A Sacred Place
Winter Haiku26 total reviews
Comment from Father Flaps
Hi Sally,
I love the artwork you chose for your poem, and the feeling of Christmas your poem brings home.
Years ago, when I was a Cub Master in Grand Bay, I took some of the boys out to Darrell Liston's camp one winter night . It was situated on the thoroughfare between Round and Nelson Lakes. (Darrell was the previous Cub Master who had asked me to replace him, as he was starting up the Christian Service Brigade at Grand Bay Baptist Church. Darrell had told me that I could bring a "six" out to his camp as a reward for the highest points during a month. In Cubs, we had a white six, red six, yellow six, and green six. Usually 4-7 cubs per six.)
Except for the Sun, that picture could be the last hill down to Round Lake. A moon shining would have fit the scene perfectly. If you can, picture me and five young boys walking through the fresh snow. I was carrying my own pack, plus three packs on my right arm and two more on my left arm. Darrell promised he'd come along on his snowmobile to pick the boys up. He had gone out earlier to get a fire going and warm the camp up for us.
Sure enough, there he comes! We could see his snowmobile light bouncing up and down along the woods road. He took 2 boys, and said he'd be back. True to his word, he did. Two more boys, and off they went. Then there was just one more boy. Finally, I was alone, still carrying six packs, now trudging across the snow-covered ice of Round Lake, under a big bright moon. I knew he'd come back for me... and he did. Such a relief! My arms were so tired. Darrell was a good Christian man, a fine example for the boys... and me. Three years later, I asked him to be the Master of Ceremonies at our wedding. He didn't let us down. He and his wife, Aurelia, were there. (The name "Aurelia" derived from Latin aureus meaning "golden".) Little did we know that September 13th (1975), that Aurelia would pass away from bowel cancer the following spring. She was a fine Christian woman, and I remember her so well. I went to school in the same grades all my life with their son, Welman.
Anyway, that's what your poem and artwork made me remember tonight.
I looked up "sanctum", a sacred place. The area of Round Lake, coated in purest white of fresh fallen snow, certainly is that. I'd share a song with you, Sally... "White As Snow" by the Maranatha Singers
https://youtu.be/XgjJ_CR9oEY
For me, the camp that winter night was definitely a holy oasis.
Hugs,
Kimbob
reply by the author on 16-Jul-2022
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Hi Sally,
I love the artwork you chose for your poem, and the feeling of Christmas your poem brings home.
Years ago, when I was a Cub Master in Grand Bay, I took some of the boys out to Darrell Liston's camp one winter night . It was situated on the thoroughfare between Round and Nelson Lakes. (Darrell was the previous Cub Master who had asked me to replace him, as he was starting up the Christian Service Brigade at Grand Bay Baptist Church. Darrell had told me that I could bring a "six" out to his camp as a reward for the highest points during a month. In Cubs, we had a white six, red six, yellow six, and green six. Usually 4-7 cubs per six.)
Except for the Sun, that picture could be the last hill down to Round Lake. A moon shining would have fit the scene perfectly. If you can, picture me and five young boys walking through the fresh snow. I was carrying my own pack, plus three packs on my right arm and two more on my left arm. Darrell promised he'd come along on his snowmobile to pick the boys up. He had gone out earlier to get a fire going and warm the camp up for us.
Sure enough, there he comes! We could see his snowmobile light bouncing up and down along the woods road. He took 2 boys, and said he'd be back. True to his word, he did. Two more boys, and off they went. Then there was just one more boy. Finally, I was alone, still carrying six packs, now trudging across the snow-covered ice of Round Lake, under a big bright moon. I knew he'd come back for me... and he did. Such a relief! My arms were so tired. Darrell was a good Christian man, a fine example for the boys... and me. Three years later, I asked him to be the Master of Ceremonies at our wedding. He didn't let us down. He and his wife, Aurelia, were there. (The name "Aurelia" derived from Latin aureus meaning "golden".) Little did we know that September 13th (1975), that Aurelia would pass away from bowel cancer the following spring. She was a fine Christian woman, and I remember her so well. I went to school in the same grades all my life with their son, Welman.
Anyway, that's what your poem and artwork made me remember tonight.
I looked up "sanctum", a sacred place. The area of Round Lake, coated in purest white of fresh fallen snow, certainly is that. I'd share a song with you, Sally... "White As Snow" by the Maranatha Singers
https://youtu.be/XgjJ_CR9oEY
For me, the camp that winter night was definitely a holy oasis.
Hugs,
Kimbob
Comment Written 15-Jul-2022
reply by the author on 16-Jul-2022
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Thank you for the beautiful review and compliments. I was just notified it went to All Time Best! Thank you, my friend, and for the links. Sending you my best today as always,
Sal XO
Comment from Gloria ....
So beautifully captured here, Sal. There is something sacred about a mountain scene covered in the whitest that has yet to be touched by anything at all.
Your satori line perfectly illustrates this with sanctum sanctorum.
A fine haiku, and I'd wish you luck in the contest, but this isn't entered.
Really enjoyed reading this one, and the Christmas Carol is my absolute favourite right next to O Holy Night. :))
Gloria
reply by the author on 19-Dec-2021
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So beautifully captured here, Sal. There is something sacred about a mountain scene covered in the whitest that has yet to be touched by anything at all.
Your satori line perfectly illustrates this with sanctum sanctorum.
A fine haiku, and I'd wish you luck in the contest, but this isn't entered.
Really enjoyed reading this one, and the Christmas Carol is my absolute favourite right next to O Holy Night. :))
Gloria
Comment Written 18-Dec-2021
reply by the author on 19-Dec-2021
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Thank you for the beautiful review and kindest compliments. I wrote this for fun and the hone my skills. I?m delighted you enjoyed this and thought it six worthy. Blessings always and look for the Christmas song coming in my jukebox. Blessings always,
Sal XOs
Comment from BethShelby
Having lived in the south all my life, I only see a few of the snow filled untouched scenes, but the few I have seen have lingered in my mine. The silence and beauty does feel like a sanctuary. I'm glad as Christians, God has provided the Holy Sprit to dwell in us. When everything is going wrong in the world, we can be still and feel that inner peace.
reply by the author on 19-Dec-2021
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Having lived in the south all my life, I only see a few of the snow filled untouched scenes, but the few I have seen have lingered in my mine. The silence and beauty does feel like a sanctuary. I'm glad as Christians, God has provided the Holy Sprit to dwell in us. When everything is going wrong in the world, we can be still and feel that inner peace.
Comment Written 18-Dec-2021
reply by the author on 19-Dec-2021
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Thank you for the beautiful review and generous stars. Christmas blessings,
Sal XOs
Comment from Ronni
Hi dear Sally,
Perfectly described awe and exhilaration on pristine scenes such as
this untouched winter snow scene, pure, immaculate snow with not
even yet a mortal breath or errant breeze cast upon it -with
effect of it being a sacred sanctuary and dwelling of Sacred Spirit,
and pointing directly to God. Glorious message!
(Sorry to have missed some of your stunning writes dear, used
Thanksgiving Holiday to visit with my Sister in newly settled in
Assisted Living Center run by Benedictine Nuns; and few other
Holiday visiting.) Getting back in groove set back by Chiropractic
treatments for Dislocated Shoulder injury, but mending, ever so
slowly yet surely. Missed you, but often thought, always.
Thanks for sharing this one...loved it, & deservingly recognized!
Love, Blessings always, Ronni
reply by the author on 19-Dec-2021
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Hi dear Sally,
Perfectly described awe and exhilaration on pristine scenes such as
this untouched winter snow scene, pure, immaculate snow with not
even yet a mortal breath or errant breeze cast upon it -with
effect of it being a sacred sanctuary and dwelling of Sacred Spirit,
and pointing directly to God. Glorious message!
(Sorry to have missed some of your stunning writes dear, used
Thanksgiving Holiday to visit with my Sister in newly settled in
Assisted Living Center run by Benedictine Nuns; and few other
Holiday visiting.) Getting back in groove set back by Chiropractic
treatments for Dislocated Shoulder injury, but mending, ever so
slowly yet surely. Missed you, but often thought, always.
Thanks for sharing this one...loved it, & deservingly recognized!
Love, Blessings always, Ronni
Comment Written 18-Dec-2021
reply by the author on 19-Dec-2021
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Dearest Ronni, how blessed I am. Thank you for the beautiful review and generous stars. I?m so very honored. I have missed you terribly, and I will be praying for your injury and for a quick healing. Sending you my best today as always and love and blessings for Christmas,
Sal XOs
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Thanks dear,
you too have a blessedly beautiful
Christmas and fabulous New Year!
Love always!, Ronni
Comment from Janice Canerdy
You have made expressive use of your seventeen syllables in this lovely descripton of a majestic sight. The alliteration and metaphor are excellent enhancements to the overall effect.
reply by the author on 17-Dec-2021
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You have made expressive use of your seventeen syllables in this lovely descripton of a majestic sight. The alliteration and metaphor are excellent enhancements to the overall effect.
Comment Written 17-Dec-2021
reply by the author on 17-Dec-2021
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Thank you so much for the lovely review and comments. Christmas blessings,
Sal xoxo's
Comment from Liz O'Neill
I was just listening to a health broadcast where this very subject came up. One of the ladies said, if you believe your body is a temple, you would take better care of your body. You poem become a good metaphor for how we should honor our beings. Nicely expressed.
reply by the author on 17-Dec-2021
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I was just listening to a health broadcast where this very subject came up. One of the ladies said, if you believe your body is a temple, you would take better care of your body. You poem become a good metaphor for how we should honor our beings. Nicely expressed.
Comment Written 16-Dec-2021
reply by the author on 17-Dec-2021
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Thank you for the wonderful review and kind compliments. Christmas blessings,
Sal XOs...
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***smile***
Comment from Susan Newell
Sally,
This is a beautiful poem that reminds of us purity of heart, and of purity of our Lord who chose to be born into our reality. The "sanctum sanctorum" tells me that He created the earth to be holy, for us and for Him.
Sue
reply by the author on 16-Dec-2021
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Sally,
This is a beautiful poem that reminds of us purity of heart, and of purity of our Lord who chose to be born into our reality. The "sanctum sanctorum" tells me that He created the earth to be holy, for us and for Him.
Sue
Comment Written 16-Dec-2021
reply by the author on 16-Dec-2021
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Thank you for the beautiful review, dear Sue. Blessings always,
Sal XOs
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Most welcome.
Comment from ESOSTINE
Nice one, dear Sally. I do equally have that same feeling of pure white snow and heavenly kingdom. The joy of snow falls fills my heart and eyes with image of God's aboard. Well done.
reply by the author on 16-Dec-2021
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Nice one, dear Sally. I do equally have that same feeling of pure white snow and heavenly kingdom. The joy of snow falls fills my heart and eyes with image of God's aboard. Well done.
Comment Written 16-Dec-2021
reply by the author on 16-Dec-2021
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Thank you so much for the lovely review and kind compliments, Esostine. It is so appreciated. Blessings abundant,
Sal :))
Comment from Ulla
Hi Sally, I loved your haiku, and the satori was so apt. I really loved it. May I ask a very personal question, which is none of my business. You say you're a converted Christian. What did you convert from? If I may ask. Ulla xxx
reply by the author on 16-Dec-2021
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Hi Sally, I loved your haiku, and the satori was so apt. I really loved it. May I ask a very personal question, which is none of my business. You say you're a converted Christian. What did you convert from? If I may ask. Ulla xxx
Comment Written 16-Dec-2021
reply by the author on 16-Dec-2021
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Thank you for the lovely review and generous comments. My father was an atheist; my mother, agnostic. My middle son helped lead my mother to Christ years later. (My son is now a senior pastor and the father to all our grandchildren.)
My mother had incurred a lot of damage from my alcoholic father and it screwed up her view of God for the longest time. I don?t blame or judge here because I witnessed his cruelty to her, and the daily neglect of our family. I could tell she admired me though, and my newfound faith, but it was usually met with an air of skepticism. I was an enigma to her. She turned around though, made a profession of faith, and joined a church. I shared the gospel with my dad just before I married Jackson in December of 1975. I am not sure of the outcome since he passed a few weeks later before I could follow up.
Sending you my best today, dear, and blessings always,
Sal XOs
Comment from Sugarray77
This Haiku is especially lovely, Sally. I agree that pristine snow does seem sacred. There is a verse in the Bible that refers to the "blessing of the snow". Isn't that an amazing thought. There is a phrase in your notes that really resonates with me... "the sacredness of the freshly fallen snow". That phrase is very beautiful. So well done!!
Melissa
reply by the author on 17-Dec-2021
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This Haiku is especially lovely, Sally. I agree that pristine snow does seem sacred. There is a verse in the Bible that refers to the "blessing of the snow". Isn't that an amazing thought. There is a phrase in your notes that really resonates with me... "the sacredness of the freshly fallen snow". That phrase is very beautiful. So well done!!
Melissa
Comment Written 16-Dec-2021
reply by the author on 17-Dec-2021
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Thank you for the beautiful review and bonus stars, Melissa dear. How kind you are! I'm loving the haiku these days and missing the snowscape. Sending you my best today as always and blessings for Christmas,
Sal XOs...
