Two Poems worth Mentioning

Yesterday, A Motley Vision, was kind enough to let me post on their blog about my experience with the Church Cultural Arts committee and their yearly art contest. For the past three years I have entered pieces in the contest and found it to be a rewarding experience.

My first year (2005) I received an honorable mention for a play I wrote called Help Me Find My Way. Based on the true story of a friend's grandparents, it follows a young couple through World War II, their marriage, and conversion to the LDS Church. It is completely suitable for ward or stake use; if anyone wants to put it on I'd be happy to send you the script!

The second year (2006) I entered a poem entitled "Consecration" that received the Deseret Recognition award. And then in 2007 I submitted another poem entitled "Bread From Heaven" which also received the award. Since a couple people have requested those poems I decided to post them here!

"Consecration"

Sometimes Holiness has a smell.
Clean and fresh and calm—
Like laundry folded fresh from the dryer,
Like cookies left on a doorstep,
Like a blessed drop of oil.

Holiness also has a sound.
Serene and hushed and unique—
Like a small voice singing,
Like the rustle of scripture seeking,
Like the breath before a testimony.

Holiness has a taste, too.
Light and crisp and clear—
Like orange juice on a Saturday morning,
Like a bit of bread dissolved on the tongue,
Like a tear kissed from a cheek.

And Holiness has a look.
Composed and creative and gentle—
Like a hymn book on a piano,
Like a crayon smudged family “portrait,”
Like two mirrors each reflecting the other.

Of course Holiness has a feel.
Keen and quick and real—
Like the gush of water breaking,
Like a whispered prayer on the lips,
Like a heart that flutters and a chest that burns.

All of it Holiness
Surrounding and moving and being—

All of it
Holiness to the Lord.

"Bread From Heaven"
When the children of Israel entered the wilderness of Sin They were hungry— Hungry, like a bowl left in a cupboard, like a dog shut out in the evening, like a blanket without a bed.
	The children of Israel were hungry And in their hunger They yearned for slavery. They dreamed of Egypt Remembering only its flesh-pots and bread. They thought their hunger would kill them.
And the children of Israel in that wilderness of Sin Were thirsty— Thirsty, like a cup left in a cabinet, like a bird without a bath, like a garden without any rain.
	The children of Israel were thirsty, And in their thirst They questioned the Lord. They doubted the Lord Asking is the Lord among us or not? They thought they would die of their thirst.
The Lord answered them, From without the wilderness of Sin He answered them— With bread from heaven With water smote from a rock And with a challenge.
	The Lord gave them bread and water Bread from Heaven And Living Water To prove them To test them, If they would walk in His law or no. Hungry and thirsty, He could save them.
On Sundays when I enter into my refuge from Sin I am hungry and thirsty, Hungry and Thirsty— like a wandering spirit like a sheep without a Shepherd like a child lost in the desert
	But I need to be hungry and thirsty I need to condition my heart To hunger for forgiveness To thirst for righteousness As I receive bread from heaven, As I drink living water, I see
Hungry and thirsty is the only way I will ever be saved.

(Both these poems are copyrighted by myself and by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. If you are going to use one let me know!)