Cynthia A. Morgan's Blog, page 229

Cross Pollination – #Inspirational #Poetry

Soon and very soon the flowers will begin pushing, breaking the ground and tender shoots will reach for the sun, carrying hope moving up, opening and spreading their petals. And I love how they are never afraid of the bees, taking from them, nor even of cross-pollination – the invention of something […]

via Cross-Pollination — Ancient Skies

 

From the insightful mind of Nico at Ancient Skies Blog.   Thank You Nico, so powerfully true and Poignantly Beautiful!

 

~Morgan~

Filed under: Poetry Tagged: Beautiful Photographs, BnV, BooknVolume, Harmony, Inspiration, life, Nature, Poem, poetry, Poetry Blog, relationships, spirituality, ~Morgan~

Now and Forever – #RomanticTuesday #Love #Poetry

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Kiss this Heart with Gentle Words,

Slow

and

Soft.

Watch These Shivers with that Remarkable Gaze,

Long

and

Leisurely.

Know this Passion with the Fullness of Your Love,

Now

and

Forever!

~Morgan~

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Beautiful Original Artwork by: Henry Asencio

Filed under: Poetry Tagged: BnV, BooknVolume, Desire, Kiss, Longing, Love, Love Poetry, passion, Poem, poetry, Poetry Blog, relationships, Romance, ~Morgan~

Incomplete – #RomanticTuesday #Love #Poetry

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Oh How this Love Spills from My Heart,

Longing to Touch Your Beautiful Hands,

Yearning to Kiss Your Perfect Mouth,

Aching to Gaze, Hour after Hour, Into Your Exquisite Eyes.

Passion Builds, Yet Passion of Love,

Of Honesty, Of Simplicity,

Of Pining to Know You for You;

The Man I See Behind the Facade;

The Man my Heart Already Knows;

The Man my Spirit Recognized

The First Time I Saw You.

Oh How this Love Spills from My Heart,

Full and Sweet,

And Incomplete.

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~Morgan~

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Beautiful Original Artwork by: Septian 93 @ Deviantart.com

Filed under: Poetry Tagged: BnV, BooknVolume, Longing, Love, Love Poetry, Poem, poetry, Poetry Blog, relationships, Romance, Soul Mates, Twin Souls, ~Morgan~

The Du Lac Devil #BookReview

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The Du Lac Devil: Book 2 of The Du Lac Chronicles

By Mary Yarde

War is coming to Saxon Briton.

As one kingdom after another falls to the savage might of the High King, Cerdic of Wessex, only one family dares to stand up to him — The Du Lacs.

Budic and Alden Du Lac are barely speaking to each other, and Merton is a mercenary, fighting for the highest bidder. If Wessex hears of the brothers’ discord, then all is lost.

Fate brings Merton du Lac back to the ancestral lands of his forefathers, and he finds his country on the brink of civil war. But there is worse to come, for his father’s old enemy has infiltrated the court of Benwick. Now, more than ever, the Du Lac must come together to save the kingdom and themselves.

Can old rivalries and resentments be overcome in time to stop a war?

*******

Having only recently finished the first book of this series, which I enjoyed thoroughly; I was delighted to have the opportunity to voraciously dive right into the second.  I was not disappointed. Not only has Mary Yarde meticulously researched the history of the 6th century in which the story takes place, allowing readers to experience how different life truly was so long ago, but she draws the reader deep into the mystery and intrigues of the plot.  She spins a web of romance, lust, violence, and the darkness of self-loathing.

Merton emerges as the dark anti-hero in this part of Yarde’s epic saga, and readers are hard pressed to not like him, in spite of so many things that might make him unlikeable.  I found myself aching because of his sorrows, yearning with him for something more, and hoping with him when love reaches out to touch him. The characters of Yarde’s tale are complex and bound together through dichotic and intense associations that twist the moment you think understand them!

Although there is enough backstory to make this a standalone, you would be cheating yourself if you did not start with the first books of the series.  Highly recommended and absolutely enjoyed, this reader is anxiously awaiting book three!

Undeniably 5 Stars!

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~Morgan~

Filed under: Authors Books Reviews & Interviews Tagged: BnV, Book Review, Book Review Blogs, BooknVolume, Books to Read, Historical Fiction, King Arthur, Romance, Supporting Indie Authors, ~Morgan~

Awaken – #DailyHaikuChallenge

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Stillness lies softly

Heralding the morning Light

Bright Luster Singing

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To take part in the Daily Haiku Challenge see The Original Post from Day One

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Day 98 / 365

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~Morgan~

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Beautiful Photography found on Pinterest.  Credit Gratefully Acknowledged to the Original Photographer.  Thank You~

Filed under: Daily Haiku Challenge Tagged: Beautiful Photographs, Beauty, BnV, BooknVolume, Harmony, Nature, Poem, poetry, Poetry Blog, Poetry Challenge, Renewal, Seasons, Winter, ~Morgan~

Sweet Song – #Poetry of the #NaturalWorld

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Nature is the Truest, Most Constant Blessing

Whispering to the Heart with Lilting Tones

Singing to the Spirit in visions

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We can Choose to Listen to her Melody

Allow ourselves to be swept up in the Harmony

Permit the Song to Penetrate and Purify

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Yet, Like any Sweet Melodic Song

We can also Choose to ignore it,

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And Like any Blessing, we can

Abuse it,

Destroy it,

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or Chop it down.

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Will you Listen to the Sweet Song?

Will You Gently Sing Along?

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~Morgan~

Waterfall: Plitvice National Park Croatia By : Andrea Pozzi

Geysers : Fly Geyser, Washoe County, Nevada – United States

Woven Trees found at : phoenix-legend.tumblr.com

Additional Images found on Pinterest

Filed under: Poetry Tagged: Beautiful Photographs, BnV, BooknVolume, Creation, Harmony, Natural World, Nature, Poem, poetry, Poetry Blog, relationships, spirituality, Stewardship, ~Morgan~

Waiting – #DailyHaikuChallenge

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Silenced in the Hush

Vigor waiting to return

Anticipation

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To take part in the Daily Haiku Challenge see The Original Post from Day One

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Day 97 / 365

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~Morgan~

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Beautiful Photography found on Pinterest.  Credit Gratefully Acknowledged to the Original Photographer.  Thank You~

Filed under: Daily Haiku Challenge Tagged: Beautiful Photographs, Beauty, BnV, BooknVolume, Harmony, Nature, Poem, poetry, Poetry Blog, Poetry Challenge, Renewal, Seasons, Winter, ~Morgan~

In the World, Not Of It

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by Susan Irene Fox

When listening to my Father’s call

the world attempts to use disguise

to lead me into my downfall

when lies are truth and truth are lies.

The Gospels lift me up to soar,

and daily mind and heart restore.

 

The words of Jesus free my thoughts

and bring me back to God’s embrace

to focus on the things I ought;

on love, compassion and His grace.

He came not to condemn but save

and all my sins expunged, forgave.

 

Abiding in the Spirit shows

me how to be and how to live.

Christ’s light from Living Water flows;

this fact holds no alternative.

The truth from fruit’s essential seeds

is God’s great source from which He feeds.

 

Because I sustain nourishment

from my Savior’s bread of life,

His voice of love is sweet assent

which melts and calms the daily strife.

God always is my Number One;

His wisdom never is outdone.

 

So say your truth, but I know His.

I am to open heart and hands,

to welcome all, and more than this;

to care for orphans, widows and

to reconcile the world, employ

God’s grace and wisdom, love and joy.

 

“I guarantee this truth: every believer has eternal life. I am the bread of life.” (John 6:47-48)

“For this I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who cares for the truth hears my voice.” Pilate asked him, “What is truth?” (John 18:37-38)

And the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. (Galatians 5:22-23)

Filed under: Guest Bloggers on BnV Tagged: Christ, Father, God, Grace, Jesus, Joy, Love, Savior, Spirit, Truth, Wisdom

The Goodale Street Tree Climbing Club (#guestblogger)

In the early 60’s, our yard was a magnet for kids from around the neighborhood.  We had a big back yard where kickball and baseball games took place all summer long.  In winter, the snowplows tended to pile the snow high right where we lived, and forts were built regularly.  But the big attractions were truly that – big.  We had twin sugar maple trees, one in the front year and one in the back.  Both trees towered over our 2-story house, so they were at least 50 feet tall.  I never took the time to measure them.  They were in the prime of life, so majestic and strong.  It was partly because of these trees that the Goodale Street Tree Climbing Club was formed.

 

There were six of us in the club.  My brother was the president, and I was vice president.   Believe that is because we were the best tree climbers of the bunch.  Living in Massachusetts, we were surrounded by woods, and trees were prevalent.  It was not unusual for us to get together and make it a mission to climb trees throughout the woods on a Saturday afternoon.  We loved to climb.  It didn’t matter what kind of tree, or how big, we were up to the challenge.  If the bottom branches were too high to reach, we would shiny up he tree to get to them.

 

But the silver maple in our back yard was our favorite.  It was built perfectly for climbing.  The branches were layered in such a way that you could easily climb it any way you wanted to.  And you could come down and out of the tree in a variety of ways.  My favorite was to walk right out of the tree.  Yes, you read that right – walk out of the tree.  Two of the big bottom branches ran parallel to each other, and you could walk on the bottom branch while holding the top branch until the branch bowed far enough for you to hit the ground. ­ Of course, you had to be fast in getting off the branch, because once your weight was off of it, it would spring suddenly back up to position.  If you weren’t careful, you could get a nasty whipping from that branch.

 

One of my fondest memories was the day I told my friend David I could climb all the way to the top and stick my hand out.  If you have ever been to the top of a silver maple, you know that the branches get pretty flimsy up there.  He didn’t think I could do it.  Well, for a tree climber, that’s a challenge you can’t let go by the wayside.  David headed over to the back side of the yard so he could see me, and I proceeded up the tree.  The first 2/3 or he tree were easy, but as I got to the top portion, the branches were less sturdy, and I had to carefully maneuver my steps.  But I was able to get closer and closer to the top.  Finally, just barely able to keep myself from swaying down, I reached for the opening in the top of the tree and stuck my hand out.

 

“Can you see it” I shouted.

 

Ya, I can.  Wow.” was David’s response.

 

I slowly started back down that tree, proud of my accomplishment.  No one else had ever dared try that kind of a stunt.  David rushed over to me and just looked at me with amazement.

 

“Man, you did it!  I can’t believe it”.

 

“I can’t either.  It was a bit scary up there, and I won’t do it again.”   I said, a broad smile lighting up my face.

 

And I never did do it again.  And nobody else ever did it either.  I was the tree climbing king in that moment.  I had done something that no one else even dared to try.  And it felt good.

 

Youth is a wonderful thing.  We were pretty carefree, and a challenge was rarely left on the table for long.  It seems as I grow older, I take less risk.  I am more cautious with my decisions.  In a way that is a good thing because I have more responsibility and a family that depends on me.  But in a way, it’s a bad thing.  I am reluctant at times to step out in faith and share the gospel with people I come in contact with.  I have ample opportunities since I am in the insurance business, but rarely take those risks.  I sometimes wish I would be more outgoing with my faith.

 

Now that I am housebound with cancer, I have this platform to share my faith.  It has been such a blessing to me these past 9 months to share my poetry and thoughts with all of you.  So many times, I have received comments of how someone was touched by the words God gave me.  What a blessing to know God can use me to minister from the comfort of my La-Z-Boy chair.  I may never stick my hand out the top of a tree again, but I will lift my hand to God and worship Him with the utmost abandon.  There is no risk in that!

Filed under: Guest Bloggers on BnV Tagged: Guest Bloggers, Inspiration, spirituality, Youth

Poem: “Life of Papier-mâché” (#guestblogger)

A modern-day God of Egypt,

breath stale with time gone past,

you bring me through the night,

sleeping soundly by thy side.

And yet, as I wake,

that seems my mistake,

for you’ve torn the linens to pieces,

and wrapped me up in salt-soaked ribbons;

Now, that’s because, you say,

that in a game of papier-mâché,

there’s no place for nay.

A. R. Frederiksen is a recurring guest blogger here at BnV, and her own writing blog can be found here, where she dabbles in flashfiction/poetry and reflects over the, much elusive, ABCs of writing.

Filed under: Guest Bloggers on BnV, Poetry Tagged: BnV, BooknVolume, Humanity, life, Life and Death, Melancholy, Poem, poetry, relationships, words, Writing