Going to Seminary | Part 11
Women Arriving at the Tomb, by Artist He Qi
It’s spring 1974, nearly the end of my first year in seminary. The role of women at home, in faith communities and in society is a hot topic Read the rest of this entry »
Telling the Truth
connecting the dots of my life
January 14, 2016
old women’s visions
old women’s visions
sigh in abandoned forests
of dreams and regrets
***
Does this sound like a downer? I don’t intend it as a downer. The truth is simple: Read the rest of this entry »
January 13, 2016
in the presence of elders
in the presence of elders
a bench awaits me
small among survivors
of what I cannot see
silent they surround me
bear scars made beautiful
newly touched by pure
wool of soft winter snow
steady they line the way
ahead through crystal mists
calm healing presence
towers above me far
from places long called home
January 12, 2016
Snatching Hope from the Wicked
Dear Reader, Do you want to snatch hope from the wicked? I do! January is Human Trafficking Awareness Month. Listening to the stories of exploited women, children and men changed my life. In them, I recognized bits and pieces of myself. That’s why I blog. And that’s why I invite you to read on. What can YOU do to be part of the solution right now?
It isn’t easy to snatch hope from the wicked. Just ask the women of Dawn’s Place. They know what it takes. So does the woman in Psalm 112.
* * *
I’ve re-worded Psalm 112 for women, with major thanks to Rabbi Aaron Lichtenstein’s plain English translation of all the Psalms, and a nod to the Good News Bible’s plain English translation of the Bible.
Psalm 112
Praise the Lord!
Happy is any woman who fears the Lord and loves the Lord’s precepts,
She will be a heroine, as will her children;
In a time of prosperity, her home will abound with wealth,
while her honesty is well known.There is a light in the darkness for the trustworthy woman,
who remains compassionate, merciful, and forthright;
Who gladly gives a loan while claiming no more than she is due,
so that she will never fail and will be recognized…
View original post 606 more words
January 12, 2016
Kindness Matters | Memories
My Mom died in 1999. During the last year of her life she showed me a photo of a childhood friend, a write-up about her, and an obituary.
Sybil was a few years younger than I. Her mother kept the outdoor hog pen I describe in my poem, 1951. To me, Sybil was a friend in name only. I was put off by Read the rest of this entry »
January 11, 2016
Homecoming on the grounds….
Homecoming this Sunday on the grounds
of the Montgomery Presbyterian Church
Come One, Come All!
Sunday, 12:30 to 5:00 pm
All Ages Welcome!
Beneath aging water oaks
Long wooden tables covered with oilcloth
and butcher paper groan with food
Children race shrieking with joy Read the rest of this entry »
January 10, 2016
Living upon thy air | From an Old Soul
“Living upon thy air.” The air God gives me with each breath. Air that binds me to you by way of Christ, the Lord of life. Not with ropes, chains, locks, or any number of good deeds to prove I deserve special treatment.
MacDonald’s last two sonnets for July are Read the rest of this entry »
January 9, 2016
1951 | Memories
Rural Free Delivery
pulls into her yard
Stench in his nostrils
Chunky rotting food
steams swimming in slop
Grunting rutting hogs
Apples of her eye
Food on her table
Money in the bank
Sweet smell of success
***
© Elouise Renich Fraser, 9 January 2016
January 8, 2016
Going to Seminary | Part 10
In 1973 I arrived at seminary with an empty bucket. Indeed, when I married D I was already lugging it around. I thought marrying D would more than fill my empty bucket. I needed to be cherished. Read the rest of this entry »
January 7, 2016
“Cherish is the word I use….”
I, Elouise, take you, D….
To love, honor and cherish….
Cherish is the word I use
To complain as in
You don’t have a clue
How to cherish me Read the rest of this entry »
Telling the Truth 