Surrounded by the Dark

O Lord, I am surrounded by the dark;
   The cold and vicious claws of angst and dread
   Suck life from me and every vital spark,
   Till in defeat my faith is but a shred—
   My strength is gone, I barely lift my head.
   But then I hear Your gentle voice so clear:
   "I Am the light; I go where you now tread."
   The God, who speaks and light breaks bright and clear,
Has sworn to be with you, O soul, now bids you cheer!

- D. Benning

The Golden Light

The golden light at evening shone
With yellow lights and radiant tones,
Then quietly fell and sped away—
A gentle close at end of day.

- D. Benning

Unprocessed capture of the lighting just as the sun was setting.
Click for larger picture.

Places I Have Been

 

I have been in many places, but I've never been in Cahoots. Apparently, you can't go alone. You have to be in Cahoots with someone.

I've also never been in Cognito. I hear no one recognizes you there.

I have, however, been in Sane. They don't have an airport; you have to be driven there. I have made several trips there, thanks to many.

I would like to go to Conclusions, but you have to jump, and I'm not too much on physical activity anymore.

I have also been in Doubt. That is a sad place to go, and I try not to visit there too often.

I've been in Flexible, but only when it was very important to stand firm.

Sometimes I'm in Capable, and I go there more often as I'm getting older.

One of my favorite places to be is in Suspense! It really gets the adrenalin flowing and pumps up the old heart! At my age I need all the stimuli I can get!

And, sometimes I think I am in Vincible but life shows me I am not!

I have been in Trouble many times; I spent many hours there as a lad.

I avoid being in Appropriate; the looks you get there are enough to kill.

I was in Candescent. Cool lighting; way too hot.

I was in Fantile once, but I outgrew their accommodations.

I've spent many days in Jured. Painful. Not a planned trip.

I avoided landing in Solvent by suddenly being in Herited. Rather nice, I'd say, somewhat like being in Sured!

I was in Substantial. Once. Felt like nothing there. I left and no one noticed.

I found that when I was in Famous, everyone looked at me the wrong way. Kinda creepy.

Almost got stuck in Finity. Took forever to get out of there!

Note: Parts of this were found on the internet, without a source, completely anonymous.  I added several lines.

 

 

 

Falling Mists

 

Falling mists,
    the cold, damp splendor,
Wrapped in gray,
   the earth held tender.
Light subdued
    by clouds and fog;
Air now cleansed
    of summer's smog.

Summer's heat
   and dust surrendered:
Cooling rain
   with moistness rendered;
Stifling warmth
   replaced with coolness;
Choking dust,
   with growing newness.

Autumn's rains
   give way to muted;
Autumn's hues
   reconstituted.
Joy returns
   upon a drizzle;
Gone is now
   the summer's sizzle.

Turn and joy
   to walk midst clouds now;
Gently kissed
   though far from crowds' wow.
Turn aside
   from noise all jangled,
Find I here
   life disentangled!
  
- D. Benning

Autumn Comes As Summer Ends

See Autumn comes as Summer ends:
   The crops which Spring time planted—
   The consummation of the Summer's growing time—
      Now ripen, waiting harvest.
Now Autumn comes as life on earth draws close:
   The choices when in youth time planted—
   The maturity of all living, zest, and thrill—
      Now ripen, waiting repercussion.

See Autumn comes with colors round its head resplendent:
   Colors crown its trees and leaves and landscaped hills—
   Crispness etches round each breath and turn and morn—
      And crowns the year with glory.
Come Autumn now upon the hoary head with splendor:
   Youth-time hues retreat to fields of white—
   Silver hairs and graying beards
                      crown erstwhile callowness with sage—
      And wisdom comes to brimful bloom.

But in the Spring time did you plant good seeds?
   In the midst of Summer's carefree luxuries,
   Did you tend your crops and pull the weeds?
      For harvest comes all based on toil.
And in the season of your youth and vigor,
   Sowed you seeds that counted life and good?
   And tended them with careful watching forward?
      So harvesting would yield a crop of gold?

- D. Benning