I have walked among you*
some dozen years now
learned your faces
know your voices
can call your names
I’ve heard you speak your passions
seen you walk the lines
of reaching out to help
I know your heart to serve
Together, we have sought out wisdom
invited in, listened to and questioned
the best and brightest in the land
who ply themselves to understand
Together, too, we’ve helped to build
I’ve seen your courage
know your metal
watched you taking action
change, adapt our middle name
lead is what it’s about
Walking together
speaking our passions
searching out wisdom
changing, adapting, acting
we’ll challenge the mountains
and by God’s grace move them…
My best to you!
*In accepting ICCTA’s Ray Hartstein Trustee Achievement Award,
Lin Warfel quoted from his own poem “I have walked among you”
Living Love
I’ve read of it in books
Other people know about it
books tell their stories
I know a piece of love
I’ve seen some people wear it
they move in gracious ways
blessing those around them
I know a piece of love
I’ve heard the songs proclaim it
men, women, using words
that circle round about it
each age bricks and mortar
strange walls go up
strong, yet allowing passing through
All through life a building
marriage, children, grandchildren
caring for parents
Just when one reaches the top
looking back we see
creation is speaking through the times
For God so loved the world
that he gave his only son
that whoever believes in him
shall not perish
but have eternal life*
Lin 04/09
*John 3:16
Hats Off…
when farmers gather, ponder
Ever notice a row of signs
along a field of corn?
Company names
in bright catching colors
with numbers and letters all different
A closer look
shows some differences
in height or breadth or color
They’re different hybrids
the result of skills
applied to ‘make it better’
The latest offerings
on display
for farmer’s choice, selection
Just last eve
I attended a session
where company offerings were touted
Their very best
all growing nicely
preached about to us
Me, and my fellow farmers
The study done,
we marched to a tent
where good food was awaiting
A smiling crew
all prepared
to fee the hungry fellows.
And then it happened
a moment so choice
poignant to be certain
“Let’s have a blessing”
said our host
and the caps came off
just like that.
No one said
take off your hats
No one said
bow your heads
the heads went down
work seasoned hands were folded
Boys and young lads
dads and grandpas
as one joined in the quiet
A simple prayer was offered.
I love those people
I’m one of them
Oh yes, we have some questions,
but we know whom
we have believed
and who is able
to keep that
which we’ve committed
against that day.
We know
His eye is on the sparrow
we know
He watches us
We walk in His shadows
we walk in His light
Day after day
throughout our lives
we live in deep communion
We are small
and we know it
He transcends
and He shows it
Yes, our hats come off
for those moments
and then come back on
There’s work to do
and we’ll do it
Enjoy your food
the best the world has known
It’s waiting there for you
Savor the Father
and the Son
the best the world has known
they’re waiting, patiently,
for you….
Lin 08/09
Music for the Soul
about the season ‘wonderfull’
Bach and Brahms and Mendelsohn
King of Kings, and Lord of Lords
Forever, forever, forever
Silent Night, Holy Night…
So many artists
putting their arms around what happened
stretching, stretching, stretching
to reach a tiny baby
put it in perspective….
So here we are
two thousand years passing
putting our arms around what happened
and wondering
Wandering?
Ah, a song about that too!
I go for the wonder!
The awesome human attempts
to re-create the wonder, the majesty
that came to us
to each one who looks up
to each one with room at their ‘in’
to stretch, to reach
and put our arms around Him
much too small
Like our grand daughter
who tries to put her little arms around me
laughing and loving
full of life, she tries,
but relies on me
to swoop her up
and put my arms around her
Then she can put her arms
around my neck and squeeze
holding tight
“I love you grandpa!”
So we come to God, this season
knowing we’re too small
And God knowing
sent the baby
we can put our arms around
and begin
to know a bit of God….
Merry Christmas, Lin 09
Lady
Indeed
Some are mountain top experiences
One leaps to mind, for those who love Him,
Jesus
Another word has grown as I have
that would be the title ‘Lady’
Sure, she can be a queen
but the word is much larger, not confined
held captive by parentage, nobility
and, Sure,
“In the beginning, He created them.
Male and female he created them.
In His own image, He created them.”
Lady brings together
beauty
mystery
complexity
class
poise
female
and often, mother
although they have their ways
Gentleman is welcomed too,
but Lady deserves a pause, reflection
for what she brings to us
She softens the world
sculpting away sharp edges
her hands, her touches,
her knowing looks
smiles and frowns
and questioning expressions
link us to still waters
green pastures
home
And then,
Praise God from whom all blessings flow,
she has a baby!
Lift your glass with me
to give a toast to those
who rise so high and stay there:
“Lady”!
Lin 10/2011
Hand in Hand
as a little lad
my hand captured in mom’s
No doubt, no hesitation
I was ‘in good hands’…
City streets
streaming traffic
mom and I on the curb
Her hand tight on mine
I was her prize
but you know what?
She was mine…too!
I just hadn’t thought about it yet
Years in passing
teen years came
and a girl became a girl
Beautiful smile
energetic lass
could run and throw and catch
but a switch was thrown
and things were different
one day I held her hand
others giggled
LW + JB
she smiled
a surprise coke date
a lady become someone special
very special
and more special
offered her hand to mine
as long as life shall last
The proffered hand
unfettered, free
has value off the scale
mothers hand, fathers hand,
lover forever’s hand
The hand of God, hovering over us
And along came Jesus, man
a hand to children
to friends
to all who come to Him
reaching out
becoming closer than a brother
becoming father and mother
walking with us
holding our hand, always
Albrecht Durer’s sculpted hands
betende hande
symbol of giving, done
May our hands, my hands,
do as well
Take my hand?
Lin 1/2011