Footprints in Concrete

Like old yellowed paper

Or ancient carved tree,

These footprints in concrete

Tell stories to me.

They flit through the fields,

Then wander through mire.

They dance between raindrops,

Then stop to admire.

These footprints are lovely

Here where the sun shines,

But there in the shadow

Their beauty declines.

They plant seeds and harvest,

They lie down to rest,

They are swift in pursuit

Of doing their best.

Though most times these footprints

Are pure; untainted,

Sometimes they slip and fall;

Sometimes they’re painted.

Sometimes they have good friends,

Sometimes they’re lonely.

Then they find a best friend,

Who walks with them only.

These footprints tell of love,

Of hard times and hate;

And when it’s time to go,

They tenderly abate.

Love Waiting

Lying in the fields, where all the wildflowers grow,

Looking up at clouds that never stop nor stay,

Pondering marvels that nearness makes come clear,

Watching her lips move soundlessly, as if to pray.

I’m here because I love her; I want to see her face,

Through which her vernal spirit shines each new- awakened dawn.

Someday I won’t lack courage to go and tell her so,

For now I can’t- but love can wait, if patience isn’t gone.

I turn from her again- as every day I do, and,

Wonder if I’ll ever have that chance to tell my care.

Again the clouds keep parting, again the flowers sway,

And again my heart is aching- but- I will not despair.

Carved

You carved the breath of air in the autumn night.

Its twirls of misty frost barely caught the light.

A sliver of moon- just enough to reveal,

The work of Your hands, and on her arm, Your seal.

Placating treason with outward loveliness

But You shielded his eyes- her lure suppressed.

She is Yours, but her heart is running from You,

He is Yours, but his desire he must subdue.

On that night comes a test when their breath entwines

So close; will they stand before fault undermines?

You carved with care this chance, these hearts, and this night.

And You also know well what story they will write.

Faithful

A voice in the darkness

Struck the silence boldly.

It was strong, reassuring

And though I could not see,

I knew that when He said

“I’ll always be with thee”

He meant with all His heart,

He’d always be with me.

Waves Will Sweep

Mystery’s longing for nothing to find,

But only to wonder forever,

Keeps me awake ‘til daylight reminds;

Life is a waiting endeavor.

Patience it takes to accomplish a goal,

But first an aim must be had.

We’re pacing along, at different speeds;

First walking, now running like mad.

Chances are that in your life, you’ll find

A place to stay, live, and love,

A group of friends you’ll not want to leave;

“Solid” rock you’ve built on top of.

But do not let this outwardly solid rock

Leave wind of change bereft,

But listen for it’s soft whirling call,

‘Cause soon fake friends have left.

Waves will sweep, and rocks molten inside,

Cannot live on forever,

Nor can they stay, without shifting around,

Causing a ruinous tremor.

Just remember, dear, how much He loves you,

And no mountain could be too high,

For Him to push you up and help you to succeed.

Never if you fell, would He just stand by.

My Brother-in-law took this picture. I edited it.

 I wrote this a couple days before the earthquake in Japan... hmmmm.

Elizabeth C. Osborne

Eco4jc@rochseter.rr.com

Copyright 2011

My Calling

My heart is waiting for something more

My soul is aching to do something for

Someone who is suffering, lonely

Someone who’s in need of these things only:

The strength and courage to live like they should,

Perseverance through the bad and the good,

A true big sister; someone who cares,

A faithful friend whose heart she shares,

The love that only mothers can give.

And with that give them reason to live.