Week 48 and I’m late! Yesterday was Thanksgiving here in the U.S. and since it was just me, my husband, and my son at home for the holiday, I had every intention of getting this post done and scheduled to go live at 7 a.m. But then I started working on layout of the Oregon Christian Writers poetry journal and the next thing I knew it was 10 p.m. and I hadn’t even pulled the paint chips yet.
The Challenge
Thankfully, today is a holiday from work for me so I could get this done in the morning along with my second cup of coffee.
Today’s theme comes from page 154 of volume 1 of 1000 Quotable Poems. The theme poem title is “The Country Faith” by Norman Gal. You have these seven paint chip words and phrases to work with: brain teaser, midnight, beach walk, dumpling, castle, cliff’s edge, and Sahara. Please use at least five of these in your poem. For extra bonus points, write your poem in rhyming couplets.
My Poem
I decided on rhyming couplets myself today with a little fictional verse about a country parson I’d love to meet. I hope you like him too.
The Country Parson There once was a country parson living in our small town. The parsonage, on a cliff's edge, was painted chocolate brown. Below the cliff stretched the ocean, often drenched in fog. Each day our parson climbed the stairs for a beach walk with his dog. His was a simple country faith; no brain teasers did he preach. To those in need, our neighbors all, he exhorted us to reach. If our friend traversed Sahara with no end in sight, Walk with them to ease their pain and give their path a light. If the castle of our enemy should be besieged by cruel hate, Offer aid, our parson said, that peace you might create. I once invited the parson to my home for Thanksgiving dinner. The turkey, dumplings, and pecan pie he declared a sure winner. He stayed until long past midnight as we talked of grace from above. The parson's simple country faith was steeped in mercy and love. I remember him quite fondly, though it's been many years Since I heard him share his simple faith that brought me joyful tears.
Your Turn
Now it’s your turn to write a little verse about the country faith. You might write about the faith of a particular person, or perhaps about your own. You might even write about the faith of a specific country. Whatever you write, please share. You can post your poem in the comments, or you can post it on your own blog and drop a link in the comments. And be sure to read the poems offered by others. That’s the best part of these poetry prompts for me is reading all the wonderful poems they inspire.