Polished Stones

October Quench the sun with a cool grey mist And adorn the land with amethyst; The grape already touched with frost Finds clustered fruit will soon be lost. The wind catches the leaves that fall And birds head south with anxious call; Frost comes quick to lick the flowers Who droop their heads in long lost hours. The crimson leaves brush bark that's rough To show leaves and bark are tree enough; And in the woods squirrels gather nuts While sleepy beasts look for winter huts; As the tremulous wings of a butterfly Trace fluttering flight in a sapphire sky. Up above shines a full harvest moon To hide the memories of long lost June; She shines with the aura of a gypsy rose With the in between of winter's snows. Then the faded earth and leaden sky Bid October a sad goodbye. In Between Today is nearly over, And tomorrow's not quite here; There's a glow of a silver lining As twilight drifts so near. This time is in between The precious here and now; A whisper of a moment That captures then and how. Today is fraught with trouble Tomorrow is but a dream; I need to know my heart To find what's in between. I opened up my eyes To see all that might be; And I awakened to the wonder That sets a spirit free. Today is almost over Then tomorrow will be today; Time will slowly stretch her arms And steal the hours away. At last the hour is turning Today has gone somewhere; Now that it is over Tomorrow is everywhere. How Could I Tell I walk no more on soft green mosses, Under the tree where green branch tosses; Where scent of leaf and red rose swinging, Perfumes the wind with soft scent clinging. I walk no more by the ocean dreaming, Where sunbeams fly with grey gulls screaming; Over the cliffs where wild waves falling, Sweep up the sound with echoes calling. I hear no more the sea shell’s story, Along the shore with sunset's glory; Only the song from the dark cave's hollow, That siren song I dare not follow. Words you spoke left me broken hearted, For now I find you have departed. I loved you well but you left me lonely, How could I tell if you loved me only? Be Not Afraid The mountains and hills shake at His tread, The resurrection is nigh He calls to the dead; The moon in the heavens grows pale at His wrath, The sun of the morn disappears from its path. God of the universe, maker of all, We ask for your mercy, at your feet we do fall. The earth’s stealthy riches are exposed to your sight, Nor veiled from you are man's deeds of the night; The beasts grow timid as they bow at your feet, And the winds of the sea at your command retreat. Forever your greatness over all things, Maker of all, our King of kings. When the mountains erupt their flames to the sky, And lightening’s forked tongue shouts back in reply; When the stars in the heaven died in their place, And malevolent man laughed in your face; With infinite mercy your anger grew still, Our crucified lord on Golgotha's hill. Yet you forgive all dear Father above, And we owe all for your infinite love; The hands pierced with nails you give for our aid, You speak through your word to not be afraid. You are able to comfort whenever we call, For you there is nothing too great or too small. Always you hear when we kneel down to pray, Precious Redeemer help us find our way. The Renegade A renegade came in on his horse from the west With spurs on his boots and a fringe on his vest; The tilt of his hat was folly's own heat And his carved boots were full of big feet; His engraved leather belt held pistols and things And an old deck of cards held aces and kings. Lovely Juliette sat there feeling remorse When the dude came in riding a black horse; Her loveliness gave him a pectoral glow And he reigned in his horse with a powerful "Whoa"; Then he turned to the woman with an ecstatic smile And boldly asked if he could stay awhile. With flustered mind she blinked eyes in fright But Juliette smiled and said that he might; So in through the entrance rode the mysterious dude With a proud mind and feeling a bit lewd; He strode up to the landlord and cleaned out the bar And the landlord threatened to coat him with tar; The judge banged his gavel and charged him for same Then the renegade left and rode off with his dame.