poetry

Three Times Thirteen

Posted on May 11, 2013 by Pieter Stok

May 11th, Our 39th Wedding Anniversary …
and I remembered!

Three times thirteenph9
has no ‘bad luck’ attached
but rather,
showers of providence.
God’s provision and care,
His ‘third strand’
of presence, love
and grace
that kept us
through thick and thin,
sickness and health,
poverty and well …

I joke
that marriage is an institution.
This institution
I am grateful to have entered
with my own free will,
sound mind,
and no regrets.

May we share more,
memories,
experiences,
walks
and the odd game of “Ticket to Ride”
in the time ahead that
God gives.

Categories: Family, Poem, poetry, Uncategorized | Tags: , , , , | 7 Comments

Carrot or Stick?

Posted on May 9, 2013 by Pieter Stok
Sand Desk at the Jamtli Folk Museum, Ostersund Sweden

Sand Desk at the Jamtli Folk Museum, Ostersund Sweden

Carrot or stick?
Which is
the teacher’s best friend?

A word in season,
A well timed smile,
A friendly nudge,
will melt ice
soften frowns
and make hearts,
minds and hands
willing and wanting
to learn.

Categories: Education, Poem, poetry, Teaching | Tags: , , , | Leave a comment

The Word Stares

Posted on April 27, 2013 by Pieter Stok

The Word stares
at me
and challenges
my heart
and hands.

I parse
and exegete
unfold and explore
but it waits
and silently
demands more.

The words are cross referenced,
the context considered
and yet it says
“So what?”

What will you do
with your gleanings
to make Christ
and His Kingdom known?

Categories: christian, Faith, Poem, poetry, Reflections | 3 Comments

No Man (or Woman) is an Island

Posted on April 25, 2013 by Pieter Stok

With apologies to John Donne

One plus one
Equals
Relationship.
One plus one plus one
Equals community.

Each sum
Requires the addition
Of our commitment,
Our time,
Our selves.

With subtraction
Comes pain
And loss.
Completeness disappears.
The sum
Doesn’t
Add up.

Categories: christian, Devotional, Poem, poetry, Reflections | Tags: , | Leave a comment

Sunday

Posted on April 21, 2013 by Pieter Stok

DSC_0298The sun rises
on Sunday
heralding
a new day
a new hope
and promises
of eternal life

Categories: Faith, Poem, poetry | Tags: , , , , , | 2 Comments

Nervous Vows

Posted on March 27, 2013 by Pieter Stok

Nervous vows,
promises to love,
all those years ago
mumbled in the bluestone church
grew
rapidly . . . and sporadically,
fluently . . . and uneasily,
depending
on the season or mood,
circumstance or storm.

ph9But since time has wandered
its unfathomable path,
the ties are strong,
the love stronger
and the understanding
solid – most times.

The children
came
and then went
on their own time bound journey.

But we,
we are still here,
warm in our history
of gathered affection.

Categories: Family, Poem, poetry, Reflections | Tags: , , , | 4 Comments

(Im)-Patience

Posted on March 22, 2013 by Pieter Stok

Patience

eludes my grasp.

Things never happen

quickly enough –

chartres

The Maze In Chartres Cathedral

in a timely fashion!

Irritation

creeps and worms

through the sinews

which tense

and twist.

But there are some things

for which I am not impatient:

bills,

certain visits

and death.

Categories: Poem, poetry, Reflections | Tags: , , , | Leave a comment

Engagement

Posted on March 1, 2013 by Pieter Stok
Ocean Grover Primary School circa 1957

Ocean Grove Primary School circa 1957

Some minds twitch with eager attention –

ready to absorb, engage and respond.

Others meander between sleep and apathy.

A few sparkle with their own thoughts and musings –

but not with my instructions.

The sound of a football or distant song, piques their interest,

however the poem or play, theme or plot hardly registers.

How to excite the neurons,

that is the question.

To electrify ideas, thought and wonder

beyond the mundane and internet fed drivel,

is the challenge …

as the wandering mind sits behind the desk,

waiting for recess.

Categories: Education, Poem, poetry | Tags: , , , | 2 Comments

Exhaustion – a petty tirade

Posted on February 8, 2013 by Pieter Stok

Leaden legs
Slumped shoulders
Meandering mind
Airless lungs
Feeble fingers
Aching ankles
Creaking knees
Twinging back
Weary eyes

The body yearns
For the horizontal,
The firm but cozy mattress
Clean sheets
And inviting doona (duvet)

The mind seeks
Blankness –
The off switch
Solitude

It is time for
Rest

O.k. before I get any comments about feeling sorry for myself – I acknowledge that. I just wanted to get this off my chest. And yes, there is an element of Ecclesiastes 12 about the poem. I am hoping in my case it is only temporary! 🙂

Categories: poetry, Reflections, Uncategorized | Tags: , | 4 Comments

You Know

Posted on February 5, 2013 by Pieter Stok

Reflections on Matthew 10 and Psalm 139

And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Matt 10:30

you know meYou know my name,
my atoms and cells.
You created them.
You know the hairs on my head:
The number,
the colour.

My eyes,
My wrinkles
and every quirk,
You know.

You know my very DNA,
my core.

You know my movements
and thoughts,
my rebellion and
obedience.

But more than that,
You know my heart,
no matter what I hide.
My lies, my truth.

You know me
and you still love me!

Categories: christian, Christianity, Faith, Poem, poetry, Uncategorized | Tags: , , , , , | 2 Comments

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