Wednesday, October 26, 2016

Color on the Mountain







COLOR ON THE MOUNTAIN


In this season of difficulty,
poetry saves me.  As does
color on the mountain. Everyone’s

favorite man, uncle, father, husband,
brother – has died. Why doesn’t the
whole world stop? The vacuum is
palpable!  Yet, on flows the water

in Brock Creek. And, how horrible
would it be if this world turned black
and white, or flat to honor the dying. If there
were no poetry, no laments.  Only positive

thinking and “Be strong; there is a
reason for everything,” no wrestling. 
Only sunrises. No mountains, merely

prairie, desert, and smooth lakes.  
How rough are ragged edges
and rugged steep climbs!  Yet, how dull
would this world be without Grace?  Not

the kind that is uncomfortable sitting
in messiness. Not the kind preaching:
“God only gives you what you can handle.”
Rather, Grace that dignifies pain, listens

without fixing or diminishing, without
pressure to move on. Such Graceful compassion
holds your hand while buzzards pick the bones.
While the storm rages and platitudes are handed

out like brownies. It witnesses with you, the
color on the mountain. Sits at the feet of all who 
mourn, rage, lament, laugh, or even
wrestle with angels. 



Dear Readers,

        I'm not sure what is happening!  (A poignant, lovely place to be, perhaps?)  In the pausing of my blog in August, I toyed with thoughts of writing poetry, leaned in actually and penned a few lines, but kept hesitating on the brink. Then suddenly life events catapulted me right over the edge and into the stream, causing a flow of words and lines that might be called 'raw,' unpolished poetry. This poem was written after the sudden death of my brother-in law, John David "JD" Landis, and is dedicated to his family. JD embodied God's grace.
         Back to poetry writing, I decided not to stand in the way of the flow. So, as it pours forth I hope you don't mind being invited along for the ride. May the grace of God, of love and compassion, accompany you, every season and every event. 

With love and joy in the midst,
Sharon

                         





July 2016 Landis family sibling/parents reunion at our farm. Last time all together with JD and Mary. 















6 comments:

  1. Keep letting it flow my sister, and keep posting. Writing birthed by pain, whether music, poetry or other forms is often that which most touches our souls.

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  2. Thanks so much for the encouragement, Dee. This one felt exhausting, like I bled some on the page.

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  3. I agree with Dee, Sharon! Is time to let you be you, in all its unpolished and rare beauty! ♡♡♡♡

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  4. Thanks, Elle. I will do my best to let it flow.

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  5. Beautiful! The raw written expressions of the heart, regardless of what the emotions are at the time, is precious! It's dignifying and celebrates the sanctity of all of life -- all that it is and that we experience! Yes, enter the flow...nothing is more healing to go there...the Divine ever present (!), and particularly right there with you in the most intimate way! Thank-you for sharing!

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  6. Thank you, catharus. I love the line 'dignifying and celebrates the sanctity of all of life." Yes, that is what I most desire - to honor my experiences and all others' too. Thanks for the encouragement.

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