Beautiful Defect
  • Life Poems
  • About

Life Poems 
A Journal of Christian Poetry

Picture

Sanctity Of Human Life Sunday

1/16/2021

2 Comments

 
Special Issue
January 17, 2021
​
Picture

"Lo, children are a heritage from the Lord; the fruit of the womb is a reward." 
​Psalm 127:3

Lord of all creation,
please give us
grateful hearts

Sarah Sherwood



Little Faces

Little faces thrown away
From shelter and nurturing nest
Established in God's likeness
An image dispossessed
Who is it that gave you life?
Is it not the Lord Almighty?
Perfect, tiny knitted one
Yet, robbed, your worth and dignity
Timeless spirits fluttering home
Before a chance to dance or sing
No memories saved or stories to tell
But presented before your King
Little souls are tossed away
It's human hearts that must be changed
Fervent prayers must never wane
Our having life is why He came!

Carol Grandell Scott



"Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the LORD God had made..."
Genesis 3:1


reproductive health rollssoeasilyoffthetongue

Susan Beth Furst


"Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be."
Psalm 139:16


written words
another closed book sits on the shelf
never spoken

Lori Assadi Ramsey


Picture


Gagged

One day, they just stopped
playing it.
Then they took it off the shelves.
I found it forty years later,
in a bin
in the back
of a used record store.
I play it
in the dark,
very softly,
like cats
feet…
disappearing
in
the
f
o
g
 
unborn child
spinning the sound
of silence
 
 Susan Beth Furst
 ​
Picture

​

Susan Beth Furst Image by Canva

​
​"Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them..." Matthew 6:26

gourds hanging from a fence nests for the birds

Ann C. Welch


​"Behold, I am making all things new." Revelation 21:5

in dappled sunlight 
a breeze touches my face...
God is near

 
©Al Gallia 2019
​
Picture

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have everlasting life." John 3:16


​I would like to thank our poets; Sarah Sherwood, Carol Grandell Scott, Lori Assadi Ramsey, Christine L. Villa, and Al Gallia. I pray that your words will speak hope to the hopeless, forgiveness to the burdened, and life to all who seek it. Jesus provides it abundantly. God Bless You. And God Bless the little children, for such is the kingdom of Heaven.

In His Name,

​Susan


"gourds," by my friend Ann C. Welch is published in her memory.

"just when I think my life is in balance," haiga by Christine L. Villa, The Bluebird's Cry, Japanese short-form poetry, 2016.

"Gagged," haibun by Susan Beth Furst, The Red River Book of Haibun: Volume One, Editors Steve Hodge & Paresh Tiwari, 2019.

hyacinth & sunflower, photography by Susan Beth Furst.

Life Poems, A Journal of Christian Poetry, edited by Susan Beth Furst, 2021.

​
Picture
2 Comments

beginnings...

5/2/2019

0 Comments

 
Picture
​

Life Poems

​A journal of Christian poetry

​June 2019


​

the snow is gone from here,
it is time for spring
Camellias

Karen Chin, Virginia


​

​

Roses in remembrance

Who needs a special touch?
All too often life gets spinning and whirling too fast
to even think of those who might need a touch of care.

But early this morning
when it was very quiet
a dear woman came to my mind.

Yes, in a moment of quiet. Ah I'm so thankful for that quiet.

I reached out to her
with just a touch of care
and she quickly responded.

Just a moment where out two souls connected.

And it changed me.
Suddenly my heart came alive ---
We need each other, don't we.

Who can you think of today?

I don't know about you but there is someone else I want to see.
Lets take time to remember.


Sharon Beth Brani, Virginia



​
Picture

​                                                             

​Snow White Bride

Seeking the Son He greets me with a kiss
He's my Lord and Savior and I am His
I've never known a love as great as this,
so I embrace the Son and the love he gives.

I've been made alive by Christ
my scarlet sins turned snow white,
In a lifetime or just the blink of an eye
transformed into His beloved bride,
His beloved snow white bride.

Brian Shertzer, Pennsylvania

​

​

I'm always here with You

I'm here waiting
I'm here wondering
I'm here sitting
I'm here listening


                     I'm here with You

I brought my heart
I brought my soul
I brought my pain
I brought my struggles


                     I'm here with You


I love You
I worship You
I adore You
I pour out my heart to You
I feed on Your bread


                     I'm here with You


I'm always here desperately wanting You
I'm incomplete without You


                     I'm always going to be here with You

Krystle Nicole Martin, Oklahoma

​
Picture

​
​The question

When did you change my name?
I thought it was Olivia, 
Chloe, or Eliza Jane. 
The fetus, 
sounds rather odd

like no name at all...

I guess it doesn't matter
what name you choose,

in time I'll grow
to like it.
Won't 

I?

Susan Beth Furst, Virginia
 
"What is the price of two sparrows -- one copper coin? But not a single sparrow can fall to the ground without your Father knowing it."  Matthew 10:29 (NLT)

Our Father is the God of mercy. He is the God who forgives. He is the God who came and took our place, on a cross, made for us. There is nothing he won't forgive, if you ask.
​
God loved you so much that he sent his only Son so that you might believe in Him and have forever life.  John 3:16 In my own words...
​
​I hope you have enjoyed our June Issue of Life Poems. I would like to thank our poets; Karen Chin, Sharon Beth Brani, Brian Shertzer (our resident songwriter), and Krystle Nicole Martin. I appreciate your support and I love sharing your poetry. 

Submissions are open for the August issue of Life Poems. Come be a part of our community of poets. Our theme for the August issue is Seasons. Write as the Word leads you. Be creative - Be daring - Be different - Send in your poems! Click on our Submissions Page for our guidelines.


​Susan

                                                                   Unplanned Pregnancy?
                                                           www.empowered2choose.org

photography & shahai by susanbethfurst 2019​​
Picture
0 Comments

Resurrection...

3/29/2019

6 Comments

 
Picture
        Al Gallia, Lafayette, Louisiana



Life Poems
April 2019



​His hour had come

His hour had come for glory
salvation to secure
"don't let your hearts be troubled"
was his consoling word

Although He was without sin
a sacrifice He'd be
condemned to crucifixion
upon that dreaded tree

Faltering up the craggy hill
outside the city wall
with a heaviness of heart
his own cross He did haul

The crafted sign above him
for passersby to view
was an attempt to mock him
it read "King of the Jews"

His garments were divided
and lots cast for his cloak
as was their wretched custom
no pity was evoked

The divine mission finished
his spirit He did yield
his hour had come for glory
for us redemption sealed


Carol Grandell Scott, Wilmington, Delaware







​Resurrection Signs

​A clean slate of blue –
Jet streams chalking, up and down –
Crosses light the sky.


Mary Harwell Sayler, ©2019
lovely, rural, Florida





​
"But He was wounded for our transgressions,
He was bruised for our iniquities;
The chastisement for our peace was upon Him,
And by His stripes we are healed."
Isaiah 53:5 NKJV


Photograph, Ash Wednesday 2019

Picture


sunlight
fills the cathedral
morning glory

​
Easter morning
the sun 's warmth
through closed eyes
                        

Nancy Rapp, St. Louis, Missouri
,, 
​
​
​The Dance


An old woman now
soon to be unchained and free
she remembers the wrath of polio,
and the promise
from a recurring childhood dream.
 
Brown eyes wide and rosy-cheeked
long golden hair bobs side to side,
her white pinafore gracefully swirls
sweet laughter wafting through the air,
cherished abandon with each twirl.
 
Daisies seem a meadow of clouds
dancing to music only she hears,
with giggles and squeals of delight
leaping in flowers as if,
she had wings on her tiny bare feet.
 
Linda, New York, USA
Picture


​Encore at Phipps
 
It's Easter Sunday. Everyone in the city is lining up outside the Conservatory to see the Spring Flower Show. Dad's wearing his blue suit, Mom's wearing her pink fur coat, and I'm wearing my frilly socks and patent leather shoes. The organist is playing, Easter Parade. I pretend that I'm Judy Garland, dancing through the tulips with Fred Astaire.
 
 
a familiar tune
jogs my memory
Easter lily
 
 
The organist is gone now, so are the crowds, and so are my frilly socks. Ah, but the music. I can still hear it as I start to run down the familiar brick path, my patent leather shoes barely touching the ground, the ribbons on my Easter Bonnet fluttering behind me, Fred, just around the corner, in the orchid room...
 

still tip toeing
through the tulips
in Technicolor
 

Susan Beth Furst, Virginia




garter snake
​leaving the old skin behind


Nancy Rapp, St. Louis, Missouri


​seismic shift jelly beans lost in paper grass

Susan Beth Furst, Virginia
                                         
Picture
Susan Beth Furst, with a little help from my friend, Al Gallia, Lafayette, Louisiana




​The Resurrection Song

     Happy resurrection day

​
Vs1
He is alive forevermore
Jesus, our risen Lord
In only three days
It was grace over the grave

Chorus
Happy resurrection day
It's time to celebrate
Happy resurrection day
Let the saints jubilate
Give Him thanks,
And give Him praise
For He is the only way
Happy resurrection day

Vs2
He freely laid down His life
God's perfect sacrifice
He is the risen King
O death where is thy sting

Chorus

Bridge
He has opened the gates to paradise
He came to give all life
So confess from your heart in faith
Happy resurrection day

Chorus

Brian Shertzer, Pennsylvania
​

​

It was the women...

After the Sabbath. as the first light of the new week dawned, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to keep vigil at the tomb. Suddenly the earth reeled and rocked under their feet as God’s angel came down from heaven, came right up to where they were standing. He rolled back the stone and then sat on it. Shafts of lightning blazed from him. His garments shimmered snow-white. The guards at the tomb were scared to death. They were so frightened, they couldn’t move.
 
The angel spoke to the women: “There is nothing to fear here. I know you’re looking for Jesus, the One they nailed to the cross. He is not here. He was raised, just as he said. Come and look at the place where he was placed.

“Now, get on your way quickly and tell his disciples, ‘He is risen from the dead. He is going on ahead of you to Galilee. You will see him there,’ That’s the message.”
 
The women, deep in wonder and full of joy, lost no time in leaving the tomb. They ran to tell the disciples. Then Jesus met them, stopping them in their tracks. “Good morning!” he said. They fell to their knees, embraced his feet, and worshiped him. Jesus said, “You’re holding on to me for dear life! Don’t be frightened like that. Go tell my brothers that they are to go to Galilee, and that I’ll meet them there.”
Matthew 28:1-10 MSG
​
Picture
       Susan Beth Furst, Virginia



"For God so loved the world, for God so loved you, that he gave his one and only Son, that whosoever believes in him should not perish but have everlasting life." 

​#John3:16

 
​I would like to thank our poets; Al Gallia, Carol Grandell Scott, Mary Harwell Sayler, Nancy Rapp, Linda from New York, and songwriter, Brian Shertzer. I appreciate your support and I love sharing your poetry. I pray that your words will give hope to the hopeless and refreshment to the thirsty. God Bless You, and Happy Easter!

​Susan

​
 
He is Risen!! He is Risen, Indeed!!!
 


Submissions are officially open for the May Issue of Life Poems; In the beginning…

Send in your poems!!
 


“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have everlasting life.” 
John 3:16 NIV

seismic shift first published Sonic Boom December 2017

​

Unplanned Pregnancy?
www.empowered2choose.org
 ​
Picture
6 Comments

spring sun...

3/8/2019

3 Comments

 
Picture
       Colin Stewart Jones, Scotland

Life Poems
March Issue 3
​2019

​
"Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be."  Psalm 139:16 NIV


​Discard

written words
another closed book sits on the shelf
​never spoken


Lori Assadi Ramsey, USA



Winter Walkabout
Picture

A sunny Montana winter morning greets me as I look out the RV window at the snow-covered forest. In spite of arthritis pains, I decide that the chill wind isn’t sufficient reason to keep me inside and a walkabout is really needed today. So, pulling on my winter woolies, coat, and snow boots, I tell my wife, I love you, and step out into the winter wonderland. I follow the trail along the frozen stream and sense a familiar benevolent presence. Together we meander into the afternoon, chatting about this and that, and sometimes just sharing silence. As always, He listens to my concerns and problems with loving understanding, offering guidance when sought. Heavy snow begins to fall. I tell Him I have to go and turn toward home with a light heart. My wife has a hot cup of tea waiting when I get back. At the table, she whispers knowingly, You were with Him again, weren’t you?
 
winter woods
the old man bows his head
against the snow
 
©Al Gallia 2019, Lafayette, Louisiana





 
“Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the LORD God had made...” Genesis 3:1 NIV

​reproductive health rollssoeasilyoffthetongue. . .

Susan Beth Furst , USA


 



The mistake
​
​It was a mistake that thwarted my admonishing heart
a faithless hurried act reverberating
against shallow fears and selfish needs,
for tearing out innocence there’s no redeeming.


Antonia T. Kilday, USA


Many women who have had an abortion feel that they are unredeemable however there is nothing that Jesus will not redeem. Just ask him. He came to make all things new!
 

"Behold, I am making all things new."
​Revelation 21:5 ESV



in dappled sunlight
a breeze touches my face...
God is near
 
©Al Gallia 2019


I am honored to publish spring sun, a haiga by poet Colin Stewart Jones, in this issue of Life Poems. A haiga is the pairing of an image and haiku. As with haiku, haiga have something to be discovered that is greater than the sum of the two parts. Contemplate the image as you read the haiku. You will be amazed at the revelation.  

​I hope you have enjoyed reading the March Issue of Life Poems as much as I have enjoyed putting it together. Publishing and editing a pro-life Christian journal, was not on my radar. But when God has other plans…

I must say that I am starting to feel comfortable in my new hat.

​I would like to thank our contributors; Colin Stewart Jones, Lori Assadi Ramsey, Al Gallia, and Antonia T. Kilday. I couldn’t resist contributing a poem of my own, it’s the poet in me!


Look for our Easter Issue next month. It's already promising to be amazing! Send in your poems!​

May the Lord bless you and give you his peace,

Susan


 Resources:
 www.empowered2choose.org

 

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have everlasting life.”  John 3:16 NIV
 
Picture
3 Comments

no matter how small...

2/13/2019

2 Comments

 
Picture

Life Poems
February Issue 2


LITTLE FACES

Little faces thrown away
From shelter and nurturing nest
Established in God's likeness
An image dispossessed
Who is it that gave you life? 
Is it not the Lord Almighty?
Perfect, tiny knitted one
Yet, robbed, your worth and dignity
Timeless spirits fluttering home
Before a chance to dance or sing
No memories saved or stories to tell
But presented before your King
Little souls are tossed away
It's human hearts that must be changed
Fervent prayers must never wane
Our having life is why He came!

Carol Grandell Scott
​Wilmington, DE




"Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them..."  Matthew 6:26 NKJV

gourds
hanging from a fence
nests for the birds

Ann C. Welch



"Lo, children are a heritage from the Lord; the fruit of the womb is a reward." Psalm 127:3

Lord of all creation,
please give us
grateful hearts.

Sarah




Rosebud
the color of sleds
in the fire

susan beth furst



Picture
cherry blossoms
water color by Susan Beth Furst

2 Comments

I knew you before I formed you in your mother's womb...

2/12/2019

4 Comments

 
Picture

Life Poems
January Issue 1

​
may day

no sound of rain
only cheering and
chanting
all around 
the great spire
illuminated
light pink
the color
of petals
crushed
in the 
dust


susan beth furst
USA




City of David
a peasant girl
sings a lullaby


susan beth furst
midwinter moon: a collection of Christmas haiku



unborn child
spinning the sound
of silence

susan beth furst
USA


Welcome to Life Poems, a monthly journal of Christian poetry!
I hope you enjoyed our inaugural issue!
Would you like to know more about us?
Would you like to send in a poem or two?
Our submission guidelines are at the top of the page!
Thank you for stopping by!


Stargazer
watercolor by Susan Beth Furst
4 Comments
Proudly powered by Weebly
  • Life Poems
  • About