Poet's Corner
Now
my heart is heavy
life turns so unexpectedly
there is no now between us
now it’s once upon a time
when smiles, laughs and
hugs were enough
when the story of you held
hope for a happy ending
the last page hadn’t been
written yet or so we thought
my heart is aching
tears and words fall softly
as memories play
with ghost-like foretelling
of what will never be
when did time slip away
and when did eyes fail to see and
oh the aching grows
with each scene the depth
of one’s love is outstretched
reminding how short our arms
are, no arms could catch
your heart or carry your load
none but one who
carried it for you so long ago
none but one who holds you
now within His heart
sleep forever in His arms
and count the stars
together until I come
and I will tell an unexpected story
of life cherished, life re-seen
of a new now that will never forget
sleep forever in His love
and count the stars
together until I come
- Rebekah Bye
Psalm of Ascent
The Holy Spirit hovered over the face of the deep.
The great expanse yet undefined and measureless,
Even in the void you saw my unformed substance.
When you called the light to be separate from the dark,
When you lodged the waters apart from the land,
Even then you knew my name. How can this be?
You called to me when yet I had no form.
You said of me, “You shall not be like the others”.
My fingers look like the ones that carved out the valleys.
My ears look like the ones that heard my voice when I had none.
My feet look like the ones that run to me.
My mouth like the one that called into being what was not.
What grand design is this, that I should know and be known?
The mountains in all their splendor have no embrace.
The seas in all their grace have no breath.
The heavens in all their mystery have no lament.
What words can I hale to honor such design?
My life is a vapor, but my purpose a sacrament.
My frame is dust, but my days are without number.
The earth is my bond, but I ascend to the heavens.
The grave is my end, but not my master.
I go down in weakness,
but rise in strength.
And the Spirit hovers over the face of the earth,
Searching for those who know why they were made.
- Hans Martens
The Mountain Calls
(reflection on Psalm 24)
It says, “come by here”
It says, “My way is carefully hewn”
“But not well travelled”
For the way is hard
And the path is steep
Its course will not give way
To the faint of heart
Nor are its secrets
Revealed To the weak.
There is no mercy in its stony face
Its crags pierce all that seek passage.
What do its peaks hold,
That I should take this way;
When it cuts at my flesh
And requires blood?
Yet with every step
My heart grows fonder
And my spirit stronger.
I know this way
Though I have never traveled it.
I know the marks
On this path
That point the way.
These wounds I have taken
That the mountain requires
Are not wounds unto death,
But unto life.
With each step my resolve grows
To discover this mountains secrets
Its terrible majesty
Fills my view
And it treasures now my heart.
-Hans Martens
When Truth Comes
Haunting whispers linger in my soul
The past still echoes here in this valley
I’ve camped here, settled for the familiar
I believed this is what I deserved,
Where I belonged
But, the truth is - Truth reigns
Pain kept me blinded with an illusion
Fear and shame were my tent pegs, but
I wasn’t meant to dwell in these shadows of death
I was meant to pass through this valley
This crucible of becoming
Unto the highway of holiness
Because the truth is Truth reigns
Truth is the remedy
Yield to your pride no more
He has chosen you
Redemption is found
On the other side of falling
Truth brings you through
Truth is the remedy
Yield to your fears no more
He has chosen you
Restoration is found
On the journey of following
Truth brings you through
The truth is - Truth reigns
The truth is - Truth rains
In refining fire
You lead me perfectly
When Truth comes -
All lies shatter at your voice
Depression and anxiety bow
All my objections fall at your feet
When Truth comes -
My heart is pierced with your love
My breath comes back to life
And I’m so thankful for your blood
The truth is - Truth reigns
The truth is - Truth rains
In refining fire
You’re leading me home
-Rebekah Bye
give and receive
the cool breeze drifts across my face
swallowed up in breathless hope
i cannot seem to recall the sorrows
my rearview mirror held moments ago
suddenly I am back in a place of awe and lone wonder
as my mind’s eye gazes on what God had done
he saved a soul
with a soul.
only by love
echoed by obedience
how can one pass by such a stunning sight
one could spend the rest of life
discovering the miracles inside
it is as if i have arrived-
like it is all the beauty needed to fascinate
for a lifetime
yet, life has only begun
the rest is a bonus
more than frosting on a cake
more than pictures of past
its teeming, filling, growing, exchanging
and I can experience the rest
in anticipation- expectancy-
to give is to receive
- Linnea
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moon and waves
can i sit here again and be with you only?
will the “meanwhile” waves recede?
ive heard tide is mastered by the moon-
is it always the moon who turns it?
it would be a very different story if
the moon were pulled by the water
wouldn’t it?
how does one make the switch
from subject to standard
from lesser to greater
may grace shine and fear be dimmed
may his blood pour over wherever i have sinned
let darkness come into the light
and idols be taken out
if i can be so bold to ask
that my very life be so aligned with yours
i can never go back
may it be so
uproot, take hold
leave behind, and sow
i am your bond servant
may I never let you go.
now your people are mine
your ways my own.
there is nothing you have withheld from me
so I will give my whole self to you
your presence is now my bread
obedience my drink
all else falls below
spirit move and speak
i am now yours.
-Linnea
Draw Me Close
Find me here, find me broken
Brought low in surrender
May these fists full of ashes
Become beautiful in your time
When these eyes have become blind
Overcome by haunting lies
Restore my sight to see you, again
When this heart has fallen resigned
Overcome by sorrow and fear
Restore my heart to hope again
When the distance is mine
draw me near
When the mountain is me
move me near
Walk me through my darkness
Draw me close Lord
Never let me go
Draw me close Lord
You stay, always
Find me here, broken open
By your kindness and love
May these fists full of ashes
Become a sacrifice of praise
When You whisper in the night
the way I should go
You’re drawing me near, again
When your life-giving light
leads me to your presence
You’re holding me near, again
When the distance is mine
draw me near
When the mountain is me
move me near
Walk me through my darkness
Draw me close Lord
Never let me go
Draw me close Lord
You stay, always
As you break me open
You restore my soul
As you break me free
You restore my soul
As your healing oil flows
You restore my weary soul
When the distance is mine
draw me near
When the mountain is me
move me near
Walk me through my darkness
Draw me close Lord
Never let me go
Draw me close Lord
Till I stay, always
-Rebekah Bye
Loon Song
I heard a loon and in its lonely call,
I heard the cry of all who search for God Unknowingly;
His place within their hearts left desolate, Restless and forlorn and unaware
Of Him they seek.
I heard a loon and in its lonely call,
I heard the cry of God for all who stray and love the dark;
His Spirit ever yearning for the day Salvation dawns upon their Son-struck souls. Back home at last.
- Kathleen Schalla
I Kneel To You
I kneel to you
O God
It's you who takes
My hand
To rest on
Your salvation
Allows my soul
To stand
Satisfy my broken heart
let this marred man
finally mend.
Without Your presence
if two nights pass
My strength will
surely bend.
The shouts of us
Scream out you
And whispers do ascend
Accept them both
with gentle heart
and your kindness,
Gently send.
-Anonymous
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When Changes Are Made
A season of reflection,
time for change.
course correction,
choices made.
A quest for ancient spark
leaves others in dismay,
yet know that in tomorrow
there'll be nothing left to say.
No additional words
or unspoken phrase,
petitioning for breath
to stain an ivory page,
No supplement needed,
for herein I convey,
"This moment is forever,
and fleeting all the same."
Seeking all,
while running away,
was deceptive pleasure,
and paradoxical pain.
This secret inner torment
begged me but to stay–
I massacred it in its night,
and drug into the day.
With hope, I close a chapter,
turn from the salty spray,
strap into the pedals,
and strike out another way.
-Anonymous
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Keys of The Soul
Tired, old, and out of tune
Your shape beckons
Me to the room
Through gapped teeth-
A wise old grin-
Your creaking form
Begs me to begin.
You harbor tales,
Songs of my kin,
Secret melodies
Beneath my skin
Let us dance,
A primeval fight,
Resolving truth
Into the night.
Key by key,
A parry, my plight
The art of melody
To send words to flight
Expressing more
than words contain,
Your opulent variegation
Soothes the pain
Exploring dimensions,
Yet fighting in vain,
Like a holy fire
Burnt in the rain.
One is master,
Though I not him,
His wholeness faltering
Yet binding within..
A dreamers hope,
To slip something in.
Like a rhyme in a poem
Barely missed.
Dear auburn partner,
Oh ivory friend.
Be honest and able,
Dare not pretend.
Purport the world,
And to evil find end
Let's escape this disaster;
Wage a peaceful revenge.
Settled waters,
Understanding you lent;
A better tomorrow
From the places we went.
With heartfelt thanks,
My promise to come,
I entrust you unto
The morning sun...
-Anonymous
Back to the Beginning
Can we go back to the beginning;
When fear was introduced as a friend
When my voice fell to a silent scream
When dreams were crushed before they were realized
Restore my broken soul
Let me feel your healing touch
Create in me a new beginning
In your arms and in your love
In your light and in your blood
Can we go back to the beginning;
When you fashioned my heart in the hidden place
When my freedom wasn’t tamed by the shame and perfection
When the constancy of your love was woven into every breath
Mend my heart whole
Let me hear your healing song
Create in me a new beginning
In your arms and in your love
In your light and in your blood
Can we step into the beginning of my end
Will you break open my blindness to see
Will you rewrite your truth over lies
Restore my spirit to trust you completely
As I offer the sacrifice of my shattered soul
Set your truth deep in my heart
Breathe life into me again
To stand amazed
-Rebekah Bye
Ireland
On Graceful winds
Flowing, shifting, falling
Cascading shadows
On Landscape faces
Ever changing arrays
Slowly fading colors
turning the seasons
Majestic wrap-around expanse
Every bend, every cloud
Every breath
An overwhelming offering of beauty
The artist - the sculptor of this land
He molds mountain curves with Potter’s hands
He chisels paths in the valley
With streams of living water
Footprints among stones, leading
Echoes linger between cliffs and clouds
His breath moves the wind and waves
A skillful master at His canvas
He spreads color across the sky
Intricacies of a master’s brush
Open eyes to the heaven in wonder
Illuminating a resting place
beneath such majestic powers
A resting place for the living
A resting place for His heart
He fashions hearts of His children
He transfixes with the wonders of creation
for the sake of beauty
His smile warms with sun-kissed affection
Drawing near into deep communion
I am safe in these hands
Willing to traverse to the remote
Willing to find hidden solitude
My soul is satisfied in His song of creation
A Humbled heart-beat of peace
His graceful winds
Flowing, shifting, falling
Cascading shadows
His Landscape reveals
Ever changing arrays
Slowly fading colors
His turning the seasons
-Rebekah Bye