pictured words

a simple pairing of pictures and poetry

Tag: Love in Action

LET’S BE OPEN

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LET’S BE OPEN

Well, while our government remains shut down
and citizens debate who is at fault
and billionaires don’t lose one grain of ground,
*SNAP benefits are coming to a halt. 

Our churches, mosques, and temples work to fill
the need our government’s left in its wake.
We’ll all step up to compensate — but still,
where will we find resources it will take?

We’ll find it in abundance we consume.
We’ll find the here and there that we can spare.
We’ll set our table, and we’ll make more room.
And even those themselves in need will share.

While left and right debate who is at fault,
the poor among us feel the full assault. 

© Marie Elena Good 2025

*Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program

“For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home.” ~ Jesus of Nazareth



 







NOW WHAT?

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NOW WHAT?

Now is the time to
not grow weary of planting
good, so good is reaped.

Now I ask my Lord
to show me the next right thing
and help me do it.

Now I sit down to
plan my English lesson for
sweet, eager women.

Now I spend time with
my granddaughters, letting them
talk.  Lifting them up.

Now I look out my
window at the colors, and
see the hand of God.

Now I think on how
a king’s heart is in God’s hand,
and He can guide it.

Now I make calls, and
receive calls, and get in touch
with those God gives me.

Now I eat good food,
and share good food with those who
are in need of it.

Now I look to the
church, to do what the church should
to welcome strangers.

Now I look forward
to seeing how God will grow
little kindnesses.

Now I don’t complain
(help me, Lord!) about things, but
choose a grateful heart.

Now I walk with God,
asking Him for eyes to see
and ears to hear Him.

Now I learn to seek
forgiveness, and to forgive
those who have wronged me.

Now I ask not what
my country can do for me,
but I for others.

Now I choose to look
for the good in those who see
with different eyes.

Now I will seek to
learn how to better display
the love of Jesus.

Now I endeavor
to stand up, speak truth in love,
or sit still and hushed.

Now I will listen
raptly for the still, small voice
of my holy God.

Now I vow to care
for those God has placed in my
small, humble corner.

Now I understand
each of us has our corner.
Corners shape the whole.

Now I am thankful
our God cannot be reduced
by the whims of man.

© Marie Elena Good, 2024

At Risk of Inconvenience

Photo by NEOSiAM 2024+ on Pexels.com

AT RISK OF INCONVENIENCE

When is the time to
ask, “From what are you fleeing?”
to decipher which
response sits well with
your belief system of what
is acceptable?

A conventional
distance between bombs fallen,
and their child’s bedroom?

Number of women
kidnapped for sexual gain?
Number of children?

The amount of food
unavailable to feed
themselves? Their children?

Are there adequate
words to set your mind at ease
that this person’s plight’s
perilous enough
to justify leaving home,
setting themselves at
risk in different ways
than what they feel forced to leave –
forced to escape – now?

To make certain their
endangerment matches your
own definition?

And when, in your thoughts,
is it acceptable to
bomb a hospital?

Perhaps when evil
lurks beneath? Then, innocents
are expendable?

What gives you enough
luxury of ease of mind
to give your thumbs up?

© Marie Elena Good 2024

My Favorite Christmas Things (to the tune of My Favorite Things)

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Banister greenery, tied with red ribbon.
Moonlit iced tree branches sparkle and glisten.
Carolers harmonize laughter with song.
Uplifting lyrics ring all season long.

Silver-belled streetlamps are charmingly pretty,
Casting their glow on the streets of the city.
Life-sized nativity graces a lawn.
Warmth from a hay bale entices a fawn.

Crystal-like snowflakes that shimmer and twinkle.
Enchanted children, with noses that crinkle.
Scents of warm sugar that waft through the air.
Sense of the kindness of folks everywhere.

Children’s wonder
Peaceful slumber
‘neath a silent snow

The best of the season
all point to the reason –
the birth of a Babe I know.

 

© Marie Elena Good, 2017