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She took my anger
And flew away
So now, I can finally pray
She was Godโs Grace
Before I asked
He gave it through her winging blast
Hidden in
My seeking brush
Hope is His, my fears to crush
He knows my needs
Before I call
This is His story after all
ยฉMary Grace van der Kroef 2020
Hope like Cold Fury was written to accompany the painting by the same name. The original painting by Mary Grace van der Kroef is Sold.
To have control
or persevere?
Sometimes the difference isnโt clear.
Intertwined
as braided strands,
taking turns on who commands.
Stand in check,
Is this the way?
Will this, a bit of self betray?
Know the road,
make a goal,
continue on in self-control.
Or hold a line,
say not today,
anger will not have its prey.
Wisdom wields
both as a team,
for neither is the one supreme.
Copyright ยฉ2023 Mary Grace van der Kroef


Whispers that linger
in the cup of hand to heart.
Feathers that flutter
on words that lilt and dart.
Leaving presence behind like art.
Strength that guards
in silken threads of web.
Holding back sharp edges
with softest flow and ebb,
minding what is said.
Unrelenting,
unmovable gentleness.
How can one possess
this uncommonness,
that embodies loveโs caress?
Copyright ยฉ2023 Mary Grace van der Kroef


To be a constant
unwavering mass
To last
To hold knowledge
open handed
honestly
To choose a path
and follow through
thoroughly
Never giving up
Never backing down
faithfully
Copyright ยฉ2023 Mary Grace van der Kroef


Goodness done, spreads out like flowing water, touching lives in ripples, gentle waves.
Goodness withheld is missed like a blown kiss, or forgotten rains.
Goodness, action or being? God gives no man this name.
Yet we can walk the path he paved and read each stone footprints engraved
with Goodness spelling out his love, in actions pure, true. Feel the marks he left behind, a map of Kindness for manโs use.
Be it under tumultuous waves, or across a barren earth. May bared feet find Goodness sweet, though blinded, deaf and mute.
Feeling for the good embrace of imprints sacred bed. Walking in His footsteps, know by His Goodness weโre fed.
So sending out His ripples as we slosh through days and nights. Touching countless others with waves of gentle might.
Copyright ยฉ2023 Mary Grace van der Kroef
Goodness saw publication at Agape Review on august 21st, 2021


Patience isn't passive
but A power held in check,
ready when Time comes
to move Inexorably forward.
PatiencE shows a passion
for peace iN bite sized nuggets
unafraid of silenCe
wisE in gauging climates.
ยฉ2021 Mary Grace van der Kroef


Available titles by Mary Grace van der Kroef
Present places
present faces
in the moment here with you
Touching sunlight
touching evening
side by side in all I do
In comings
follow goings
always knowing you have space
Quiet moments
hectic motions
anchored inside grace
Such protection
unseen deflection
learning ever to remain
In the sphere
of your promise
knowing every tear of pain
is treasured
measured
in the palm of your hand
Ensuring
your enduring
present peace before me spanned
Copyright ยฉ2023 Mary Grace van der Kroef


Titles by Mary Grace van der Kroef
Found in simple spaces
when lights have dimmed to ease
weariness of day from shoulders prone.
In the morning beams
where radiance sings
reserving stage for feathered accompaniment notes.
Shimmers in the shadows
like the fuzziness of heat,
but greats in bells that chime with chirping mirth.
Often hid amid
wide open space
blending with a magic you can not trace.
Given to the few
who look beyond circumstance
to find the lines God painted beneath.
Even when awash,
paying untold cost,
finding treasure hid and hold relief.
Copyright ยฉ2023 Mary Grace van der Kroef


Available titles by Mary Grace van der Kroef
“Within the pages of Ekstasis, we exhibit arts and letter that reflect the depths of Christian life.”
– from the Ekstasis Magazine About Page –
I have found the pages of Ekstasis Magazine, both online and in print, to be a place of great beauty and deep thought, reverence and worship, joy and celebration.
I would like to thank the editorial team for including my poem “Never Empty” in their Autumn online lineup.
I invite you to visit them and enjoy the many rich works of writers/artists of all kinds.
“Ekstasis publishes work that slants toward the triumphant and glorious aspects of life in Christ, framed through the arts and literature. Ekstasis is based in the work of Beautiful Orthodoxy, as defined by Christianity Today.”
– from the Ekstasis Magazine About Page –