Community – A Poem
9/27/11 Update: I linked this poem to dVerse Poets Pub for Open Link Night ~ Week 11. If you like poetry, dVerse is the place to be.
It’s Thankful Thursday again, and so I’ve been pondering all that I am thankful for, searching my heart and mind for a thankful poem. Something that I am particularly thankful for this week is community.
I thought about the various communities I belong to. There is my family, immediate and extended, that is a community of sorts. There is my local church community. There is the blogging community that I am part of. There is my work community. And there is the small city community that I live in. Each community has its own characteristics and blessings. My favorite communities are those in which God is at the center.
This poem is a double acrostic, with community at the beginning and community at the end, and what I love about community in between.
COMMUNITY
coming together with smiles, music
out in the hall gathered with three or two
melodies, singing, talking, sharing, no boredom
many friends, our safe and contented place of asylum
unity the core of community, like Cajuns out on the bayou
needing each other to lean on, love, in trials or in fun
infinite joy and grace always genuine, not quasi
thankful for kinship, a bond that’s ancient
yes, our Lord has shown us the way
Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching. Hebrews 10:25 (NIV).
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Man, how incredibly challenging was that?!? And then to put it into that shape too? You, Miss Linda, are talented! Never, ever stop writing……
John, Thank you. Don’t worry – I know that I can never stop using the writing talent God has given me to glorify Him. For many years I used my talent for other purposes, but He has caused it to grow as I focus on writing about Him always. Peace, Linda
i love what you wrote .
nhg
nb
Linda, this is such a skilled use of the double acrostic…something I’ve never encountered before. So glad to discover your work and love the reflection on true community. Victoria
I’ve had several comments from accomplished poets who have never seen this poetic form before. I’m starting to think I made it up! Anyway, it was a lot of fun to do and I’m glad you like it. Peace, Linda
very cool…creative delivery of the acrostic…and a bit of truth as well…community is so important to our quality of life….def on my thankfulness list…
Brian, Thanks. Community is among the many things to be thankful for. It is wonderful to take the time each week to focus on what I am thankful for. Peace, Linda
very nice form and meaningful words for community
thanks for sharing this
Thanks and you’re welcome. Peace, Linda
I like this line: “our safe and contented place of asylum”
I like that line, too. But my favorite is “like Cajuns out on the bayou.” That, to me, brings up images of having a good time together just because we are together. Peace, Linda
wow, amazing! clever! and everything in between :]
Thanks! Plus, it was just so much fun to write! Peace, Linda
How did you do that? I am Amazed!
JD, Well I am flattered that I could amaze even you with my poetry! First of all, I prayed and asked for an idea. For the shape, I wrote it in MS Word instead of directly into the WordPress editor (which is how I do all my posts) and just spaced each line over. Then I used a website called Word Hippo that allows you to search for words that end in a specific letter to find word that ended in the letters of community. And I added and deleted words until lines were the right size. Plus, I just had a lot of fun doing it! Glad you liked it. Peace, Linda
Linda,
You are so talented, but I know Who places these things on your heart and it is Who you give all the credit to. I am so happy that we have this community that we belong to. Our little blog community causes us to sharpen iron with iron, and has caused me to change the way I think on many things, bringing me closer to God. Looking at your visitor map as I write this, people from every continent in the world read what you write, you are making a difference, and it reminds me of something. When I read the left behind series, I find it curious that the Christians in the last days communicated in the same way. Christian fiction it is, but not far from the mark is it. God bless you as you serve Him in word.
Jim
Jim, I have found that as I use my writing talent to glorify God it only gets better. Which reminds me of the parable of the talents. When we use our talents correctly He will multiply them. I completely agree about our blogging community – it has sharpened my understanding of who God is and what He desires for us. Lately I’ve had a hard time getting around to reading other blogs, and I miss it. I smiled to think of you viewing my visitor map – I’ll bet you also noticed that my blog is read in a number of countries where Christians are persecuted, such as Pakistan and Iran. I pray I can be an encouragement to Christians in those countries. Peace, Linda
Thanks, Linda,
Wow ! This is good! I couldn’t imagine reading one let alone writing one! This is simply superb!
I am working on a paper for community development. When I saw your topic, I smiled. When I read the poem, my heart danced. 🙂 Community is at the base of so much that we do on a daily basis. Truly, no man is an island.
Thanks for the wonderful post and thanks for being a part of my community.
Blessings,
ann
Ann, What a blessing to me to be able to make someone’s heart dance! How cool is that? God is so good to have given me this topic at this time to go with what you are doing. I am happy to have you as part of my community, too. 🙂 Peace, Linda
Community is a wonderful thing to be thankful for. I’m thankful too!! And Linda, I want to give you some kind of an award for this poem! How in the world did you manage a double acrostic? I’ve never seen one before and wouldn’t have thought it was possible. And then add to it a poem that was so good? Amazing!
God bless you and the communities He has placed you in!
Deb, It did take some thought, but I also used a website called “Word Hippo” where you can search for all words ending in a particular letter. Which is how I came up with “bayou” – one of the few words that ends in “u”! 😉 And that turned out to be one of my favorite lines in the poem. But you know the basic idea came from God, who is the center of all worthwhile community. 🙂 Peace, Linda
And the day approaches ever more quickly! Community is good – even an online community. As long as it communicates the truth.
Thankyou
I agree. God and His truth must be at the center of all community. 🙂 Peace, Linda