When Letters Come Together

Today’s official NaPoWriMo prompt is to write a poem inspired by the meaning of your name. I always thought I knew what Jenna meant (little bird), but apparently, there are more meanings. I suppose that’s a lot like my personality because I am always trying to find more meaning, delving deeper into the “why”s of existence and the intricacies of the events that happen or don’t happen… I’m rambling a bit. Another meaning, apparently, comes from Arabic, and it means “heaven.” That’s very flattering! XD It is also a variant of Jean, which means “God’s grace.” No wonder I like St. Jeanne d’Arc.

By Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres cartelfr.louvre.fr, Public Domain

Just a simple little bird
Extends to much more, by God’s grace:
Now I find more pieces,
Nuances on the map to Heaven,
Acting as refreshment for the warrior

I was going to write something fancy, but here is an acrostic for today.

A Lesson

Today’s poem was actually inspired by yesterday’s one-word challenge from Fandango, which was “never.” I guess this also builds off of yesterday’s post, in which I mentioned that we could learn from those strawberry flowers. Here’s something else to learn from them.

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He Is Risen, As He Said

This is a décima for Ronovan Writes’s weekly challenge. We are still celebrating the Easter season, so it’s not too late to share this. 🙂 In fact, the Sunday after Easter is also known as Divine Mercy Sunday.

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Resurrexit sicut dixit:
Through many sorrows, there are joys,
Let us sing and make joyful noise,
Death has suffered lasting defeat.

Those who are lost shall again meet
With loved ones, nevermore to leave,
As an everlasting reprieve.
Joy shall be known, all beautiful,
So celebration’s plentiful:
Blessed are all who have believed!

Beloved

For the current Weekly Scribblings at PSU, Rosemary invites us to write about non-human beloved companions, whether they be pets or animals or even inanimate objects. I decided to write about my rosary. I carry one just about everywhere I go. It is more than an object because, through the prayers, it connects me to heaven. 🙂 Below is a picture of my favorite rosary.

My current favorite rosary

hear my prayer:
heart freely chooses
to stay close
to the source
of every loveliness,
the pearl of great price

Celebration

Inspired by Easter Sunday, this is for the décima challenge and for MLMM’s Saturday Mix: Double Take.

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Humans did err, got caught in claws
Of death, yet Jesus came, erased
The penalty — He, our faith’s base,
This is our celebration’s cause.

This deserves more than loud applause
But a whole life: God made us heirs
With Christ, all His blessings He shares.
Bass, tenor, alto, soprano
All sing in harmony and show
Even death itself — life which dares.

Holy Saturday: a Puente Poem

On this Holy Saturday, we read an excerpt from an ancient homily as a part of the Liturgy of the Hours. It inspired me because it is a fantastic example of antithesis. Click here to read it. The homily, plus some Bible verses, inspired this poem, which is called a Puente poem because the middle line acts as a “bridge” between the two stanzas.

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Just as in Adam all die,
So in Christ shall all be made alive:
Adam’s side had brought forth Eve,
Christ’s side made blood and water stream

~ My side has healed the pain in yours ~

Human hearts experience much hurt,
But the Lord the last word does assert:
Angels which had blocked the garden
Guide souls to heaven, gracious pardon.

Ecce Lignum Crucis

Behold the wood of the Cross:

How can I say, “What loss

Is ours, is mine,”

When pain and death combine

In this horrific way?

Still, we have had our fill

Of what seems supremely ill —

We all await Easter Sunday.

Mary’s “Yes”

This décima is for the current challenge from Ronovan Writes. The word “dance” needs to end one of the D lines. This was completely different from my first attempt (which will not be posted 🙂 ), but I am pretty happy with this. I really admire Mary, the mother of Jesus!

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After Mary’s “Yes” awaiting
On which humanity’s fate rests,
Relieved, angels have no regrets:
Cherubim and seraphim sing.

Mary’s “Fiat” an offering
Always humble under God’s will,
Immaculate Heart Spirit-filled.
Courageously she joins the dance,
Conscious of the divine romance,
And she loves her decision still.

The Solitary Walker

Happy World Poetry Day, fellow readers / writers! This is the first I’ve heard of it, but that’s fine because I’m always up for celebrating poetry. The poem I have today is for FOWC: Solitary and was also inspired by MLMM’s Sunday Writing Prompt: Lost. Linked with PSU’s Writers’ Pantry (which is where I learned about today’s special celebration 🙂 ).

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The solitary walker,
Whether she is noticing
Flowers on the edges of concrete,
Or is fully immersed
In grass or tall trees,
Loves to get lost
Along those winding pathways,
Loves those many moments
Multiple yet precious,
When God smiles through
Nature, throughout creation,
When she again realizes
She is not solitary.

photo by Walter Sturn, on Unsplash

All God’s Creatures Thank Him

Shared with the Writers’ Pantry at PSU. Inspired by one of the psalms that I read this morning. 🙂

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The little bird, when it chirps,
Does it speak to its Creator?
Before it carries away crumbs,
Does it thank God for what comes?

The majestic eagle, when it flies,
One higher does it recognize?
Him who gave it talons and wings,
Deserves great praise from all things.

Photo by Jean van der Meulen on Pexels.com