life and it's never too late to start! xoxo
Hi Valerie,
DeleteWow, that book sounds so interesting! And, you are so right--it's never too late to start something new! God looks at the seasons of our lives so differently than we do, doesn't He? Thank you for your encouraging and inspiring words my friend! xoxo
Hi, i love your poem about Spring and your thoughts. I would love to learn more about online poetry workshops. Maybe you could write a post about them? I hope you will consider joining us weekly on the #LMMLinkup. Here is the link: http://maryanderingcreatively.com/lmmlinkup-first-week-in-may
ReplyDeleteDear Mary, Thank you for the invitation to your linkup! I connected over there this afternoon! Thank you so much for your kind words and encouragement! What a great idea to write another post about how the workshop blessed me. Happy Springtime to you!
DeleteI love your poems, Bettie, and the photo. Spring is my favourite season and I always feel a sense of hope at the new life there is and all the beautiful colours.
ReplyDeleteDear Lesley,
DeleteYes, I agree with you that there is such a sense of hope during the springtime. I am glad to meet another springtime friend! :-) Thank you for your kindness and encouragement here! Blessings to you!
Dear Bettie! I love both your haiku and also the poem called "Feasting" which I read aloud to Jamie. We both like it! Thank you for sharing her mini course here. I enjoy all the new life of springtime, but I think Fall is my favorite time of year. I do love being refreshed by the spring rains and blooming flowers and hearing the songs of the birds. Thank you for sharing your lovely words with us.
ReplyDeleteI've been mulling over in my mind the prompt words heart & throb but haven't come up with anything yet. I love what you did with them.
Many blessings to you, my sweet friend! xoxo
Dear Gayl,
DeleteI am so thankful that you were able to spend time with your daughter this week (in spite of the yucky parking experience!) Both you and she have been such an encouragement and motivation to me, so I am grateful that you enjoyed the poetry here! You are in my thoughts and prayers while you are just a "hop, skip, and a jump" away from me as you are staying with your daughter! May you find moments to be refreshed with the "spring rains, blooming flowers, and the songs of the birds" even as you are busy helping. Blessings to you my dear poet/sister/friend! xoxo
Dear Bettie, curiosity drew me here today, because I somehow missed seeing this post in my overflowing inbox. It's definitely time for a sort and a cull, if only energy would allow! But I'm so pleased I came over to your soothing blogging home to enjoy this week's triple poetic offering. How beautifully you have written on the prompts! I'm excited to see the poet in you take flight. I bet it won't be long before you're writing a collection of your own. Spring is such a hopeful season, a feast for eyes and heart. And you've encapsulated it so well with your lovely image and words! I've been mulling over the haiku challenge too, but haven't yet had the wherewithal to sort out my thoughts on the blog, though I love where your thoughts have taken you. It's always a blessing to spend time in your sweet company, my friend! xoxo
ReplyDeleteDear Joy,
DeleteOh I am glad you made it here, my friend! I think that something is not quite right with the "subscription" side of my blog site. But I am at a loss as to what to do with it. I will keep offering even these small issues, along with my larger ones to our Lord. Truly He is full of such hope, bringing a "hopeful season, a feast for eyes and heart" to us! Your words bring such encouragement to me, in the midst of a tiring day here! I am glad that we can share each other's company through these interwaves! Blessings, Hugs, and Love to you! xoxo
I'm trying to be more present, and I'll confess I'm not that great at it. I'm always looking ahead and trying to get plans in order. But, I'm purposing to be more intentional and just enjoy the moment and the beauty of it. Love your encouragement for my heart. xo
ReplyDeleteDear Tiffany,
DeleteThis being present, it is something we have be intentional with, isn't it? I am glad that God is helping you to "enjoy the moment and the beauty of it." Thank you for your kindness--you are an encouragement to me too! Blessings! xo
Beautiful poetry Bettie. The entire post is lovely. Have a wonderful weekend!
ReplyDeleteDear Vashti,
DeleteYou always bring such sweetness with your words! Thank you for stopping by here and sharing! I hope that you have a wonderful weekend also!
I loved your poem, Bettie! And the frog nestled in the peony flower made me smile!
ReplyDeleteYes, that little frog certainly brought a surprise and a smile to me also on the day when I saw him! Thank you for your kind words here today! I hope you have a great weekend!
DeleteOh, how beautiful!!! It truly is amazing how each year it is like God wakes up so much color for us to enjoy, isn't it? You are such a dear encouragement, sweet friend. Sending you much love and gratitude this lovely spring day!!
ReplyDeleteDear Cheryl,
DeleteYes you are so right, I like how you put that: "God wakes up so much color for us to enjoy!" I'm glad that you found beauty and encouragement here today, my friend! May you be blessed with Springtime Love from the Lord today!
Bettie - this is so fun reading your poetry and the lines of thinking from beginning to ed. I have to say, my favorite line was right at the beginning - .. "And every spring I stand in awe. The colors of new life astound my eyes." Blessings to you and keep writing such beautiful and inspiring words. So so good. and thanks for linking them up with #TuneInThursday
ReplyDeleteDear Debbie,
DeleteThank you for your lovely encouragement today! And thank you for all you do to make a community of welcome for bloggers; you are a true blessing! What a gift to share together these springtime colors and new life. Bless you dear sister!
I always love your poetry and thoughts, Bettie. Your photo with the little creature gave me smiles, too. I, too, never tire of the new colors of life in the Spring. Your poem - Feasting - describes exactly how I feel when in nature. "I am present here with God." Love and hugs to you!
ReplyDeleteDear Trudy,
DeleteI am so thankful that we have kindred hearts for sharing in our Lord's gifts of nature! What a joy to be able to partake of so many new colors and life this Spring. HE is present in it all, isn't He? Love and Hugs to you too! xo
Reading your post makes me want to go out on my porch this morning and listen to the quiet. Maybe rest my soul as I listen to the birds, before family wakes up and cars begin their journey.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the follow :) I appreciate it :)
Dear Michelle,
DeleteOh, I hope that you are able to enjoy morning quiet on your porch this week! It is such a restful way to listen to God's Creation. Although, it's very wet here, with rain forecast for many days, I am glad that we can still open our windows and hear the sounds of nature! :-) Blessings to you!