November Newsletter Scribbling Spiritual Sand

Several of the Apron String authors will be introducing their newsletters starting on November 19. The reason behind this is to further get to know each of us, while you are waiting for the first book to be released in January 2024. Thank you for dropping in. Stop by the other author’s sites to answer scavenger hunt questions from “The Apron Strings Readers” site off of Facebook. Have a great day!

October’s Recap

Seasons

I have always wonder at the season in the “North”. A quiet warmth arrives within me with each turning season. It’s like those feelings which linger days before a holiday comes. I sense a surge of excitement at what is to change. I am like a child on the eve of Christmas, sleepless in my bed. Yet, a sadness seeps steadily through my veins with the final farewell to a dear friend, the season leaving.

Those are the seasons in Wisconsin and other northern states where our clothes are shed four times a year. It’s a time of metamorphosis as the seasons fly away. I long to watch the leaves change, then fall to the moist earth and wait for the buds to once again return.

Welcome to Autumn of the North.

Farewell

Leaves blush a short farewell
like a bride before her groom;
embracing seasons final days.

Squirrels chatter and gather
anxious to stretch the days,
their legs and stored stockpiles.

Song birds have long vanished;
fair weather-friends flown on.
Yet, faithful chick-a-dee remains.

Pumpkins rots in nearby fields;
once treasures gems of early fall
now just shrinking, stale stench.

It’s the seasons I’m reminded of,
as evening becomes an early veil
above darkened earth once again.

“He changes the times and the seasons; He removes kings and raises up kings; He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding. He reveals deep and secret things; He knows what is in the darkness, and light dwells with Him.” Daniel 2:21-22

Beatrice Coming April 2024

First two cover reveals
First Book in Apron Strings
Second Book in Apron Strings
Third Book in Apron Strings

Jerusalem

Israel’s 9/11

A half of century trials
blooms into great suffering
boys and girls dressed
for war, living on the edge.

What aisle, then miles
muddy boots shuffling;
youth in strides of unrest-
the young live to pledge.

Debris lay in littered piles,
too many heart shuttering
war spreads east to west;
youth too young to fledge.

My son, Ryan, stayed in Israel this past summer. He traveled everywhere. The one thing he noticed was young people dressed in uniforms and holding assault rifles, youth 17-19 years of age. Pray for this nation as the loss of the next generation is threatened.

Poetry

FINAL CALL

Worship falls from lips of men
as day settles like dazed dust.
Comes forth silken strains of life;
with heated hues once again.
Whose soul shall He then entrust?
The groom comes for waiting wife.

Yet still shadows twist and turn
danger dangles over earth;
grasps and tangles sinful mind.
Righteous people pause, stand firm;
now enters your end time’s worth.
God does care, calls all mankind.

“Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming.” Matthew 24:42

2023 Poetry Collection

Available on Amazon

Pray for Israel

October Family Fun

The Promise

THE PROMISE

The red wing sings a final lullaby,
as dampness fills the stilled air.
Leaves fall gently to the ground,
while a slice of silence is found.

My heart now taken back to spring;
when opening buds were a new thing.
Now the scattering of old leaves fall,
color blazes as they whisper and call.

A solo spring peeper deeply groans.
His mates have all left pond to roam;
autumn lingers without a single care,
while soon critter’s life will not spare.

The new snows are soon to coming,
and too many shortened days ahead.
It’s the changing of our annual guard;
which whole heartedly I often dread.

Yet for today, I will solemnly linger,
as final leaves take a graceful bow
and colors illuminates the tinted sky;
it’s today I feel autumn is still alive.

One day the world will be renewed.
Eternal spring will come once again.
It’s to God’s promises which I hold,
as seasons transition and unfold.

“Then He who sat on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.”
Revelations 21:5a

The Song a Bird Sings

QUOTE FROM CAGED BIRD

“But a bird that stalks
down his narrow cage
can seldom see through
his bars of rage
his wings are clipped and
his feet are tied
so he opens his throat to sing.”

-Maya Angelou

Yes, caged you say
as he ambles narrow
and constrained way;
life straight as piercing arrow.
No bars can contain the joy
his sweet song doth bring.
Those flying free can’t deploy
the wonder that a caged bird sings.

What then is said
as freedom rings?
What tears are shed
to righteous King?
What cage does fade,
confinement is no grave?
What brings forth a shade
of petty paths to pave?

Now a freed bird drifts,
wanders place to place
follows as wild wind shifts;
has no room for Holy grace.
He’s heavily laden with his life
shadows veil his weary path;
steady sleet slices like a knife,
as weather strikes with wrath.

For only one path
for both to take,
it’s really simple math;
true to heart, not fake.
Whether free or in a cage
seek liberty from above.
Be freed from sinful rage;
find God’s sacrificial love.

-P. Wolf

“And I will walk at liberty: for I seek thy precepts.” Psalm 119:45

“As a civil rights activist, Angelou worked for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X. She was also an educator and served as the Reynolds professor of American Studies at Wake Forest University.”

My poem above is a response to Maya Angelou poem “Caged Bird” which was a challenge from another poetry group.

Linking up at DVerse

“Nature Poetry” Review

From My Heart to Yours

Are you having trouble staying in the Word of God? This little book of poetry and verses from the Bible may help give you a boost. Or perhaps, you don’t have time for a morning walk. “Nature Poetry” will take you to the source of Creation. Written from my heart to yours💕

Available on Amazon and at Barnes & Noble