A tribute to Aretha Franklin

The Queen of Soul (her Majesty)
ruled well. Her reign was long.
In Motown (at her daddy’s church)
her scepter was her song.

RESPECT we gave her as she sang.
Both white and black concurred.
She voiced emotions from the heart
as those who listened heard.

This much-loved voice is silent now.
The Queen has left her throne.
And on this day while millions grieve
we trust in Christ alone.

New hymn lyrics in celebration of play

God, be praised for recreation
walking, running, sailing, too.
We love golf and tennis, don’t we?
Flying kites in skies of blue.
Playing Bridge and watercolors
help us to relax and rest.
Recreation is required
if we hope to be our best.

God, be praised for His example
to unplug and call it quits.
Those who fail to keep a Sabbath,
risk the loss of health and wits.
Leisure is a sacred calling.
Rest is what our bodies need.
Balance is what God intended
for His creatures to succeed.

God, be praised for work and playtime.
Both are needed in our lives.
Honest labor gives us value.
Sports and hobbies help us thrive.
God who made us for His purpose
wired us to find the joys
that we knew in playground recess
as young girls and as young boys.

Tune: Ode to Joy

Honoring the remains of Korean War veterans

Flag-draped caskets side by side
contain remains of those who died
in North Korea long ago.
At last they’re coming home!

Their grieving parents passed away
while hoping they would see this day
when one so loved (so dearly missed)
would rest where heroes sleep.

May peace attend their memory
as we salute the dignity
of lives cut short who only now
receive what they deserved.

Submitting to the power of Mother Nature

Whether the weather
that we’re called to weather
is a scorching heat wave or it’s rain,
the weather we whether
like a ball on a tether
is a here-again there-again game.

The weather spawns fires and flooding.
There’re tornadoes and rip tides and drought.
And the weather we weather
whatever the weather
reminds us who’s boss. It has clout!

Whatever the weather
that we’re forced to weather,
it’s obvious who is in charge.
The weather we weather
still finds us together
admitting we’re small and it’s large.

Exposing President Trump’s verbal challenges

A way with words, that’s what he has.
A way that topples trust.
His use of “fine” and “really great.”
His tendency to cuss.

The way he speaks then walks words back.
I wish his words stood still.
I wish they were not Jell-O like.
Their movement leaves me ill.

I wish we could believe the man
and take Trump at his word.
But much of what we hear him say
is basically absurd.

His way with words is hardly paved.
It’s primitive at best.
It’s marked by mud that’s often slung
and stones he throws when pressed.