Yesterday's Rain

The rain that fell a-yesterday is ruby on the roses,

     Silver on the poplar leaf, and gold on willow stem;

The grief that chanced a-yesterday is silence that encloses

     Holy loves when time and change shall never trouble them.

The rain that fell a-yesterday makes all the hillsides glisten,

     Coral on the laurel and beryl on the grass;

The grief that chanced a-yesterday has taught the soul to listen

     For whispers of eternity in all the winds that pass.

O faint-of-heart, storm-beaten, this rain will gleam tomorrow,

     Flame within the columbine and jewels on the thorn,

Heaven in the forget-me-not; though sorrow now be sorrow,

     Yet sorrow shall be beauty in the magic of the morn.

By Katherine Lee Bates

The Morning Walk

The early morning rise of sunlight

Gently entwines itself around my limbs;
Taking root deep within my eyes
Flowing fluid nourishment for my skin.

The early morning frame of earth
Gently entwines itself around my goal;
Taking it's brush of field and flower
Paints fluid colors upon my soul.

The early morning music of water
Gently entwines itself around my toes;
Taking unhurried paths within my mind
Flowing fluid nourishment for my growth.

The early morning scent of air
Gently entwines itself around my face;
Taking it's brush of wind and praise
Paints fluid thoughts of a Holy Place.

by Nathan Dunlap

Ascension Day,  May 29, 2005

    The Swing Man

Quicker that a cat snatching

Mice from a corncrib

I’m up on a limb

High where blue eggs are warmed

And squirrels glare at the

Invasion.

Watch!   Don’t get dizzy tilting

Your head back to see

This is a good limb

High where the air is clean

And the view!  You ought

To see it!

Like a spider that’s sliding

Down its web I go

Underneath the limb

High where no man has been

Since its creation

Don’t worry.

Braced to drill a hole, turning

The lag deep into

The flesh of the limb

High where inchworms will inch

And little acorns will grow

Little caps.

                                                                                                                                     

Hook the cable on diving

In slow motion down

I’m leaving this limb

High where leaves clap their hands

For joy of Him who

Made us both.

Tie on the rope attaching

A seat with a knot

Don’t be impatient kids!

I am almost done!

Tarzan himself

Would be impressed.

Take the leap of faith joining

The birds in their flight

Trust the limb go up

High where the wind can catch

Your laughter and bring

You new life.

Nathan Dunlap 9/19/98

    I wrote this poem to describe my experiences of helping Bill Anacker , “The Swing Man”,

 install swings while our family lived with and near Bill and Margaret in the late 1990’s.

                                 

Stay on Course

Far this country race extends.
Run with patience 'round each bend.
Though steep those shady hills ascend,
And days of darkness will ascend
In this alien land.
       Stay on course;
       Keep the faith.
       Seek the Lord
       In one accord.
For us awaits a resting place.
Stay on course with truth and grace.
Help your teammates run their race,
And bring them through the trials they face
In this alien land.
       Stay on course;
       Keep the faith.
       Love the Lord
       In one accord.
Out of sight there waits a prize.
Brace your time of pain and sighs.
Joy reforms our sure demise;
Rejoice, O pilgrim, the prophet cries
In this alien land.
       Stay on course;
       Keep the faith.
       Hope responds
       To life beyond.

by Julie Dunlap 5-5-2011

 

Love is Come Again

Now the green blade riseth from the buried grain,
Wheat that in dark earth many days has lain;
Love lives again, that with the dead has been:

       Love is come again,
       Like wheat that springeth green.

In the grave they laid Him, Love whom men had slain,
Thinking that never He would wake again,
Laid in the earth like grain that sleeps unseen:

Forth He came at Easter, like the risen grain,
He that for three days in the grave had lain,
Quick from the dead my risen Lord is seen:

When our hearts are wintry, grieving, or in pain,
Thy touch may call us back to life again,
Fields of our hearts that dead and bare have been.

by J.M.C. Crum  1872-1958

He is risen. He is risen indeed. Alleluia. God's blessing upon you this Easter.

Eyes of Faith

We gather 'round to sing
One morning bright in spring.
Palm branches wave and swing
All praises to the King of Kings.

Upon a donkey He doth ride;
Upon a foal He sits astride.
The lowly creature carries Christ -
His eyes with mine collide.

His eyes speak words of comfort;
They tell me I must persevere.
To keep the faith and trust His Word,
His silent message - this I hear.

As we proceed our praises ring,
Up front I see the King of Kings.
He holds the humble gifts we bring;
He offers hope this brightened spring.

by Julie Dunlap 4-19-2011

Seasons of a Treeman

Like a tree in the spring,
Blooming buds and signs of joy.
So were you, dear friend,
Putting joy in every girl and boy.

Like a tree in the summer,
Always giving fruit, delicious and sweet.
So were you, dear friend,
Always giving to those offbeat.

Like a tree in the fall,
Changing colors and adding beauty.
So were you, dear friend.
Changing lives and adding love.

Like a tree in the winter,
Dying out, ready for a new year.
So are you, dear friend,
Dead in flesh, alive in spirit,
Ready for a new life.

by Svetlana Dunlap 4-17-2011
in honor of Bill Anacker 12-8-1917 to 4-13-2011