This post — like summer — is a break from my normal format. Inspired by the events mentioned in my previous post, Grace like Rain, I have written a poem.

I don’t consider myself to be an amazingly-insightful poet. I’m more of a story-teller, though I enjoy playing with rhyme (as evidenced by my children’s books). However, a writing friend of mine shared a poetry contest which allows the submission of poems published on personal Substacks.

So, having fixed some of the capitalization issues (unfortunately AFTER having submitted to the contest … shoot!), here is my poem. I hope you enjoy it.

Grace Like Rain

Bird seeks nest anticipating

Fog condensed precipitating

Deep dark rumbles over plain

White fire flashes now, again

Torrents curtain, shroud the mounts

Rivers stream from heaven’s founts

Plinking, plunking, pelting drops

Fade to misty kisses, stops

Sprinkling joy, the colors bend

Across the sky at storm clouds’ end

Dripping light refracting red

Blue, green, violet overhead

Summons tale of Noah’s flood

God saves globe for He is good

Dependent creatures all partake

Transparent kindness from their Maker

But

Until I buried seeds in earth

I never knew the rain’s true worth

Miracles go undetected

Underground where sight’s deflected

Drips which might make one complain

Course upwards through a green plant’s vein

Leading to a harvest great

In beauty for the eye or plate

Yet in seasons bare and dry

When farmer quakes at barren sky

Grass turns brown and parched things die

Our limits we cannot deny

Though we seek to rule the land

The weather we cannot command

Clods crack craving slaking thirst

Loss is real and waiting hurts

Pray provision, hope grows weary

Is trust true or only theory?

But

Even when the growth is straining

Holy Spirit is sustaining

It is only in the dust

Seeds break free from mortal husk

Drinking goodness, deepening root

Grow to see new life bear fruit

Not unlike our earthly lots

For all who live lie down in plots

One day His seeds shall likewise sprout

From musty beds with eager shout

And join all saints with their refrain

God gives us grace, His grace like rain

P.S. I hope you like the family photos! The London shot is from our family summer vacation a couple years ago. If you look closely in the first rainbow photo, you can see my two emus standing next to my house.