Beyond My Weathered Window 10-8-11

Beyond my weathered window,

beyond my little view -

I see one from my rocker and,

I pray you see one too -

see one on each hillside,

see one on your way,

see one in each valley,

see one every day.

The moon shines on the water,

the sea reflects the light.

Boats pass through this painting,

with sails of halo white.

A sea bird glides in silhouette,

above the sails masts,

above the ropes and bollards,

as breezes travel past.

Final work arrives at dusk

before reflections cease -

on piers I've known since childhood

on this, God's masterpiece.

But few have seen this sunset,

and fewer wonder why -

God's bright and vivid colors

still wash across the sky.

And people race His colors -

oblivious and blind -

as God continues painting

so generously kind.

Wide brush strokes still continue,

with colors bold and lush.

Though 'man' has stole the meanings,

God still holds the brush.

Beyond my weathered window,

beyond my little view -

I watch Him from my rocker and,

I pray you see Him too -

see Him in the sunsets,

see Him in your prayers,

see Him in the life you live,

and see Him everywhere.

©2011 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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Why You? 5-27-11

When liars win, life isn't fair -

not one will ever, ever care -

life's burdens are too much to bear.

Why me Lord?

I stand down by the ocean shore -

the poison seeps down to my core -

there's none who listen anymore -

Why me Lord?

My love grew cold, my anger hot -

my gut twists in each kind of knot -

it pains me so, an awful lot -

Why me Lord?

The ocean waves still seem to race -

they crest, then spill most anyplace -

but waves ignore my grieving face -

Why me Lord?

My problems grew and come to meet -

as water wraps around my feet -

I'm tired, exhausted, very beat -

Why me Lord?

The waves roll in for years and years -

through all my trials, all my fears -

my cheeks have felt so many tears -

Why me Lord?

My heart, for others, has out-poured -

yet something pulls on my heart's cord -

of everyone who I've ignored -

Why You Lord?

©2011 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http:/www.ganderpoems.org/

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The Sand Castle 3-24-10

The boy continued working
as people ran on by -
kicking up the sun-dried sand
which stung his little eye.

The beach was full of castles,
sand castles great and tall.
The artists had great patience as
the crowd was held in awe.

Some were very stately
and some were built quite lean -
but artists built their castles
where they could be well seen.

Castles grand and beautiful –
some poised to win a place –
detailed touches serious
from top down to the base.

While all the crowd was standing 'round
still watching and amazed -
the judge looked ever critical
with eyebrow sometimes raised.

But then a storm came blowing by
collapsing every wall.
The crowd was stunned – wave after wave
had toppled one and all.

Yet, spared there – one sand castle
which stood above the rest.
It was not much to look at but –
withstood the final test.

Away from wicked, stormy seas
it stood back from the shore.
Though storm had sent its wicked waves
it could have handled more.

Every great sand castle
was crushed and so outdone -
all tested hard with crashing waves
that could not reach this one.

Its walls were not the straightest -
but safely from the sea -
was built alone so humbly
and stood there faithfully.

That young boy sat beside it
not really that obsessed –
when someone started yelling, "Hey!
This one beats the rest!”

The crowd all pushed and gathered ‘round -
then saw that castle standing.
They stood there so astonished but
said not anything.

The judge pushed a bit closer -
then saw that little boy -
who humbly built his castle
where waves could not destroy.

He roared loud his announcement,
“This is the perfect size!”
and then he leaned right over and
awarded him First Prize.

Still, the boy kept working
as people ran on by -
kicking up the sun-dried sand
which stung his little eye.

©2010 louis gander - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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James 1:12 (NASB)

Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial;

for once he has been approved,

he will receive the crown of life

which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.

The Sands Of Time 11-9-09

Time is ever constant
on table's level line -
the hourglass sets steady.
It's all in God's design.

Will pride still hold me hostage,
tied tightly to my chair
and sitting at my table -
while sands are sifting there?

When I see that hourglass
and wear, if I, a mask -
questions must be answered,
if questions I can ask.

Will guilt and sorrow overcome
when sinful shadows cast -
if humble, I, right where I am,
repent of failures past?

Will perseverance ponder
tempations endless goal -
if faithful, I stand steadfast
in whom I can extol?

Final sand still empties out
and grains, will fewer be.
The hourglass sifts steady.
The sands of time test me.

When the hourglass stands empty,
and life's race I have run -
will God look back upon my life
and say the words, "Well done"?

©2009 louis gander - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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Matthew 25:29,30 (NASB)
29 "For to everyone who has, more shall be given, and he will have an abundance; but from the one who does not have, even what he does have shall be taken away.
30 "Throw out the worthless slave into the outer darkness; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth."