Welcome to my poetry page. This is the online home for my works of poetry which come from a continual living steam of many years. I will feature original pieces but also works from others, giving them their due credit.
I look forward to having you stop by to peruse and enjoy a pause for some reflection and refreshment.
I also offer original poetry for special occasions. If you would like a lasting gift with a personal touch or tribute for someone, contact me for info per my contact page. I have had the honor of composing a writing gift for occasions such as births, deaths, memorials, weddings, birthdays, pet losses, celebrating friendship, anniversaries and “just because.”
I would be honored to compose a personal, lasting poetic gift for you.
Readying Morning
On an any day morning,
a living stream of heart words
flows and tumbles
through my back door,
finding its way
to my waiting pen.
In quiet creativity I sit,
awaiting the newborn expression
of ancient nuance …
readying to gently capture
the stirring creature
before it flies away
to the witnessing forenoon sun.
When I Write or All Things New
When I write, I feel alive.
When I write, I feel His Pleasure.
A living spring flows from the deep
And deposits living treasure.
On the surface of my soul
It unfurls its wings a’glistening.
Lying on the river bank
It speaks to who is listening.
What joy and what an honor
Living words are flowing through
And my pen joins in the journey now
Of making all things new.
Forty-eight years ago today something quite unconventional happened to me. I met someone who I always had believed in as a historical figure. To actually participate in the knowing of this person has been quite extraordinary and taken me onto a road that seems a bit less travelled…and that has made all the difference. Actually, it has made all things new. In musing today about this journey, words came to me and I penned them. I now share “You.”
You
You longed for me
across the hallways of time,
through the generational trail
that led to my here and now.
You drew me,
while all the time I thought it was I
who longed for something more real,
someone true to my inner knower.
You knew me
more thoroughly than anyone ever has
causing me to know myself
in such bright clarity,
Because you loved me
into existence
into fulfillment
into other lives
that you longed for.
Forever is not such a long time
nor is evermore long enough
to know you
and be known by you,
Dear Ancient of Days,
who longed for me, always…
deep unto deep.
Just – Me Time
Written in The Adirondacks on a July afternoon…
Down – time.
Just – me- time.
My own space
without clutter of to-do time.
Sitting in the woods time,
watching the water time,
breezes blowing, red squirrels chattering,
other voices in low tones
This time. Put up my feet time.
Letting my thoughts re-configure
my soul refreshed, breathing in life’s rhythm,
deep places infused by pine air
in this down-time,
just-me time.
My own space
without clutter of to-do time.
The following is a memorial poem written for a wonderful friend, Ruth, upon the death of her husband, Ray, at age 91. Five months later, Ruth joined him in Heaven at age 92. I share this poem once again to honor them and comfort their family.
Ruth and Ray
A legacy of love to be held by
in a time of loss and season of
un- knowing.
Residual dividends of kindness
sown into a household of love
for many wise years
And present here and now
to witness God’s faithfulness,
His embrace, His ever presence
In this inheritance,
this ever-keeping grace
and deep-rooted comfort,
an everlasting legacy of love.
Christine O’Riley 8-8-20