Today I spent most of my time inside the house or driving somewhere in the car. So after supper I thought it would be nice to go outside. I took my journal and a pen and my phone to keep track of time and take pictures.
The plan was to sit on the porch swing and try to write a poem for the Five Minute Friday prompt.
I sat for awhile looking, listening and thinking. It was still pretty bright, but the sun was going down. It was around 7:30 PM.
By this time of the day I was feeling tired. Leaning against an afghan I was using as a pillow, I caught myself nodding and almost fell asleep. After that I wrote this poem:
If
If the day was long and
you are tired and weary
from driving, running errands
in the car,
you might just need a break
If the night is coming
and the sun is getting low
but you’ve been inside working
all the day,
you might just need fresh air
If you sit on the porch
on a warm summer’s eve
leaning back on a pillow
on the swing,
you might just fall asleep
I thought it might be fun to record me reading it. It may be a little muffled, because there were cars going down the road. Hope you enjoy!
Maybe we all need a break every day to go outside, be still and listen.
Isaiah 55:12 (CSB)
You will indeed go out with joy
and be peacefully guided;
the mountains and the hills
will break into singing before you,
and all the trees of the field
will clap their hands.
I’m linking up with: #FiveMinuteFriday, #SundayThoughts, #FreshMarketFriday, #Grace&Truth, #LMMLinkup, #TeaAndWord, #TellHisStory, #TuneInThursday, #BVNetworkParty
Beautiful. Very inspiring.
Thank you so much, Melissa. Blessings to you!
Lovely poem and reading, Gayl! <3 Wishing you a lovely and refreshing weekend, my friend. xoxo
Thanks so much, Bette! I hope you also have a lovely, refreshing weekend. Blessings to you! xoxo
I felt like I was right there with you on the porch swing! Lovely, Gayl!
Oh, Peggi, I wish you were right here with me. Maybe one day! Thank you! Blessings to you, sweet sister! xoxo
Beautiful and so true that getting outside helps. BTW was that your dog in the background too?
Thank you, Anna! Yes, getting outside is always helpful to me. That was one of my dogs, Anna. His name is Pippin. 🙂 Blessings to you, dear sister! xoxo
Good one, Gayl.
Thanks, Karen! Blessings to you!
Such a beautiful poem, and Scripture, Gayl. That verse is from my “Life Chapter,” and means so much to me. Through the years God always brings me back to it, whenever He is speaking newness into my heart. Thank you for the sweet encouragement today, my Dear Friend! Love and Hugs to you!
Thank you so much, Bettie. I love how God reminds us of things just when we need them. Blessings, love and hugs to you, dear sister/poet/friend! xoxo
Inspirational! lovely!
Thank you, Misty, for the sweet encouragement. Blessings to you!
Simply lovely.
Thank you, Linda. Have a wonderful weekend. Blessings to you!
What a lovely, light-hearted poem and what a joy to hear you reading it yourself, Gayl! Your words are both soothing and inspirational. I could just imagine sitting beside you, (maybe on a porch swing?) while you said those lines in your soft, soporific voice and gradually sent me off to sleep! 🙂 Blessings on your weekend, dear friend. xoxo
Thank you, dear Joy. I’m so glad you enjoyed it. I would just love for you to be here sitting beside me on the swing. What a good time we would have! Thanks always for your sweet encouragement. Blessings and love to you, dear friend! xoxo
Thanks for this, Gayl – nice that you read it aloud as well. You are right that sometimes a change of perspective is what we need.
Jeannie (#42 in this week’s linkup)
I’m glad you enjoyed it, Jeannie! Yes, sometimes it doesn’t take much to change that perspective. I always feel better after I’ve been outside for a few minutes. Blessings to you!
I have always been a go outside kind of girl. I begin to feel cooped up when I am indoors for too long.
Yes, me, too. And I have to have windows to see out if I am inside. The outdoors is so big, wide and beautiful! Blessings to you!
It was fun to hear your voice!
Thanks so much, Elizabeth! It was just a spur of the moment idea and it was fun. Blessings to you!
Going outside always refreshes me.
Yes, going outside is so important for me. It always helps if I’m feeling stuck or stressed. Blessings to you, Debbie!
Gayl, your poem painted a picture. Beautiful. I would love to be on that swing.
Thank you, dear Shelby. I’d love to have you come sit on the swing with me. 🙂 Blessings to you! xo
Lovely poem Gayl & I like how you linked your poem to scripture too! And love the photo!
We are neighbors at #LMM link up this week 😀
Remember you’re always welcome to drop in for a cuppa,
Jennifer
Thank you, Jennifer! I’m glad you liked it. I will come visit your post, too. 🙂 Blessings to you!
Oh Gayl, amen!
Our best choices usually involve stepping away from our screens and heading out the door.
So good to meet you over at Mary’s today … bless you.
Yes, I love how going outdoors just seems to open up the world and remind us there is more than just what is inside our living spaces. It always helps refresh me to go outside. Nice to be your neighbor at Mary’s. Blessings to you!
Going outside is a good break Gayl, I watched fireworks, and I will look at the roses, our little birds flew away and were still so tiny. It is just so hot here, hope you are cooler.
We didn’t see fireworks this year but did have a fun family time. I went out to pick blueberries today and also looked at the roses. 🙂 It’s pretty hot here, too. It is usually best to go out early morning or early evening just before dark. Thanks so much for visiting, Rebecca. Blessings to you!
I love your poetry. I’m blessed you shared it at #TellHisStory.
Thanks so much, Mary! Your encouragement is appreciated. Blessings to you! xo
I loved the scripture that you shared. Thanks for being such a great friend.
Thank you, Mary! You are a great friend, too. Blessings to you! xo
<3
Thanks, Koki!
What a beautiful view from your porch swing, Gayl! Yes, when I need a break, going outside is the perfect way to refresh my soul and let the sun soak in. I loved hearing your read your poem! Thanks for linking with #BVN! 🙂
Thank you, Christin! I do love the view, and I love going outside. There is just something about it that really refreshes. I’m glad you enjoyed hearing the poem. 🙂 Blessings to you!
Wow, Gayl. I’m so inspired by your talent as a poet and by all the beautiful images I see here. Thank you.
Thank you so much, Betsy! Your words are encouraging to me. 🙂 I’m so glad you were inspired. Blessings to you!