I smiled with high delight, and gathered close
The limp grey weeds, the wilted dandelion...
And placed them all in water, in a vase
Upon the window sill to catch the shine!

I often think, Lord, this must be Your task
With prayers and deeds we bring to You each night,
How Poor and small they are, they fall so short!
And yet, how beautiful within Your sight.

To understand our aims, unworthy deeds ...
And bless the "flowers" shining through the weeds!

A full and final disclosure
Featuring the place of shadows
None are so blind
That they cannot kill with kindness.

 A man greatly beloved
On that day the world ended
A little sleep so lightly
Before the need to bear witness.

 Return of the conquering hero
Always requires the right kind of castle
A design for triumphant adventure
With the beast always in full view.

 The human-interest story
Is kept in the dusty unopened drawer
Escape to a changing perspective
Is right across the cosmic threshold.

 It was an amazing incident
In a very unusual life
Coming home to a door without a key
And a day of final reckoning.

 -- Submitted by David Soriano from Bradford, PA

God placed a song within my heart
With lyrics light and gay
But it was I who didn't sing
And turned the words to gray.

He made my feet to tap to music
With life in every step
But it was I who failed to dance
And thusly lost my pep.

It was he who placed the light
Within my heart and mind
But it was I who snuffed it out;
My song I failed to find.

May I learn to dance anew,
To sing a song of praise
And never fail to see the light
Beneath His glorious rays.

-- Submitted by Gloria Sarasin from Trinity, NC

-- Submitted by Sarah from Virginia

 A bird flew up to my window and sang me a song.
The melody was short, but the harmony was soft and long.

 The bird sang at my window, and voiced it loud and clear.
The tune seeped deep within my soul, I knew the Lord was near.

 A bird flew up to my window, and a song he did sing.
Blessed are those who obey the Lord....
For in heaven you shall have wings.

 A bird flew up to my window, he said before he flew away.
Hold to your convictions my friend....
You'll receive those wings one day....

  -- Submitted by Roberta M. Heck from Roosevelt, NJ

No use in arguing with those who have no clue
or trying to make them understand your point of view.
So let it rest!

 No use in turning lively discussions into a heated one
or turning road rage into murder with a gun.
So let it rest!

 No use in exchanging hurtful words or insults
or letting your blood pressure skyrocket as a result!
So let it rest!

 No use in stressing yourself out
or walking around mad or in a pout.
So let it rest!

 No use in worrying about what other think about you
or what they say.
Just continue walking and living in a spiritual way.
So let it rest!

 No use in trying to be what others want you to be
for the only one you have to prove anything to is God the Almighty
So let it rest!

 In God's hands are our problems and pests.
God knows and does what is best.
So in God, let it rest!

 -- Submitted by Monique Nicole Fox from Maryland

 In the sinister, secret darkness of the night,
Like a shadow shrouding all things pure and right,
Awaken to the Light.

 In the saving sunshine of the day,
Like a tassel woven without a fray,
Awaken to the Light.

 In the heavy hearts of all mankind,
Abuse and violence choke and bind,
Awaken to the Light.

 In the sanctified souls of servants of God,
Like a rainbow decorating every sod,
Awaken to the Light.

 In the material minds of those who harm,
Retreat in peace and then disarm,
Awaken to the Light.

 In the loving Light there is no dying,
Torn nations of children won't be crying,
Awaken to the Light.

-- Submitted by Floriana Hall from Akron, Ohio

 Like a thief in the night,
gathers this precious soul.
Without a single fight,
to make his body whole.

 The child God delivered,
he's now taken away.
Not a sound can be heard,
there's nothing he can say.

 Warm sunlight all around,
as peacefulness is felt.
My final home I've found,
the winning card is dealt.

 Don't shed a tear for me,
I don't want you to cry.
Fond memories the key,
while looking at the sky.

 I'm up here, looking down,
knowing how much you care.
Think of me as the clown,
when sorrow's hard to bear.

 I'll be with you always,
no matter where you'll be.
Happy thoughts fill your days,
"I love you all," from ME.

 -- Submitted by Rose Jenneman from Chetek, WI