Xapa to the World

  • Poem: A Lightning Bug Hunt

    (Rachel & Leo Collection)

    Aug 15, 2005

    The sky was starting to slowly get dark
    As Rachel and Leo dashed to the park.
    Their mission was simple, their plan complete.
    Catching lightning bugs was what they’d compete.

    With her jar in hand, Rachel skipped about
    And Leo decided a different route.
    As he crept so quietly into the trees,
    The lightning bugs there were ready to please.

    The bugs in the trees were blinking a storm,
    And in Leo’s mind a plan began to form.
    He would climb to the top and catch them all!
    But if he fell, it would be a great fall.

    He climbed up one branch, and then another
    His tail wrapped around the jar of Rachel’s mother.
    “I won’t fall at all! I won’t! I won’t!”
    Then Rachel ran up and said, “Oh, Weo! Don’t!”

    “I reawwy think the wightning bugs are nice
    And awready I’ve caught them twice!
    But in their home is where they shouwd be found.
    I wike them fwying and bwinking around.”

    So Leo began to climb slowly down,
    And he and Rachel turned back towards town.
    Tomorrow another plan they would make
    While sitting in the reeds by the lake.

    Sarah ><>

  • Poem: Ode to Spell Check and some similes

    August 2nd, 2005

    I have a friend who lives in my computer
    He’s a sweet little fellow
    Though he’s rarely mellow.

    You may wonder why I like him so much.
    What is all the hype
    I’m making when I type?

    The written word is my favorite thing.
    See, spell check is his name
    And proof reading’s his game.

    If I make a mistake, which tends to be often
    He’s as quick as a flash
    With his spell checking lash.

    A red squiggly line is his mark of the trade
    Under my misspelled terms
    Wiggling like tiny worms.

    Ah, Mr Spell Check. Thank you, so, so much!
    My English is better
    So I close this letter.

    A Series of Similes for Spell Check

    Spell Check is like magic…
    Your error once was there, but poof! now it’s gone!

    Spell Check is like a dog…
    When you drop your food, it cleans up the mess.

    Spell Check is like a man…
    He thinks he knows what you’re saying, but once again is wrong.

    Sarah ><>

  • Poem: An Adventure of Ginger the Cow

    July 30th, 2005

    Ginger awoke to a bright new day.
    She was so excited to get out and play.
    “And what would she do?” you may say.
    Ginger would go out and play in the hay.

    The farmer came out and was ready to plow.
    Ginger wanted to go out, to go out right now.
    But first the farmer must feed the sow,
    And then he’d be sure to let out the cow.

    With the gate opened wide, Ginger went to the pasture,
    But she didn’t hear the call of her master.
    So glad to be free, she ran faster and faster.
    She didn’t know she would head for disaster.

    The longer she played, the later it got
    And very soon the day became hot.
    So, she laid herself down by a tree with a knot
    And where she was lying, she quickly forgot!

    Suddenly, Ginger woke up with a fright.
    She looked around and saw it was night!
    She knew in her heart that this wasn’t right
    So she jumped to her feet and then took flight.

    The only light Ginger had was the moon.
    She only wanted to get back home soon.
    She saw the eyes of a sneaky raccoon,
    And she heard an owl hooting his tune.

    At last, she saw a light far ahead.
    To the light of the barn was where she was led.
    The farmer came out and showed Ginger her bed
    He wasn’t angry, but pet her instead.

    The point of this story is simple and true.
    Listen closely and don’t miss the cue.
    It’s fun to get out and play like you do,
    But please stay near home and your parents too!

     – Sarah ><>

  • Poem: Beautiful Feet

    July 25th, 2005

    I’ve looked at the mountains many times
    And been captivated by their beauty.
    They stand majestic over all of creation,
    Looking down, casting a shadow on the land.

    My heart’s dream would be to climb
    And hang on the very top, shouting out –
    Shouting out God’s glory and praise to the world.
    No doubt my feet would be dirty and pained,

    But You’ve called them beautiful! These feet,
    They’ve carried me halfway around the world for You.
    They’ve walked through mud, dirt, filth, water,
    Anything You’ve placed before them.

    But the Message empowers the body
    And any pain I feel is only the aching in my heart
    Of wanting to climb that grandiose mountain.
    “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news.”

     – Sarah ><>

  • Poem: Just For One Day

    This poem was also a challenge given by the poet’s community.  The challenge was to write a poem about what we would want to do if we had one day to do anything.  The format was not set, just the theme.  I had many things I would like to do…so I put them all in here:

    Just For One Day


    July 23rd, 2005

    Just for one day, I could dream many things.
    What would I give a whole day for?
    Is there anything I desire so much for?

    Yes. Just for one day, I’d like to rest
    In the arms of a man who loves me.

    Just for one day, I’d like to know
    That all my waiting hasn’t been for nothing.

    Just for one day I’d like to fly so high
    I swear I could never fall down.

    Just for one day, if I did come down,
    There’d be someone there to catch me.

    Just for one day, I’d like to know
    That true love really does exist.

    Just for one day I’d like to be
    All that God wants me to be.

    Just for one day, I’d like to be strong enough
    To climb the highest mountain.

    Just for one day, I’d like to love completely
    Without any strings attached inside.

    Just for one day, I could dream many things.
    What wouldn’t I give for a whole day
    For anything I so much desire?

     – Sarah ><>

    PS.  I wrote a new poem last night!  First on in about 5 months!  🙂  Maybe it’s coming back!  🙂

  • Poem: He First Loved Me

      Here is a poem that I particularly like.  The title should strike a cord with my Calvin-buddies out there.  🙂  No, that’s not really a just statement, because regardless of whether you lean Calvinist or not, you have to acknowledge that God loved us first because we were made by Him, and knew Him not until we were created.  He loved us before He made us.  Isn’t that wonderful?

      When you read the first part, it looks like it doesn’t fit, but at the time of writing, I was struggling with having just come out of a relationship, or something of the like.  I can’t remember.  God has blessed me with a short-term memory to some heartaches in my past…without taking away the lessons learned.  But, as always, my introspective self sought to determine my motives for serving God.  Several came to mind, which are mentioned below.  But God’s still, small voice…his gentle whisper…comes through and reminds me that I am not my own and would be lost without Him. 

      I had a discussion with my boss yesterday about how hard it is to think that good will come from bad events in our lives…yet, God promises us that He will make good of them.  It’s hard to see…and somehow, God has graciously helped my heart bypass doubt that the bad will turn good, and when something bad is happening, I am already looking with hope to the good…whatever it may be.  I know that not everyone is able to do that though…so I am grateful for it.  BUT, back to the conversation…we discussed some of the bad things that have happened in her life, and I pointed out some things that I noticed as far as good that has come from those things having happened to her.  It was neat.  She said that with the things that have happened in my own life, she’s surprised that I didn’t turn out more wild and unruly than I am. 

      I think it was Billy Graham who said that the reason God made him a preacher wasn’t because he was such a good guy.  It was because he is capable of such bad things that God decided to keep him on a shorter leash than others.  Maybe that’s how it is for me.  I’m no better than anyone else, but I’m certainly capable of some evil things.  I reflected that thought in this poem.  I hope you can relate to it as you read.  Thanks!

    He First Loved Me

    July 19th, 2005

    I feel I’ve let You down again.
    I was walking around and got distracted
    By the handsome faces
    And beautiful words. Oh, I flutter at those.
    I asked myself, “Self, why do you
    Do so much for God and His Cause?”
    Some thoughts in me cry, “She’s weak!”
    “She’s too good!” “She’s afraid!”
    Ah, fear. Yes, I do believe that’s a big one.
    I stay with God because I’m afraid of what my life would be,
    Without Him.
    I do fear the world, though I discreetly hide it.
    I fail to open myself up for fear of
    Being sucked in and lost in the morass.
    Or worse! Afraid of being hurt…
    But one thought does speak softly,
    It sticks out in the meekness of its nature.
    “Because you love Him.”
    And I think – I love Him because He first loved me.
    Yes, so I will take my rest in those words.
    “He first loved me.”

     – Sarah ><>

  • Poem: Eyes

    July 18th, 2005

    I can’t lie and say I haven’t tried
    To imagine a look from your eyes.
    And this candle burning next to me,
    The light flickers and I am wondering…
    Is that the flame or your thoughts
    Dancing there. Maybe both, but
    How will I know? I could sit and
    Think and imagine,
    But that’s all it would be,
    And what a danger it is to settle
    Your thoughts on eyes you’ll never see.

     – Sarah ><>

  • Poem: The Moon, My Heart

    The moon is a frequent subject of my poetry, and I’m not ashamed of it.  I don’t worship the moon.  Instead, it is simply a reminder to me of God’s love.  It is His instrument of wooing to me.  Much like a sunset, or thunderstorm, or cloud shadows….yep, those are beautiful instruments.  Nothing in themselves, but to know that they are a gift from my Maker, the One who loves the very deepest part of me…that makes them special.

    This is not a Christian poem…so don’t look for the spiritual meaning in it.  It is a contemplation of my romantic state.  It’s a reflection of my desire for honesty and realness.  So, there you go!

    July 16th, 2005

    I saw the moon hanging in the sky tonight,
    And I think it was my heart there.
    No stars were shining to keep it company,
    Only itself, big, white, untouched…
    Untouched only by a real love,
    But left cold and hidden by the clouds,
    The many romances which gently called to it,
    Called its light down in a soft glow.
    But once that light was seen,
    The caller shouted it back to the day,
    Or simply ignored it.
    My heart, this object floating –
    Floating like a silver dollar, light enough
    To be blown away with the wind –
    It hangs there, waiting for someone to look,
    Waiting for someone to fall in love
    With the light.

    Sarah ><>

  • Poem: Leo and Rachel’s Shoe

    This poem is part of a collection inspired by my cousin’s 4 yr old daughter, Rachel.  On my 21st bday, instead of going out to party (which I’m not into anyways), she and I were outside of my grandparent’s house in Pittsburgh catching lightning bugs and playing with a imaginary lion named Leo.  It inspired me to write several pieces about Rachel and this lion.  Rachel has/had a lisp, so I put that into the poems.  They rhyme scheme may seem a little choppy, but I’m hoping to make these into books, and then one stanza will be on each page.  Let me know what you think!

    July 14th, 2005

    Little Rachel didn’t know what to do.
    Her favorite lion was lost
    And with him was her shoe.

    Last night when they were hunting
    For lizards and snakes and such
    He had taken her shoe for squishing
    Spiders and she hadn’t cared that much.

    But this morning, she was worried.
    She would be late for school
    And her mother was hurried!

    Where did he put it? She thought for a moment.
    Under the palm trees of the deserted island?
    Or maybe he had left it in the camping tent,
    Or buried it under the ocean’s sand!

    She ran outside and called his name.
    “Weo!” She shouted and
    Around the corner he came.

    His tail was tucked between his legs.
    “I knew you’d call if I kept your shoe.
    I really want some bacon and eggs.”
    Little Rachel didn’t know what to do!

    She told Leo she had to go to school
    She would play with him later
    And maybe go to the pool.

    So Leo the lion gave her the shoe
    He watched her get on the bus.
    “I’ll be home in a wittle while, too!
    So pwease don’t make a big fuss!”

    Sarah ><>

  • Poem: Mr. Teddy

    This poem is…a very tough one for me to read sometimes.  I wrote it in the perspective of a little girl whose mother had recently died of Aids.  A little girl in Africa was in my mind, and she had a little teddy bear…a little teddy bear which she told everything.  No rhyme scheme, but there is a dialect written into the piece, so I hope you can hear it when you read it.  Thanks!

    July 6th, 2005

    Mr Teddy? Are you awake?
    I’m a little scared and it’s very dark.
    I hope I don’t squeeze you too tight.
    Just tell me if I do, ok?

    Are you getting wet, Mr Teddy?
    I’m sorry. I can’t stop my tears.
    I think I’m more wet than you though.

    You know very well why I’m cryin’.
    You have ears too, you know!
    Yes, you do. They’re sittin’ right on top o’ your head.
    I see them. I do.

    And your eyes can see too.
    You saw them take her away,
    With my favorite blanket over her head.

    I miss my blanket. Momma stitched it for me,
    Just for me, not for you.
    Why would you need a blanket like that?
    I don’t want it back though.

    No, she’s not comin’ back.
    I know a’cause Abby said so.
    Abby wouldn’t lie to me, ‘cept just that once.

    You do too remember, my goodness!
    Remember when the doctor came over.
    Abby said he was for Gramma,
    But he was for Momma.

    Gramma did get sick and she left too.
    Momma said she went to Jesus.
    I guess that’s where Momma is too.

    Last week Momma said Abby would watch me
    And take care of us.
    You better be more careful a’cause
    Abby doesn’t stitch like Momma did.

    You might fall apart a’fore you know it.
    Mr Teddy, please be careful
    So you can stay a long time with me.

    Momma said if I hugged you, you would hug her.
    You must do it when I’m gone
    A’cause I always see you when I’m here
    And Momma’s not here no more.

    I’m tired now and I think I’m out of tears.
    Momma always said I could cry a river.
    Good night, Mr Teddy. Don’t let the bed bugs bite.

    Sarah ><>