Across the Valley

"Across the Valley" by Kim Loftis

Across the valley
  down past the dell
  down o'er the river
     Past church and spire and hill and vale
  down embankment to silver stream's sliver
     with glimmer and figure and echo's quiet whisper
  where tree encrusted islands dwell.

And on the hill that overlooks
   with rocks and rooks, storms and crooks,
       poised there as story from old books,
A chapel stands, as marquee grand,
   over all the land with brand and strand and band in hand,
With towering spire and look that shook
       and froze the hearts that heard that knell.

That bell, that knell, that metallic yell,
   That call to contemplate tomorrow—
The solemn herald upon the hill
   Reminding all of earthly sorrow.

Yet rock and block, stone and tome,
   Bid suppliants come and ponder the purpose of life;
Mid earth and sky, midst laughter and sigh,
   hangs existence on the edge as of a knife.

And above the clouds, the gray mist shrouds,
   and shields life below from sunlight;
But spiral points to a promise true
   and hope of eternal birthright!

This promise, this pact, this bond, this guarantee,
   This assurance of eternal compact—
Our God has spoke, His word unbroken,
   His promise true and He won't retract!

- D. Benning

I Walk Along the Edge

Kim Loftis Photography, https://www.facebook.com/kim.a.loftis

 I walk along the edge alone,
    the margins of the deep inflamed with sun-toned splendor,
    the sky above engulfed in radiant spangled light,
        as night met day or day met night,
        when light and color fought with dark—
        implanting hope and awe and, Hark!
       
            My soul now soars on silent wings,
               with shock and reverence, esteem and fear,
               I loose the heavy band of earth that clings
                  and claws and draws and paws me to its blear,
                     its drear and smear and blinded gear
                     that threatens tear and and jeer and empty sphere.
            Now overhead I soar with upward swing
                and view the joy that heaven brings:
                I see a city there above the clouds
                   shining bright, shining proud,
                while earth-bound denizens lie cowed
                    and bowed and plowed,
                              with no lofty thoughts endowed,
                    tenuous life all soon to disappear.

But I walk along the edge alone:
    the margins of the deep call out to me,
    the sky breathes down its majesty
        and light meets dark or night meets day—
        forces in my heart at play—
        when bright comes forth to vanquish dark,
        inflicting joy and lasting mark.

I on the edge of deep look up and know
   the unseen forces up above,
though barely sensed down here below,
   still shower light down, sent in love.

- D. Benning

Thus the Sun

Thus the sun sat slowly in the far west
  Dipping down below the rim;
Cloudless sky crowns glowing crest
  As daylight drops and starts to dim.
 
Far horizon greets the sunset,
  Nearby river whispers grace;
Trees before assess their deep debt
  As sun rushes off in splendid race.

- D. Benning

Kim Loftis, https://www.facebook.com/kim.a.loftis