Pondering the blood-drenched tree
There but for His mercy, me
Tear-stained face, I bow the knee
Hallelujah! He is risen!
Low, for me His blood was drained
Love entombed, yet not contained
Absolution, as ordained
Hallelujah! He is risen!
(c) Marie Elena Good, 2013
It’s time to unveil
a new year. Inhale fresh air,
and care for what’s there.
Let my voice take wing
to sing in the key of peace.
May mercy increase
where now there are chains.
Where cold-heartedness remains,
may warmth fill my veins.
Let love with no caps
gush compassion, not rationed
in morsels or scraps.
Make me teachable
and easily reachable
when You wish to speak.
Please help me seek You.
In new ways through this new year,
help me feel You near.
© Marie Elena Good, 2021
By János Pentelei Molnár – biblia.huA Biblia a magyar képzőművészetbenPic, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=18270499
You found inside you
the price to betray a friend:
that of one suitcoat.
© Marie Elena Good, 2020
“What are you willing to give me if I deliver him over to you?” So they counted out for him thirty pieces of silver.” ~ Matthew 26:15
Illustration: Quentin Blake/Puffin
“Look at what you has done. And there be no forgiveness.” (From Roald Dahl’s “The BFG”)
A WORLD OF NO FORGIVENESS
This story begins
not with, “Once upon a time,”
but with, “At no time.”
At no time has there
ever existed a world
of no forgiveness.
We could not go on
without mercy and pardon
for one another,
from one another,
and, yes, also for ourselves.
For our Creator
has built forgiveness
into the very fabric
of our humanness.
How deeply ingrained
is our need for forgiveness?
How deeply ingrained?
How deeply healing
when I myself forgive me?
And again I ask
How deeply healing?
Our God made a way for us
to be forgiven.
Made in His image,
the road is already paved
to forgive others.
Made in His image,
the road is already paved
to forgive ourselves.
So let’s live our lives
in the state of forgiveness
that’s been granted us.
“Look what you has done
and there be no forgiveness,”
and upside-down lakes,
and trogglehumpers,
and dreams that float like fireflies
are just a story.
© Marie Elena Good, 2019
Photo by Keith R. Good
“… for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning.” ~ Lamentations 3
Dawn’s light emerges,
Hastening a new week’s cares.
Her knees, eroding.
Vivid moss roses
Flamboyant ruby hummers
Adore(n) her prayer walk
A murky morning.
Gloom seems to silence nature.
A still, small Voice calls.
The sun failed to rise,
She believes. And so she seeks
Son’s radiant grace.
Unsettling dream
Halted by sound of music
Caroled in her heart
Her heart feels absent;
Her spirit, arid and parched.
A gentle rain falls.
As dusk’s light withdraws,
She reaches out for His hand,
And there, finds her heart.
© Marie Elena Good
This world may have some issues I can’t solve –
Some great enough to trigger pain or fear;
Some threatening to make my life revolve
‘round stresses, whether certain or unclear.
This fallen world may never right its wrongs,
May never be at peace, nor ever learn
The value of a love that seeks and longs
To emanate affection and concern.
Though incidents endeavor to destroy,
To pierce our heart’s contentment as a knife,
My Jesus, how I thank You that my joy
Does not depend on happiness in life!
Unending joy of sinner-been-set-free,
Your grace and mercy are enough for me.
© Marie Elena Good, 2015
My Lord is great, and greatly to be praised.
In Him, I live and breathe, and take delight.
Yet, even though I’m awed and stand amazed,
My hollow words do not reflect His might.
How regal is Your name in all the earth!
Lord, who am I, that You would care for me?
Creator of my heart before my birth,
I long for it to be a light for Thee.
Now, “may the meditation of my mind,
And words upon my lips,” as David urged,
“Be pleasing in Your sight,” and may You find
Offensive ways concealed in me, now purged.
Imperfect poet, bound in mercy’s frame,
I seek to daily lift Your sacred name.
pictured words 