From Refugee to Royalty

April 8, 2022April 5, 2022 / Greg Asimakoupoulos

Remembering the remarkable Madeleine Albright

When it comes to American royalty,
she checked all the boxes.
Her amazing life
was a fairytale come true.

As a child refugee,
whose grandparents were victims
of the holocaust,
she saluted Lady Liberty
with allegiance in her heart
and a twinkle in her eye.

She elevated the role of secretary
to a whole new level.
She broached serious subjects
with integrity and dignity.

Madeleine Albright
was regal on every level.
Her face and her jewelry
sparkled with grace.
Her name called attention
to her brilliance.

This diminutive diva
on the world stage
was a rock star in global affairs.
She towered over her peers
with Katanji-like class.

Though slight in height,
we looked up to her.
While she stood only 4’10” high,
she was tall enough
to shatter a glass ceiling.

With John Glenn,
Madeleine Albright lived a legacy
that was out of this world.

As we look up to the heavens tonight,
let us thank God
for this princess of peace
who illuminated our world for good
and gave our daughters
a role model to which to aspire.

Peace to her memory!

A Poetic Month

April 1, 2022March 14, 2022 / Greg Asimakoupoulos

April is that awesome month
when dogwoods start to bark.
It’s when our Uncle Sam collects his due.
It is the time we hear “play ball”
from umps behind the plate.
It is the month that poets write haiku.

It is the month we celebrate
that winter’s finally gone.
We marvel at spring flowers in full bloom.
And it’s the month we recognize
our planet on Earth Day
as butterflies emerge from their cocoons.

But most of all this month is known
for what God did for us
upon a cross and in an empty grave…
a Holy Week that culminates
in resurrection praise
as Christians ‘round the world sing Jesus Saves.

And so I aim to “seize the day”
to live what I profess
embracing hope when darkness hides the sun.
This month invites us to believe
there’s more than meets the eye
with growing clues that new life has begun.

A Modern-day Pieta

March 25, 2022March 22, 2022 / Greg Asimakoupoulos

A statue of Christ is carried to a bunker for safe keeping in Lviv Ukraine

They cradled Christ.
They held him close
while fleeing for their lives.
By holding Him
they clung with faith to cope.
By saving what
was priceless art
they couldn’t help but feel
the arms of One
who offers saving hope.

Like Mary clutched her lifeless son
when he was just a babe,
they carried Jesus gently out of sight.
And as they placed Him in a tomb
away from tombs that fly,
I’m hoping that they glimpsed an inner light.

I’m hoping that they grasped the truth
of which the Scriptures speak.
That Jesus is at home when taken in.
That those who honor Him who died
and worship Him as Lord,
will find their worth beyond this world of sin.

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Let’s Hear it for Spring!

March 22, 2022March 22, 2022 / Greg Asimakoupoulos

**The beauty of spring is indescribable**

Trapped in the drizzle of dark dreary days
we often are sad and depressed.
Held hostage by winter, we plead for release
while stir-crazy, housebound and stressed.

The long nights of winter have taken their toll.
We dream of the day we’re set free
to dance with spring flowers and bathe in the sun
and shade ‘neath a blossoming tree.

As Tevye the dairyman hoisted his cup,
he toasted L’chaim (“to life”).
With praise for the sunlight and springtime rebirth,
I join him with clarinet and fife.

It’s a Wonderful (Amazing) Life!

March 18, 2022March 17, 2022 / Greg Asimakoupoulos

**New words to Amazing Grace inspired by an old movie**

A wonderful life
God’s given us
through friends and family.
Each morning breaks
with hope anew
like waves upon the sea.

There’s beauty in
a walk at dawn
and geese upon a pond.
Our lives are blessed
by thoughts of times
with loved ones who are gone.

There’s wonder in
a moonlit night
and in a child’s face.
Our blessings morph
to grateful hearts
and hymns that praise God’s grace.