Gentle Friend

marygracewritingLeave a comment

Come again, my gentle friend
From loneliness my heart defend
A moment sit and with me spend
To the present help me attend

Let me feel you gently blow
Refreshing air around me flow
No one else could ever know
The way your spirit helps me grow

I feel you in the quiet take
My hand and shoulder softly shake
Despite despair that makes me quake
In this moment, you know my stake

It is a privilege to commune
In the quiet my doubt you prune
Help me attend and be attune
For from life’s care I’m not immune

Come again forever friend
Into this quiet, come, descend
In this peace, you help to mend
A moment from self transcend

©Mary Grace van der Kroef 2020

Red-Winged Knight, Red-Winged Blackbird

marygracewriting2 Comments

He wears a cloak of night
Despite his elbows bright

They flash a vivid red
By them, love is led

She is demure in brown
Stripped is her gown

A mother through and through
To her clutch she’s true

Song of silver notes
In the air, it floats

Then of shrill intent
On defence, it’s bent

A knight in crimson ash
Not afraid to clash

His own he will protect
Demanding all respect

Red-Winged Bird in black
I’ll heed your swift attack

This marsh is where you’ve grown
Amid the reeds, you make a throne

©Mary Grace van der Kroef 2020

Sound of Silence

marygracewritingLeave a comment

Hush

Can you hear it?

A softness in the night

Hush,

Close your eyes

This sound is pure delight

Stop,

Don’t give up

Sit a moment and regress

Stop,

Now breath in

Silence like a caress

Find it,

That feeling

Like waiting with intent

Find it,

Uncomfortable

Yet sweetness in its get

Strang

To hunger

For for what you easily brake

Strang

To anticipate

Loss within its wake

Blessings

In finding

Peace in moments lent

Blessings

Abundant

In silence well spent

©Mary Grace van der Kroef 2020

Water Painting

marygracewritingLeave a comment
Original Photo by Mary Grace van der Kroef

The colours in her mind
by them, she’s not defined
vision unrefined
but still a mastermind


Look! The way she moves
painting through the groves
uncaring who approves
every step limits disproves


Just water on the ground
to her, colours abound
spreads it round and round
make believe so profound


Footprints in her wake
dreaming while awake
unafraid, never fake
as they fade, just more to make


When the fun is done
water drys in sun
tears? Not a one
for she’s the one who’s won

© Mary Grace van der Kroef 2020

Words That Stick

marygracewriting2 Comments

Toxic waste
blackened paste
words that stick
hearts defaced

By sludge abused
forever bruised
beneath the crusting
phrases used

Unclean thing
how they cling
defy attempts
to shield the sting

Leprosy
our legacy
every man’s
dark felony

Guard the tongue
from speaking dung
words once said
can’t be unsung

©Mary Grace van der Kroef 2020

Hummingbird of Green, Ruby-Throated Hummingbird

marygracewritingLeave a comment
Original painting by Mary Grace van der Kroef.

Do you hear the hum?
Do you see them come?
Darting here and there
Flitting everywhere

Figure eight in flight
Flashing feathers, bright
Tantalizing hover
Then darting off for cover

Tinny glory beam
A mesmerizing seen
Living dancing jewel
Fed by natures fuel

Hummingbird of green
Ruby Throated sheen
The glimmer of your hue
Beauty that is true

©Mary Grace van der Kroef 2020

Raptor King, The Bald Eagle

marygracewritingLeave a comment
Simple practice drawing. By Mary Grace van der Kroef.

Feathered glory
talons tight
wingspan stretched
ready for flight

A power house
the Raptor King
awe inspired
words you bring

Confidence
through every pore
predator
to your core

Using winds
heights to soar
gliding close
to sea and shore

Eagle Master
of the sky
no need to ask
the rhyme of why

©Mary Grace van der Kroef 2020

This week marks a new chapter in the life of my family. We have started homeschooling. We have chosen a unit study on North American Birds. Mothers can learn too! So I have stretched my artistic wings while teaching for the first time.

I rarely start my writing with a set theme. But here is to trying new things and learning alongside my children. Baby steps, my friends. Simple beginnings, better endings.

Isaiah 40:31 – But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

Shimmering Soul

marygracewritingLeave a comment

Quivering shakes
Trembling wakes
Heartaches
It’s a soul that breaks

Unseen hands
Wrap like bands
Sheltering strands
Hold in commands

Pain never leaves
Held through the heaves
Endurance receives
True love perceives

Quietly bold
Young growing old
Old but won’t fold
True strength behold

Because of the care
Because one was there
Through the unfair
Of Him now aware

Shimmering soul
Life has a toll
But now you are whole
With God in control

©Mary Grace van der Kroef 2020