Poetry

“Know When to Fold ’em”

/ pastorpete51 / 7 Comments 
For a dream cometh through the multitude of business; and a fool's voice is known by multitude of words. Ecclesiastes 5:3 KJV

“Keep it simple stupid.” was the phrase our professors used when explaining how to teach the high school students that awaited us upon graduation. Though I didn’t teach for long, I quickly learned just how true that was. Keeping it short when writing poetry (and preaching) also matters., and might be best explained by Kenny Rodgers in his song, The Gambler”,

“You’ve got to know when to hold ’em” (Grab the reader with the opening lines), “know when to fold ’em,” (edit ruthlessly,) “Know when to walk away,” (Know when to say amen!) “And know when to run!” (Once you’ve done your best, move on.) I certainly haven’t always adhered to these rules, and occasionally a longer presentation is worthwhile. But on the other hand, I have also discovered that editing poetry can be a lot like the day in shop class when I cut each table leg shorter until I had a table fit for kindergarteners! I lots of other illustrations I wanted to use but, I’ve got to run!

Here in my newest verse, and I hope a decent example of today’s class. To you guys sitting in the back and just doodling in your workbook, you’ll need to, stay after school for detention! Blessings all. 

Just Gently Sings

A sparrow who is hungry
Needs no bread to borrow
Nor earthly kings

The raven in the meadow
Without fear of tomorrow
Lifts up his wings

And mockingbird in morning
Who knows not of our sorrow
 Just gently sings

"Just Gently Sings"
by Peter Caligiuri
Copyright 2024
All rights reserved

Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds! 
Luke 12:24 ESV



Mysterious Melodies

/ pastorpete51 / 2 Comments 
My mind is filled with memories
From the days and miles, I’ve run
Like aging stacks of photographs
Of people loved now gone

And yet each dawn comes once again
A song of hope and grace
That tells me I have one more lap
To finish in This race

And sings mysterious melodies
In rhythms still to learn
That teach my feet to keep in step
Along His path to home

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, Hebrews 12:1 ESV

Mysterious Melodies
By Peter Caligiuri
Copyright © 2024
All rights reserved

Abiding After the Storm

/ pastorpete51 / 2 Comments 
When the rain was raging
And the storm knocked at my door
Abiding meant still resting
In God’s Word and nothing more

After hours of cleanup
In the sunset’s fading light
Abiding was still walking
On with Christ throughout the night

In the middle of destruction
With debris now piled deep
Abiding is still trusting
God our hearts will daily keep!

Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, 
neither can you, unless you abide in Me. 
John 15:4 NKJV

Abiding After the Storm
by Peter Caligiuri
Copyright © 2024
All rights reserved

Author's note: Though we personally were spared during this storm, many of our friends were caught in the worst of it. What little ways we are able to help, barely make a dent in the work that lies ahead, but as God's family we are trusting Him to get us through this together.