In Others' Words

People express themselves in hundreds of ways.

Artists, especially, are blessed with alternate ways of making thoughts tangible and clothing feelings in flesh. Music, painting, dance, a combination of several talents producing a singular masterpiece such as a movie – we have lots of choices.

My preferred conduit, of course, is the written word. I may not be able to tell you how I feel or what I think, but I sure can write a novel about it.

Sometimes, though, even my pen fails me. It’s not that I’m not thinking or feeling intensely or that I don’t have the need to share with others. Some days, I just can’t connect the dots.

That’s when I rely on others to say it for me.

Following are a couple of poems I stumbled upon that express the concept of HOPE that’s been holding my brain cells captive the past couple of days.

So, in others’ words…

A Rainbow of Hope

by Raymond A. Foss

An urgent call

a race down the dark stairs

a flicker of color as I ran outside

an arc, His bow, His promise

shown down on us

standing in awe and wonder

the rich color muted in the city

It curves over the alley

above the tenements, the wires

the clutter, the stresses of life

a timely reminder

in good times and bad

of your faithfulness,

your covenant with your people

a beautiful arc, a shimmering bow

a pleasure to behold

a piece of hope placed

for a moment, a few seconds

unnoticed by so many,

lost in the push and pull

of daily living

shared with those lucky few

who stopped for a moment or two

and looked up

Lively Hope and Gracious Fear

by William Cowper

I was a grovelling creature once,

And basely cleaved to earth:

I wanted spirit to renounce

The clod that gave me birth.

But God hath breathed upon a worm,

And sent me from above

Wings such as clothe an angel's form,

The wings of joy and love.

With these to Pisgah's top I fly

And there delighted stand,

To view, beneath a shining sky,

The spacious promised land.

The Lord of all the vast domain

Has promised it to me,

The length and breadth of all the plain

As far as faith can see.

How glorious is my privilege!

To Thee for help I call;

I stand upon a mountain's edge,

O save me, lest I fall!

Though much exalted in the Lord,

My strength is not my own;

Then let me tremble at His word,

And none shall cast me down.

Thanks for visiting Dry Ground! Have a blessed weekend!

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