Enklings Studio

Psalm 71 and 9/11

The day after 9/11/2001 I wrote a song based on Psalm 71.  We sing it at our Church, but I don't think I've ever told anyone the significance that I came across this verse while the world was turned upside down those days after such a tragedy.

Here's the part of Psalm 71 that spoke to me that what was true thousands of years ago to a young Shepherd-King David, was also true as we looked to the sky for answers:

Your righteousness reaches to the skies, O God,
       you who have done great things.
       Who, O God, is like you?

Though you have made me see troubles, many and bitter,
       you will restore my life again;
       from the depths of the earth
       you will again bring me up.

You will increase my honor
       and comfort me once again.

I will praise you with the harp
       for your faithfulness, O my God;
       I will sing praise to you with the lyre,
       O Holy One of Israel.

My lips will shout for joy
       when I sing praise to you—
       I, whom you have redeemed.

My tongue will tell of your righteous acts
       all day long,
       for those who wanted to harm me
       have been put to shame and confusion.

Here's a video of the song.  Please excuse the quality, one of these days I'll get a better recorder (and a better voice!)

Simply,

Tim

Socks

I wake up with the sun
And put fresh socks on
As the world slides into a new day
To be worn until night falls
Then thrown into the washer
For the next cycle.

Someday, I’ll walk in bare feet.

Tim Blair, 2009

 

In honor for National Poetry Month, you'll find poetry here all month.

simply,

Tim

Happy Birthday Lara!

There’s a little girl in our house
That we all just adore
‘cause little girls love apron strings
And sittin’ on the floor

There’s a little girl in our house
That God has given us
And we’ll sure try to raise her up
In a house full of His great love

Little one, listen to me
Maybe I can help you understand
There is a God that love’s you so much
And we’re putting you into His hands

There’s a little girl in our house
That we all just adore
‘cause little girls love apron strings
And sittin’ on the floor

There’s a little girl in our house
That God has given us
And we’ll sure try to raise her up
In a house full of His great love

Tim Blair, 1981

(isn't she cute!)

In honor for National Poetry Month, you'll find poetry here all month.

simply,

Tim

An Irrational Fear of Bubbles

What could be more delicate?
A thin globe of liquid hope,
Held together in an equilibrium dance
Of pressure, both from inside and outside.
Some last an unbelievable eternity,
Others barely leave the magic wand.

An odd mix of sadness and anticipation
Comes with the destruction of each.
Sometimes the glistening shell
Cracks of its own accord,
Releasing a shower of leftover spray
Covering all those in the path.

For most, a myriad of pointing fingers
Causes the gleeful mayhem.
The chorus of “more, more”
Rings in the ears of those watching
Until the attention turns away
And interest flees to the next game.

Pocket change replenishes
The soapy supply, yet the children,
And the child-like, hoard it as gold.
An irrational fear of bubbles
Is sadly created by dipping into
An insatiable love of liquidity.

Tim Blair, 2009

In honor for National Poetry Month, you'll find poetry here all month.

simply,

Tim

Peaceful Construction

Nature doesn’t need taming.
Though it isn’t safe
It was never wild, but
Mature and wise,
Seeking peace and balance.
This is Green Design.
Though from human thought
It is not about points and politics, but
Mature and wise,
Seeking peace and balance.

Tim Blair, 2009

Shout out to Bob Augustine Architecture

In honor for National Poetry Month, you'll find poetry here all month.

simply,

Tim

Quiet Strength

The wind has no sound.
It brings to life the voices
Of those it affects.

 

    

    

Tim Blair, 2008  (with thanks to Thomas Merton and Chuang Tzu)

In honor for National Poetry Month, you'll find poetry here all month.

simply,

Tim

Sri Lanka

A gentle touch
A flower planted
A word of grace
A smiling face
An open hand
A broken heart
A cup of tea
A moment free
A spicy meal
A warm embrace
A full nights sleep
A friend to weep
An open door
A problem solved
A drink chilled
A promise filled
An answer given
A thought received
The open book
An accepting look
A grace given
A soul changed
A life to live
A love to give

For Lara and Darin
Tim Blair 2007

In honor for National Poetry Month, you'll find poetry here all month.

simply,

Tim

Grandson - Happy "Bearthday"

 

 

Into a big new hospital room and

Out of a too small mom

You came into life

Bigger than life

Nine pounds big

Twenty inches big

  

Into a big family and

An increasing smaller world

You’ll bring your ideas

Bigger than life

Save the planet big

Love your neighbor big

  

Your first broken bone

No one knew about that

You came out hungry

Everyone knew about that

Tough and hungry, my Grandson

It’s good to be a boy

  

Into a big sister’s room and

A smaller, better house

You bring big noises

Bigger than life

Scare your mom big

Make your dad laugh big

  

Into a big universe and

A small faith that will grow

You bring joy

Bigger than life

Dance with your sister big

Making God smile big

 

Tim Blair, 2008

 

Happy 1st "Bearthday" Baby Boy!

In honor for National Poetry Month, you'll find poetry here all month.

simply,

Tim

From That Hilltop for Lara and Darin

From that hilltop, you could see forever
To the future and what might lie ahead
As the sun was going down
the sky was getting dark
You began this journey of the heart

From that hilltop, the world seemed so small
The worries of this life faded away
As you held each other tight
and reveled in this brand new start
You began this journey of the heart

 Oh may God’s hope light your hearts like sunshine on the hillside
May His joy bloom in your souls like jasmine on the vine
May His love flood your lives like a warm summer rain
God be with you on this journey of the heart

From that hilltop, the sky seemed so close
As if you could reach your hand and touch the clouds
As you gazed up in to heaven,
you sent a prayer up through the stars
That God would bless your journey of the heart

For you walk hand in hand with the God of everything
And you walk arm in arm with love that He can bring
Hope will fill your lives
Joy will leave it’s mark
So in love you make this journey of the heart

Oh may God’s hope light your hearts like sunshine on the hillside
May His joy bloom in your souls like jasmine on the vine
May His love flood your lives like a warm summer rain
God will bless you on this journey of the heart

From that hilltop you can see forever….

Tim Blair, 2003

(song for my daughter's wedding - the picture is from the hilltop where Darin proposed.)

In honor for National Poetry Month, you'll find poetry here all month.

simply,

Tim

The Story

The work of your hands,
The work tells the story,
Your work is the story.
Without speech, speaking
To the ends of the earth
And whispering at home,
Your work is your story.

The word from your lips,
The word tells the story,
Your word is the story.
Without feet, walking
To the farthest culture
And in your neighbor’s shoes,
Your word is your story.

The love from your actions,
The love tells the story,
Your love is the story.
Without force, enduring
To the last soul on earth
And those yet unborn,
Your love is your story.

Your work, your word, your love
Tell a story the world reads
In your actions, speech and tenderness
Every moment of every day.
With contentment and patience,
There is sometimes
A happily ever after.

Tim Blair, 2009

In honor for National Poetry Month, you'll find poetry here all month.

simply,

Tim