Poet Gary R. Ferris provides today’s inspiration with his poem:
Peaceful Summer Day
Sitting on the front porch enjoying a peaceful summer day,
Writing down the words that He’s given me to say.
Sipping on my coffee and watching the wind blow the trees,
Quietly watching the birds sailing in the breeze.
When I look at this beauty it takes my cares away,
The majestic mountains that top these skies today.
Off in a distance a bird begins to sing,
And the sounds of the country and the music it can bring.
The dogs are lying in the sun and lost in the deep,
To watch them in this summer breeze make me want to fall asleep.
To realize that I have been so blessed,
All of my troubles become no more than a pest.
Listening to the sound of children playing in the sun,
Reminds me of a boy and all the things I had done.
Laughing and playing and cherishing each day,
Sometimes I wish that those times were here to stay.
In a world full of struggle, turmoil, and strife,
I feel so blessed to get to live this life.
There are no brilliant words that I could ever say,
That ever could describe a peaceful summer day.
There’s nothing better on a Sunday than writing a poem using the “words that He’s given” us to say. Hook into a word, a line or a thought to expand upon, and write your new poem!
POETIC BLOOMINGS 
Responses
.
Here to Stay
These are immortal days
where my memories keep vigil
to passing years.
Memory-etched scenes, as if
drawn from favourite books —
forever loved,
forever comforting,
they become old friends —
a kindness for resting bones.
And in my late afternoons,
I stretch into a feline dream,
a divine summer sleep, that’s
as soothing as
the blooming of peace.
.
© Misky 2016
I admire this, notably for the mental picture of memories keeping vigil.
“as soothing as
the blooming of peace.” Sweet memories… I pray to keep mine. Seeing others lose theirs make them so precious.
Ah, very relaxing.
Everyone needs a blooming of peace. Great sentiment, Marilyn!
‘a bloom of peace’ would be soothing indeed.
Oh, a feline dream, what a fantastic image – it makes me want to curl up in a parch of sunshine!
And don’t forget to purrrrr!
I can do a good purrrrr, so I’m told! 🙂
SEEN ON A SUMMER AFTERNOON
Among accumulated
cumulus clouds are arrayed
cattle, horses, sheep, and goats
from end to end
of heaven’s pasture,
offering testimony
that peaceful coexistence
can happen.
I wish. Reminds me of a picture on Facebook today of a cloud shaped like
Winnie-the-Pooh. Love cloud watching.
Heaven’s pasture–I like this.
Such a lovely concept, and words to live by, William.
Love the shape shifting that inspires us all, William! Or I really don’t know clouds at all!
My favorite pastime!
If only it could! I love the phrase ‘accumulated cumulus clouds’… alliterative genius!
THE PEACE OF THE LORD
The sun in all seasons shines brighter
since I read your words of eternal life.
How did I neglect to see your presence
in the world you created? In the flower,
the warbling birds, the green of summer?
I had sealed shut my eyes to your goodness.
My deaf ears never heard the loving hymns
my soul sang in praise of you, my Lord and God.
Where once I walked this finite world alone,
bursting with pride in my own achievements,
now I have come to believe you have loved me
long before this world began. I am your child
whose hand you hold in my life’s journey.
I am a soldier in the war against sin,
armed with a peace beyond my understanding.
#
“How did I neglect to see your presence
in the world you created?” It is impossible to not see the hand of a Creator in nature.
So true. When God spoke some said it thundered.
If just to stop … and then observe all around us. Lovely poem.
A peace warrior is armed with love, Sal. You seem to be well equipped!
Soldier on, Sal. Our beliefs may differ, but your words are pure beauty.
Simply beautiful.
On a Sunday in Summer
On a sunny, summer Sunday,
I throw on my cleanest finery,
which, as it turns out,
doesn’t have much to say for itself.
It’s fine, though, I’m still up for listening,
headed to one of my safe places,
the most spiritual of spaces,
seeking some joyful calm,
a message of balm,
leaving struggle at the door,
feeling peace, and what’s more,
finding a non-anxious presence
in an anxious world,
hearing that still, small voice,
its beauty unfurled.
It’s Sunday at Seaside,
where love and good and light,
are real in our life,
just as real as toil and strife,
where “effortless effort”
is written in invisible ink
on our nonexistent name tags.
There’s music and prayer and meditation,
a break from the madness, a soulful vacation.
I have no name for the effect,
but I do know what to expect.
Others will speak, I will listen,
and an unseen current
will course through me,
and I will see
that change is challenging
but hope is tangible,
and grace is possible.
“that change is challenging
but hope is tangible,
and grace is possible.” Those three lines are glorious
So much here. Nice!
The last stanza is wonderful. Nicely done, Daniel.
The tone of this reminds me of a meeting of Friends.
Love the formula you’ve laid out with the last three lines, Daniel! A winning combination.
I agree with Debi. Those three lines are uplifting.
This poem has wrapped itself around me, like a tallit in shul.
These Skies Today…
are hypnotically clear
not even a contrail
smears the sheer
blue in the Appalachians
where elms, poplar, and ash
shin up the sides in a
leafy frame of green,
where the wren and jay
and the chickadee
convene to sing
their delight in the day.
Oh, pellucid skies,
to be alive, cognizant
of the opulent
grace of God.
wow
A lovely painting
Left a comment on your blog, Debi.
I love this, partly for the images and partly for “pellucid.”
Wonderful array of words, Debi! Such a grand expression of a true gift from Him. You’ve painted another masterwork!
Ahh, thanks Walter
I love the ‘birds’ convening’ to sing!
Such beautiful imagery in these words, so much more than the few lines you have penned.
Thank you
Peaceful Summer Day
Sagging in a hammock
Like a baby in a womb.
Listening to a rushing creek
Gurgle out its tune.
Sweet and sour lemonade
Rushing past my tongue.
Dreaming of some sunny days
When I was oh so young.
Reading a romance book
I’ve already read.
And then reaching over,
I fall upon head.
Hah!
HA!! Love it.
I’m glad I wasn’t in a hammock when I reached that last line. Great set-up.
Haha, just wasn’t ready for that ending.
The rise and fall of romance books! Maybe a helmet is required for such works!
Love the twist ending ere, Connie.
lol – loved the humour of the last line, when all was so beguiling before!
[…] over at Poetic Bloomings, we are asked to find our inspiration from the poem ‘Peaceful Summer Day’ by Gary R […]
Here’s my link! Thank you for the inspiration
https://freyawrites.com/2016/07/24/wellspring-poetic-bloomings/
If I swallowed
a dictionary
from each of
the countries
the languages
of this world
(and beyond)
could I
would I
ever express
the joy of this life
craft with words
pleasures so simple
as tea sipped from a china cup
as coffee cake, moist and rich
as sun warming my skin
as my soul unfurling in the lazy afternoon?
would all the dictionaries
in all the worlds
suffice?
Aah, excellent take on this one. 🙂
Thank you!
I think this piece puts words, poetic and otherwise, in proper perspective.
Thank you, William.
Simple pleasure are the best with or without words. Lovely verse.
Thank you 🙂
I love this, Freya. Especially the thought of swallowing a dictionary of words in all the languages we hear in our daily travels. What a wonderful communique we’d have going, eh?
Thank you, Walt. It would be lovely if we could do that…
Particularly liked the image of a soul unfurling.
Thank you 🙂
Lovely
A Day For Rest
Even He took the seventh day off
So why so we, His children, insist
On making Sunday’s so hectic
Relax
Take time to worship His glory
Take time to gather with family and friends
Take time to enjoy all that He has given us
Take time
© Earl Parsons
Ok by me…short and sweet
Taking time to read this about taking time and finding time to Him for giving me time to make time. Well done, Earl!
Yes, we need to learn how important it is to take time out.
A good question indeed…
Sunday is His day
A time to rest and renew
Thank God for Sundays
Every day is praise worthy, but indeed, thank God for Sundays!
PEACE FILLED
Off in a distance a bird begins to sing,
the only noise I hear for the moment.
Having pitched the canopy tent and hell bent
on finding a moment that is mine.
It is a fine Sunday afternoon with June
in the rear view and taking my cue from
the peace that surrounds me. Sounds are vacant
except for those birds. A puzzle book sits
unopened near the once chilled lemonade.
I’m afraid autumn will take over soon.
But I am attune with the world.
In my little corner, it is peace filled.
I like your little corner, with June in the rear view!
Sounds gorgeous…
“It is a fine Sunday afternoon with June
in the rear view and taking my cue from
the peace that surrounds me” Love that. It has been a peace filled day for me also
Happy to hear that, Debi! I wish such days on all my friends and foes alike. The friendships become stronger, and the foes do not remains so for too long!
Seventies With A Breeze
Tiny white fingerprints
on a blue sky canvas
Ratio of heat to breeze:
flawless comfort
Shoppers and vendors
alike, smiling at farmer’s market
Tomatoes, a more vibrant red
spinach leaves verdant, unblemished
Strains of acoustic guitar
waft through the air, people hum
Birds sing, dogs mellow out,
a day to imprint on your mind
Marvelous mind graffiti you’ve imagined. A stream of consciousness feel to this! Very well done, Sara! (CH2)
Thanks. Can I steal ‘mind graffiti?’
You certainly can. We’re CHs. We share!
Ah, the seventies…
I know!