Archive for November 2016
I watch clouds turn dark and ominous
as the season changes in the high country here.
Our camp fire crackles in the crisp autumn air,
and a whistling sound like a distant water’s flow
builds with intensity across mountain slopes.
Trees shed their coverings as gusty winds blow
leaving dry beds of pinecones and needles on the ground.
The front moves in and wildlife hunker down.
Dusk falls, temperatures drop, ice crystals form.
A dusting of snow glistens on the peaks.
We wait the coming storm.
_______________
Joyce E. Johnson (2016)
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Trail Ridge road in Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado, (12,000 ft. + elevation) photo credit: Joyce E. Johnson
The road I travel; it is not my own,
for the road I travel I don’t travel alone.
There is one who walks with me
wherever it leads, whatever befalls.
My path though not straight and winding it be
around the corners in life He leads.
Though storms may come, and
the challenges great; He walks beside me,
and I shan’t turn back, for oft will I feel
arms lifting me up in tender embrace,
and I’ll not worry what hampers my way.
The pebbles; they scatter,
and the winds grow still.
For with Him I’ll not wonder
who leads, but follow.
_________________
Joyce E. Johnson (2016)
Footnotes: I took the above photo of my husband and dog walking along the road on Trail Ridge Road in Rocky Mountain National Park, above Estes Park, Colorado. At the time I took this photo this section of road was closed for the Winter season. We parked at a pull out and walked around the closed gate and up the road some before the expected snow storm forecast for the following day. The photo was my inspiration for this poem. I am so thankful and grateful that whatever happens in my life God is always with me in every situation in life, whatever I do and wherever I go I am covered under His grace. I wish everyone out there a very Happy Thanksgiving Day holiday.
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The helmet, gun and boots of a fallen soldier from the U.S/ Vietnam War, 1955-1975. Behind is the traveling Vietnam war memorial wall with the names of 56,000 + fallen U.S. soldiers who fought and died in this war. The original larger wall is located in Washington D.C. The traveling wall here is smaller and shown around the U.S. on Veterans day and Memorial day holidays. We have seen both the original wall in Washington D.C., and traveling wall seen here in northern Colorado. Photo credit: Joyce Johnson.
I see news clips and stories
of protests and crowds
marching in streets, their hearts
full of hatred, anger and strife.
And I think, What kind of country
have we become, that they cannot be thankful
for having such freedom and having such a life?
Are we not a great country who fought to secure
our rights and our freedoms
so they could endure?
What we all hold dear and strive to protect
so they could burn or trample on our flags?
Our symbol of strength, what men fought for, and died.
God, help this nation to honor and reflect
what is good, and what is right,
to put aside their differences
and rise above hate
that can only destroy, not ever unite.
___________________
Joyce E. Johnson (2016)
To all those veterans out there, today, I want to say
thank you so much for your service, what you gave up to serve,
so we can enjoy our freedoms and rights.
God, bless our America and our veterans, today.
Happy Veterans Day!
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I took this photo of the U.S. capitol building while on a trip to Washington, D.C. many years ago., photo credit; Joyce E. Johnson
Whomever wins, whoever leads
however they reign from helm or tower
I won’t question, I won’t complain,
because I know there is One who
rules from a higher place of power,
and all, in His hands.
He will reign forever, supreme above all;
creator, master of the universe,
my father, God.
It is in Him I place my trust.
_____________________
Joyce E. Johnson (2016)
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Reflections 