Shadows of Glory

God’s goodness leaves me breathless;
Divine mercy stills my voice;
Consumed by boundless mercy
I fall before you–
No request, just to rejoice.

Standing small before Your greatness;
Humbled by inexhaustible grace.
Resting ‘neath shadows of glory;
Content with Love’s perfect embrace.

God’s goodness leaves me breathless;
Drawn to Love like moth to flame.
Held by arms both strong and tender;
Life and heart belong to Your sweet name.

Standing small before Your greatness;
Humbled by inexhaustible grace.
Resting ‘neath shadows of glory;
Content with Love’s perfect embrace.

 Autumn Snow

Autumn snow of rust and earth tones,
Miniature shields glistening with sun flecked hues and shades of red.
Descending from trees tired from summer’s burden,
Standing now bare against the wind.
Beautiful decay, inspiring transition,
Crisp russet carpet announcing all arrivals.
Autumn snow of rust and earth tones,
Signal for us a time of best beginning.
Love– fresh and beautiful,
Growing and expanding,
New and promising,
Complete and endless,
Understanding and caring,
Friendship and intimacy.
Autumn snow of rust and earth tones,
Beautiful descent of artist’s pallet,
Echoing the beauty of a heart made complete by the love of another.
Completed love, more beautiful than autumn snow.

(Dane Fowlkes)

 Standing Alone (Behind the Gate)

Freight train gliding north by moonlight,
For many nothing more than distant dissonance
Interrupting night peace for sleeping.
But some will stop to listen and to dream,
Carried north to locations unknown and persons unmet.
Far from disturbing noise,
The clacking rhythm of northbound train conjurs music
Unheard by common ears.
Melody of longing, rhythm of hope, sad cadence of mourning–
Emotions of the freighted night.

Standing alone behind the gate
And separated from the sight and sound by years long wasted–
Longing, hoping, mourning–more profound than before,
Leaving nothing to do but nothing.
Freight train gliding north by moonlight,
Standing alone behind the gate.

(Dane Fowlkes)

 What Gift Have I?

What gift have I
Save that which lies within myself?
And dare I offer
When others give from depth of wealth?
No rose upon your desk
Nor nature’s pearls to trim your dress;
No candlelight, no wine,
No night with moon, no soft caress;
What have I,
Save a heart reshaped into your likeness?
What have I,
Save words of praise and hope and kindness?
What have I,
Save thoughts of a man now towards you turned?
To write of eyes and voice
And smiles both memorized and learned.

(Dane Fowlkes)

What gift have I save
A heart of love;
Companioned by hope
That it will be enough.