Post #311

April 16, 2020

National Poetry Month

A Poem – a- Day

a GIFT from

Pennsylvania Author

Lynda McKinney Lambert

My poem for today is a “Pantoum Poem.”

I wrote this poem in 2013  –

This poem  is on page 115 in my new book –

Star Signs: New and Selected Poems, DLD Books. 2019.

 

“Pathway Through the Woods”

by Lynda McKinney Lambert

 

My dogs know the pathway through the woods

they voyage over several times a day

on the glowing ridge, above the slate-green creek

where my ancestors watched the shimmering waters.

 

They voyage over several times a day,

dig wet noses deep under flat winter leaves

where my ancestors watched the shimmering waters,

scratch down into rich soil; seek out morning news.

 

Dig wet noses deep under flat winter leaves

when wild geese gather to begin the mating season

scratch down into rich soil; seek out the morning news.

as the citrine bright sun plays shadow games with bare trees.

 

When wild geese gather to begin the mating season

they shout an alarm, break the stillness of April’s dawn

as the citrine bright sun plays shadow games with bare trees.

We leap over abandoned gray branches

 

They shout an alarm, break the stillness of April’s dawn

the dogs sniff the breeze for current information

we leap over abandoned gray branches

criss-cross over the ancient valley path.

 

The dogs sniff the breeze for current information

gather gossip from crows flying through the woods

criss-cross over the ancient valley path.

Our morning journey changes with the seasons.

 

Gather gossip from crows flying through the woods

after the final snowfall has disappeared.

Our morning journey changes with the seasons

as we walk together in the luminous morning.

 

After the final snowfall has disappeared

on the glowing ridge, above the slate-green creek

as we walk together in the luminous morning,

my dogs know the pathway through the woods

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Listen to Lynda Lambert reading this poem!

 

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Lynda McKinney Lambert.

Copyright 2013, 2019, 2020. All rights reserved.

“Pathway Through the Woods,”

Published in Saar Signs: New and Selected Poems, DLD Books, 2019. Page 115.

Todays poem and voice recording is through the courtesy of Lynda McKinney Lambert, Pennsylvania Author and Visual Artist.

Poetry and Photography by Lynda McKinney Lambert.

Copyright, April 16, 2020. All rights reserved.

My bio & books

 

It is my pleasure to share

a little piece of my world –

The Village of Wurtemburg,

in western Pennsylvania. 

Post #309

April 14, 2020

National Poetry Month

A Poem – a- Day

a GIFT from

Pennsylvania Author

Lynda McKinney Lambert

 

 

 

Today, I am sharing an inspirational poem I wrote in 1999.

Wow, that seems like such a long time ago.

I was reading the Psalms in the Bible. For some of the Psalms, I wrote a series of poems based on the inspirational messages I found.

Today’s poem was inspired by Psalm 33 –

_

“The Joy of the Artist”

 

 

 

Let every artist create work that is filled with joy and praise for the Lord!

We were created to praise him with our hearts and our hands.

 

Musicians! Play your instruments for his glory.

Write new songs to bring praise and joy to the Lord.

 

Poets! Let the Lord give you the words that will always be just right.

You can trust him to do that for you.

The Lord understands the power of the spoken word.

Remember, he only spoke the word aloud,

and there was such creative power in that expression

that the entire universe took form.

Heavens, stars, galaxies, oceans – all of it.

All because of the expressive, creative power in a word.

Creative people in the world!

Realize your own potential and stand in awe of our Master Creator.

He spoke, and our entire world began – a reality!

It appeared in response to his spoken command.

 

Our best news is that he has a plan for us that will be for us alone.

Forever!

We can see his intentions for us throughout the generations.

He hasn’t changed his plan at all.

 

Artists! We are blessed by the Lord.

The Lord chose to give us our talent and gifts.

He keeps his eye on us though he sometimes seems so far away.

The abilities we have are skills that he gave us from his own heart.

He continues to watch over our work closely as we create in our studios.

 

The strength of the artist is not to be found in the best equipment

available or in the finest of artist’s materials.

Not even in the physical power of our own bodies.

 

Our strength will come to us as we recognize that

the Lord’s gaze is forever on us, and when we put

our trust in loving him alone.

 

We will be successful in our work, even

when things are not so good in the economy of our land.

We will continue to depend on the Lord because it is he

who will help us, protect us, and surround us with the safety we need.

 

Is it any wonder that when people look at artists, we appear to be so happy?

It is because we are set free to be his children.

It is from him that we learn to trust and use our gifts.

God’s love surrounds us while we stand at our easels,

pull our prints from the press, knead the balls of clay,

weld the steel, play the chords of our instruments, or write the words of our poems.

 

Today I will trust you enough to use the creative endowments you gave me,

Lord.

While making art, I will find that my hope remains in you alone.

 

Ceramic Wall Piece by Lynda McKinney Lambert

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Courtesy of Lynda McKinney Lambert, Pennsylvania Author and Visual Artist.

Poetry and Photography by Lynda McKinney Lambert.

Copyright, April 14, 2020. All rights reserved.

My bio & books

 

 

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You may also enjoy this review of my new book,

Star Signs: New and Selected Poems, DLD Books 2019.

Robbie Cheadle’s Review  of Lynda’s new book – Star Signs: New & Selected Poems

about a wide variety of different topics that are grouped together under the following four sections which indicate their overarching theme: Lights Across the Sky, Distant Legends & Metaphors, Transmutation of Earthy Elements and Seasons, Days and Years.

The poet’s use of language is rich and theatrical as is illustrated by the following short extracts:
“Accomplishments seem possible
before dawn
concentric choices are unlimited”

“The lively sonata of midday skies
responds to the muted notes of night skies.
Time is temporal. Immeasurable.”