365. New

The end of a year brings laughter and tears.

The end of the year reminds us of fears.

The year's end brings gratitude, joy, and remorse.

We take time to reflect: did I stay on course?

This last year is over with New Year's dawn.

The past is behind us. We're not where we've gone.

The new year brings with it excitement and glee.

For with this new year blooms this new life in me.

364. New Year

Fireworks burst in the skies above

While we are surrounded below with love.

As this year passes into the new

What is the goal that you will do?

363. Kung Fu Dino Express

"You're a Panda? He's a Panda!"

Said the long, green Sinclair.

"Get stuck in a hailstorm? 

I'm not hiking there.

But Uno and Settlers 

are great games to play.

Let's watch an old movie 

Or eat ice cream today!"

So the dinosaur friends 

gathered nightly all year.

And though we are parted

I still hold them dear.

362. Oh The Weather Outside is Frightful

It's eighty degrees and hot in this house.

Not a creature is stirring: Not even a mouse.

Without even a snowflake can Christmas be charming? 

Who knew that December could be so warming?

Tomorrow is coming and with it a freeze,

Cause two days after Christmas it's now forty degrees.

361. Oil to Your Soul

The lamp of the soul is vessel vast

With walls like a sponge in a fire cast

It soaks up the sun and the dark as well

It shrinks with great fear, but with triump will swell.

Oh, with virtue and goodness, oil your lamp,

So your soul will be mighty ams not stink with the damp.

360. After-Christmas Blues

Yesterday was Christmas

The fun is over now

The lights are gone

The trees are out

The fat man took a bow

But now that Christmas ended

My daughter is a mess

There's no more presents

No more joy

Her heart is in distress 

So now she has to wait again

Three-sixty-four days more

Til presents come

And she'll have fun

Ditching cookies at your door

359. Christmas Gift

A gift you Him we all must give

A better life we all must live

For there is nothing here on earth

That's greater than the Savior's birth

358. Twelfth Day of Christmas

Tonight I come into this world to save mankind.

My mother waits for me

My Father sends to thee

And soon we will be three

I see my mother crying out in pain.

She hopes for rest but there's no room for her. 

Her husband tries an inn and tries again.

But all the rooms are taken by Caesar.

They look around. A stable they can stay.

With cows, with donkeys, and with sheep tonight.

The floor is dirt and simple scattered hay.

They have only a lantern for their light.

And yet they go for Mother needs relief.

My time is come. I must go down to Earth.

The time is now for all those with belief.

Tomorrow is the day of my first birth.

I come to save mankind and all who live.

I bring the greatest gift of all to give.

This being born is very strange. I feel all sorts of squished. 

This air inside my lungs is cold, and feels so much emptier. 

But there's my mother. I know her voice. I'm safe here on her arms.

My mother looking down at me.

Her husband, Joseph, too.

And there are others standing 'round.

This world: white, black, and blue.

The shining of those lights above.

This cold wind on my face.

This world is dear and new to me.

It's worth my saving grace.

This world is big

It smells so strange

So many things to see

My mother

Joseph

All around

Everyone is watching me

Joining this world

Eternity starts

Savior of mankind

Under the star

Shining so bright

Baby. Bethlehem. Bright. Bringing. Boy

Time evermore

Once fallen was man

Our Lord is born

Saved once again

One bright night.

Delivered by Mary by donkeys well shod

Lays the wee baby, the dear Son of God

The first Christmas night

Comes the son of the highest

Jesus Christ our Lord

357. Eleventh Day of Christmas

I am the maiden, Mary.

I did the Christ Child carry.

He saved the world so wary.

I had not known a man before that day 

The angel came and spoke this word to me.

"You are with child. The Lord is on his way.

Our lord has chosen you. Oh blessed be."

"This cannot be, for I am pure as light.

My body is mine own. No other shares.

And yet if what you say is true and right,

Please let this be. I'll take on me His cares."

And so I sit here, virgin great with child.

Returning to be husband yet to be.

I must approach him, hesitant and mild.

I only hope he'll see the light in me.

My death or life is in his hands to choose.

I pray to God he will his good heart use.

I come to Joseph with hands trembling.   He can have me killed for this. 

This babe I carry is the Savior. I am a virgin still. 

He reaches for my hand with care. My life is spared this day.

This carpenter of Nazareth

Has brought me to his home.

I pause and take a quiet breath.

I am no more alone.

This Joseph is companion sweet.

He cares. He shows concern.

With understanding we now meet.

Our living he will earn.

The child is the Lord

Sent from heaven

To save the world

I'll do my best to raise him

My child.

My baby.

The son of prophecy

Mother 

Always

Remembers

You

Sacrifice. Spirit. Soul. Serene. Sent.

He comes tonight and yet there is

No place for us sleep.

"How can this be? My Lord, prepare

A place for me," I weep."

Pain. Push. Plead.

My son is here. This little light

Has brought me warmth on this dark night.

Prophecies foretell

The sacrifice he will make

For now he is mine

356. Tenth Day of Christmas

Oh how is this strange thing to come to pass?

This woman whom I've found myself betrothed

Is found with child but never was a lass

So pure as she and never was she loathed.

Yet here she is, her belly round and wide.

A growing babe is there within her womb.

We have not come together side by side.

It is my right to send her to her tomb.

But this is Mary! Hearken, oh my heart. 

She says she's known no man. Can this be true?

If she has spoken truth, what is my part?

To raise the Son of God, what can I do?

What will the village think if we are wed?

How can I take this woman to my bed?

An angel of the lord has come. He told me that Mary is true. 

His message spake truth to my soul. Can I ignore these great words? 

No, Mary and I shall be married. We will raise up God's son.

Mary, my love, I believe you.

An angel came in the night.

He told me I must never leave you.

We will bring the world this light.

Let no others say you slighted.

I'm here for you, here at your side.

Let no others say we are blighted.

We will follow the Lord as our guide.

My wife

Her child

The son of the almighty God

This is how we start our family

A carpenter, I?

How shall I teach Him?

What can He learn?

Justice, they call

Only her fall

Safety can I give

Edges of stones

Pelting her bones

Her life she must live

Honor. Humility. Honesty. Hope. Husband.

The baby is coming

There's no room to stay

What place can there be

For our baby to lay?

Kind. Wise. Care.

Protect him I must

From death into dust

Weariness and pain

He helped deliver the Son

The second father

355. Ninth Day of Christmas

The son of the highest is coming. His reign will bring peace. 

His birth we proclaim through the night skies. Peace on earth is now here. 

Hallelujah is our trumpet. Glory to God we proclaim. 

There is no darkness here

That can stifle our joy.

The Lord, the Messiah

Brings peace to enjoy.

Oh, Hark! He is coming.

A Savior is born.

The light he is bringing.

Let no man be torn.

With cries in the night

We light the sky

Heaven is open

Peace

Good Will is come

Come forth and worship

The Son of God

All around the shepherds

Night is broken my song

Glory to God

Enlightening throng

Listen to our voices

Singing no wrong

All Around Angels Alight Announcing.

 

Let no man ignore us

Rejoice at His coming

Triumphant we call out

The Lord, He is loving

Light. Song. Joy.

We proclaim the joy of God

Is here at last humbly shod

The Christ child is here

Go worship and adore Him

Messiah is come

354. Eight Day of Christmas

The night was dark. The sky was clear.

All around me sheep to shear.

Sweet soft the breeze did touch my face

As gentle as my mother's lace.

I only could lay back and listen

While above the stars did glisten.

But in the darkness light once broke

And all around a deep voice spoke.

Fear not

For unto you this day

A child 

One innocent and pure

The holy one of God

An angel spake

He comes

So brightly beamed the skies around

Hallelujah was the sound

Eternal glory sung to me

Precious child, go and see.

Holy one so innocent

Earthly born but heaven sent

Rapture for the world to feel

Dancing through the air bells peal

Stunning. Silence. Sweet. Savior. See.

We with our herds went quickly there

To see the babe that Mary bear.

So quietly he lay to rest

That little baby heaven blessed.

Praise. Bow. Sing. 

For nothing sweeter than the sound

Of angels singing all around.

Angels singing loud

Hallelujah is their song

A Savior is born

353. Seventh Day of Christmas

They came to my door

Begging for shelter

I had nothing

To spare

The woman

The man

A cold night followed

In the bustle around me

Noise filled the air

Nothing could drown the sound

Knock. Knock.

Ear-splitting cries

Everyone here

Paying tribute to Caesar

Every room taken

Rome pays the bills

Full. Frustrated. Food. Fear. Fighting.

There is no more room

Like there in your womb

We cannot fit more

Try another door

No more room

If I could help you I would

But my neighbor should

You cannot come in

There is no more room tonight

There is my stable

352. The Sixth Day

Curiosity overcomes

Any fears I have

This little child is sweet

Curious. Creeping. Cold. Caring. Cuddling. 

The child silently lies.

The cold is creeping in.

I hear the whimpering cries.

Don't worry. I'm coming in.

Lie. Watch. Warmth.

I curl around my tail

This young one is so frail.

Two bodies. One size.

This manger bed I will share

Let me lend you warmth

351. Fifth Day of Christmas

Donkey. Dust. Deliver. Duty. Drive.

I carry the woman swollen with child.

We strive through the plant life, tangled and wild.

Before us the city of David awaits

Beckoning with it's welcoming gates.

Bare. Hold. Help.

The child inside carries a light

A light that will shine for more than one night

A burden carried

For one young and full of life

I helped the Christ child

350. Fourth Day of Christmas Writing

Silently I watch the lady

Protectively I guard the baby

Waiting for the little cry 

That I dream will fill the sky.

Sit. Watch. Guard.

I hover here above the child

Guarding one so meek and mild

I hum a low sound

Soothing ears of one noble

The ox watches on

349. Third Day of Christmas

Sheep sit still

Glory of the star

Coming from afar

Watching the night sky

Listening to the voices

Of angels above

348. Second Day of Christmas

We watched for the sign

We knew it was time

Wise men are we three 

Traveling across the dunes

Bringing precious gifts

347. First Day Haiku

The wisemen followed

Shining brighter than before

One star above Him

346. Nonsense Time

Fiddlesticks and falderal 

Nonsense hokey poke

Whatsicalleds and thingamabobs

Holy flippin smokes

345. Janey Goes to the Moon

I want to go to the moon," Janey told Mommy.

"The moon is very far away," Mommy said. "But you can go anywhere you want with your imagination."

So Janey packed her lunch, waved goodbye to Mommy and the baby and walked out the back door. 

"The moon is very far away," Janey said. So she hopped on her bike and pedaled as far as she could. She rode and she rode. 

She rode until she reached Cape Canaveral. A rocket was just about to launch. Janey raced up to the launch pad. She climbed a long, long staircase, jumped into her spacesuit, and banged the rocket's door shut. 

"Three..." the announcer boomed. Janey buckled her seatbelt. 

"Two..." Janey clicked her space helmet on.

"One." Janey squeezed her teddy bear.

"We're going to the moon!" Janey yelled.

"We have liftoff." The announcer called.

The rocket shot into the air.

 Janey looked all around her. The bright blue sky turned dark and stars shine out. She had never seen so many stars in all her life. She tried to count them but she forgot what came after twenty-two.

She flew and she flew. She flew for a long, long time. Finally, she saw the moon. It was big and white and full of craters.

The spaceship landed on the moon  and Janey hopped out. She skipped all around the moon, faster and lighter than she ever could at home. She bounced up and floated down. She ran all around the whole moon. She even built a moon sandcastle.

Janey had fun, but she was all alone. There was no one on the moon with her but her teddy bear, and he couldn't even share lunch with her.

 So Janey ate quietly by herself. 

She skipped around some, but she didn't bounce as high. 

She ran around again, but she didn't float as far.

Soon, Janey was ready to go home. So  she packed up her food wrappers, wiped the moondust off of her spacesuit, and got back in the spaceship. She buckled herself in and left the moon. She flew and she flew. She flew for a long, long time. Soon she saw Earth. 

Janey landed her spaceship, got on her bike, and pedaled home. The rode and she rode.

She rode as fast as she could. As soon as she got home she jumped off her bike, ran into the house and hugged Mommy and the baby. "I went to the moon, Mommy!" She said, happy to have someone to talk to. 

Mommy smiled at Janey and hugged her tightly. "That's wonderful, dear. Isn't it great to go places with your imagination?"

Janey thought for a minute before answering. "Yes. The moon was fun. But tomorrow I'm going somewhere where I won't be alone."

"Where's that?" Mommy asked as Janey walked to her bedroom.

Janey poked her head back around the corner and grinned. "Tomorrow, I will go to Mars."

344. Baby's Trip to China

Mommy and baby Thomas strolled through the great big departure gate.

"Time to go to China!" Mommy said excitedly. Thomas clapped his hands with joy. China was new. China was exciting.

The great big airplane provided Thomas with lots of new adventures. He climbed under the tiny seats and ran down the baby-sized aisles. He climbed into the pilot's seat and played with all of the knobs and gears. What a fun table!

Mommy and Thomas went to see the Terracotta Army. Thomas crawled through their legs and looked up at their big red faces. He knocked over a vase filled with swords. The museum workers were happy when Mommy and Thomas left.

The Great Wall of China was Mommy's favorite place. Mommy walked along the wall, looking at the pretty mountains and flowers. Thomas ran along the great stone path, looking at the bugs and rocks. What a great place for worms!

After the Great Wall, Mommy and Thomas visited The Bird's Nest and other Olympic Stadiums. Thomas climbed through the wiry openings and tried to jump in the giant swimming pool, but Mommy wouldn't let him. They went to great big round track and Mommy let Thomas run as fast and far as he could. Running is Thomas's favorite.

On the way home, Mommy and Thomas saw three Giant Pandas eating bamboo. Thomas tried to eat bamboo, too, but it wasn't very yummy. He decided to eat Mommy's rice instead. Yummy!

Daddy and Janey met Mommy and Thomas at the airport. "Did you have fun?" Daddy asked. "Oh yes," Thomas said. China is great! Next year, let's go to Finland!"

343. An Ode to Ramen

Ramen, ramen, nice and hot

Boil in my three quarts pot.

Waters, noodles, packaged spice.

Who dropped in that piece of ice?

Noodles thinner than my hair.

Food to students everywhere.

Cooking in three minutes flat,

How can healthy food beat that?

Ramen, ramen, nice and hot

Boil in my three quarts pot.

342. Two Little Monkeys Playing With the Chalk

Two little monkeys playing with the chalk

Coloring the road, the grass, and the sidewalk.

Mama saw them playing and smiled at the fun.

"Don't forget to wash up when you're done."

One little monkey, trying to be grown

Colored brother's face and then her own.

Mama saw the makeup job and laughed at the sight

"Guess that's what you get when you dance all night."

Two little monkeys, Bub and Sweets, 

Played until they heard Mama open treats.

Mama saw them coming and stopped the flat.

"Can't come in when you look like that!"

Two little monkeys, sprayed down with the hose,

Dripping from their hair, their chin, and nose.

Mama dried them off and opened the door wide.

"Now that you are clean you can come inside."

341. Cold Sore

Cruddy bump

On my lip

Looks so silly.

Don't eat that chip!

Splits when I

Open wide.

Really mouth?

Every time!

340. Haiku to Christmas

Gloria glory

Birth of one to save the world

Excelsis Deo

339. Haiku to an ExxonMobil Holiday Party

Engineers discuss

Dirt, acronyms, gas, oil, pumps

I just smile and nod

338. Stuck

"Potty! Potty! I have to go!"

So squealed the little girl

And disappeared without a flash

A sparkle or a twirl.

She dashed as fast as she could go

On tiny little legs

And made it to that porcelain seat,

As bright as ostrich eggs.

Relieved at last. she washed her hands

With foaming soap and more

But found when washing had been done

She could not budge the door.

The mom went on, her mind bogged down

With Christmas trees alight,

Not knowing that her girl was stuck

And crying out with fright. 

Ten minutes passed and maybe more

Before mom wondered where

Her little had gotten.

She wasn't in her chair.

None could say where she had gone 

Within that little church.

And so a few soon stepped aside

And they began to search.

A friend went left and mom went right,

Both calling out her name.

They looked in every room they passed.

At last, the answer came.

The little girl was crying for

Her mommy in the dark.

As she sat between the doors

Made of oaken bark.

Mom hurried to her weeping child.

She flung the great door wide

And looked into the teary eyes

That look out from inside.

"Mommy, I was stuck!" She sobbed

And leapt onto her neck.

"The room was dark and scary.

You didn't come and check."

"I'm sorry dear," the mother smiled

And hugged her little girl.

"I'm here now. I have got you."

They laughed and spun a twirl.

337. Mama Touched A Camel's Hump

Mama touched a camel's hump.

It stood high from the ground.

She reached and brushed the very top

And proudly looked around.

Mama touched a camel's hump

Although she didn't ride it.

Her tickled glee coursed to her toes.

And no, she didn't hide it.

Mama touched a camel's hump.

It didn't spit at her.

She didn't slap it on the rump

Or call the beast a cur. 

Mama touched a camel's hump

Before the day was done.

Now she must touch an elephant's trunk 

To say she's really won.

336. Mama Touched A Lion's Mane

Mama touched a lion's mane,

As he stood proud and strong.

As regal as a king at court,

Discerning right from wrong.

Mama touched a lion's mane

With no fear in her eyes.

She put her arm around his neck

And squeezed him side to side.

Mama touched a lion's mane.

Her hand caressed his hair.

His roughened locks were cool to touch,

Surounding fingers bare.

Mama touched a lion's mane

And gave her fist a pump.

And now adventure waits for her

To touch a camel's hump.

335. Eye To Eye

Eye to eye. Hand in hand.

One by sea or two by land.

How we form our little battle.

How we hold and take a stand.