The Sword and Pen:
The Poetry of Holy Worlds
foreword by Jay Lauser
Cover, Foreword, Introduction, and “About Us” Copyright 2012 Holy Worlds.
All poetry, drabbles, and six-word-stories Copyright 2012 by their respective authors. Used with permission.
All rights reserved. This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of these authors.
Smashwords edition, published January 2012
Production Team
Katie Lynn Daniels – Kaitlyn Emery – Elsa Gustafsson – Caleb R. Joyce – R. S. Sharkey – Aubrey Hansen
Contributors
Sienna North – Ophelia M. Shaye – Kaitlyn Emery – Arias Myles – Jasmine Ruigrok – Caleb R. Joyce – Bethany Faith – Carissa Mann – Kimberly Lewis – Jay Lauser – David J. Hartung – Taylor E. Morgan – A. Andrew Joyce – Jonathan Garner – Luke Alistar – Aubrey Hansen – Zoe M. Scrivener – Elizabeth Kirkwood – L. Mark C. – Katie Lynn Daniels – R. S. Sharkey – Hannah Brock – Elsa Gustafsson – Josiah Mann
Editors
Elsa Gustafsson – Kaitlyn Emery – Aubrey Hansen – Caleb R. Joyce – Taylor E. Morgan – Jonathan Garner – Kitra Skene – L. Mark C. – R. S. Sharkey
Foreword
Jay Lauser
Introduction
Katie Lynn Daniels
Interior Formatting
Aubrey Hansen
Cover Design
A. Andrew Joyce
Foreword
Poetry is the stuff of legends.
Quite literally. All of the great legends and epics of times past were written in meter, with rhyme and rhythm, with alliteration and eloquence wrapped in metronomed cadences. It was the language of the bards, the communication of myths, the stuff of legends.
Unfortunately, modern literate culture has drifted from the grandeur and glory of the ancient poets around fires in great halls, and has degraded on the one hand to an esoteric and enigmatic hodgepodge of vague, bitter essences, or on the other to an insipid and shallow plashing pool of meaningless, trite inanity. And as such, it is common for denizens of our modern age to laugh off all sorts of poetry as either pointless or beneath them, never venturing into the great potential which lies in the halls of poetry.
The Holy Worlds community has transcended both these expectations. These wonderful folks have compiled a beautiful anthology of poetic pieces as diverse and rich as they themselves are. This is what they are all about; this is who they are inside – their passion. Holy Worlds is all about breaking expectations in genres and going for the gold in quality, and doing it all for the glory of God without being preachy.
And so, I am proud to present to you a collaborative creation the like of which you have never seen before. Enjoy!
Sincerely,
Jay Lauser
Founder and Head of Holy Worlds
Introduction
The idea of a compilation of poetry was first conceived by Caleb Joyce on March 5, 2011. The idea received Council ratification within a matter of days, and a panel of organizers was formed. Over the next six months members of Holy Worlds compiled and edited 136 entries, finally turning over the project to formatters and designers who made it ready for publication.
The Sword and Pen: The Poetry of Holy Worlds is a labor of love. Poetry was entered in three categories by 23 contributors and polished by 9 editors. The categories were traditional form poetry, drabbles, and six-word-stories, or Hemingways.
A drabble is a story told in 100 words. Because of the short length of a drabble, each word must be carefully chosen and placed exactly. It is a much stricter form of art than your typical short story; thus, these stories tend to capture the essence of a tale rather than the actual facts, much in the form of a poem.
A Hemingway is a story told in exactly six words. They are so-named because the idea was first conceived by Ernest Hemingway, who considered his best story to be the following: “For sale: baby shoes. Never used.” A thread on Holy Worlds challenged members to create their own poignant and meaningful six-word stories, using the art of brevity. Out of 57 pages of conversation on the subject, 38 Hemingways were submitted and accepted into the poetry book to demonstrate the power of simplicity.
The poetry is of a wide variety: love poems nestle next to three page epics, and upon turning the leaf you may be confronted by an example of hilarity or a deep reflection into the love of God. It is our hope that this volume will bring as much entertainment and meaning to you as we put into making it.
Katie Lynn Daniels
Council Member on Holy Worlds
Contents
POEMS
Blind
by Sienna North
She sat, the girl, in darkness bound,
With flames beside her on the ground.
Her face was grim, her hair tied back;
Her hands clenched tight, her shoulders slack.
She sat as still as graven stone;
Beside the flames she sat alone.
For long and deep the silence stretched,
Till flames died down and slowly slept.
To ashes grey did fire fall;
Came cold and black, consuming all.
The girl arose in fear and doubt
And placed her hands on ashes dim
To search for strength and will within.
She felt a spark that faded out,
But called again, till in her hands
Came living flames from many lands.
A smile graced her solemn face
As fire and flames her fears erased.
Yet, even now, with warmth before
The girl’s own heart, it longed for more:
For larger flames and brighter light;
For strong and whole and steady sight.
Her face grew grim as, once again,
The griefs of life consumed within.
For how could flames defeat the night—
So dark, so still, so full of might?
And yet, the hope held in her heart
Of love and sight would not depart.
So while the night did still remain,
Her hopes were pictured in the flames,
And she who sat with face so grim
Could wait in peace for light to win.
Drifting
by Taylor E. Morgan
Willow tree watches all
Every thing, big or tall
Drifting downward items fall
Mockingbirds chirp their call
The Mystic Dance
by Kaitlyn Emery
Reality fades as sunlight turns to star bright
I hear the music of chirping things through the sky
Beckoning forth the dwellers of shadowy night
Awaken from deep slumber to dance, sing, and fly
Midst the whispers of twilight they come out to play
Their whispery breath replete with shimmering song
For the mystical breezes of fairyland stray
Summoning stirrings for you to come join along
Suspended through air like a gossamer ghost
Flitting on wings of glistening wonders and grace
Their splendor and majesty no one else can boast
With such wonders I pray I never leave this place
Their enthralling melody has ended, alas
With sunrise awakened their harmony will fade
As first light breaks forth their haunting refrain shall pass
And the tacit memory once more will be laid
Eyes awaken once more to cold reality
The dream world shattered with no more soul-filled enchants
I’ll reenter the world of scenic fantasy
When I close my eyes and reimagine the dance
Wind-Child
by Katie Lynn Daniels
Wind-child
Standing lonely
Staring at the distant shore
Longs for freedom
Longs for beauty
Longs for what she had before
Wind-child
Lift your face up
Watch the clouds go sailing past
Weep for freedom
Weep for beauty
Weep for what can never last
Wind-child
In the darkness
Watch the rain fall at your feet
Dream of freedom
Dream of beauty
Dream of ending your defeat
Wind-child
Keep your promise
Keep your feet here on the ground
Remember freedom
Remember beauty
Remember all the things you’ve found
Wind-child
Storms pass over
Thickly comes the falling rain
Strive for freedom
Strive for beauty
Strive for what won’t be again.
Wind-child…
Freedom…
Beauty…
She is gone.
Cry of Darkness – Song of Light
by Zoe M. Scrivener
Born in darkness,
A child of the night.
A slave to evil,
No hope in sight.
Ruled by wickedness,
Told it was good.
Unable to change,
Even if I would.
But by sacrifice,
Unblemished and pure,
The true King provided
The perfect cure.
I cried from darkness.
He set me free.
A child of light,
Called to be.
His righteousness mine,
Forgiven of wrong.
Forever to praise Him
In joyful song.
The Testimony
by Aubrey Hansen
I had it all in order
My defense was sure to stand
My rights, my life, my worthiness
Recorded all by hand
I had a list of all my deeds
The times I’d saved a life
The laws I’d kept, the truths I’d bore
My testimony clothed in white
It was quite the showcase
An offering bound to please
Surely He would not refuse
My sugar-coated pleas
I finished my presentation
And waited for His smile
But before a verdict could be laid
Someone else walked up the aisle
The Adversary, clothed in black
Took the prosecutor’s stand
And with a sneer, he procured a stack
Of bloodied papers in his hand
He had a list of all my lies
The times I’d hurt a friend
The laws I’d broke, the truths I’d scorned
Then he dared me to defend
He took my lists of merit
And tore them all to shreds
Then with a laugh he vanished
Leaving bloodguilt on my head
With the verdict given
He called me to the throne
Kneeling at the Judge’s feet
Through bleeding lips I groaned
I faintly heard Him say it
That I deserved to die
I begged with tears for mercy
Believing He would scorn my cry
And then
Before the gavel fell
He spoke
One word, I live to tell –
Pardoned
Behold the open door
Go thy way
And sin no more
Dream Beyond the Lullabye
by Elizabeth Kirkwood
Gaze into the cool deep sky,
Wonder the fresh predawn glow,
Dream beyond the lullabye.
Dream the burning stars' dance;
Dream the shining hope afar;
Dream the radiant dawn's light;
Dream beyond the lullabye.
Watch the dawn flood the night,
Run the wide, feel hard cold earth,
Dream beyond the lullabye.
Dream the burning stars' dance;
Dream the shining hope afar;
Dream the radiant dawn's light;
Dream beyond the lullabye.
Feel the rhythmic beat inside,
Fight for good and evil despise,
Never give into the fear at night,
Dream beyond the lullabye.
Carving Out the Stone
by David J. Hartung
While I was through some hills wandering
I chanced upon a field of tombs
The graves were open wide and yawning
Awaiting their future tenants' doom
I came upon one just my height
And of nearly perfect breadth
And in the shaking light
I heard a chant of death
A dirge that bore my name
A list of all my crimes
The sins that would become my bane
To the tune of mournful chimes
But that time was not yet here
So I went forth my sins to kill
I went forth to war without fear
I went out armed with an iron will
But when at last they were found
I found temptation was too strong
In sin I was quickly, tightly bound
And toward the grave I dragged along
I then called to the King of War
I called out for the only Yahweh
Asking Him to help me more
Asking Him inside my heart to stay
I cannot fight the war I'm in
I cannot win a battle or campaign
I cannot fight this war with sin
I cannot skirmish through this pain
So the plan of Jesus I must use
To kill my sin, it will take submission
And if His way I go then sin will lose
And I'll be free of my dead condition
He will fight my wars for me
He will take my wounds
He will always find the victory
Gladly he takes my wounds
He will take my beatings
He will take my pain
Like a lamb I hear his bleatings
And know I was His bane
He has promised my soul to save
He will my deepest insides change
He will drag my sin into my grave
And give my death then in exchange
So if my grave my sin is to receive
And if I am to see temptation wane
And if I am to see my pain recede
Only one change doth yet remain
Change the stone we surely must
It can no longer bear my name
Let us break it, beat it to dust
Let us hew one wherewith sin to tame
I say let it read thus:
HEREIN LIES SIN
HEREIN FOOLS DO TRUST
BORN IN EDEN
LIVED ALONG FOR MANY YEARS
'TIL IT DIED UPON A CROSS
ALONG WITH DEATH AND ALL MY FEARS
NOW NONE SHALL MOURN HER LOSS
In saying this my heart is seared
So since He must fight my sin alone
And He'll destroy what I have feared
I'll be carving out the stone.
Protection
by Katie Lynn Daniels
I have carried you on eagles’ wings and brought you here to me
I have rescued you from certain death and then I set you free
I have given you my precious love; I’ve given you my song
I have made of you a precious stone; you are where you belong
I have led you through the shadow and I’ve lifted you from mire
I have saved you from disaster and I’ve brought you through the fire
I have carried you through sorrow and the force of Satan’s might
I have been your hope and mainstay; I have been your only light.
My Faith is More than Words
by Ophelia M. Shaye
My faith is more than words; it's so much more than feelings.
Part of it is trusting, no matter what life's dealing.
My faith is more than saying, "I feel safe, so I believe."
It's knowing in the hard times, that God will never leave.
My faith is more than saying, "I believe, so I am fine."
My faith is surrendering everything I once called mine.
My faith is more than actions, when I choose right from wrong.
Faith is always knowing, to Jesus I belong.
My faith is not trusting in my own simple thought.
My faith is truly knowing, by Jesus I am bought.
My faith's not always sturdy. I get scared, confused; there's strife.
But I know that I am safe, 'cause Jesus holds my very life.
Emmanuel’s Blood
by Aubrey Hansen
Emmanuel's Blood
Surpasses the fairest gold
Precious, was this blood spilt
For the sins of mankind untold
That high hill of Calvary
Received this priceless drip
A man
Yet not just a man
Whose blood was spilt
“What’s so special?” you may say
“About this blood
“That stained those rocks that day?”
Yea, this blood is special, precious
Worth the lives of man
Taken from the Father’s hand
Emmanuel’s Blood
Flows clearer than the mountain springs
Washes clean the stains of guilt
Makes men worthy to be kings
Though man may try
To wipe this stain
Of sin
And Hell’s death call
All their work shall be in vain
For only one can heal the wound
That mankind carries from the womb
This the blood of Jesus, Christ
Worth the lives of man
Taken from the Father’s hand
Emmanuel’s Blood
Yea, now it cries
For the lives of you and I
Sinners meant to die
Come, child, take this gift
Receive your ransom free
Will you refuse this diamond flow?
And droplet stain of rubies?
The gift is here
Yea, come near
Touch the blood of God’s one son
Worth the lives of man
Taken from the Father’s hand
Ode to Moon
by Jasmine Ruigrok
Oh moon, where do you go all day?
Where is the place you hide away?
The wistful words you make me say,
As you so brightly shine.
So many times I talk to you,
When feeling down or feeling blue,
Seldom are my friends so true,
I wish that you were mine.
I wonder on what you have seen;
Where you are going, where you've been.
The fields you've washed with light so clean,
Filling the nighttime sky.
Are there others who gaze on thee?
Feeling lonely and small like me?
How many people do you see
As nighttime passes by?
I think of those who watch your face,
Ones invisible from my place,
Praying across the time and space
That to them, God is near.
Although I talk to you at night,
And smile at your cleansing light,
It's really God who's my delight
And Him I hold most dear.
For God is near when I'm alone,
The seed of faith in me He's sown.
And through your light, His works are known
As you sail up above.
Slowly, softly, I fall asleep;
You watch on from the sky so deep.
God and the moon my vigil keep,
How awesome is God's love.
In the Mid-Night
by R. S. Sharkey
Sing, O Nightingale
Of the love of those two in meeting
In the mid-night
On the endless sands
Where time stands still
Sing, O Harvant
Of the bond that grew
Like a flower
That blossoms at long last
To shower beauty and wonder upon the world
Their love was long
Their patience great
To lie both night and day in eternal wait
And proclaim their passion for the world to see
Though awoke it an aged hate
Sing, O Nightingale
Of the anger of her people
Upon the knowledge
Of the deeds she’d done
The man she’d won
Sing, O Harvant
Of the words that flew
Like the spears of the Ashtains old
Caught in air and hurled away
The danger that words can say
The words were fast
The tempers hot
Long into the night they fought
To divert her if they could
From the love she sought
Sing, O Nightingale
Of the girl who fled
In the mid-night
Over the endless sands
Where time stands still
Sing, O Harvant
Of the love that grew
Like a white birch tree
That stands tall and majestic
For years to come
She loved the one
She found the one
The search was won
For him who would be with her forever
Until the world was done
Sing, O Nightingale
Of the anger of a people
Who were proud and brave
Who loved her more than life
Her that caused eternal strife
Sing, O Harvant
Of the resistance of a people
Who conquered fear
Who rose to the fight
To save her that was a light
The wars were fought
The battles waged
And many of the older grew aged
While still the two in fury fought
Likened to an animal caged
Sing, O Nightingale
Of the troubles that followed
In the mid-night
On the endless sands
Where time stands still
Sing, O Harvant
Of the pain that grew
Like a weed
That destroys the a garden