Tag: Wisdom

three poems

·

more colors of blue
in Lake Michigan today
than I can name
the wonder of always learning
dreaming new dreams

September
on the horizon
all the goals
I can still
try to reach

Also true that I have revised my goals. Given everything lots of new patience, love, and time. Health first.

Poems and photos are from my archives. I love the grey days as well.

And a new poem:

growing well
the small plant we bought
after my hospital visit in 2018

Take good care.

Lake Michigan
August 22, 2016

Lake Michigan
August 27, 2016

Ellen Grace Olinger

two poems

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some days
I read a little more
with my heart
and let my mind rest

different writers
and their gifts
with many forms

poems, novels,
letters, stories
blog posts

another day
or even year
I will reread and

understand a little
more about craft
and what I learned
from the author

yes, this is the gift
of growing older
all that can be kept
in the heart

grown to new art

Today – still love the mystery of learning. I may read a poet for comfort and wisdom, and later reread and study the craft. “Oh, I see – wonderful.” And meanwhile, a good way to pass the time when I need more rest. Light for a new life-lesson.

far from perfect
and in need of grace
we found our way
to unconditional love

Poems From Psalms And Nature

February 20, 2020

Ellen Grace Olinger

Images: Reusable Art

nothing could be

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My poem is from May 2013.

nothing could be
more beautiful
than the trees
and their new leaves
beginning
except for when
they are in full
summer green
and then turn
their autumn colors
and then are their
wise winter selves
waiting for spring
again

Ellen Grace Olinger

Grace

·

gifts of small moments
when I read and write

in the middle of all
that happens every day

in our worlds
large and small

I am more than content
with what I have
and have achieved

goals revised
and rewritten for now

When my spirit
was overwhelmed within me,
then thou knewest my path.

Psalm 142: 3a (KJV)

Ellen Grace Olinger

country roads

·

country roads
signs of change
in the landscape
and sky

yard overgrown
with plants
for bees
and butterflies

so much can wait
one step at a time
so much gets done

Image: wpclipart

Ellen Grace Olinger

Poem and Garden Journal Photos

· 1 Comment ·

The following poem was published first in MIDWEST POETRY REVIEW, in 1994. 

PSALM 20

There are days
when everything seems a metaphor…
I persist with a bottle of salad dressing
that won’t open
Touch the childhood scar on my forehead
now blended with a wrinkle
Am comforted by cards and letters
sent at just the right time
Gaze at the blue heron who stayed
long into the Fall
And marvel at the migrating monarchs
on their way.

I ponder the limits of persistence
for the heron left one day
And feel wounds aging into wisdom
although scars do stay
Recognize “help from the sanctuary”
and read Psalm 20 once again
In wonder at these days when
everything seems a metaphor…

New dreams were growing all along
And would be tested true
I finally flew to embrace them too.

These are Garden Journal photos from a few past years. Some poems and photos are gifts. Perhaps I can call them FOUND ART. I also think of them as HAIKU PHOTOS.

September 2015

October 2015

November 2016 – I loved seeing the natural arrangements of leaves on the blue tarp Karl had on his trailer.

December 2018 – Cedar siding of garage

Poem and photos are by Ellen Grace Olinger.

sunrise poem

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“sunrise poem” was first published on August 28, 2012 at my second blog, Poems From Psalms And Nature.

light

the gift of seasons

still having the faith
to keep trying when
we could have stayed
discouraged many times

(though sometimes we need
a rest and can trust
our part of this work
to others for a time)

the miracle of being here 

saying our thank yous
to God

and to one another

this day

Image: wpclipart

Ellen Grace Olinger