Category: Poetry (Page 5 of 12)

Illumination Revelation

August 3, 2020 / Anthony / 0 Comments

my footsteps interrupt a dark sleep

of trails and earth

in a boreal land

as uneasy stumbles awaken limb and leaf

I struggle to walk and

-at times-

barely stand

shadowy shadows in this day-less empty

hide every path and markers of ways

so I reach out

grasp at the next pine tree

and bide my time till the rising of day

presently…

aspen leaves glow and the trail is lit

my eyes now open

and sharp

I gaze around, taking in every bit

with many miles more

I make a start

the path way shines with a hazy blue tone

bathed in a silvery, old-woman-grey

no other color

only this alone

has turned my night into day

this companion watches me closely

with her silver and bright gibbous eye

so I smile and move on

and look up

thankfully

to my night time friend and guide

anthony forrest

Haiku: A Minnesota Summer Collection

July 20, 2020 / Anthony / 0 Comments

-On a Crayfish-

Fin tailed snapper

With mighty sword in thy hand

Hark! Defend thyself

-On the Dangers of Trail Running-

Engine roars to life

From above the attack comes

Take cover! Deer flies!

-On the Lost Art of Skinny Dipping-

With clothes on the dock

I am part of the lake now

As free as the Loon

-On Solving the World’s Problems-

Paper and wood lit

This wise council has gathered

Night thoughts around the fire

-On Taming a Bonfire-

Dancing flames of fire

How shall I stem this power?

Trusty stick in hand

-On a Minnesota Sunset-

Pink and orange and blue

All give way to more fiery hues

The sun hides its face

anthony forrest

Day Change

July 13, 2020 / Anthony / 0 Comments

Eastern sky on fire

Barely a new day

Sun getting higher, nigher

The horizon begins to fray

Into colors dark, then light

change to bright

Sleep shuffles away

anthony forrest

The River

July 6, 2020 / Anthony / 0 Comments

Crisp, cool spring-fed river

Rushes on and on

Through this wood and down the hill

Noon and dusk and dawn

Birthed from stony earth

It pours as joyful tears

And bubbles up in constant giving

Through each season and every year

Stacked up stones cannot stop it

Neither root nor rotted log

A stagnant pool, you will not find

For this is living, and is no bog

Crisp, cool spring-fed water

Rushes down from above

It heals and soothes and grants great peace

This river of God’s Love

anthony forrest

Morning Grey

June 29, 2020 / Anthony / 0 Comments

I walk along this morning grey

My Father hand in hand

I walk along this morning grey

Beside my Savior I will stand

I walk along this morning grey

Talking with my Lord

I walk along this morning grey

And His grace to me is poured

The joy to walk with my God

On this morning grey

And why I walk may seem odd

I walk alone to pray

I walk along this morning grey

And all my soul I give

To the exalted Maker of this day

And the reason that I live

anthony forrest

What Place is This?

June 22, 2020 / Anthony / 0 Comments

What place is this,

so familiar to me;

with gentle blue lakeshores

and White Pine trees?

What place is this in

which, during Spring,

warm daylights fade away,

into cool nights serene?

What place is this,

and with whom share I

these nights

by firelights?

She sits nearby.

What place is this,

which became home,

after childhood years

of simply unknown?

What place is this

(when the days turn cold),

where I wish the snow and ice

were silver sheets and chunks of gold?

What place is this;

Oh, strange land of lakes?

I hear your Loons.

I see the waves break.

What place is this?

I shall not ask again.

For these words answer easily

of this Land who is also friend.

anthony forrest

A Question of Riches

June 15, 2020 / Anthony / 0 Comments

What is richness or to be rich,

and where does it begin?

Are riches gotten as drinks are poured

like wine filled to the brim?

Can a man say he is rich

after working one day or twenty?

Or are riches from within, intrinsic in their worth,

knowing life itself is plenty?

Could one be rich in passion,

steeped in strength and care?

Could one be rich when one is loved,

embraced by friends,

followed by heirs?

yet

The Father’s riches shine truly rich,

like fiery silver melting icy hearts.

so deeply rich and richly deep,

mined from the purest source.

Indeed the Maker did make all riches made,

and all good gifts come from his hands.

Yet riches made and riches gave,

against truest riches, cannot stand.

For the Lord of all is rich to all

who choose to call on him;

and find a treasure in God alone,

not in people, possessions, or within.

He desires the call

—that saving cry—

of a soul from dead to living.

Yet our Maker wants our every days

to be filled with calls and pleading.

What is richness or to be rich,

and where does it begin?

It is a loving God whose richness is poured

like wine filled to the brim.

anthony forrest

Favorite Trips: The Mirror

June 11, 2020 / Anthony / 0 Comments

Once a month, I will post a favorite story from the year prior.

Travel Journal, 68

Another rough night in the airport. I balanced my toothbrush on the counter ledge while I splashed my face with water. I know I shouldn’t complain about travel. God has blessed my wife and I with the ability and opportunity to see, learn, share, and discover unmeasured blessings during our travels. But each time I sleep on an airport floor, I get a little broken—little more bent over, like an old man having lived an old life. But fresh clothes, toothbrush, and face-splash of motion activated sink water were slowly injecting life back into my soul.

Glasses back on, I look up to survey the damage.

Not too bad.

I turned to walk out of the bathroom and spotted something out of the corner of my eye. Etched into the mirror were these words,

“forgive yourself.”

I’ve seen these words before. They’re all over social media, self-help books and blogs, and on the lips of many popular Christian speakers.

Standing there, I wonder what this person has done. He has gotten himself into trouble, and now he’s looking for answers. He wants to be forgiven. But he looks to himself for answers. He seeks in vain. How can any of us expect to save ourselves from ourselves?

There is but One who has promised forgiveness. God grants it—freely. Though our sins are like scarlet, He makes us whiter than snow. He pardons with a smile. So look not into the mirror seeking answers within yourself.

Stand and peer

Into mirror

To seek to

Know your soul

Turn and look

Read like a book

The narrative

Of your heart

Tune your ears

And listen with tears

To a song

You do not know

Rest in peace

For His love will not cease

God’s knowledge of you

Is enough

anthony forrest

Roots

June 8, 2020 / Anthony / 0 Comments

They spread across time

Ever slowly they found a home

Digging deep into the forest floor

They nestled into the pine-needle loam

Then the growing halted

there in the woods

for here lay a stony foe

and how to find a way through this rock?

These roots did not know

But time passes on and growth will never stop

So, with eager embrace

of this hardened fiend

The roots grew atop the rock

anthony forrest

King

June 1, 2020 / Anthony / 0 Comments

King reigned upon throne

Of change

Upon throne of truth raging

Hands-in-the-sky praying

Asking God for grace to rain down

Soak America and drown

All evil hate

The Good Doctor prescribed

The Word of life

To a Nation deprived

Of the love of Christ

From a throne of change

He spoke of the One True King

Giver of life

Ender of strife

Maker of all things

In the eyes of Whom all men are equal

anthony forrest

© 2025 Travel and Verse

Theme by Anders Noren — Up ↑