Something Good Inside of Me

When something bad happens to me
I want to find the good in me.
I want to say good things to others,
Do good things, love all brothers.
I want to think good thoughts and know
That Jesus Christ will help me grow.
He works to make the bad to be
Something good inside of me.


Carolynn J. Scully ©2008 (written 1996)

Sand

Single grains of sand are
Formed from the omnipotent
Genius of God.
He breathes the winds over mountains.
He relentlessly discharges boulders
With stormy rains that
Fragment their earthy minerals
As they tumble down into
Streams and rivers
On their way to the sea.
In a dance of creation the ocean molds and polishes
Each tiny unique grain of sand
‘Til at last they are tossed upon the shore.

A mountain has been moved and changed by
Persistence
Force
And a divine plan.

Love
Begins in God and
Submits to change under
The will of the Almighty.

Real love, like tiny grains of sand
Reflects light
Receives warmth
Remains constant
But submits to change.



Carolynn J. Scully ©9/25/2006

Ignite

Ignite


Vigilant souls hover:
Pen over paper
Brush over canvas
Fingers over instruments.

Imaginations
Spark and sizzle.

The tiniest intrusive gasp threatens to
Extinguish elusive inspiration, and
Temptation incites action
Before the vision ignites into flame.

The promise-filled pause is
Alive with kindling.

Breathe gently
Grant the words, colors, and notes their fire
Burning embers are fanned alive by the
Brooding dance of creator and reflection.


Carolynn J. Scully ©2013

Transportation Haikus

Planes

Wind moves o’er the globe
Steel wings slice earth’s breath and gale
Fly with feathered friends.


Trains

Sharp whistles announce
Timed bullets race on drawn lines
Connecting the dots


Boats

Between sky and sea
Splash and spray play wild and free
On floating playgrounds


Cars

Colors snake o’er lanes
Out and about with pit stops
Happy to go home


Carolynn J. Scully ©2013

Golf

Golf

Doing battle on the greens is
a friendly and ferocious
war waged in the open
underneath fickle skies.
Wood & iron weapons
club the dimpled ball
over the grasses
into sands,
waters
and
finally
into a

4.25 in.

hole.

G
O
L
F


Carolynn J. Scully©2013

Emmaus

Emmaus

I have walked the road,
Heard the voice
Of One I thought a stranger:
A torch lighting the past
Awakens this third day.

And even now
His word
Sets my heart aflame!

The One I knew not
Is the One I will never forget.
He is risen indeed!

Carolynn J. Scully ©2013

Poem in Your Pocket Day

Do you have a poem in your pocket? Take one with you and share it with others! It is a good day to share your favorite poem!

Poetry Whatever

Poetry by whatever name
Will remain
Art in words.

Color
Images
Strokes
Form
Flow

The connection of
Emotion
Experience and
Ideas.


Heart to hand
Hand to pen
Pen to paper
Ink on paper
Black on white

Poetry


Carolynn J. Scully
© 29 August , 2011

Traveling Alone

Traveling Alone


O’er dusty roads and sandy beaches
I skip, jog, stroll and shuffle
leaving a shadow
to tell the story
of my visit.

Ragged or smooth
the mountain or valley
challenges me to stop-
or blaze a trail
of raw opportunity
unwanted by others.

Grasses verdant green or
baked bronze by the sun
surrender or crunch
beneath sure and
sometimes timid strides
along my purposed way.

Life travels alone
surrounded by choices,
voices and dreams
with one foot determined
to move beyond the other.

Carolynn J. Scully ©2013

I Travel Far

A new poem written for the local branch of NLAPW to which I belong.

I Travel Far

I travel far,
One step leading into another.

God-inspired movers,
With the bounce of their gait,
Carry me
Over crusty earth and sprigs of grasses.

I travel far.

Man-inspired wheels,
Revolving two, three, four or more
Move me
Across the hard paved and rutted miles.

Again I travel far.

Man-floated visions
Sail streams, lakes, and seas
Cradling me
In land-less horizons.

Still I travel far.

Man-desired flight
Reaching the heavens and beyond
Wings me
Away to the far side of home.

I travel far,
One step leading into another.
Searching for self.
Searching for you.


Carolynn J. Scully ©2013

I Travel Far

I Travel Far


I travel far,
One step leading into another

God inspired movers,
With the bounce of their gait,
Carry me
Over dusty earth and sprigs of grasses.

I travel far.

Man inspired wheels,
Built two, three, four or more
Move me
Across the hard paved and rutted miles

I travel far.

Mans' floated visions
Ride streams,lakes, and seas
Cradling me
In land-less horizons

I travel far.

Mans' desired flight
Explores the heavens and beyond
Wings me
Away to the far side of home.

I travel far,
One step leading into another.
Searching for self.
Searching for you.


Carolynn J. Scully ©2013

The Exchange

The Exchange


How can I give, You,
The God of the universe,
My broken life?

You deserve perfection,
glorious creations of
Eden’s soil.

Alas not one is pure,
Holy in Your sight.
So You came.

You take our shattered pieces,
Wounding Your flesh
Spilling Your blood.

It is You that gives the good,
Perfect gift of wholeness.
To all the broken.

There is no hope,
No freedom
Without the exchange.

Songs resound in praise,
Humble thanksgiving
For He who is worthy.

Carolynn J. Scully ©2012

The Day Begins, A Wedding Day Poem

The Day Begins


Rejoice!
The time is now!
The day begins!

Each expectant thought
In preparation for this day,
This hour, this beginning moment
Has sprinkled its showers of,
Festive enchantment
‘Til the cup bubbling over
Has become a fountain bursting
With joyous devotion and celebration.

Eyes sparkle with longing
To see loves face.
Hearts ripple with anticipation
Of two lives becoming one.
Voices twinkle with laughter
Punctuated by the breathless
Whisper of committed promises.

A waterfall of blessings poured out:
In the discovery of like souls
Traveling in one direction,
In trusted partners
Walking side by side,
In the celebrated covenant vowed and lived
Before family and friends.

The time is now.
The day begins.
Rejoice!
Rejoice!
Rejoice!


Carolynn J. Scully©2012

The Face of the Giver

The Face of the Giver

A thank you named
Recognizes the sacrifice of the gift.
There is joy in the seeing.

Thankfulness is an act of choosing grace
In the place we set our vision.
It is a simple candlelight to seek the gift
In the midst of pain, or deluge of blessing.
But it is the extravagant sun to seek the giver.

The face of the One where the gift is born
Is worthy of our gaze,
Worthy of gratitude.
The Giver is the one to whom
We lift our countenance,
Amazed that generosity has flowed freely
To the undeserving.

Carolynn J. Scully ©2012

Freedom's Boundaries

Freedom’s Boundaries


Freedom’s boundaries
Ordained by God
Are mine to choose.

Freedom’s boundaries
Divide good from evil
Infinite and finite.

Freedom’s boundary
Is goodness surrounding me
When I choose to live in
Self-enforced freedom.


Carolynn J. Scully
© 5 August 2011

Church

I just heard someone say that people in America are not going to church. It was a statement made with an air of sadness. I have to agree that it is a thermometer of the faith of our "Christian" nation. Our thermometer does seem to measure a coldness toward church. Church attendance is important, but is going to church more important than being the church?

I grew up as a "good" Catholic. We went to church every Sunday and confessions every Saturday. I was schooled at the local Catholic school and it was expected that we make our church attendance a priority. I learned that my good attendance at church would be seen by God as a good life worthy of His grace. My problem was that going to church did not always translate into faith in God or a faith filled life outside of the church walls.

Now, don't get me wrong. I am very thankful to my Heavenly Father for the churches' influence on my life. Though I am no longer in the Catholic church, without the stories of the Saints, I would never have desired to have faith or to see that I was a sinner who needed God to save me. My point here is not about what the church teaches. It is that I believe the scriptures, God's Word, emphasizes going out and BEING the church, more than it tells us to go to church.

Of course, I know that I cannot be the church without going to church. The church is the Body of Christ. The church is where I am encouraged by God's Word and the fellowship of other Christians. But, I must leave the church building to go out and truly be the church Jesus desires. What is given to me in the church needs to be taken to those outside of the church.

Lord God, Head of the Body of Christ and founder of Your church, I give You praise for the role of church in my life. I ask You to forgive me for allowing the church to be a shield from the world instead of a safe haven where I can be renewed and equipped to go into the world. Thank You for the balance You created between going to church and being the church. Teach me to be Your church in the world that needs You. Remind me that the church is not a place to hide but a place to heal.

Am I a Fool?

Am I a fool
To let you see
The twisted snake
Inside of me?

Am I a fool
To fling open
The door of my heart
So you could know me ?

Am I a fool
When I trust you
To see that God
Is the only hope for me?

Am I a fool
To look in the mirror
Face my fears and cry
For what I long to be?

Am I a fool
To trust His way
Changing me
Day by day?

There is no fool
Who trustingly
Lays his life down
In God’s hands.

I am no fool!


Carolynn J. Scully
©October 2006

An Audience with the King

The invitation is given.
He wants to talk with me.
He calls me as a friend.
He’s the King of eternity!

I set aside a quiet time
In my most private place.
Where we sit and visit
I dwell on His glorious face.

The King invites me in each day
My heart bows down in praise
He bids me raise my eyes
To see His truth-filled loving gaze.

Our time draws to an end too soon
His fragrant grace remains.
I’m His humble servant.

Today His holy presence reigns.

By Carolynn J. Scully

6/21/1999

revised 3/8/2011

Through You

I see myself

Through your words

And your silences,

So lift me up

With the music of the stars.

Set a spark and woo me with sweet whispers.

When you have no words

Drink me into your thoughts;

Share a loving toast to me

With your eyes.

I see myself

Through your touch

So, cover me

With the cleansing waterfall of passion or

Soft dew drops tempting my flesh.

When feelings are lost turn back to me.

Separation’s thirst can only be quenched by

My heart beating next to yours.

I see myself

Through you.

　 By Carolynn J. Scully

© February 2011

Where Does the Sky Begin?

Where does the sky begin?
Does it kiss the earth
With soft breezes or
Simply sit with us
In a forever embrace?

Where does the sky begin?
Where can we meet the sky?
Does it meet our fingers
When we raise our
Hands up high or
Must we fly?

Where can we meet the sky?

By Carolynn J. Scully
© 9 January 2011

Promises

Today, love is spoken in Promises to one another.
Two lovers Rejoice to lose
Self and form One flesh through
The working of a silent Miracle, a touch from God.
Pledges fervently Impressed upon the heart
And permanently Sealed in His presence
Transform this moment of Embroidered pageantry & tradition
Into the varied Seasons of lifelong love.

By Carolynn J. Scully