A Happy Heart

A happy heart starts with a smile
given freely it can travel for miles on end
across this globe spinning endlessly
depending upon gratitude from a receiver
who then sends another smile to another befriend.

A happy heart imparts profundity
tactfully when asked or necessarily tasked
to lovingly correct or protect one from 'taking a false step'
causing a receiver to introspect about decisions
important, to stop and reflect upon daily.

A happy heart never departs in adversity
loyally sticking to 'justice' and/or 'truth' exhibited profoundly
'shoulder-to-shoulder' found internationally
whether stooped or straight one's usual gait
emotionally elevating others to a helium-like state communally.

“Not making partial distinctions.”

“‘You must not be unjust in your judgment. You must not show partiality to the poor or show preference to the rich. With justice you should judge your fellow man." Lev. 19:15.

“Not hypocritical.”

Laid out on a road, beaten, to die
a Levite and priest just walked on by.
A Samaritan good, with heart, did try
to save this man
with money and a doctor in an inn to lie
comfortably until well. His generosity to fly
into hearts inspired to apply:

"‘You must love your neighbor as yourself.’" Matt. 22:39.

For, "Love does not work evil to one’s neighbor". Rom. 13:10.

A happy heart is kind inclined everlastingly.

contest Pleasure Is Sharing - Becki Friend
Dear Poets

Your choice of prompt...
My photo above or the quote below

“For pleasure has no relish unless we share it.” 
― Virginia Woolf, The Common Reader

A Samaritan Proves to Be a Real Neighbor
https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/1102014673?q=Luke+10%3A29-37&p=par © 5 days ago, Lucretia Mccloud    rhyme • hope • love • spiritual • teen   

Inner Peace

Soil crackled, dried

burnt to black

underneath layered debris of grief

after escalating leafy spins

of menopausal stalls

due from familial cocoons

spun

twilight to darkening moons;

none, no more glowing stars or suns

once glistening reverential eyes

now plagued by memories of agitated skies

performed in an assortment of screened-off views; 

hindered

seeds growth

beneath.

A Son not seen swift

sprouted no greenery

to glean.

No shadow to follow a solicitous breast.

But lo-and-behold... fought to spring

after fed nutrients,

roots tickle with life won

after dropped water diamonds

in drips-to-tips

tickling tongue

as a cavern dark

in chest-core

munificently

kneaded.

To live.

Bred. Spiritually.

Breath.

Life...Given.

Spiraling as a gift--

a whiff from polished rarefied pearls

crisp, true, superlatively

imbued with a fragrant oil

descended from on high

like luminous dew

with fragrance defogging/airing out 'bereft' 

from a cod-webbed fossilized-perception

swept. 

Left... Gratitude.

Gratitude — Big Points

With Thanksgiving having just past here in Canada and soon coming to the US, it seems a perfect time to pause and reflect on what we’re grateful for. I opted not to allow prewrites because I wanted you to be here now—to write from this present moment. If you’re presently in a space where you’re having difficulty finding something to be grateful for, this is the contest for you too! It will help you change your perspective from focusing on those who abandoned us to those who stuck by us through the tough times; to focus on what we do have as opposed to what we don’t; to focus on possibilities/options rather than impossibilities! © 13 minutes ago, Lucretia Mccloud    family • hope • love • sad • teen   

'The Book of Life'

The 'Book of Life' (1st draft)

From "the founding of the world" written down,
Symbolically speaking--persons whole
Dedicatedly, of heart, mind and soul
Seeking to please Jah, so as to be found

In "the Book of life."

For did not Moses to Jehovah say
After His people, Jah, did not obey:

"But now if you are willing," Moses said,
"pardon their sin; if not, please wipe me out
from your book that you have written” instead? Ex. 32:32.

A golden calf dead, helpless to defend
Cost many their lives. God removed their names:
“Whoever has sinned against me," explained
Jah. "I will wipe him out of my book."... Penned.

"Written in the heavens." Luke 10:20.

For 'the Living God' of Israel "said:
‘They always go astray in their hearts, and
they have not come to know my ways.’" Paul read
To the Hebrews to help them firmly stand:

"Beware, brothers, for fear there should ever develop in any one of you a
wicked heart lacking faith by drawing a-
way from the living God". Paul hoped, NEVER. Heb. 3:10, 12.

True efforts daily made no need to pray:

"Let them be erased from the book of the living,

And may they not be enrolled among the righteous." Ps. 69:28.

For acts done in ignorance or deliberately
For which Jah Jehovah will not be forgiving. 2Thess.1:6-10.

Because, "Jehovah is truly God. He
Is the living God and the eternal King.

Because of his indignation the earth
will quake, And no nations will endure His 

Denunciation." By means of Christ “In-
deed, in his name nations will hope.” Retribution to bring.

Foretold: "This is what you should say to them:

“The gods that did not make the heavens and the earth
Will perish from the earth and from under these heavens.”

He is the Maker of the earth by his power,

The One who established the
productive land by his wisdom

And who stretched out the heavens by his understanding." Jer. 10:10-12. 

Man's rule retracted in His designated hour.

Since elucidated:

"I well know, O Jehovah, that man’s way
does not belong to him. It does not be-
long to man who is walking even
to direct his step." Stated. Yes. Promulgated.

Why: "At that time those who fear Jehovah
spoke with one another,

each one with his companion,

and Jehovah kept paying attention and listening. 

And a book of remembrance was written before him

for those fearing Jehovah and for those meditating on his name." Faithful. Not blotted out.

Unfaithful--Not missing:

“I will come near to you for judgment,

and I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers, against the adulterers, against those who take false oaths,

against those who defraud the hired worker, the widow, and the fatherless child," by many loathed,

"and against those who refuse to help the foreigner."

These have not feared me,” says Jehovah of armies.

“For I am Jehovah; I do not change." Mal. 3:5, 6, 16.

Yes, "Jehovah knows the thoughts of men".Ps. 94:11.

Those "who endure to the end" loyal
He will let forever remain:

"And I saw thrones, and those who sat on them were given authority to judge. Yes, I saw the souls of those executed for the witness they gave about Jesus and for speaking about God, and those who had not worshipped the wild beast or its image and had not received the mark on their forehead and on their hand.

And they came to life and ruled as kings with the Christ for 1, 000 years." Rev. 20:4.

Also,

"The righteous will possess the earth,
And they will live forever on it." Ps. 37:29.

"For God is not unrighteous so as to forget your work and the love you showed for his name by ministering and continuing to minister to the holy ones." Heb. 6:10.

So, "Do not be amazed at this,

for the hour is coming in which all those in the memorial tombs will hear his voice and come out,

those who did good things to a resurrection of life, and those who practiced vile things to a resurrection of judgment." John 5:28, 29.

Yes, "And I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne, and scrolls were opened.

But another scroll was opened; it is the scroll of life.

The dead were judged out of those things written in the scrolls according to their deeds."

Happily, "the sea gave up the dead in it,
and death and the Grave gave up the dead in them,

and they were judged individually according to their deeds.

And death and the Grave were hurled into the lake of fire.

This means the second death, the lake of fire."

"Furthermore,

whoever was not found written in the book of life was hurled into the lake of fire." Rev. 20:12-15.

Nevertheless,

"The memory of the righteous one is due for a blessing,

But the name of the wicked will rot." Pro. 10:7.Said of Jehovah to be soon fulfilled: 

"You have rebuked nations and destroyed the wicked,

Blotting out their name forever and ever." Ps. 9:5.

Destroyed eternally
Those determined not to do God's will.

contest The Book of Life - John Chris © 21 minutes ago, Lucretia Mccloud    friendship • hope • love • sad • spiritual   

Modesty

Does it not still catch one's eye?

Lifted up by others
appreciative

it does sparkle
under a glowing moon or shining sun.

As a star bright
it too can become

without personal
pomp and circumstance.

Modesty
has a beauty brilliant
by restraint
enhanced.

Patience it practices.

In time given
more than a thoughtful glance.

For in integrity
it takes a solid stance
even as rocky goes the road.

Does not push ahead
presumptuous
even though often
imperfectedly goaded.

Kindness is its crown
as king or queen

bestowing all
benevolence

in imitation of a heavenly Father
loving, thoughtful, caring, impartial
of every human being.

Modesty matters.

Especially to Him
it never gives cause for complaint.

If it exits a crowded room
darkness enters--jealousies, envies.

Anger ensues.

For left behind:
ugly arrogance, ungainly pride

to cause the weak to walk a personality plank

or cower;

gifts, abilities or accomplishments
squashed, demeaned
or hidden

so that belligerent ones
these can not deride.

But modesty blooms.

It petal's presence
one cannot hide.

Vibrant in colors.

Pleasingly perfumed 
its fragrance

even in oppressive gloom.

Modesty exhibits grace
always.

Controlled.

Regal.

Although male or female 
it's given face.

Admonished:

"He has told you, O man, what is good.
And what is Jehovah requiring of you?

Only to exercise justice,
to cherish loyalty,

And to walk in modesty with your God!" Micah 6:8.

As Paul to the Romans stated:

"For through the undeserved kindness given to me,

I tell everyone there among you not to think more of himself than it is necessary to think,

but to think so as to have a sound mind,

each one

as God has given to him a measure of faith." Romans 12:3.

Yes,

"To the extent that each one has received a gift,"

should we not "use it in ministering to one another as fine stewards of God’s undeserved kindness that is expressed in various ways"? 1 Pet. 4:10.

For only Jehovah is deserving of all the praise:

“You are worthy, Jehovah our God, to receive the glory and the honor and the power,

because you created all things,

and because of your will they came into existence and were created.” Rev. 4:11.

By recognition of this fact can we endlessly lengthen our days:

"This means everlasting life,

their coming to know you,
the only true God,

and the one whom you sent,
Jesus Christ." John 17:3.

In time knowing:

"You give me your shield of salvation,
Your right hand supports me,

And your humility makes me great." Ps. 18:35.

As we "modestly walk with God"
we will feel secure, at peace,

inwardly content

and as embers first blazing afire
we will enjoy the comfort of them
in eventuality... warm and glowing.

Hope Is the Thing With Feathers

Hope Is the Thing With Feathers

Hope is the thing with feathers.
To the utmost heights it can fly.
As an eagle with piercing vision
glides up or across
both cloudy or cloudless skies.

Hope is the thing with feathers.
Into darkness it soars
exiting with a lightness
causing others to explore.

Hope is the thing with feathers.
It spreads wide its wings
With birds of heaven of every type
it sings gloriously of heavenly things.

Hope is the thing with feathers.
Brings peace to one's mind.
For when hope is accomplished
It's prompt. Right on time.

For

"a hope of the everlasting life that God,
who cannot lie,

promised long ago"

is sure. Titus 1:2.

As "the last enemy, death,
is to be brought to nothing." 1 Cor. 15:26. 

He thus
us
assures!

"For the hour is coming in which all those in
the memorial tombs will hear his voice

and come out," 

stilling grief concealed within.

Those holding this hope
are happy this to know.

Because of Jesus' resurrecting others

of this
they have no doubt. John 5:28, 29.

Yes, Jesus said:
“I am the resurrection and the life.” John 11:25.

His perfect body sacrificed
paying a precious price.

Because, "through the comfort from the Scriptures we might have hope.”​ Rom. 15:4.

Perusing its pages through our gloom
we're able to cope.

Yes,

"We have this hope as an anchor for the soul,
both sure and firm". Heb. 6:19.

Christ's death and ascension to his father
this does confirm.

Hope is the thing with feathers.
Rooted in faith, 

its sight focused on the Godly unseen.

Hope is the thing with feathers.

Causing both heart and eyes
to truly

gleam.

contest Choose A Title - Angel-Wings
7. Hope is the thing with feathers

Where Can You Find Real Hope?
https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/102004284#h=8:0-11:388 © an hour ago, Lucretia Mccloud    hope • love • sad • spiritual • teen   

To the Highest Mountains

To the Highest Mountains

A breathe-
snatchingly
sublime

lyrical climb.
Its melodious
branches
touching.

Its
limbs
tenderly

miraculously
enlivening
broken or curved
spines.

Causes tears to weave
heart's canals

floating forth on
sorrow's song--

multi-faceted tones
blended
harmonious;
strong.

O how the baby birds
mimick
a parent's strum

on hope's chords
brought by cruelty's
long run.

Stress-laden
lids
wonderously raised

as shoulder-to-shoulder
many lend hands

to hoist or reach
blue moons
in hopeful
unity.

The is how
mystically
music expands:

We jointly seek out
paradisaic lands
on which to crawl
then ultimately stand

escaping
rising red rivers
bleeding
into

agitated seas
of man-made
disbelievers
hardened

through life
and its burdensome
demands.

What can we do?

Continue to let
praises resound.

Lift up
with our voices
directed

heaven bound.

This is one way
joyously
to renew.

You Raise Me Up
This song is your prompt

everytime I hear this I cry,

it melts my heart

bring me something awesome

Rules song related

and no adult content

any style and length
© 2 hours ago, Lucretia Mccloud    future • hope • love • spiritual • teen   

Transcend

Transcend 1st draft

With different
gifts

given men

A purpose
useful
our earth can spin.

Yet,
lacking loyal love

which does
as dew of heaven

graciously
extended

internationally
descend

transcending

borders, flags, walls,
even invisible boundaries

this love
on which
continued life
vastly
depends

not shown

as warring enemies

we will
individually

in certainty
end.

So can we
cooperate

with a Grand Master's
design

joyously,

not carry on
in hypocrisy

unbrotherly

in harmony
pretend?

Shall we:

"Let your brotherly love continue."
Hebrews 13:1

Follow
Admonition:
DIVINE

© 7 minutes ago, Lucretia Mccloud    hope • love • friendship • family • spiritual