Roads of Time

2012-01-14T16:09:00.000-08:00

Philemon ~ The Unseen Benefits

Recently I completed an in-depth study of Paul’s epistle to Philemon. Philemon is a short book of about 500 hundred words and twenty five verses. In the month I studied this book, I have written over five thousand words espousing my thoughts about what this short little letter contains, both obvious and implied concepts. I had suggested to my mentor I write a final paper about Philemon, the after part of a before and after look at what I learned during my study. My first paper was based on a basic overview of the book built on a week’s study. This paper has the advantage of an additional three week’s study plus the review of all the words I have written to date concerning Philemon.

After prayerful consideration, I have been blessed with five benefits given to me through my guided examination of this personal letter of Paul’s assistance to another believer. This study has given me a new perspective. Of all the concepts, beliefs and ideas I learned from my study, I never dreamed such a concise letter would have such a deep impact on my life.

The most important question asked of me about this note of the apostle Paul was, “What five things did you gain from your study?” At first, I thought it would be simple to supply an answer. But like my study, the answer required deep and careful consideration. For the moment, the short answer is righteousness, brotherhood, courtesy, freedom and love.

Your responses may vary, naturally. I should add this is my first real effort at diligent biblical study. Even if I had begun my study of the bible in my twenties and spent the remainder of my life studying God’s Word, I would never fully learn everything contained within its covers. I can say studying the bible will change you from the inside out.

At first glance, Paul does not mention righteousness once in the entire letter. So where is the righteousness? It is contained within each word that was written. It is implied through his introduction, his plea, his suggestion and his conclusion. Even his style of writing breathes righteousness. One gains righteousness from the words from meditation, study and God speaking to us as He touches our spirit. Paul is like a lawyer pleading his case before a judge. He intervenes on behalf of a believer, offers his insight, makes a suggestion and trusts Philemon to do the right thing. From the first word to the last word, Paul shows everyone his faith.

If the book of Philemon was food (in a sense it is), you could probably eat of it your entire life. Paul masterfully winds us through righteousness to brotherhood. Paul is making a powerful statement of the benefits of living for Christ. He shows us through his careful choice of words how Christians should live their lives. Paul has a firm grasp of the concept that God loved us first, more on that in a moment.

When the apostle begins his plea for Onesimus, he wisely avoids mentioning the new Christians’ name until absolutely necessary. Paul knows once we believe in Jesus, we are a part of a unique and constantly growing fellowship. He is telling us not to live for the world and the things of this world, but to live for eternity and to be seated with our LORD and Savior forever. Is there anything better? I think not.

Paul artfully displays courtesy and freedom within the mere five hundred words he used to communicate to Philemon. I should be so concise. The text is dripping with courtesy for others and freedom to decide our own course of events. We should defer our decisions to the will of God. We should always be polite and caring towards those we encounter. In America, we enjoy a multitude of freedoms. Yet in a very real way, we are less free than our ancestors were. People were usually slaves to others and their created “gods.” Today there are so many different ways to be a slave. Among them include, people, money, technology, sports and almost everything else in between. If you “worship” it, you are a slave to it.

The law of love is the most important thing I gleaned from my study of Philemon. Paul’s words ooze love from beginning to end. He shows us his love for Onesimus and Philemon. The apostle patiently teaches us about this great commandment. He tells us we are to love God with all our heart, mind, body and soul. Once we are able to do this, living a Godly life is all we need to live for eternity. The things of the world will one day end, but eternity is forever.

A nearly five hundred word letter has given me an insight into righteousness, brotherhood, courtesy, freedom and love. Yet there is so much meat within this book, I have just barely taken my first bite. I shall be at the table of Philemon for quite a long time. Care to join me?

Robert Dodson
January 14, 2012

2011-12-18T19:22:00.000-08:00

Philemon ~ Verses 1-8 an Interpretation

¹ Paul, a bond servant for Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, Greet you Philemon, our dear friend and co-laborer, ² Apphia our sister, Archippus our fellow soldier, and the church meeting in your home. ³ Grace and peace to you from God the Father and the LORD Jesus Christ. ⁴ I thank God when I always mention you in my prayers, ⁵ because I heard of your great love and faith toward the Lord Jesus and all the saints. ⁶ I pray your continued participation in the faith is increasingly more effective knowing every good thing in us glorifies Christ. ⁷ I have much happiness and reassurance from your love, because the hearts of the saints have been restored through you, my brother. ⁸ For this reason, I could demand you do the right thing because of my leadership position for Christ, ⁹instead I appeal to you from the deepest part of my heart.

In Paul’s letter to Philemon, he expressed himself quite informally. He was making a personal appeal on the behalf of a recent convert, Onesimus, who was a runaway slave of Philemon’s. It is believed Onesimus stole some money or something of considerable value to Philemon. Paul used puns or plays on words in a couple of circumstances. He used one for Onesimus and one for Philemon. These come later in the letter and will be mentioned then. Paul had a very active and demanding prayer life. He was a very devout believer in the power of prayer and spent a good deal of time in prayer; especially when he was imprisoned during his many years of ministry and spreading the Good News. In these first eight verses, Paul is laying the groundwork for his appeal and his underlying doctrinal beliefs. He is setting the stage for the way Christians should act, believe and live their lives using love as his primary foundation. Because of his strong prayer life, his deep love for Christ and attitude about slavery are three reasons Paul utilizes the words he does.

In the first eight verses, Paul says on five different occasions similar statements he had mentioned in other writings to Christians or churches. In verse one, Paul mentions he is a prisoner of Jesus. He said essentially the same thing in Ephesians 3:1, Ephesians 4:1 and 2 Timothy 1:8. Archippus, in verse 2, is mentioned in Colossians 4:17. The phrase “the church which meets in your home” is stated in Romans 16:5, 1 Corinthians 16:19 and Colossians 4:15. In 1 Thessalonians 1:2 and 2 Thessalonians 1:3, Paul re-states thanking God and mentioning someone in prayer. In verse three Paul uses a common salutation, “Grace to you and peace from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ,” which he used in Romans 1:7, 1 Corinthians 1:3 and 2 Corinthians 1:2.

Paul mentions prayer and love twice in the first eight verses. Because he is appealing to the heart of Philemon on behalf of Onesimus, he is stating what he would like to see in Philemon’s actions after the reading of the letter. Paul believes through prayer and love, Philemon would know and want to do the right thing regarding Onesimus. Onesimus is a fellow believer and Philemon should carefully consider his options in regard to action taken in relation to Onesimus. As a Christian, Philemon would be obliged to love him while as a master he could treat Onesimus harshly, even killing him if Philemon wanted. Paul probably knew the dilemma Philemon would face. This problem was probably the reason Paul was appealing to his fellow brother in Christ instead of ordering him to forgive and forget.

Most of the first eight verses reference others verses in Scripture. There are three references made to the Old Testament and the rest are references to the New Testament. The Old Testament citations are found in verses five and six, which I will address in sequence. The most mentions occur on the word love found in verse five. Starting with verse one, Paul is connected to Acts 13:9. Prisoner is tied to 2 Timothy 1:8 and Hebrews 13:3. Romans 1:1 references being a prisoner or slave to Jesus. Timothy is found in Acts 16:1 and 1 Timothy 1:2. Archippus, in verse two, is revealed in Colossians 4:17. A reference to soldier, found in verse two, is cited in Philippians 2:25. In verse two, Paul calls Archippus a fellow soldier. The apostle uses this term to express how he feels we should deal with the evils of the world and the flesh, including sin and satan. Paul’s use of this analogy conveys the idea of a battle ready soldier in the army as he mentioned in Ephesians 6. We have all the weapons we need to fight our spiritual battles. A soldier brings to mind someone well-trained and disciplined. Another good example is an athlete training for the Olympic Games. We have to be disciplined and committed to serve Jesus, fight our own spiritual battles and love, help and lead others to Jesus Christ. Christians have never been told serving Jesus would be easy. In fact, we are told we will be persecuted. But through all of our trials, God is with us, guiding, directing and planning our lives. For if we have fought the good fight of faith and run the race of life growing in Christ, our God of immeasurable grace will say, “In Him I am well pleased.” Having a church in your home is stated in Acts 12:12 and Romans 16:5.

The word love, as used in verse five, is a key verse. It is the verse which begins the road to teaching Christians about love and its aspects. It has more references to other verses than any of the other seven verses. It is the first verse to cite the Old Testament. It is mentioned ten times beginning with Deuteronomy 6:5, Matthew 22:37, Galatians 5:6, Galatians 5:22, Ephesians 6:23, 1 Thessalonians 1:3, 1 Thessalonians 3:6, 1 Thessalonians 5:8, 1 Timothy 1:14 and 1 John 4:20. Paul’s use of love in verse five could have many different meanings. He is not thinking about the types of love Christians have, but how they should love. Because of the way the apostle connected love to specific verses, we get the feeling of the importance of loving with all your heart, mind and soul; especially toward God and Jesus, but equally with everyone we come in contact with, whether Christian or not. Ultimately this is the higher state of grace and higher standard others would like to think we need to achieve. But when you love someone with all your heart, mind and soul, what is a higher standard? The goal of this type of love was shown by Jesus on the cross at Calvary. When we are ready to die for someone else without hesitation or fear, we will have begun to show a tiny picture of the love God had for us before He created the world.

In verse six, participation in the faith is compared in Galatians 5:6. Participation in the faith and a soldier, a thought seldom taken together, yet they are similar in meaning. It is difficult to tell others the grace of faith; rather we must show how faith gives us peace, joy and comfort. We can tell others all day long what faith is, but they will never understand. Believers and non-believers can only see the results of faith, the smile on our face, the sparkle in our eye and the contentment of our heart. On the other hand, a soldier carries a similar message, perhaps a bit more stern. It is the willingness to serve, obey and follow which are the primary attributes of a trained soldier and if you believe television advertising, a U.S. Marine.

Knowing every good thing is noted in Genesis 1:31, Genesis 18:18 and 3 John 1:11 as used in verse 6 convey the meaning that the good things of a person’s life come to them through Christ Jesus. Every good thing that is communicated or done in faith, for any good purpose, is done by the grace of Jesus. We should do this to all saints as we would do to Jesus for His glory. We should strive diligently to treat others like we would want to be treated. When we do this, we become happier, more peaceful, loving and kind. Just think your wonderful attitude of gratitude may cause someone to ask you, “Why are you like that?” What better opportunity to show and tell them the Good News? Do not fear the Holy Spirit will give you the words to say. All you have to do is start speaking. You can do that, can’t you?

The predominant theme included within the first eight verses of Philemon is love. Paul begins to show Philemon and the church meeting in his home the importance of love and how it should be practiced, shown and lived. It is the foundation upon which a believer’s faith should be built. If God loved us so much that He would give His son as a sacrifice for our sins, should we not share our love and compassion for others through our savior Jesus Christ? The answer, of course, is yes. If a believer can strengthen their faith through love for Christ, then the valleys of our lives are made better knowing God is in control of our situation.

The first eight verses of the letter to Philemon should remind all saints the value of a strong and committed prayer life and how we should practice love in our life. As we dive deeper into God’s Word, it becomes increasingly clear God has a plan for our life. We should eagerly accept His guidance and follow faithfully His direction. If we do not, we become a day as dark as night. We become a rudderless ship sailing a vast ocean in ever shrinking circles. It is when God is guiding us our lives take on new meaning and direction. Would you take a vacation without a map or way to get to your destination? God is our map to Heaven and eternity. Let Him lead you there through His son Jesus Christ.

Robert Dodson
December 18, 2011

2011-04-25T16:31:00.000-07:00

Life and Salvation

Spring is my favorite season of the year. Trees are turning green as temperatures rise from the cold and gloomy winter period. Everywhere you look the signs of spring greet your senses. You can see God’s hand on the beauty surrounding your place on our blue marble hanging in the blackness of this corner of the immense universe. All manner of creatures are coming alive as the temporary drabness of winter fades into history. Each spring I am awed by the grandeur and majesty of this very special time of year. Flowers begin their fragrant growth fueled by the often abundant rainfall. This special renewal period reminds me of my long ago youth of care free exuberance. Each year I am made aware of the special importance of this wondrous and unique period. There is a very special holiday celebrated for over two thousand years each spring in the Christian world, mostly in March but sometimes in April. Another much less famous event is acknowledged every April first. The former is the crucifixion of Jesus and the latter is April Fool’s Day. This year both events hold a special place in my heart.

Friday, April 1, 2011 began with clear and sunny skies. It was one of those days you are glad you are alive experiencing the handiwork of God. I ran several errands early that morning and exchanged text messages with my home health-care worker. About 10:30 a.m., the volunteer with “Meals on Wheels” arrived with my noon meal. I placed the meal in my microwave and began reading my email devotionals. The day was warming up nicely. Sometime between 11:30 a.m. and 11:45 a.m., my left elbow suddenly began feeling very heavy and tired. Massaging my elbow didn’t help. Then without warning, I began experiencing heavy pressure in the middle of my chest. I had endured each of these symptoms separately, but never together. I thought this was a very bad prank to have on such a beautiful day. I had the brilliant idea that propping my feet up would help ease the pain. In the previous occurrences the pain and pressure soon went away. Immediately after propping my feet up, I realized this event was very different than the others. I stood up and placed my hand over my heart. I had a very fleeting thought I was going to see my late wife in heaven. I then said a prayer. I asked God to allow me the opportunity to bring people to Him to be saved if it was His will. Other than severe pain, I was able to think clearly.

I decided to drive myself to the clinic about a half mile from my duplex. After suffering through a rude encounter with the receptionist, the doctor saw me immediately. The doctor saw me quickly because I had asked the person behind the window to call me an ambulance. I fully expected her to say, “You’re an ambulance.” Once in the exam room, I was attached to an EKG machine, given an aspirin and a nitroglycerin tablet. The doctor was quite upset I drove to the clinic instead of calling 911. I still didn’t realize, I was having a heart attack. I asked the doctor if I would be able to go home soon. My doctor told me no because I was having serious cardiac issues. Five minutes after the first “nitro” tablet, I was given a second. Events began to occur rapidly. Before I could be given a third “nitro” tablet, the paramedics arrived. I was quickly placed on a stretcher and rushed to the nearest hospital thirty minutes away. In the trauma room at the hospital, I was deluged with questions and forms to sign.

I was being prepared for surgery. At 1:19 p.m., I received a text from my mentor asking where I was for our Skype phone call meeting. I struggled to enter a short reply. I entered “Me in ER.” Moments later, my cell phone rang. Answering I valiantly tried speaking. In frustration, I handed the phone to a nurse helping wheel me into surgery. She said something about I wasn’t able to talk because I was heading into surgery for my heart. Making an incision in my groin, the cardiologist placed two stents in the major artery of my heart. After they were inserted, I felt instantly better. The heart doctor said I was extremely lucky and I had very little damage done to my heart as a result of the heart attack. I was released from the hospital on Sunday the third.

I am extremely grateful and humbled for all the prayers said for me by members of World Prayr, my church, family, friends and strangers on FaceBook and Twitter. I firmly believe these prayers helped reduce the damage to my heart and aided my recovery. I thank God for my second chance at life. I am coping with my brush with death as best I can. I have a new purpose for living now. I no longer have a fear of dying. I will do my best to lead as many people as I can to God as we are instructed to do in Matthew 28:19.

My experience on April 1, 2011 points dramatically at the value and reasons to accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior. As the holiday remembering Jesus’ supreme sacrifice for our sins, past, present and future, nears, we should all be thankful God gave His son to bear our sins. The crucifixion of Christ is the most important of all holidays. Yet, as Christians, we place more importance on His birth than His death. It was His life and death as the sacrificial lamb to bear the sin of all mankind which should be most important. The most unsettling part of Easter is some people, even Christians, think Easter is the prelude to sale discounts. As believers, we need to change the opinion of people who have this mistaken idea. Could that be the reason God spared my life? In any event, it is going to be my mission to sow the seeds of salvation to as many people as I can. Will you join me in my crusade?

Robert Dodson
April 2011

2011-04-05T16:21:00.000-07:00

Consoling Wind

Just, caring and warm like freshly baked cakes,
A uniquely special spirit like a gently falling snowflake,
Nothing so filled with love and hope like calm seas
In life’s wondrous journey toward salvation eternity

Consoling winds tenderly supplant hopes’ burden,
Extreme desire raises sharpened sensed fens.
Believes The Almighty with all love, thought and spirit,
Unbridled knowledge gallops freely through times claret,

Resolutely diligent crossing chasms of steep fear,
Devout of character serves life tossed hopes dear,
Sincerity desires solve challenges as faith sears,
A pillar of standing dream emotes loves’ final tear,

Largesse springs at day’s heat gives trust fortune,
Leads using THE WORD as a manual of guidance unleavened.
Journey toward silent ascension plies rhythmic tunes
Blending futures past into tomorrow’s yesterday gladdened.

Robert Dodson
April 5, 2011

2011-03-01T01:23:00.000-08:00

Why Should I Read the Bible?

I have wanted to read the Bible since I was a child of 9 or 10. I actually started reading through the Bible at that tender age. Back in my ancient days, I had a King James Version of the Bible. It was filled with thee’s, thou’s and similar expressions in use at the time it was written. I grew up thinking I wouldn’t be able to understand the Bible unless it was a King James Version. Now it is easier for me to wrap my mind around a more modern version like the New International Version. While my favorite verse (Ephesians 4:29) was easy enough to understand in the King James Version, it makes more sense to me today reading it modern English. Actually reading a King James Version became most difficult when I encountered all of the begat’s. I just couldn’t get through all those names. I gave up reading the Bible.

That is not to say, I never picked up a Bible to read it. I read the Bible when I wanted to, not as a part of a plan to read it daily and study it. During the course of my nearly twenty five year marriage, I would often read portions to my wife as she lay down to sleep. She really enjoyed me reading the Bible to her. I am saddened, I never read her the complete Bible while she lived. Why should I read the Bible today? There are several reasons for doing this necessary part of Christian living. My top six reasons are it came from the mouth of God, it is forever and never changing, it is powerful and alive, it helps us stay pure, it gives us hope and it tells the story of Jesus Christ. I will share a bit of my mind on several of my reasons.

First and foremost, Exodus 32:16 states, “The tablets were the work of God, and the writing was the writing of God, engraved on the tablets.” (ESV) The Apostle Paul says in 2 Timothy 3:16, “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness” (ESV). Both of these verses are very clear, God created the Ten Commandments on two stone tablets and spoke ALL of Scripture.

“Forever, O LORD, your word is firmly fixed in the heavens.” (Psalms 119:89 ESV) While 1 Peter 1:24-25 puts it like this, “All flesh is like grass and all its glory like the flower of grass. The grass withers, and the flower falls, but the word of the Lord remains forever.” Paul is quoting Isaiah 40:6-8. He is reminding believers that everything in this life – possessions, people, accomplishments – eventually fades away and disappears. Only God’s Word, will and work are permanent. We must stop grasping the temporary and begin focusing our time, money and energy on the will of God and our eternal life in Christ.

The Bible is powerful and alive. My spine begins to tingle when I reflect on this aspect of why I should read the Bible. “For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” (Hebrews 4:12 ESV). The Word of God isn’t simply a collection of words from God. It is living, life-changing and dynamic as it works in us. God’s Word reveals who we are and what we are not. It penetrates the core of our moral and spiritual life. It discerns what is within us, both good and evil. The demands of God’s Word require decisions. We must not only listen to the Word, we must also let it shape our lives.

Finally, The Bible gives us hope. To quote Romans 15:4 (ESV), “For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.” The knowledge of the Scriptures affects our attitude toward the present and the future. The more we know about what God has done in years past, the greater the confidence we have about what He will do in the days ahead. We should read our Bible diligently to increase our trust that God’s will is best for us.

These are the reasons I use for why I should read the Bible. Today I have a plan to read the complete Bible in a year. My first year ends in September. I am committed to attaining this long held goal. Of the many things I have learned during the course of my daily Bible reading, there has emerged one that is the most important of all. It is simply, the more I read and study God’s Word, the more He is directing my life for His purpose. Why should you read the Bible?

Robert Dodson
March 1, 2011

2010-12-07T00:19:00.000-08:00

Imitating Christ’s Humility

A couple of days ago, I was reading Philippians Chapter 2 as part of my daily scripture reading. Today I would like to share my thoughts on verses 1 – 5. This section is entitled “Imitating Christ’s Humility.” Humility, or serving others, is very important to me at this stage of my walk with Jesus. I want to do everything I can to emulate Jesus in every area of my life. For your reference, here are verses 1 - 5 from the English Standard Version of the bible. 1 So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, 2 complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. 3 Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. 5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus.

Many people, including Christians, live only to make a good impression on others or to please themselves; but “rivalry or conceit” brings discord. The apostle Paul was stressing spiritual unity and asks us to love one another and be one in spirit and purpose. When we work together, caring for the problems of others, we demonstrate Christ’s example of putting others’ first, and we experience unity. We shouldn’t be so concerned about making a good impression or meeting our own needs which strains relationships in God’s family.

Being humble involves having a true perspective about ourselves as referenced in Romans 12:3. Which simply states, we should not think of ourselves too highly but use sound judgment in accordance to the measure of faith God has given us. We shouldn’t put ourselves down either. We are sinners, saved by God’s grace and have great worth in God’s kingdom. We should lay aside selfishness and treat others with respect and common courtesy. When we consider others’ interest as more important than our own, this links us with Jesus, who was a true example of humility.

Jesus Christ was humble, willing to give up his rights in order to obey God and serve people. We should have a servant’s attitude, serving out of love for God and for others, not out of fear or guilt. Remember, you can choose your attitude. You can approach life expecting to be served, or you can look for ways to serve others. So this Christmas season, actively seek new ways to serve others in order to imitate Jesus’ willingness to serve and to place others' interests ahead of his.

Robert Dodson
December 7, 2010

2010-11-04T23:08:00.000-07:00

My Path to Salvation

Being a toddler in my walk with Christ, I ponder about my new path in life. Prior to asking Jesus into my heart and trusting Him for my salvation, I couldn’t truly remember if I had actually said the words to have Jesus live within me. I thought and thought and did my best to recall, but to no avail. I simply did not know. It took the death of my wife to finally take action toward being saved. I am disappointed no one had ever asked me or witnessed to me about the glory of being saved by Jesus. Although I must admit I had Jehovah Witness’ regularly visit my home. But they didn’t ask me either.

For as far back as my memory will take me, I have had a faith in God. I have always believed in God. I don’t have a clue on how I ever made that decision. I’m glad I did. Even though I was a sinner, God helped me through some trials and tribulations I encountered. But as soon as the trouble was over, God seemed to disappear. I am grateful God is patient. It took me a very long time, but is active in my life today.

Recently, I was thinking about my walk with God in general. I was attempting to come to grips about how I should let God and Jesus control my life. I found myself remembering a long forgotten Robert Frost poem, “The Road not Taken.” I could still remember the last two or three lines. “The road diverged in a yellow wood and, I took the one less traveled and that has made all the difference.” There are several interpretations of those lines. As I reflected on the simple beauty of those words, they made me think of my walk with the Lord. To me the more traveled road could represent those of the world and unsaved. The other road is those who walk with our Savior and are saved.

I do know that I didn’t have to give up anything to become saved. In fact, I trusted Jesus that I was now saved. I took the grace of salvation and asked Jesus into my heart. I didn’t have to bribe, plead or wish God would save me. He gave me salvation freely. I know God wants to control my life, but I have to allow Him to do that. Without me allowing Him to control my life, God won’t. I can’t speak for anyone else, but allowing God to control my life is so much better than me doing it. The more I allow God into my life, the better it gets.

Each day that passes my walk with Jesus gets easier. I do my best to obey God’s commands, but I don’t always succeed. I still sin, though my sins are of a different kind since being saved. I ask forgiveness on a regular basis. The toughest command for me to obey is sharing the “Good News.” There are so many lost people in the world today. I want to do my part in bringing souls to Christ. I might just be the only opportunity for someone to become saved. I do not want God to ever ask me, “Why didn’t you share the Gospel with that person?” Do you?

Robert Dodson
November 5, 2010

2010-10-11T14:46:00.000-07:00

My Walk with God, Jesus and World Prayr

For most of my life, I had been a clueless Christian. I had faith as I grew up, but didn’t really know Jesus. I knew Jesus died for us to forgive our sins on the cross and was raised from the grave. I knew about Jonah, Noah and Daniel from Sunday school. For many years that was my knowledge of the Bible and Jesus. I couldn’t remember if I had been baptized or had asked Jesus into my heart. Little did I know the plan God had for me? My walk with Jesus began in earnest when I became involved with World Prayr through the social media site, Twitter.

During the spring of 2009, Twitter was making national headlines. Everywhere I turned, people were talking about this new phenomenon. I got curious. In March 2009, I joined Twitter and began to follow all sorts of people; mostly women. Soon people began to follow me and my followers got larger and larger. I have always admired how God gave each woman a unique beauty. I developed a short list of people I tweeted with on a regular basis. To be fair, I followed men, but not nearly as many as women. My wife and I had developed a policy that I could look but not touch women. I began to flirt with the women in a perfectly harmless manner. I was not looking to commit adultery but encourage and inspire these women. I began to write poems for those I shared with regularly and made a commitment to write a new poem every day. During this time, one of the first men I followed asked me to moderate on his Christian account to help re-connect a broken world.

I was surprised and curious at the same time. For a short time, I didn’t respond. The requests kept coming. They were persistent and aggressive. I responded, finally. I asked for more information, which I received promptly. I asked if I could pray about joining his team. One of the early women I followed was already a member of the team and that clinched it for me. I joined the World Prayr team and began to moderate. I began to help this very Christian lady in her duties with World Prayr. It was now May 2009. I started moderating three times a week in two hour shifts. Pastor Pat, the cofounder of World Prayr, was always asking me to change the days and times I moderated. He was doing this to add people to the team who would only moderate during a time I moderated. Being on Social Security disability, I readily agreed. At one point, I told Pastor Pat to move me around whenever he needed and let me know when I should moderate. Those early days with World Prayr were quite hectic, evolving and challenging. I endured and began to grow in my spirituality. I came to the conclusion I had to find a church to attend. I looked half-heartedly. I live in a gigantic town of twelve hundred. It’s so small that if you start to blink, you will miss seeing the town.

Unknown to World Prayr at the time, my wife and I were facing a growing financial hardship. We began to seek outside help. We were unsuccessful. Summer was passing and fall was showing its face. I began to earnestly pray for a solution. All the while, I moderated and kept assuming new duties for World Prayr. I was becoming a very busy retired person. I loved every minute of it. Finally, in late August, I told Pastor Pat most of my situation. It was humbling to ask another for help. I had pride, after all. What would people think? I began to have doubts. I was told to be patient, pray and have faith. Shortly after our discussion, I was told that World Prayr would assist me in my troubles. I became the very first person ever helped financially by World Prayr. They truly fulfilled their tagline with me. They reconnected me back to the body of Christ. As I look back, those were some very tough days, but God was always with me, helping me walk in faith. It was during this time, Pastor Pat and I began a weekly video chat session. These sessions have been a blessing for me and have helped me to grow as a Christian. Pat and I have become close friends as a result. He is my mentor.

People were always leaving World Prayr and Pat would ask me to help out. I eagerly accepted because I know there is no challenge too big for God. I have held several positions at World Prayr and each has been a stepping stone. The first months of World Prayr were like a baby crawling. Slowly we began to walk and talk. Today we are becoming like teenagers. I look forward to the day when we have matured as an organization. I now moderate one day a week. It is my first love because I am the first contact people have with an organization that is willing to help others if they are willing to help themselves.

All of this has been God’s plan for me. God had one more test for me. I firmly believe God put all these pieces into my life for this particular event. On Tuesday afternoon, December 29, 2009, my wife of nearly 25 years died from the result of a fall and hitting her head on something. Five days later, at church during the altar call, I asked Jesus into my heart. I haven’t looked back since. I was baptized three weeks later. It is by God’s grace that I had my wife for those many years. I could have been very angry at God for taking my wife, but I understand God needed her more than I did. I can live with that. I want to shout to the world that I have a very loving God as my salvation. I am growing daily in my walk with Jesus. Through all the sadness, God and Jesus are helping me to do more with less.

There have been some rough days that have followed. They were and are made easier because I have Jesus living and breathing for me more each day I awaken. God has made me aware of my gifts and I am starting to use them so I may glorify Jesus and God. I have a solid grasp of God’s plan for me. It began that first time Pastor Pat asked me to moderate for World Prayr. I and World Prayr have grown a lot during the days and months that have followed. I pray that as I continue to grow in my faith that World Prayr continues to grow in re-connecting a broken world. With faith and God’s help, we both will.

Robert Dodson
October 11, 2010

2010-10-06T22:00:00.000-07:00

God’s Grace

Since becoming a saved Christian earlier this year, I have struggled with the phrase God’s grace. I tried to understand it and wanted very much to do so. Today, I have a clearer understanding of this most important phrase. I am getting ahead of myself. Let me explain where I was and where I came from to become saved.

As a seven month old baby, I was christened in the Lutheran church. I do not recall much of my early childhood. I do know I didn’t attend a lot of church services. The few I remember are the classic kids must be dressed as little adults and pay attention to the pastor who was preaching the sermon. I did not want to do those things. I wanted to talk, fidget and be a nuisance. I was always being told to stop and pay attention. I would physically stop, but I wandered around in the playgrounds of my mind. This kind of behavior continued until I became a teenager. Then as a family, we stopped attending church services altogether.

Somehow, some way during the approximately eight years I didn’t attend regular services, I had developed a strong sense of faith in God. I will probably never know where that faith came from, except I firmly believe it was God’s way of giving me something to cling to. It could have come from my having a physical handicap and growing up in a world where the weak were held in contempt. To top all of that, I was left handed in an extremely right handed world. I know now that my handicap was a true blessing from God. I didn’t think that way at the time. I often felt pity and shame for myself. I didn’t blame God, however. I couldn’t tie my shoelaces or ride a bicycle until I was about eleven. I could catch a football and catch and throw a baseball with my good left arm. I eventually learned to do everything a normal youngster could do with two hands with one hand. Here’s a simple test. Try to button one button on your shirt or blouse using one hand only. See. I had the same trouble, I couldn’t, but I was determined. I practiced buttoning my shirt until I could do it easily. I persevered. I endured and adapted. I improvised when doing tasks. I HAD to find a way to do the task at hand or suffer the humiliation of asking for help. All these things and many more strengthened my character and resolve. It turned me into who I am today. Little did I know, but it was God who was doing for me what I couldn’t do for myself.

I next attended a Presbyterian church in my early twenties. Even though I was attending church, I was a sinner. I was like the apostle Paul when he said in 1 Timothy 1:15… “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners-of whom I am the worst.” (NIV) After six months or so, I abandoned church and turned to alcohol and drugs. Through more than two decades, I followed this path. Eventually, I quit the drugs and alcohol. Towards the end of my drinking career, I was praying regularly for a sign from God that He wanted me to stop my drinking and drugging. Finally in late September 1990, I got what I thought was the sign I had been praying for for so many years. I had an extremely painful pain in my right side. Fearing appendicitis, I went to the emergency room. I didn’t have appendicitis, but hepatitis C. I made a conscious decision to stop drinking and taking drugs. At the time, I was going regularly to a Pentecostal church. It was through that church I learned God doesn’t usually make people ill. It turned out He used the evil one to get what He wanted me to do.

When my wife died last December, I came to the realization I couldn’t remember if I had ever been baptized. My wife died on a Tuesday. The following Sunday I was attending my current church home. It was during the altar call that the Holy Spirit entered into me and I asked God for salvation. I delivered my wife’s eulogy the next day, a completely different person than what I was a few days earlier. During the days and weeks following that Sunday, I was baptized and came to understand God’s grace. Today, grace means to me that God showed favor upon me and gave me the salvation I sought and future blessing of being in heaven with my wife, Jesus and God.

2010-09-04T21:52:00.000-07:00

Reflections on Loss

It seems here lately all I've been doing is talking about my deceased wife. It makes me feel like I'm putting my troubles out for the world to see. I'm really a very private person, except for my poetry. Sometimes I think I'm being a burden and everyone gets tired of hearing the same thing all the time. I know that isn't true. I have trouble pushing those kinds of thoughts out of my mind. I haven't really told anyone how deep the hurt goes in my mind and heart. I feel I have this huge hole in my heart that I can't get filled. I fill it some with God and Jesus but I still feel so empty even though I have God and Jesus in my heart. The one thing I miss so much is I haven't a person to share my life. I praise God for being in and sharing my life, but, to me, it is so much more than that.

I continue this path even when it seems impossible to take another step. I plod onward expecting the best. My pain and loneliness keeps rising slowly, sometimes rapidly toward the surface of my being. It takes all I have to keep everything from boiling over. I'm praying God sends me the relief He knows I am desperate for. God knows my heart. He always has.

It wasn't until my wife, Faye, was gone that I came to realize how much a part of my life she was. She lives on in my heart and she will always be there. You would think I could control my feelings, but I had kept all my love and emotion bottled within. Then like an opened, shaken soda, a mass of feelings and love and hurt come gushing out all over the place. I'm learning it is far better to release these views on a more regular basis. The way I'm thinking, it seems to be a better idea to have a bunch of minor eruptions instead of one major explosion of my frame of mind.

In the recent past, my tears have been like a steady rain with bursts of hurricane strength. The main theme I seem to have developed is I know I should fully commit to God, but I want to cling to the beliefs of my past. I realize that there will be a time when the feelings, emotions and thoughts will bear little pain. I want that to happen now, but I should wait for God's time. With that said, I'm ready to attempt to focus on my duties as a responsible Christian and begin helping others to reduce my sorrow. In the final analysis, that is the choice God wants me to take. By helping and assisting others, I am helping myself.

I have so much love to give and share; I look forward to the day when that special someone comes sauntering into my life. Maybe it will be tomorrow. Only God knows for sure. I must learn and continue to learn that I should lean more heavily on Him, than I have in recent weeks. To that end, I am committing myself whole-heartedly to my mission as a servant for World Prayr Ministries. I can think of no better solution. Right now, I begin the rest of my life.

Robert Dodson
September 3, 2010

2010-08-25T00:41:00.000-07:00

Life Journey

Crawling through the dense jungle of time, love dangles its heart.
Creeping as a snail, shaded breath reveals unseen vines twisted
Fevered brow turns beaded, slatted gaze up the path resisted
Levered strength pales wisdom, gathers a field of tangled life art.

Striding on mirrored hope, tiredness releases its parched taste fisted.
Stepping through wondrous chasms, fatigue sheds chances vague part.
Prepping kindness shared wildly, spirited veil conceals gloried start.
Biding an endless cacophony of nature, exhaustion leaps the visited.

Stooped among restless fervor, solitude grants flowing clouds misted
Looped visions gain trust turned askew with seclusion growing imparted.
Seasoned values gnarly turmoil drips its dream lazily as an imploded tryst.
Reasoned revelation looms gray against sheltered, zealous plans started.

Robert Dodson
August 25, 2010

2010-04-14T00:59:00.000-07:00

Dreams of Your Day

May the desire of your heart fill the dreams of your day?
Lost in the spring of newness, glances seal hopes of youth
Tulips sway to breezes struggling down slopes never to stay
Hopeful lies the visiting roses found lost near decaying booths.

Gathering trust, thoughts of fun filled summer begin again
The fullness of haloed moon signals love’s eternal season
Dark and scowling, clouds slowly release its pent up rain
Washing away emotions held checked for dawn’s treason.

Sighted breath huddles among nakedly low, whispering limbs
Coupled hands swing to the heart beat of sweetly singing fowl
Trouble lands upon lonely ground swallowed by faceless scowl
Knighted vision will lure a mind seeking its never ending climb.

Robert Dodson
April 14, 2010

2010-02-04T18:59:00.000-08:00

Chasm of Emptiness

Fragile flowers in the winter hold their own in blinding light,
Against a murky, cloud filled sky hope wrestles victory,
Yesterday passes into the future beyond my fleeting sight,
Each day reminders abound of life lived picked so free.

Dreams dangle dread to fill a need once held high above,
Order reacts slowly to rocky foundations laid firmly still,
Destiny crawls upon a slippery ledge held together with love,
Sympathy borrows a hearts’ ache to gradually linger its fill.

Only visions sought can ever be given the chance of growth,
Nestled vigor wrangles the soft touch on my heart thrown,
Faith carries love through the jungle of emotion to learn,
Deep is the chasm of emptiness within me to ever burn.

Robert Dodson
February 4, 2010

2010-01-14T14:53:00.000-08:00

A haiku for my recently passed wife(12/29)

Eternal Love

Tears stream down my face
The love of one gone forever
watches from white clouds.

Robert Dodson
January 14, 2009

2010-01-06T20:55:00.000-08:00

Journey Through Time

Like a babbling brook my tears flow over the boulders of my cheeks,
Angels carried the day to tug my heart from the pain of the future,
Life lived its course like the stitches of my jeans left, then right sleek,
Cold hands held the warmest heart of my adventure I’ll always cheer.

Stark is the road before me, a road best traveled bravely?
Passion comes to me once then lost for the moment of now,
I’ll carry a burden less lightly now for she gazes through me,
Many will be times turned backward but there is an edgy how.

I have not taken this road, yet it was destined long ago to be,
Images of the heart flow the core of my being, no longer alone,
I fill my bag with pieces of you all around yet no one can see,
That once was two has now become a journey through time as one.

Robert Dodson
January 6, 2010

2009-12-17T00:58:00.000-08:00

Desert Venture

Driving the lonely highways of the desert cacti shadow the moon,
Against a looming mountain range the shadows are darkly black,
Racing the rising sun, the stripes in the road begin a fast swoon,
Lessons learned strike like the charisma of a worn, tattered sack.

Eager for the sun, creatures begin their stirring through the flatness,
Needing rest, I pulled off to the side and sought the shade of a cacti,
Eyeing the beautiful starkness of the view surrounding my loneliness,
Increasing heat expands latent sweat targeting my slits for eyes.

Senses nurtured by easy aromas of a sweet and barren desert
Freed by tiny wisps of wind a small dandelion floats toward me,
Until the breeze abruptly stops the remains fall toward a sand sea,
Now rested and awed by the wonder I soak the view into my heart.

Robert Dodson
December 17, 2009

2009-12-08T23:30:00.000-08:00

Whispered Wind

Whispered wind brings a hint of winter snow,
Gazing through bleary eyes breath escapes,
Lifeless looking trees show stark beauty low,
The soft blanketed meadow has lusty shapes.

Evergreens flounder with weighted boughs,
The ant sized figures trek up gentle field,
They grow larger as the journey slows,
The stand of spruce beckons for eyes steeled.

The father rests the axe in marshmallow snow,
Happily the boy points toward a majestic tree,
Nodding, the father chops the tree steadily.
Soon they tow the tree down, eyes a glow.

Robert Dodson
December 9, 2009

2009-12-03T22:00:00.000-08:00

Wishes Granted

Masked by scenes of future lost, caution becomes alive,
Alluring a destiny from stony today to live freely deprived,
Roads bend their ears to sounds never made on land or sea,
Interest wanes toward a hopeful glistening spell of mystery.

Everything watches movements made subtle under full moon,
While dreams become a chest overflowing with imagination,
Intense fervor exists fleetingly small above head’s swoon,
Kindness creeps down taut spine lingering heated motion.

Loneliness banished to fitful space yonder, no there
Emerging as fated togetherness on leaning stair,
Music triumphs the spirit on our blue marble care,
Wishes granted a heart’s faith with its golden share.

Robert Dodson
December 3, 2009

2009-12-02T05:03:00.001-08:00

Paths of Memory

Travel the paths of memory to awe filled wonder,
Staring at distant twinkling stars, beauty floats by,
With sultry blue eyes a vision encompasses my sky,
Plastered to my soul her being breathes flounder.

Touched gently on silky cheek, she soothes my core,
Entwined rapture gazes majestic snow topped peaks,
Resting, relaxing eases the beaded droplets to the floor,
Love strikes its purpose upon us like whipping streaks.

Satisfaction carries itself toward a new shining goal,
Raw emotion begins a battle of newly found hope,
The tryst begins again but mounting passion lopes,
And the eagles fly away toward glistening shoal.

Robert Dodson
December 2, 2009

2009-12-02T05:03:00.000-08:00

2009-10-04T03:58:00.000-07:00

The Louvre

I stare at the walls of the Louvre with warm empathy,
The museum is an irreplaceable container for genius art.
That monotonous tour guide tone lulls the mind’s heart,
The plywood walls separating my decisions bars the sea.

I stroll the exhibits with wondrous awe-filled love,
Confused, enthralled, my emotions overflow my eyes.
The beauty and simplicity stun my silent whispered cries,
Amazing talent shares space with a viewer’s peaceful dove.

The monotonous empathy of plywood walls of the Louvre
Irreplaceable memories abound within the soul of all,
Pleased at the history of a remarkable museum calls
For an openness of non slatted windows of milky louvers.

Robert Dodson
October 3, 2009

2009-08-31T22:22:00.000-07:00

Taste of Romance

Sweaty, swaggering, swerving thought render my love hostage,
Long breathes the taste of romance on my soaring spirit freed
Songs strongly sound their emotions over magical prairie sage
Leave growth to a tender yearning for grateful hope’s seed.

Dancing through the present yields a bursting glory of silence
Chances reveal the mighty test of daring chasms of victory
Fancy ceremony belies the ragged majesty of delayed balance
Stances strafed stately sunlit crested waves of licorice sea.

Happiness like a shaking Jell-o star filled the senses of care,
Joined my dream filled pink piggy bank of coins to share
The last vacation of summer with stony faced desert rocks
Separated the valley of life like the part in my pumpkin locks.

Clanging clock bells boom the time of changing future nears,
Hanging happily on blossomed limb wind chimes clear cheer,
Yanking noodles of my soupy lust lunges deep within fears,
Banking right toward the destiny of fate, living free sneers.

Waxing moon brightens dimly shadowed palms lining jagged coast,
Squishy, squeamish sand massage the sole of gladly glaring toes
Relaxing breeze curries the tune of my desire upon desperate foes,
My bubbling goddess carries me over living journeys ghostly host.

Robert Dodson
September 1, 2009

2009-08-28T06:58:00.000-07:00

Winds of My Heart

Great blows the winds of my heart,
Cluttering gallant vision of love lost.
Character rebounds at the sad start,
Molding self always deliberates a cost.

A mind creases results ever parting self,
Drama of small chore tends lowly shelf,
Llama necked care visits needy hope,
Say thoughts held tight to help one cope.

Love revolves around the kiss of my soul
Trust relaxes upon a steady flow of destiny,
Gaze deep into smiling milky opal eyed sea,
Victory rises above hard fought earned goals.

Robert Dodson
August 27, 2009

2009-08-26T06:21:00.000-07:00

Tropical Goddess

Looking into hazel eyes, love struck invitingly warm,
Yearning to touch auburn locks tangle my fantasy,
Nurtured tropics lead the pounding pulse can to me,
Needful embrace remains starving for the storm.

Etched into the memory of hope, gentle mood dances,
Trust leaps down to quiet babbling flesh gently strong,
Taken hostage by beauty, feelings erupt the throng
Elegant shoulder supports the caring freedom lances.

Goodness creeps through the idyllic tropical scene,
Intense lies the passion of solitary thought lean
Goddess of tropics walks the white sand beach free
Island paradise befriends a raging wind of the sea.

Robert Dodson
August 26, 2009

2009-08-25T04:21:00.000-07:00

Solace of Hope

Destiny called my past murky,
Open vision walled my hopes.
Nested dreams play out quirky,
Nothing becomes like bars of soap,
Ascending toward a gentle lope.

Waking to future drab I sense my fears.
Hoping troubles scarred shed tears,
Eyes wiped blindly relieved solace of hope
Dreaming weathers storms of violent scope
Fate reveals tarnished dangling slope.

Daring a tomorrow of prosperity,
Roads gradually take due course.
Aware to fresh ideals widens my sea,
Keeping my surface cleanly hoarse;
Every action confirms needed hope.

Robert Dodson
August 25, 2009

2009-08-23T22:28:00.000-07:00

Luscious Time

Traveling through luscious time, values escape hard,
Rebelling against fragile space, merriment oozes loudly
Adjourned stamina reduces gratitude while seeming free
Custom fate achieves hollow stone rimmed cards.

Incessant quiet belittles fragile melancholy stooped
Largess befits another soul growing within favor
Welded grace perseveres among staunch flavor
Increased vibrant stoicism bestows rival hoops.

Sweet tasting challenge ignites hope’s core,
Daring wind rides the land whispering change
Open hearts welcome breaths of freedom more
Memory embraces attitudes driven to exchange.

Robert Dodson
August 24, 2009

2009-08-14T15:31:00.000-07:00

Circled Dreams

Daring days of confusion bring circled dreams,
Gathered lake side haunts visions once held,
Truth races toward destiny of dreary seams,
Realized hope fulfills upon joyous heart meld.

Travel solitary future to begin myriad trips,
Completed venture ekes a sad and shrill tune,
Trusted core blossoms unknown winged boon,
Lasting care bursts globules of sought blips.

Wings of cloud held futility drizzle down slowly,
Rising faith heals determined resolve forever,
Gentle wind whispers a melodic song to share,
Yet circled dreams walk through time lowly.

Robert Dodson
August 11, 2009

2009-07-28T08:40:00.000-07:00

Emotion Rides

Emotion rides its roller coaster silently
Trotting hope requests scenic journey,
Stubborn dreams cling solidly to free
Potent life breathes calmly its sea.

Running vision stares a mighty road
Heroic sense vaults to highest mode.
Continued struggle garners lofty load,
Victory battles weak soul of man’s abode.

Traveled path grieves for final task
Reflection jars memory streaked past,
Measured trail basks in gloried light,
Lamented blessing opens heart right.

Robert Dodson
July 28, 2009

2009-07-24T07:34:00.000-07:00

Slumbering Greatness

Looking in necessity desires adept sense motivated in the heart,
Interest walks a tangible breath upon landscape decorated boldly
Needful symmetry weaves a delicate balance at curious fed start
Diverse fantasy leads will toward preordained victory held coldly.

Ambition lays foundation of boldness and courage built dreams,
Submerged reality swims a roaring river upward in the mind,
Measured steps strive to stabilize rocky journey through streams
Integrity strives harder against enemies forceful and behind.

Tangible aspiration raises temerity beyond natural validity,
Hesitation dies agonizing beyond its fortress veiled heart,
Lumbering anticipation steadies faith railed needlessly sharp
Slumbering greatness rises like startled hope awakened freely.

Robert Dodson
July 24, 2009

2009-07-22T14:37:00.000-07:00

Life Journey

Searching for glittering destiny sprinkles resolute faith deeply,
The brave kiss of hope lingers like gentle fog through the ages.
Deliberate focus gains strength from accomplished pages,
Chosen dream longs the heart up craggy mountains steeply.

Successes overwhelm lonely and sad defeats by spirit true,
Dusting failure from sturdy shoulders winning begins again.
Tunnels light grows huge with each plodding step taken sane,
Glorious campaign always continues till body turns so blue.

Achievement of life satisfies the soul with momentary rest,
New day dawns starving for unfilled appetite of lofty test.
Struggle worthy builds character solid to waltz among best,
With last breath the empire remains sparkling golden chest.

Robert Dodson
July 22, 2009

2009-07-20T19:53:00.000-07:00

Aroma of Life The aroma of life beckons delight to savor forever, Colored sea of flowered hills thrills the view gently, Trees give shade to journey through dense glee, Clearings mirror thoughts held on memories river. Traveled roads lead to crucial treasures unknown, Strolling the beaches rowdy waves are hope sown, Endless prairie disguises fear in the waving grass, Serrated mountains urge expectancy through morass. Lush crops fuel ambition to reap recompense of being, Enigmatic cattle ranches feed desires of many to self, Refreshing rain cleanses emotions for heart’s shelf, Radiating sunshine envelopes life’s yearning for seeing. Robert Dodson July 20, 2009

2009-07-18T06:25:00.000-07:00

Desires Shelf

Walking to the broken edge of struggling misery,
Reality slams its hopeful face onto faulty mind,
Torn asunder by mixed focus dreams will bind,
Trudging toward brink of sanity, vision freed.

The imprisoned memory floats in freedom,
Wafting glory over sweaty tormented body
Pardoned faith responds quietly its drum,
Living begins with dreams held set free.

Destiny’s course pens itself upon vacant trust,
Racing gathers each victory for desires shelf,
The laps of life increase each chanced success,
Sparkling sun shines glowing reward of self.

Robert Dodson
July 18, 2009

2009-07-16T11:24:00.000-07:00

The Drought

Tall grows the summer burnt rows of needful corn,
Parched earth begs its mercy toward hazy heavens,
Farmers wander fields’ once lush and vibrant gems,
Needed moisture abandons the farm with scorn.

Kneeled in prayer weathered face pleads case,
Other crops welcome the regular calls for rain,
The dry summer breeze crosses dying plain,
Hopeful eyes search longingly for hidden ace.

Days plod slowly toward summers’ needed end,
Parched lips mutter the routine cry for wetness,
On the horizon lost clouds begins to darkly rend,
Slow drizzle starts its downward trail to bless.

Robert Dodson
July 16, 2009

2009-07-15T13:32:00.000-07:00

Cowboy Paradise

Dramatic rocky outcrop forms soulful reflective sight,
Sheer red cliff rises abruptly toward cloudless sky,
The sinewy raging river calms below rapids bright,
Basin spreads its peaceful glory upon fortune’s eye.

The beckoning mountain hides behind festive spruce,
Snuggled against lonesome ledge tiny shack waits,
Fireplace shows whisper thin smoke filtered states,
Rustic well and corral hold sway an uneasy truce.

Restless cowboy saunters through sparse clearing,
Howling coyote silhouettes the slivered harvest moon,
Critters and birds and insects sound a steady tune,
The cowboy lightly sleeps till dawn breaks unhearing.

Robert Dodson
July 15, 2009

2009-07-14T09:46:00.000-07:00

Romance

Gawking at the romantic serenity of valley green,
Pounding heart stirs the beating rhythm tranquil,
Love gathers its fondness at my footfalls serene,
The sounds in the air and trees suddenly still.

The roaring blood of my ears loudly drains
Rising temperature cools like summer rain,
Senses heightened by the aroma of love,
Feelings cascade over my being from above.

Romance does a nimble dance in my head,
Partners forever share common dreams,
Clear starry night hide faint moon beams,
For my amorous goddess my arms spread.

Robert Dodson
July 14, 2009

2009-07-10T08:15:00.000-07:00

Paused Gratitude

Today is a yesterday strung together by moments endlessly,
The future is time becoming a forgotten wind blessed sea,
To change the future, turn into reshaped pattern free,
Leaning past to show a tomorrow focused on fresh creed.

Never arriving, mired within the cells of lonely tyranny
Venture toward fresh beginning seeking belief true,
Doctrine compels action slamming worthless irony.
Principles strength props a slumping dogma blue.

Paused gratitude relays smartly designed hope,
Accomplishment renders furtive heart to cope,
Pride pushes briefly to the front and faith restores
Held high journey begun releases its shores.

Robert Dodson
July 10, 2009

2009-07-09T09:04:00.000-07:00

Camping

Gathered around brightly burning camp fire,
Sticks and marshmallows give tasty gooey mess
Under starry filled sky, tales spun desire,
Horrifying shadowed images made you confess.

The burning heat warmed a body and froze fear
Stories related bound boys until youth retreated,
The frightening pictures hounded all while seated,
Finally petrified kids clambered into sleeping gear.

Sleep that night came agonizingly hard for most,
Several restfully snoozed like a cuddly teddy bear,
One slept only when a false dawn came to share
The announced rafting trip caused panic to be lost.

Robert Dodson
July 9, 2009

2009-07-08T18:50:00.000-07:00

Paradise Visit

Encircled by the sultry cobalt ocean kindness
I face the poise of unending pleasant gaiety
The black sand beach entices a fun rarity
Soles tread gingerly upon new friendliness.

Palms sway gently on tropical flowing breeze
Trusting hope lays a gathering distinct laziness
Summer time clouds shelter mountains haziness
Orange juice comes deliciously squeezed.

Vacation island satisfies the dream held tight
Strolling the paradise in bright filtered moon light
Final evening reveals the memory of cherished desire
Yet the gloom of home extinguishes my burning fire.

Robert Dodson
July 8, 2009

2009-07-07T15:14:00.000-07:00

Football and Youngsters

Brimming with energy the youngster explodes onto the pile
Stored for days emotion wells up rapidly in crashing style.
Oblong object attracts thousands of eyes seeking glory
Hands magnetically grasp frozen leather under light sea.

Respect on Oblong Square shapes a child for destiny
Courage displayed weekly grants new earned trophy
Discipline taught lessons needed for growing humanity
Obedience lends itself to manners of generosity.

Regulations ordered by self contentment apes life
Growing older rapidly dissolves the vigor of youth
Teamwork encourages cooperation through strife
Victory earned shows the necessity of uneasy truth.

Robert Dodson
July 7, 2009

2009-07-06T05:34:00.000-07:00

My Road

Nestled within my mind dreams collide
Debate wrangles victory over to the side.
Questions remain for a future yesterday
Living sees its tragedy stuck per se’.

Grab the zest of doing and live to fulfill
Triumph is measured by many failures
Giving up has no chance to establish will
Fighting through sets a tune heard for years.

Life’s end measures a well traveled journey
Choices made reveal no failure or success
In the end, flowers still dress a smell sweetly
My road paved hearts to those I can bless.

Robert Dodson
July 6, 2009

2009-07-04T04:51:00.000-07:00

Independence Day

Searching heart freedom is in my grasp
Reflections on yesterday give me pause
Failure to remember the whys is my gasp
Truth of conviction is the lifelong cause.

Putting faith inside my being carries me
Living freedom is the simple task I bear
Breathing liberty requires complex duty
Independence is earned by the blood of I care.

Proudly our flag waves its moving call
Ask those fallen souls what price glory
I stand free today honoring those who paid all
My right to stand alive in silent liberty.

Robert Dodson
July 4, 2009

2009-07-02T09:26:00.000-07:00

Aisles of Destiny

Forging through the trails of traveled path
The aisles of destiny await considered road.
Wavering moments require elephant mode
Enduring droughts of elation’s planned wrath.

Moseying along Grand Canyon awe slams
Depth of grandeur amazes the ribbon river
Flowing upon Painted Desert of sandy clams
Richness of self rewards a heart’s quiver.

Completed journey recalls the tribulation earned
Measured success filled by dreams realized
Destination appears from missteps learned
No goal can be so small that it becomes resized.

Robert Dodson
July 2, 2009

2009-06-30T22:51:00.000-07:00

I Continue On

Gripping tightly to an ever present goal,
Steadily gathering pieces of my puzzle,
Sorting into smaller parts to guzzle
Readily the dream begins to foal
I continue on.

Achieving tiny ones makes heart race
Building towards the next step stimulates
Moving forward enhancement graces
Acquiring each purpose lessens fate
I continue on.

A lifetime passes ever so rapidly
Looking back the journey pleases
Resting at long last, moments flee
Success fights a battle to never cease
I continue on.

Robert Dodson
July 1, 2009

2009-06-28T15:08:00.000-07:00

Lessons Learned

Lost in a jungle of twisted hope hearts hold a key
Tangled within a vision of future past desire stalls
Encrusted hate washes destiny from painted walls
Humanity rises upon sensually stark blue sea.

Tropical breeze carries a storied dream gently
Through the lobby of my soul to share silently
Glistening sand beaches warm my passion
The relentless surf pounds stoic attention.

Lessons learned use fortified interest again
Saving for fulfillment life begs for new wish
Working gradually becomes anticipation’s dish
Pleasure of success is opening rewards drain.

Robert Dodson
June 28, 2009

2009-06-27T20:39:00.000-07:00

Choices

We walk the silently screaming beach
Hand in hand with my loving wife.
I rise in the morning to an alarms’ call
Together we perform the morning ritual.
Sometimes I spend an extra moment over coffee
Others I rush to complete tasks for the day.
I go to a movie, the mall or the park
I can attend the church I choose or not.
I take an early morning jog to stay fit
I could visit a museum, a friend or go home.
Today I choose where and what I do.
I can waste my money or I can save for the future.
I could call my closest friend or email my congressman
If I want I can vote for the best candidate.
I can criticize my elected officials and fear not.
I can buy anything I have money to buy.
It could be a vehicle, a lamp or illegal drugs.
I could perform all manner of improper things.
I have that right.
I have the choice to obey the law and most like me do.
I have that right today.
I can travel the farthest reaches of our country or planet
I cand stand in awe at the Grand Canyon
Or visit the Statue of Liberty.
For all these things and many others
I thank the American soldier.
Thank a serviceman who gave us these choices.

Robert Dodson
June 27, 2009

2009-06-26T10:03:00.000-07:00

Montana

Gentle summer breezes touch the prairie with loving hands
Mountain ridge guards a rustic and serene valley below
Tiny stream bubbles across mystic rocky formation slow
Scattered trees shelter nature’s surreptitious band.

Glaring sunlight heats the small herd of grazing bison
Nearby the growing corn shares the sluggish wind
The quaint ranch house nestles against rocky bend
Flowers decorate the vista in multi colored fun.

Vacation retreat gathers enduring grace to give
Harmony is ruptured by music of the scenery
Peaceful surrounds the dreams I passionately live
Each time I visit the wide open big sky country.

Robert Dodson
June 26, 2009

2009-06-24T19:32:00.000-07:00

The Cottage

In wintry cold the cottage stands vacant
On sea swept hill the beach invites
Lonely is the surrounding countryside
Months slowly ebb into glowing spring land.

New season jumps willing into sudden green
Repainted cabin beckons for companionship
Robust family arrives on welcoming scene
Stowing luggage, they rest from travel blips.

Vacation spent passed like a fiery comet
Reflection on past soothed nestled fears grip
Next year seems further than distant planet
Togetherness held links to magnify passions trip.

As fall leads to winter the cottage is empty again
Doors and windows shuttered against nature’s fury
Once more the countryside feels sad and dreary
The seasons will change like perpetual rain.

Robert Dodson
June 24, 2009

2009-06-23T15:34:00.000-07:00

Dreams Ascend

Passion falls to dusty floor sad
Past events raise a battled trust glad
Minutes chug drearily into a future mad
Broken promise endures terrible trouble bad.

Love rises from within bursting on the soul
Lost in togetherness conquered values spread
Dreams ascend meteoric clash of dread
Settled score resolves hope held icily cold.

Joined forever leads mission to save fancy
Flowered aisle defines the promised future
Seaside visit created zeal always chancy
Years flew rapidly by like painted picture.

Robert Dodson
June 23, 2009

2009-06-22T15:14:00.000-07:00

Happiness Reborn

Grasping for insight, I reached the threshold,
Retreat gains lessons given gilded glamour
Advance toward living destiny once foretold
Instinct garners a hope held tightly enamored.

Happiness reborn catches rewards to reuse,
Stepping from the glow love carves truce
Forging strength as joy leaps through care
Leaving despair ditched in the river fair.

Giving trust earns respect for truth said,
Laying on the edge of victory could descend
Chanced defeat from traveled bend
Makes forgiveness’ a debt already paid.

Robert Dodson
June 22, 2009

2009-06-21T09:59:00.000-07:00

Father’s Day

Today I reflect on the past,
Strong hands helped tie my shoes,
Taught me important things
I cherish today and always.
My character is my foundation
Laid in place by a gentle man.
The things I learned so long ago
Built me to be the best I could.
Tangible habits are the evidence
But those unseen traits are my walls.
Honor, manners and respect were learned
Mostly by example, some by a slap
Gratitude fills my heart every day.
Living life is my daily tribute
We had good and bad times
But through it all we shared love.
Sometimes spoken, but mainly unsaid
I am proud to call this gentle man, Dad.

Robert Dodson
June 21, 2009

2009-06-21T06:17:00.000-07:00

Fulfilled Hopes

Yesterday I crawled at the vigil of leaping present,
Seeking a route through the dreary sight of daring
Lost among the frenetic harbinger upon emotion pent
Holding time’s grasp of feeble mentioned caring.

Today I stand resplendent in dizzying bequest
Distracted purpose holds hysterical heart
Touched by symbolic reticence is my behest
Wrapped within my quiet dream, I start.

Tomorrow I hobbled to faraway drummer
Fulfilled hopes satisfy living courage free
Mistaken ideas garble their way to summer
As I become the writhing waves in the sea.

Robert Dodson
June 21, 2009

2009-06-19T06:53:00.000-07:00

Love Grows

Stretched around my being, her beauty absorbs me
Separated and together love grows like a tsunami
Fleeting disbelief stares me into boneless goo
A lifetime given and love remains solid in you.

Dawn breaks loudly upon my open mind
Ever reminding the daily request of desire
You are the treasure I shall always find
As setting sun captures my eternal fire.

Tangled destiny wraps its fingers on life,
Past embraces remain future rewards
Murky dreams are clear hope’s award
Forever glad I asked you be my wife.

Robert Dodson
June 19, 2009

2009-06-18T01:34:00.000-07:00

My Texas

She fills my spirit with awesome beauty,
Her peaks struggle to reach cerulean sky,
Valleys shelter my spirit tenderly,
Sandy white shore touch ocean’s subtle sigh.
A looming vista lands on my senses,
Desert opens barren retreat discerned
Bluebonnets spread allure among fences
About my lady much is to be learned.
Freedom’s love fights for honor glorified
Urban and rural cowboys brag proudly,
Victory’s slogan shouted turned the tide
The bells of liberty echoed loudly.

Rarely has a feeling arrived vexes
Many who hail the grandeur of Texas.

Robert Dodson
June 18, 2009

2009-06-16T10:53:00.000-07:00

The Bad Dream

Twisted mind harbors the fleet of troubled terror,
Demon of self rises to ply a ruse of golden joy,
Angels gather potions of love to embed the furor
Shadowed figure leaps from shelved Tolstoy.

Wandering caravan travels inner corridors blood,
Eerily long tendrils of smoke reach throbbing throat,
The gurgling frothy blood begins its raging flood,
Soaking the dapper trapper’s funeral coat.

The doctor pensively eyes the mangled scene,
Saying I’ll have coffee with sugar and cream.
Bird like nurses begin the daily ritual preen
Suddenly awakened the patient had a bad dream.

Robert Dodson
June 16, 2009

2009-06-15T18:31:00.000-07:00

Freedom

Where does fleeting freedom shine its hope now?
Lady Liberty dances around my soul,
I have seen her wiped from furrowed brow
It is on the miners face darkened by coal.
Freedom unfurls its being through the land,
Found in cities and farms among mountains,
The loving couple walking on the sand,
The Marine standing at stiff attention.
It is beginning to climb a great wall,
Symbols of won victory call loudly,
Stars and Stripes waves singly to call,
Passing citizens salute so proudly.

Time and freedom lie upon blowing wind,
Freedom waits only for the human mind.

Robert Dodson
June 15, 2009

2009-06-14T06:34:00.000-07:00

Destination of Living

The breeze flailed the corn like a wicked mistress,
The endless green rows rippled like crashing waves,
Abruptly the air became as a soothing morning shave,
Handing heavens’ backdrop a heartaches loving caress.

We wish, we dream, we never learn and we wonder why,
Of nothing are we sure, yet the wind continues to blow.
A life lived true becomes its own journey traveled slow,
Savoring moments shouldered in minds own closed eye.

Happiness enjoyed reflects a future yesterday yet to be,
Today is a tomorrow that will never find its memory
Under a starry night in a moonless dark big sky,
The destination of living never hears heralded sigh.

Robert Dodson
June 14, 2009

2009-06-13T17:01:00.000-07:00

The Clearing

Shaded stand of trees silently watch sunlit clearing,
Dark and moody clouds drift quickly overhead,
Sudden downpour refreshes the stark beauty fed,
Sparkling rainbow signals a soulful cheering.

Peaceful ambitions of storied youth appear,
The clearing points a path to mountain stream,
Behind the tumbling water lies hidden trail,
Seldom used path opens a mystic valley veiled.

Virgin wilderness explodes upon the senses,
Overwhelming beauty touches the sky
Daydreams overflow its sultry cry,
Realization slaps low lying fog dense.

Robert Dodson
June 13, 2009

2009-06-12T07:59:00.000-07:00

Courage Garnered

Words fight their way from the bowels of pained embrace,
While blank pupils watch out times’ window long lost face,
Starry stare looks but does not see the dazzling scene,
Laid simply a treasured breath sparkling pristine.

Remembered chores draw their toll paid long ago,
Tree lined avenue recalls a leisurely shaded passage
Grown vision reflects the greater hope held below,
Somber fruits light fabled history of gloried visage.

Integrity fuels dreams juggled to the forefront
Respect caps graceful heritage proudly sought,
Honor tops the morale many forever fought,
Courage garnered hovers a weight never burnt.

Robert Dodson
June 12, 2009

2009-06-11T06:25:00.000-07:00

Hope Continues

Liberty waves its voice deep upon the lazy sky,
Sailing the currents of topical fancy tomorrow,
Racing the wind freedom beckons all to cry,
Facing timeless sunlight releases no sorrow.

Independence calls day after day slanted eye,
Authority leads society toward uncertain view
Choice carries justice heavy as payment due,
Wronged, truth falls staring to a blank sky.

Today stands shocked on shoulders of community,
Wrestled victory flails gallant claws of tension
Hope continues journey for its autonomy,
Yet lonely eagle soars searching attrition.

Robert Dodson
June 11, 2009

2009-06-10T15:27:00.000-07:00

The Outing

Guarded strength lays a nested bounty sought,
Swimming parades buttoned jest stored brave,
Voices ramble a certain impact grasp fought,
Joyous happening relived till next booming wave.

My goddess strolls menacingly toward gentle ocean,
Tidal splashes against protective parapet high
Diving determined a frolicked mood of attention,
Stinging jelly causes meaningful cry.

Collapsing on sand soaked blanket relieves
Golden shell tanned darkly by burning sun.
Interlude brings peaceful mystery begun
Embrace recalls celebrations to believe.

Robert Dodson
June 10, 2009

2009-06-09T18:28:00.000-07:00

Duty Beckons

Standing upon the grateful fringe of stated glory,
Obligation focus leads through doors of the sea,
Harbor blooms a frenzied blur of calm water
Pier guards white sand sunburned future.

Anxious moments track slowly along ascent,
Circles of grasping fingers leave ridges deep,
Respites draft gazes of vacant fruited sleep,
Harried fowl gestures comic salient bent.

Gifted lamp reveals an intense affair dark,
Rounded carton evolves slanted park,
Justice drains steely frightened eagle flown,
Duty beckons stingy finger sheltered stone.

Robert Dodson
June 9, 2009

2009-06-08T06:27:00.000-07:00

The Crevasse of Time

The treasures of life surround me with gentle curiosity,
Look into the symbol of my journey and find a dream,
Nestled within the crevasse of time I lose the seam,
Pulled from the past I live the riches meant to be.

Struggling to hold a place in my being, I mourn
For what might have been lived over again,
Steadily the oars of wisdom steer the rain,
Reaching a near past, my ship lies forlorn.

Realization wiggles through depths of love,
Surfacing near a nurtured and steady mind
Scenes play a crescendo of flying doves,
Reminders that always my faith is blind.

Robert Dodson
June 8, 2009

2009-06-07T12:47:00.000-07:00

Living Begins

Images of future lost come rushing through memories,
Confusion reigns within the mass of minuscule aura.
Floating gleefully on rocking waves of sunlit seas,
Pictures taken hold harrowing thoughts foresaw.

Under the rug of time, misery awakes lingering
Thunder booms over my heart a startled racing.
Valley of my soul pours a river of lasting need
Rallies to overcome the doubting idea freed.

Triumph gloats to no one there inside the mind,
Destiny calls from distance farther than behind,
My path remains freedom from demons bold
And living begins a task of being takes its hold.

Robert Dodson
June 7, 2009

2009-06-06T12:49:00.000-07:00

An idea inspired by Bonnie Snyder

Bucket List

Stranded at the edge of penance I wander on,
Inward zeal is held at bay by turbulent fight.
Coated focus rolls under my soul like winged flight,
Weathered past boils from forgotten eons gone.

Crossing lip of yawning abyss tests hope,
Jubilant strength journeys through tingled skin,
Ruptured roar of triumph voices a rare glint
Endured tribulation overcomes vicious slope.

Continued travel reveals fervor always held
Delighted vision glows its rising need of care
Bucket lists final success breathes its last air
And life lived well had gained its ultimate shell.

Robert Dodson
June 6, 2009

2009-06-05T10:37:00.000-07:00

Time Marches

Clouded moon gathers its tidal claim below
Gilded manners tilt passion’s proven gift
Taken fears levy a mortal freedom lift,
Searched goodness follows meted flow.

Harvest orb beckons golden glow
Crisp, fall air warms shallow heart
Breath blown gently touches smartly
Ears stiffly cold from northern blown.

Springs graded globe echoes called hope
Heated warmth thaws chilled wisdom
Through searched past reveals doldrums’;
Time marches again on parades float.

Robert Dodson
June 5, 2009

2009-06-04T03:04:00.000-07:00

Vaunted Love

Traveled path bequeaths its welcome on the heart,
Circled forms challenge their gaudy intent of start,
Trusted nature relaxes a fabled heathen gaze,
Musty fate garners strength from encompassed maze.

Wrangled fear grabs lighted globules pasty goo
Tangled box jettisons storied tale of yesterday,
Raveled string begins hunt for continued due,
Graveled face marches forward on knotted clay.

Bangled arm raises hope of lesser victory
Haunted mind grapples ideals seldom been
Mangled dreams fight a courageous story
Vaunted love retakes battles eternally seen.

Robert Dodson
June 4, 2009

2009-06-03T04:10:00.000-07:00

Silent Witness

Three rail wooden fence remain lonely guard along summer field
Weathered timber shows raucous grey state of disorder
Proud and hungry a buck emerges from broken woodland
Near the railing the animal pauses, testing muffled breeze.

Leaping the barrier the majestic deer disappears into thicket
Glittered sun struggles higher into morning’s cloudless azure sky
Faintly green grasses wave gently, silently to passing fowl
Beckoning tiny herd of wild mustangs sensing hidden pond.

The dappled grey stallion strays away to low crested hill
Anxiously he urges his brood to waters reed covered edge,
Standing aloof he watches the others drink their fill
Nervous, he dips his head and drinks from muddy water.

The clearing empties as the herd flees the grove again,
A sudden rain materializes over the pasture
Spirits scurry seeking shelter from the downpour
The fence remains silent witness along summer field.

Robert Dodson
June 3, 2009

2009-06-02T13:27:00.000-07:00

A sonnet for Marlene Bittner

Huskers

Mysterious spirit leaves restless hope
Attached at spongy railing ripened long,
Rippled curves splashes being as pope;
Liberated feelings sing their low song.
Events course rapidly through creation
Natural corn husks emit fervent roar,
Elements stranded pace their lonely fun
Bravado exudes its lonesome, sad core.
Intense emotion draws near the surface
Travel destiny reaches minds’ false tip,
Taking meaning from soulful, painted lace,
Nuzzled within magical parted lips.

Emerging loudly on enemy ears,
Roaring multitude shouts Go, Go Huskers!

Robert Dodson
June 2, 2009

2009-06-01T03:08:00.000-07:00

A poem for Alana Morgan

Napping

Alone within a vision of gathered thought,
Letters idled formed words I loosely sought.
Alert to grainy images of future topic I sat,
Nurtured upon veils of soldered muse hat.

Austere auspice formed upon cracked lips,
Joy leapt sinking down a rising low sound,
Moistened again glad vibrations seeped clips
Over trials of disparate need unfound and bound.

Rituals began among the tracks in the eye’s mind,
Gaining footholds of chancy utterance laid waste,
Allowing victory to grovel toward its slow haste
Nodding head on chest was the glorious find.

Robert Dodson
June 1, 2009

2009-05-31T20:00:00.000-07:00

A sonnet for Jackie Castle

Muddled

Jocularity abounds in worn face,
Against subtle smile rests festive moon light
Castles defend honor to endless race
Kingdoms romance her gratitude’s slow might.

Inside a destiny of growing beast
Exudes marked disaster under sought trust
Captured fancy rails among the small feast
At proper glaring stare marks a loose fuss.

Seldom graded justice holds forth its brow
Trailed vision seeks to burst the sea coldly
Lesson emerges set free by garish throw,
Entering muddled silence near bold sea.

Robert Dodson
May 31, 2009

2009-05-30T03:16:00.000-07:00

A poem for Brenda Mantz

Breathe Long

Breathe long the delicate scent of that secluded desire,
Ravage the torment of past failure hindering advance
Embrace a love burdened with tribulation of mire
Nirvana nestles within support held sway on chance.

Disparity dispatches earthly vision to distant dream
Altered state leaps upon chests empty at source.
Greatness grapples clear sincerity’s force
Masked upon walls of grandeur’s seam.

Against surroundings of bejeweled and hopeful sight
Necessary trappings collide where adoration meets.
Trusting eyes gaze deep into the twinkling night
Zealous being longs for its overdue seat.

Robert Dodson
May 30, 2009

2009-05-29T02:39:00.000-07:00

Daydreams

Clouds of puffy marshmallows sleepily slither overhead
Did you identify a character or three up there?
Imagination glimmers of dreams once held close;
Come alive in that sailor, dragon or ogre,
Wrestle the wind to retain its shape bodes ill.
Changing into a storm of intrepid power
My clouds continue the journey to distant eyes.

Dazzling sun casts a shadow to the tree
Peacefully I rest beside the still pond.
Glass like surface broaches a rare ripple
Vanishing on rock-strewn, shaded shore.
The tree stands reaching toward heaven
My soul lay abandoned on gentle pasture.

Living on dreams indescribable I stand proud
To realize wind and clouds continue on.

Robert Dodson
May 29, 2009

2009-05-28T09:34:00.000-07:00

Suggested by Vicki Elam

My Love

I walk the dusty trail alone with you in my heart,
It is then I realize; my feelings brew like coffee on my soul.
Apart we are together and together we’re alone
But holding your hand tugs my love to the bluest sky above.
In my troubled journey, I’m never far from victory.
You are my she for which I have a bountiful faith
My friend, my love I share the trip of my essence;
Upon the space of my universe you are the core.

Away from you, I wash the dishes of my life.
You are around me in the walls of my conscience,
I see you in all I do and have this day forward.
The lopsided photograph touches my spirit gently
While the folded laundry reaches my skin
I have the scent of you fill my nostrils kindly.

At my side, I treasure passion shared as one.
Forever the travels pass quickly into tomorrow.
My days are as stars on cloudless summer night,
Filled completely your timeless fancy in my sight
I am your he.

Robert Dodson
May 28, 2009

2009-05-27T15:09:00.000-07:00

A poem for Tracy Beaver

Echoes

Temerity knows no bounds upon the soul
Reaching for far away hope with tenacity;
After a slivered moon raises its bowl
Care remains like sand by the sea.

Yet spirit rises slowly through the stroll
Labored task builds wondrous loyalty,
Being shines for all to see its audacity
Echoes from the mind take a toll.

Always favor smiles for the meek
Veracity joins from mountain peak
Every dream appears with its cost
Racing young future is never lost.

Robert Dodson
May 27, 2009

2009-05-26T00:51:00.000-07:00

A sonnet

Mirrored Calm

Mirrored calm, reflection stares to vastness,
Tree lined shores beckon a forgiving heart,
Peaceful waters hold silent wind’s last tress
The ripples roll gently as painted art,
Floating on edgy care, insects go sire.
The mesa looms over star lit shelves all
Faintly glowing behind the dying fire,
Embers now wink and wink again to call
The frosty breath of snoring lover huddled
Inside cozy warmth of blankets bare, hands
Reach a tested, rough shoulder, well muscled.
Rising slowly, air creeps in soundless bands.
A soul through rasping cloth of linens soft
Audacious fate gives togetherness tossed.

Robert Dodson
May 26, 2009

2009-05-25T03:47:00.000-07:00

A sonnet for Pamela A. Fuller

Love Eternal

Paths are walking my choices to the fore
Again trodden trail never saw the day
Meeting without a vision caught on lore
Echoes peaceful dream held secure today.
Long I pace the fruits of contented thoughts
After tasks come to bear travails of deed
Fault lies near the door of belief I sought
Unknown trepidation lies as my seed
Legend seeks the value I gained showing
Love eternal still needs tender caring
Even as I start toward river flowing
Remains my moment of lonely sharing

Perfect boundless faith remains beside me
Freedom of bondage truly set me free.

Robert Dodson
May 25, 2009

2009-05-23T21:03:00.000-07:00

A sonnet in memory of all our fallen veterans!

Freedom Earned

Walking to the sandy beach I recall
Why I can. A veteran paid for me,
My liberty crafts me overly tall
As I walk the shores of the raging sea.
The sky above is bluer today;
Given me by proud soldier or sailor
In service many have fallen to say
Stand up proud this day for sake of valor.
The flag wave’s majestic of freedom won
By heroes unsung on field of mêlée;
Satisfying courage earned to the bone
Giving life a long lasting victory

As a remembrance to the future free
Thank a brave veteran for you and me.

Robert Dodson
May 23, 2009

2009-05-22T06:11:00.000-07:00

A Birthday Sonnet for those celebrating today and everday!

The Party

The cottage is flowing with excitement
Friends and Family hiding everywhere,
Covered with bows and ribbons wait presents
Cake adorned with Happy Birthday sits there.
The imminent arrival is trying,
Guests’ patience grows quiet and jittery.
Time slowly moves forward as a phone rings
The hostess quickly garners joyful glee
The guest of honor comes round the corner
Decked out in womanly church finery
Reaching the entrance like a sad mourner
Tugging the door open for all to see.

Shouts of Happy Birthday arrive to hear
Face beaming radiant with glowing cheer.

Robert Dodson
May 22, 2009

2009-05-21T06:18:00.000-07:00

Hunting

Golden rays of sunshine reach the valley
Below mountain peaks towering and grand
Sits a lanky youth waiting patiently
Huddled near undergrowth and takes a stand
At the tree line deer emerge into view
Grazing down slope they near the waiting lad
A startled bird rises quickly on cue
The lone buck surveys the scene wisely glad
Cautious, nearer and nearer the herd feed
Beaded sweat dripping from an anxious brow
The sun glides slowly across the pasture
An eagle soars above vistas below
The boy glances at the faded picture
Eagerly the regal buck struts proudly
The shot fells the deer, the youth screams loudly.

Robert Dodson
May 21, 2009

2009-05-20T16:24:00.000-07:00

The Visitor

New to these white sand beaches slipping into ocean blue
I traveled far to brave the journey of hope and love
Beginning life anew with wishes and dreams so true
I received my vision bold and filled from sky above.

I toil and mix with friends all different and new
I venture daily to majestic seas quiet awesome view.
Never far from discovery, seeking damp shadows
To remain unseen even in pleasant meadows, though

Mostly frightened of native, unenlightened fear
Avoiding confrontation both near and far
Inhabitants always shout, scream and jeer
After learning my home is a distant star.

Robert Dodson

May 20, 2009

2009-05-18T23:19:00.000-07:00

A poem for Bonnie Snyder

Faded Memory

Breathe the sound of open windows of farming beauty
Once the smell of cooking dies away, the memory
Nears senses long hidden under years of neglect;
Now I visit the cradle of youth to hold up my future,
Inside a rustic shot of valley meadow and flowers
Easily becomes a past remembered sweetly, silently
Sustained on my brow a brief respite of longing;
Noticeable hereafter as dreams contented yesterday
Youth returns during those fun artifacts of history
Distinct parts coalesce into single remembrance.
Exultant recollection forges the bond ripened by time
Reluctant tear drops suddenly to the rocky ground.

Robert Dodson
May 19, 2009

2009-05-17T20:45:00.000-07:00

A Sonnet written for Becky Kopprasch

Before Wisdom

Before wisdom embarks a heart is glad
Ever hoping life trials begin new again
Courage weighs its tests to be truly had
Kept over a winter of cold dark rain
Youth holds within the hope of yesterday
Kissing lips touch upon souls’ to wonder
Open joy spreads wings held at length today
Peace regains lonely chest filled to squander
Prosperity emits its love of hope
Reaching for stars in the sky of morning
After dawns’ breaking casts a shadow sloped
Sun bares life as it opens voice to sing
Choosing victory over sad loss
Hearts gladden the music of sudden cost.

Robert Dodson
May 18, 2009

2009-05-17T08:51:00.000-07:00

Trapped Within

Trapped within the walls of the past,
I come to bear the burden of a future gloomy.
Vision is garbled by words of pain and sorrow,
Trouble follows my path toward hope,
I learn nothing as an infant within my heart.
Crawling to frosty stone, windows closed
Grabbing ribbons of far away dreams, I rise
Only seeking faster growth of giving destiny,
The river of my desire stretches outward from a soul,
Twisting into the bend of confused mind,
I seek truth of manly standard, revealed ages ago
When resting upon laurels unearned, I bend over
My cane to support the weight of humanity,
As faith once again beckons me homeward
Reward is never given, only justified for doing
Value for others, crossing my broken and shaky trail;
Destiny realizes that victory was always within my mind.

Robert Dodson
May 17, 2009

2009-05-16T09:48:00.000-07:00

A Dream

Waking to the distant drum of rain,
I begin a journey fraught with imagined terror.
Clouds low to the brim of reason I see my self
Facing unknown horror, I continue cautious.
Revealed in dreamy state, my vision clouded
Earthly being is around the corner of victory
Startled, events are gloomily similar to life
Without love’s bounty filling the thimble of my chest
I stand watch over dark and crowded vistas of endeavor.
Yet, I touch and fault lies without and within the realm
Of mighty dragon upon the stony surface of my soul
I gaze but cannot see the hope that lies near my breast.
I arise to realize I slept, but did not rest.

Robert Dodson
May 16, 2009

2009-05-14T12:46:00.000-07:00

A sonnet for Myra Golden

Customer Service

Making a stand for customer service,
Yearning to help by giving of her soul
Remains consistent in living oneness
Always triumph is the ultimate goal,
Going to the source of failure leaves you
Open to gaining victory of self
Lessons taught lead life toward easy cue
Determined fight leaps off a winning shelf
Each day victory leads to a new way
Never resting always going nonstop
Memory has a new teacher, Myra
Yet assuming chance runs to the new cop
Reaching for a goal is the new refrain
Against all odds success is as the rain.

Robert Dodson
May 14, 2009

2009-05-14T12:40:00.000-07:00

Written for Myra Golden

Misty Dawn

Misty dawn reaches for a new horizon
You become as one to life of helping
Reaching out to help a troubled ego
Asking not for self yet wanting victory
Going toward love’s of choice
Open majesty reaches the heart
Loping easily forward the chasm closes
Daring chance leads to success
Early hope lands on a soft shoulder
Nestled among leaves of fallen tree
Makes feeling soft and subtle clinging
Yet learning trust is around the corner
Reaction leads to gentle love
Against the wall anger defeated once more.

Robert Dodson
May 14, 2009

2009-05-13T09:18:00.000-07:00

A sonnet for Vicki Elam

Walking Through Time

Walking through time I touch tomorrow glad,
Family, friends, coffee and wine are grand.
I wish to be smartly happy not sad.
As gardening fills the echoes in the sand
A granddaughter waits for her love to see.
Trusting the path, flowers sweet bouquet parts,
A yesterday from walls of memory.
The man comes slowly to embrace their hearts’
The travels through the past reveal that core
Desires remain firmly rooted in present.
Dreams of futures sought, opens a shut door
Love flutters wide ever omnipotent.
There is a hope for love to remain free
Held together by boundless energy.

Robert Dodson
May 13, 2009

2009-05-11T03:42:00.000-07:00

A Sonnet for Veronica in Maine

Heart of Love

Time has crept rapidly down garden path
Heart of love pounds longingly in my chest
Flowers bloom quickly on the edge of wrath
Clouds of dark temper torments glad hope best.
Rain begins its silent fall to dry ground
Absorbed within the mind of lonely men
The lady sits quietly waiting a sound
Soon a troubled robin lands near the pen.
Over mountains the breeze coldly tails fate
Morning comes sparkling to the valley proud
Journey ends its magic upon the slate,
Destined to begin the tale once more loud;
So you see, love has to be tried by me,
As I walk toward the rim of the sea.

Robert Dodson
May 11, 2009

2009-05-10T05:04:00.000-07:00

For Mother's Day

Wondering

I can see you on that mesa, stars above, valley below.
The dim objects your thoughts.
The cacti, far off mountains wondering why...
Dreaming of things that might have been and
Searching the lonely roads of memory,
All the roads lead to nowhere, but I am here
Thinking, wondering, what might have been?
The road of my heart is curved and troubled,
Until the idea comes down the straight line of my brain;
I am lost again without you in my love.
The moon tiptoes through a starry night,
Yielding slowly to the first rays of a red sun;
As day begins to leap upon my vista
The rattler slithers toward noon,
All at once the emotion floods my eyes,
Another Mother’s Day has reached my soul.
My anguish, my loss compels me to share my love,
To my growing daughter that one day too,
I’ll see her on a lonely, starry mesa.

Robert Dodson
May 10, 2009

2009-05-09T01:11:00.000-07:00

Topic suggested by A. Thoren

The Kitten and the Bunny

Walking through dry summer pasture
A bunny darts quickly.
Stopping he wiggles his ears to catch the sounds
Sloped rock hides him from easy view.
Nearby a learning kitten stalks an unseen prey,
Cautious the cat creeps
Slowly the kitten moves, pausing for motion.
The bunny unaware nibbles grass,
Ever closer the kitten slinks
Suddenly the kitten leaps.
The bunny darts rapidly and hops away
For a brief moment the kitten follows.
Soon a branch moves in the slight air
A swift movement captures the kitten’s eye.
Off the kitten speedily runs and jumps.
Catching his tail the kitten tumbles
Toward the tiny ribbon of water.
Only I saw the kitten fall into the brook
My kitten emerged soaked through
Shaking his body, then a hind foot kicking out and
Then the other hind foot kicking startles the bunny,
The race was on
Darting to and fro the kitten easily gives up.
I called for “Mister Shadow” with tail pointing up
He rubbed against my leg.

Robert Dodson
May 9, 2009

2009-05-04T02:48:00.000-07:00

Written for Tara Johnston

Labored Dreaming

Tools' puzzle on ordeals buried over victory's mask

Asked, given triumphant happiness of lament streaming

Roles awakened to distant thunder of labored dreaming

Against odds felled by unattained heights eases the task.

Joy streams onward under lids closed open so tightly

Over a hand struggling, reaching the final justice rightly

Honor holds its keys to seek rings never ending travels sight

Nodding approval nurtures a cautious belief of foes timid might.

Seeking multitude tears wel into canyons, valleys lined deep

Trails to a knowing tenderness leave, achieve a bold leap,

Old habits squabble steadily for woken gain to chance

Nothing happens endlessly on doors ajar at the dance.

Robert Dodson

May 4, 2009

2009-04-29T14:49:00.000-07:00

Written for Gloria Nelson

Caution Dares

Guarded passion closely held steadies a future told
Lying under dreams studied hope rise ever toward passion
On steamy, silent, sturdy path the trail becomes bold
Raised before dingy, dark, drab feeling hollow eyes vision.

Images haunt harangue, hurtle blindly into seas of change.
Always triumphant, trendy, treating senses sought for final victory.
Needy soul charges, changes, come blasting open walls never sorry.
Escape grasps shoulders and all tossing back to rocks strange

Learned lessons leap atop hope stifling the picture slanted clothes
Sun comes dawn above a horizon dimly, daintily, duly silent again
Old trails left behind comes roaring, rearing, reaching night rain.
Near at hand, hoping, helping distance fears evenly posed.

Caution dares, dreams, and drives forward to chain release
Symptoms stymie, steady fingers aching to cease
Ever going, gazing, galloping quickly sounds advance
Passion pulls, parries minds race upon a last furtive glance.

Giving a quiet respite into life’s’ travels on roads of peace
Nodding loud, leery, luscious bending the final chance
Gaining momentum bloody hands revel at the victory feast
Necessary trials teach, take the overdue lance.

Robert Dodson
April 29, 2009

2009-04-28T17:37:00.000-07:00

Written for Amy Thoren

Dreaded Hope

Above open depths of dreaded hope paths cross to lurid lake
Methods drool to venture through a dusty plate.
Yearned compassion lies silently below heart’s window
Echoes of standards visibly take root upon shallow throw

Landing near points, held upon furrowed, feeble furtive brow.
Against mountain backdrop the dream comes boldly clear.
Nestled within a tumbled, tawdry triumphant seer
Among few wanting unknown knowledge burns a dim glow

Trusting, trying, taking chance left for trivial demand
Huddled around styles of muddled gratitude reveals ideas
Obtuse, open, oval strangely gauged toward the sand
Reaps bountiful fancy of thorough, timely, trained fees

Edgy nerves, needful, nurtured stand before the remnant
Nodding turns trials, tested, tough pain reveals greed
Amiable, arid, aware staunches medicinal need
The news, near, necessary comes - your pregnant.

Robert Dodson
April 28, 2009

2009-04-28T01:22:00.000-07:00

Written for Laura Yoogood

Through Teary Heart

Listen to paths taught through teary heart above yearning sea
Alter sight under soft, simple voice of reason in the dank night
Use ears to grasp minds daring statement toward presence might
Regain truth of power held under stately, lonely tree.

Ardor for senses masked in the heart disputes kind treasonably
Tested, rested, wrested from crimes central task sensibility
Open doorway beckons child through danger culpability
Onward, journey stumbles on grass burned hazardly.

Glancing, prancing feet take soulful care of motionless breath
Often sensed, seldom heard, truth wages disparate battle
Only wrangled words willfully hold single, bungled beaten death
Dreary skies let forth turbulent anger on earthly chattel.

Robert Dodson
April 28, 2009

2009-04-26T00:57:00.000-07:00

Written for Donna L. Wilson

Anchored Voice

Destiny shouts toward waiting valley of far away land
Over stoic remnants of paths long, loping bridge dreams
Never seeking relief from tortured wind and moon beams
Needing fateful sparkled slumber of past reckless stand.

Anchored voice stands steeply silent in staid casks
Looming upon a drenched tale of nightmare tasks
Woven within weeds last chance of halting crest
Images lunge into vortex stalled under the breast.

Lurching forward toward shiny shutter of blue hue
Standards waver beneath burning ember strands of flame
Open taste of seas tirade against granite under blame
Now comes time of seasons just bill is due.

Robert Dodson

April 26, 2009

2009-04-25T23:49:00.000-07:00

A poem dedicated to Lisa J. Lehmann

Traveled Vision

Laughing, dreaming fun waits out the door
Intense yearning tugs the gifts of a single heart.
Subtle will exerts its toll upon a supple floor.
Autumns trudge heavily toward the distant start.

Judged jugs justify freely scorned of one just.
Labyrinthine loathing burst upon scenes of trust.
Enduring energy enfolds rugs toward the sound
Hiding closely budged near nestling found

Moments rein the feats of nervous walls.
Around a traveled vision stands goals quiet ground.
Nothing calls to trumpets glorious guiled sound,
Neatly rested over poised wooden stalls.

Robert Dodson
April 26, 2009

2009-04-25T06:40:00.000-07:00

A poem dedicated to Lilane Rausch

Maverick Times

Learned events trouble past enjoyment of timely days
Irrigating senses offer solution of majestic beauty.
Leaping upward cleanses souls to sounds for due sea.
Increased abundance stowed for needed phase.

A breeze gently flowing across cheeks tanned
Needing nothing sustains maverick times once banned
Each cloud hold promise of rare moisture seldom dammed
Revealing heat takes upon shoulders seeking rest on the land.

Asking relief need never be spoken to ears unwilling for sound
Useful tears moisten lips never kissed the ground
Solid visions of dreams held last life’s ragged breath
Chosen dreams seek solitude of each day’s death
Held in place by annual reins forever bound.

Robert Dodson
April 25, 2009

2009-04-24T23:27:00.000-07:00

Strangely, I have no dedication for this poem. Go Figure.

Smallness Within

Gaze upon the majesty enclosed in the heart
Releases passion for a beginning again.
Days of future seem a distant part,
Pieces hanging loosely in a gentle rain.

Sensing a path once taken thunders soft
Tense muscles need a strain of safety
Looking backward righting my insensitivity
Spooked into a smallness within my loft.

Phased in moments, singly spaced frees life
Dense in spaced, wide valleys of new hope
Going far to be near eases the strife
So long as I never, slip on the soap.

Robert Dodson
September 23, 2007

2009-04-24T23:15:00.000-07:00

This poem was written for my wife Faye. We were married on her birthday, April 23, 1985.

Through Misty Forest

Alone walking through misty forest,
Groping to jerk tears from my eyes
An arduous duty calms wisdom’s test
Tying trails to hearts’ talking of far skies.

Hearing victory excites dull tries
As air embraces me among all fires
Facing challenge is my behest
As one debates full charged chest,

Youthful yearning for bravery dear
Energy drains as Sol dips to low sky
Donning thickly skinned events fly
Over often pondering learned final fear.

Dreams of future haunt my soul
Saying nothing is not the crest
Over which I journey toward rest
Neat nesting leaves life a filled bowl.

Robert Dodson
January 14, 2007

2009-04-24T23:05:00.000-07:00

This poem was written for Ron Jenkins

Nothing Chanced

Raising voices of trusted safety
Opened my mind to glaring holes
Noted once, then used as souls
Justice opened a raked bee.

Enhanced by age volume peaked
Nesting on past deeds, acts freaked
Kites billowed lazily in spring clouds
Insects crested my tiny soles aloud.

Nothing chanced a dream is lost
Scorning is my hesitant cost
Rising above a small vacant lot
Jerking free I become the moth.

Robert Dodson
March 12, 2007