"THE ARTIST"

Extended periods of melancholy
always lurking around
forever eating at hope and purpose
jamming brains reasoning sound

Lending emotional furry
to an already tormented beast
squeezing in to be pushed out
like growning fermenting yeast

It sees the canvas or
the end of the carvers knife
blurting out expressions
of the artist's frustrated life

Never just pure art to pursue
but cluttered with duties exterior
fighting for time and inspiration
stripping the urgent interior

Interruption is the deadly enemy of hope
delaying moods of righteous production
demons of delay indwell everything
the pleasure of procrastination its seduction

Come forth you demons of despair
depart unto the abyss
clean your house and fill it with promised gifts
express yourself with hard works bliss

shape and form and spiritual expression
shall flow forth with over powering force
issuing forth a myriad of wonders
now strengthened by determined course

Wonder of wonders, the delight I know
of seeing and feeling and forming
creating life from images within
brings light to the early morning

Never ending this driving force
just new beginnings to start
flooding the being with excitement
rushing now each pleasant stroke of the heart

To end in exhaustion is by far the worst thief
for desire is tireles, demanding and awake
the body weak electrified by new ideas
confusion..short circuit..must take a break

Yet, pushing..striving..colorful dreams appear
short stories and panoramas..bazaar endings I hear
stimulate new ideas exploding like volcanic rain
burning all that it touches..feeling joyous pain

Free flows the river of expression
at times most inopportune
bringing tingling delights
seen only "By The light Of The Moon"

Away from the tools of the trade
the memory serves as the canvas
adding scenes and colors to the palate of the mind
unexplainable to others who can't understand us

Bubbling over with expression
overwhelmed with driven desire
forces experience beyond reason
adding fuel to the artists fire

Insatiable in its longing
in our approach it is forgiving
even after suffering death
its remnants are left for the living

It records events past and present
silhouetting unnoticed stops of time
in ways unwanted by many to see
the capacity of mans crime

Forcing even those whom it controls
to see and feel in different ways
things not possible before now are
imagination brings promise of better days

What power this discipline brings
to bear on all who dare to see
those who refuse to let pass by
life in all its simplicity

It brings duty to bear
in whom this gift indwells
not just in recording the events of life
but in being true to emotional swells

Just as lifes worth has nothing to do
with what others think of us
timless artistic expression
is true..trustworthy..fearless

There is a line of responsibility
that limits our expressions view
in the sense that it might offend
our God who made me and you

To this end he has supplied a book of love
whose instructions we are to obey
regardless of the cost or criticism
we are commanded to walk in His way

Evidence of blinding ignorance
displayed through the ages of art
rendered in meaningless feeling
are lies from below, fooling the gullible heart

Mastering technique is not the answer
but true and honest expression
those that reflect eternal truth
give meaning and lasting impression

The guidelines of control for true artists everywhere
are stated in Philippians 4:8
It reflects Gods will and desire
for us, a true mandate

"Whatever is true, whatever is noble
whatever is right, and whatever purity brings
whatever is lovely, admirable, excellent or praisworthy
think only about these things"
Copyright © 2003 Jerry L. Jerman

"SEASONS"

A blue-grey Winters day
compacted with wind and rain
the kind that blows horizontal
and inflicts neddlepoint pain

The birds hide in the bushes
or take refuge on thorny ground
all fruffed to keep the heat in
hiding so not to be found

The ducks in the pond all face the same way
bills eagerly oiling their feather
like a beautiful animated musical
noisely quacking together

Dark clouds racing across the horizon
flashing fingers of shimmering light
boldly pointing the route to be taken
signaling all to quickly take flight

Quiet remains as the storm passes by
everything drenched in its wake
ducks return form their hideouts
longing to re-enter the lake

The birds flutter to dry their wings
and flit from shade to heat
to re-energize their little bodies
as they look for critters to eat

Bright sunshine belies the cold
as the icycles refuse to melt
the deer rises from her grassy bed
shaking the snow off her fattened pelt

Enjoying brief moments of calm
all the creatures seem to know
another storm iis on the horizon
most likely filled with snow

Only too soon winters memories are gone
warm rays replace cold winds
Crocus, Daffidils and Tulips alike
burst forth in colorful blends

Close to follow are gardens
of every concievable brand
flowers and vegies and fruit
sprout form the nourishing land

Soon the summer comes and goes
we have truly been awed by it all
the glorious color of changing leaves
remind us that its fall

I am privileged, honored and graced
to experience the seasons each year
the creation displaying the creator
Whom I love so very dear.
Copyright © 2003 Jerry L. Jerman
FOREVER

Existance forever seems difficult to grasp
since life here on earth goes by so fast
Words like eternity and everlasting life
point to the future but what about the past?

Since eternal life is endless
is it endless at both ends?
We might be in the middle
but that really depends

Only one is absolute and eternal
He has no beginning or end
He is the Alpha and the Omega
and He allows us to call Him firend

We who trust Him are eternal too
because He lives within
He chose us in eternity past
to spend forever with Him

Existance without Him is senseless
for death is eternally real
Tis separation from God forever
only misery and anguish to feel

The choice we make is eternal for sure
as we travel this lifes fast lane
It's all made possible by God's own Son
Will you choose peace or pain?
©2003 Jerry L. Jerman

CHRISTMAS 2003

Celebrating Christmas is not just about Christ's birth
It is celebrating all the work of
God's Son.
His birth, His life, His death & resurrection
Proved Sins finality by Him undone.

His return is ever nearer now
Promises complete from works afore
Retreating from the worlds attractions
Him only shall we adore

Chosen in Christ from before all time
Life's guarantee resides within
To conform our image to His is the goal
Forever erasing all trace of sin.

Let us bow down before Him
As the wise men did of old
Sentenced to death by Adams sin
By His bloody cross paroled

A fresh year ripe with end time signs
We vow to worship Him anew
Steadfast and patient our goal
Till we bid this world adieu

With new worship as our focused plan
Our foundations goal in mind
Our hearts unite in purpose
Heavenly fixed our souls inclined

As Life's years pass fleetingly by
New urgent requests for knowledge appear
Longing to know Him better
Makes close to heart the Scriptures dear

By His Grace and indwelling power
His birth must more than ever before
Mean peace from a sovereign God
A new heaven and earth restore.

© 2004 Jerry L. Jerman