Several weeks ago, I was asked to paint my first commission of 2021. I am honored to be a part of a friend’s grieving process. Trey, you were and are so loved.
Remembering the smell of you
Sawdust, rich and fine
Remembering the touch of you
Prickly whisker hugs at night
Remembering the sight of you
Hands dipped in earth
Remembering the sound of you
Low, gentle, holding mirth
The card games played,
the things you made,
the books you read to us.
Did you know you
left these things?
Treasures, truth, trust
Remembering the things you taught
Gods generosity
Remembering is all I’ve got
Remembering you, loving me
©Mary Grace van der Kroef 2020
In the early morning gray,
I see you.
In the trees that shed their leaves,
I see you.
King of birds of blue.
You’re a brightness in the morn,
clouds are filling up with scorn.
As bits of white fall,
you’re the brightest blink of all.
Heaviness is falling down.
Let it fall.
Building on the pointed posts.
Let it fall.
You’re still a king through it all.
Blue because of shifting light,
magnificent through winter white.
Unafraid to face the chill,
that amplifies your royal thrill.
Don’t fly away my Kind of blue.
I’ll look for you.
For the frozen months, remain.
I’ll look for you.
Jay of Blue, my morning view.
©Mary Grace van der Kroef 2020
This is how I fly
Try to touch a cloudless sky
Fear I will defy
©Mary Grace van der Kroef 2020
Silhouette upon the waves,
floating over unknown graves.
Ever on towards the light,
yet ever shrouded in the night.
Hear the sound as ripples pass
as the wind propels its mass.
There the ship of constant dreams
journeys on through all extremes.
No port to find, no home to hail.
Forever doomed to onward sail.
Glimpse the Captain where he stands,
points ahead with outstretched hands.
Dreams aglow within his face,
of loneliness there is no trace.
A hero or a madman? Both.
Holding on to dreamers oath.
Passing towns and shipping lanes.
Care for them? None remains.
Busy chasing swirling thoughts,
lost in future plans and plots.
If only he would look this way,
see my wave, remember day.
But ever focused on he goes.
When will he end? No one knows.
© Mary Grace van der Kroef 2020
Grief
When you long
When your strong
Though you’ve lost
Know the cost
When there’s hope
Through grief you cope
When one is gone
Yet life goes on
No
This grief is never wrong
©Mary Grace van der Kroef 2020
Note: Many of the images I draw and add writing to have spelling mistakes. It may be unprofessional to share them, but I don’t care. The raw images hold meaning for me. So I still share them as is. Thank you for understanding and reading despite my mistakes.
Listen to the crowning leaves
Their glory days proceed with ease,
The wind gives to them a voice.
They shout, with shaking leaves, rejoice.
First time snow has run away
Autumn has another day.
Leaves of gold shimmering shine
Their dying days a heaven shrine
They do not weep as down they fall
They lay their royal carpet for all
And all can play in piles of gold
Rich or poor, young or old.
Soon there gold will turn to brown
But in their cries there is no frown
It’s well known they’ve earned their rest
A golden crown marks them as blessed
The first time snow has come and gone
So autumn sings us one last song.
©Mary Grace van der Kroef 2019
Today is Canadien Thanksgiving. I wish you all a safe, peaceful day.
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
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.
Falling from the sky
Unsure the reason why
Hear a soft reply
Angels don’t always fly
There’s more to love beneath the sky
©Mary Grace van der Kroef 2020
Mary Grace Writing 