Sunday, June 28, 2020

Simple Truths

Poetry...
Image credit: theconversation.com

SIMPLE TRUTHS

After reading my poems
the woman said that I am deep.

If she meant obscure,
obscurity is what I rail against,
but if she meant
the poems brought her
to a new depth
in her own perception,
then, praise God,
from my Bic
flowed
molten gold.

I yearn to be a poet
of God’s heart,
conveying Truth
in fresh simplicity,
not abstractions
that people scan
with screwed-up faces
then set aside,
untouched.

I want to write
as the shepherd/king,
letting the Spirit
guide my pen.

When the page
is put down,
perhaps
revelation
will flash
God’s glorious
guiding Light,

perhaps
gold dust
will sparkle
on fingertips.

Maude Carolan



FREE VIRTUAL EXHIBITION ONLINE...
The St. Catherine of Bologna Patron of the Arts Festival of the Arts is now accessible, virtually, online to celebrate 21 years of Art, Photography & Poetry. My poem, "Needing a Miracle, Like Jairus" is one of the featured poems. The event is free of charge. To access, go to: www.StCathArts.org. Enjoy!

Saturday, June 20, 2020

Happy Father's Day to All the Daddies...

Here's an old story (in poetry)
about the fireplace my father built
in our backyard in West Paterson, NJ.


Remembering my father, Frank H. Walsh
on Father's Day...

My parents, Frank & Frances Longo Walsh
and baby Maude at my first Christmas in 1944.


OUR BACKYARD FIREPLACE

While camping along a river
in the Catskills with our family
during the 1950’s
Dad constructed a small rock dam
along the riverbank
to hold back enough water
to keep our beverages icy cold

We sat upon some of those river rocks
and dangled our feet
in the swiftly flowing mountain water
watching silvery minnows
maneuver around our toes

So many smooth grey rocks
gave my father an idea, so
when we were getting ready to leave
and the station wagon was packed
with all our equipment
Dad loaded every empty crevice
of the vehicle with as many rocks
as it could possibly hold

To vacate the campground
it was necessary to drive
across the river over
a creaky old covered bridge
Dad wasn’t at all sure the bridge
was strong enough
to permit the crossing
of our rock-laden station wagon
(which must have weighed
as much as an armored tank)

He told Mom and us kids
to walk across the bridge
then he slowly and carefully
with chassis nearly scraping ground
drove successfully across

Back home, Dad used those rocks
to build a backyard fireplace
which became the gathering place
for family and neighbors
centered around spectacular
blazes on warm summer nights

We roasted hot dogs and potatoes and
corn-on-the-cob and threaded marshmallows
on sticks and toasted them till they were charred
We sang, “Michael, Row the Boat to Shore”
and every camp song we could remember
and tossed woodchips into the fire
to watch the sparks fly

Once the fire blazed so high
someone from a block away
called the West Paterson Fire Department
and long red fire trucks, sirens blaring
pulled up in front of our house
Dad got a warning, squelched the flames
and offered the firemen hot dogs and beer

Many favorite memories were kindled
while swatting mosquitos
collecting fireflies in jars
watching our marshmallows burn to a crisp
under shooting sparks and stars
and summer moons
around that river rock fireplace
on Jackson Avenue
so many years ago

Maude Carolan Pych

Sunday, June 14, 2020

It's a Beautiful Day for a Walk...

Skylands Manor State Park
Ringwood, New Jersey

Photo credit: trover.com

THE LOOP

I walk the Loop at Skylands, with Jesus Christ, my Friend,
telling how it is with me and what remains to mend,

confess to Him my failures and share sweet victories too,
knowing my Lord, so well aware, knows me through and through.

I tell what I rejoice in, of those I hope He’ll heal,
those who need salvation and about the ones who feel

life’s not what they expected, or that it is not fair...
I give the burdens to my Friend; leave them in His care.

At peace with my Companion, we stroll around a bend;
I tell Him I love Him with a love that will not end;

He tells me that He loves me, I’m precious in His sight...
I know my Jesus means it, which is my heart’s delight.

Sunrays filter through the oaks and warm me as we walk
past the shady Turtle Pond, where we resume our talk.

I praise Him for creation, the flowers and the trees,
fauna scampering here and there, the butterflies, the bees...

I thank Him for the sunshine, the pond and for the frogs,
turtles sunning on the rocks and chipmunks in the logs.

Then, finally, I get quiet and only hear my steps
and nature sounds around me; I reach into the depths

of my very inner being and listen to His voice
speak gently to my spirit; I feel my soul rejoice!

His still small voice continues along the wooded path;
encouragement He offers, sweet mercies, never wrath.

When our stroll’s completed, my spirit feels refreshed
from wondrous time together, our union tightly meshed.

What a blessing my Holy God cares enough to spend
precious time walking Skylands Loop, talking with His friend!

Maude Carolan

Sunday, June 7, 2020

Revive Us, Oh Lord!

Oh Lord...If Ever We Have Needed You
We Need You Now...

At my congregation, Beth Israel Worship Center, Wayne, NJ,
We are praying for Revival, like never before.
Join us...

Image credit: brettowen.org


REVIVE US, DEAREST JESUS ll
My Prayer for Revival in America

The morning sun is streaming in as I prepare to pray
recalling what my pastor said in his word to us one day.
He spoke of the time we live in and of people losing faith,
of disregard for God’s Holy Word, and an increase in hate.

Many churches are closing or the Gospel gets watered down,
there’s disrespect for spiritual things and God is made a clown.
My pastor said he’s burdened; therefore he’s asking us to pray
for a nationwide revival; hope for all who’ve gone astray.

Oh, my dear Lord Jesus, You were born to save us, this I know,
and by Your death upon the Cross, You conquered the evil foe.
I know Your desire is that none be lost, that’s my desire, too,
therefore, I am humbly on my knees and crying out to You,

to reveal to all who know You, Lord, the need to repent.
Point us back to Your Holy Cross and why Your Blood was spent.
America must turn back to You, and live our lives Your way.
Oh! Let there be revival here.  Let us see it in our day!

We must have sorrow for our sins, and confess those sins to You.
We need to call upon Your Name, and then be Born Anew.
Through Your amazing grace and love, there’ll be splendors in store
and by Your Resurrection, we will have life forevermore!

May multitudes flock unto You, countless as grains of sand.
May churches fill up with faithful folks all across our land.
May dusty Bibles be opened and hearts abound with love.
Lord, I’m sending my morning prayer, straight to Your throne above.

O Savior, You are worthy to receive our honor and praise.
Draw the backsliders; draw the lost, to walk in all Your ways—
Revive! Revive us, Jesus! I long to see what You will do
in answer to this earnest prayer…all glory belongs to You!

Maude Carolan Pych