A book you can eat?

Not really. But this book uses enhanced photographs of vegetables and fruits to teach basics—like numbers, opposites, and so on—to kids. Too cute!

Stones in the Hand of the Master

This sadness does not know how
to mourn for you;
possibilities still exist
but hide themselves
in daytime language,
no more of sense
than the speaking of
the recurrent dream.
A pattern remains to be seen
in the dusk, gradations of autumn light
embroidering themselves
on the clouds covering these eyes.
Hiding produces little,
but your footsteps yet pierce
the canvas of this life’s turning—
heavy, measured footsteps,
as if walking must be ruled
by Pythagorean theorem.
But there is no formula
for this …
too many variables tumble over one another,
all semi-precious stones.
But the edges do not smooth on their own.

The Polisher takes out jewels
one by one and grinds them,
chips an edge or two,
shines them with a soft cloth.
Held up to the starlight,
the stones gleam a tribute
to the Master’s skill and dedicated love.

This life is His gem,
polished every day…
a simple rock,
striated with deposits.
In His hand, this rock rests,
shinier day by day.
With the others
it is part of a treasure trove,
that tribute to the Master.

How beautiful you would be
in His hand,
a gem of rare beauty,
a great tribute to the Creator
who is Master of all.
But your heart remains
rough-hewn stone,
fortress against His entry.
May He knock upon the gate.
May He enter, crowned in glory.
May stone grown warm under His hand.

{written in the late 1990s}

© 2006 ElenaMarie

Arise, O Sleeper, Arise

Arise, O sleeper, and see that your lady is flown—
for fainting heart's arrows have pierced,
and wounds require fuller healing
than fear can afford.

Arise, don your armor, take up your sword and shield.
Mount the trusty steed, and ride to your lady's defense!

Though mountains and gorges stand in between
and thickets and walls circle 'round,
fear not the seeming obstacles
for love that abounds
will surmount the surrounds
and claim what is his, e'en so.

See not the hag's face that appears to you now,
as you open the door to the chamber.
For the enemy has shrouded the lady's sweet glow
with cloying covering of shuddering fear.
Remember the smile that illumined the night,
the joyful reception at end of the day,
the hopeful dreams at dawn's early light,
and hasten, o hasten to make your way
to her side, pledging your name, your life's very breath
to be all that Love says that He is.

~E~ 8.21.06

By faith

Stretch the reach of my heart
beyond where my arms touch.
Open the eyes of my heart
to what my sight misses each day.
Make me sigh, long, yearn
for the things unknown to stomach or tongue.

This world is less real than You,
but too many times I choose the lesser things.

So many counterfeit paintings
are hung in the gallery of life,
pleasing to the sight...
Let me see beyond the surface.
Be the Light who shines
to reveal Your fingerprints.

Itching ears only need something
to scratch them. Anything will do.
May my ears incline to hear the best things,
the songs that echo from You.

Keep me hemmed in.
Please do not let me choose
to walk away,
to stray,
or to wander.
The boundaries of Your wings
are sufficent for me,
for Your embrace shows Your care.

A poem-psalm

Help me eat my daily portion.
Let it taste good upon my lips.
Let me savor its sweet flavor.
Help me know it’s just enough.

Your grace is made perfect
in my every weakness.
But this weakness lasts beyond today.
And I fear I will not be strong enough
to chew the portion You have assigned.

But You said
I can do all things—
even let my hands drop
and stop striving,
even be still and know You’re God,
even depend on this day’s grace,
even keep from worrying about tomorrow,
even find the strength that is Your joy—
through Christ who strengthens me.

So I will rejoice in this day
that the Lord has made.
So I will sing and praise His name…
for He has never forsaken me,
never left me lost in shame.

I will say that He is great,
that His ways are always right,
that He knows the way I take,
And when I come out on the other side,
this face will shine with radiance.
I will be like refined silver,
reflecting His holy light.

~~ 11.1.05 ~~