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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 4 – Masters)
Topic: ZEST (10/01/15)
The constant whipping of a storm has left my spirit frayed.
I stare into the dreary dawn of yet another day
as I struggle for the strength and steadiness to pray.
God, please show
me how to grow.

All is quiet but a flitter: wings against the glass.
A fritillary at the window, frantic, tries to pass
the unseen obstacle to life. At the impasse,
it sits inert.
Maybe it's hurt.

Despite myself, I scramble up to save the little thing.
Carefully, I cup my hands around its tender wings.
Against my palm, it tickles as it grasps and tightly clings.
Fatigue aside,
I stride outside.

My hands unfold. It sits so still, hiding its colored dress,
as if waiting for a sign. A breath of wind caresses...
It climbs the air; its rising, circling flight expresses
my delight;
a joyful sight.

A twisting dive, a swoop of wings, a swallow's beak snaps shut
around the tiny butterfly. The cruelty converts
the blissful fluttering into a cramping knot of hurt.
With drooping head,
I trudge to bed.

How can I live abundantly when life resembles Sheol,
where I'm straggling through the dark--no map, no route, no goal—
and predators are on the prowl to feast upon my soul?
I shroud my face
and my disgrace.

Don't hide and keep your heart from me, by circumstances bound.
Hide in the shadow of My wings, where steadfast love abounds.
Profounder joy and brighter light are nowhere to be found.
Come to Me
and be free.

Hues of pastel pink and blue now paint the new day’s sky.
I get up and spread my arms—I am God’s butterfly.
In His protection and His force, with eagle’s wings I’ll fly.
No time to waste—
there's life to taste.

***


Author's notes

The poem refers to the following Bible verses: Psalm 36:7-9, Isaiah 40:31.
The opinions expressed by authors may not necessarily reflect the opinion of FaithWriters.com.
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This article has been read 765 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
Francy Judge 
10/09/15
This is beautiful. I love your vivid descriptions, the format, and the hopeful message. Great job!
Noel Mitaxa 
10/10/15
I love the creativity and the vividness of your work. Very imaginative material that invites us to spread our wings as well.
Cheryl Harrison
10/10/15
This is really good. You painted a thoughtful picture with your words. I enjoyed the read.
Lollie Hofer 
10/11/15
You did an excellent job painting a vivid picture that I could see as I read your narrative poem. Thoroughly enjoyed it and the hope given at the end is tremendously encouraging.
Lynn Smith
10/12/15
You did a great job with this. I love the victory at the end that comes from trusting in God.

All the best. :)
C D Swanson 
10/13/15
Excellent!
God bless~
Donna Powers
10/13/15
This poem is so nicely written; the serenity of the Spirit is apparent.
Noel Mitaxa 
10/15/15
Congrats on your HC and EC. Well done.
Bonnie Bowden 
10/18/15
Congratulations on your 5th place EC award.

Lois Lewis
10/24/15
I felt your pain when the swallow's beak snapped shut around the tiny butterfly. Good job, thanks for writing this, and congratulations on being an EC winner!