02 Wednesday Feb 2022
Posted in From the Heart: Poetry, Love, Music, SH Music Gallery, True Life
Hi Whirlwind Fans!
Just thought I’d drop this LOVE song into the mix of SH Music.
I wrote this song for my Sweetheart many years ago.
She was my sweetheart then and she is still my sweetheart 54 years later.
We’ve been married since June of 1978 and have no plans on changing that statis until “death do us part”.
So, here’s our song, “My Reason for Living.”
https://www.patreon.com/posts/my-reason-for-36113200
Lyrics:
08 Saturday Jan 2022
Posted in Devotional, Faith, From the Heart: Poetry, FYA, Hearing God's Voice, Hope, Just Poems & Prayers, Mystery, Poetry, Poetry Corner
Anyone who has spent time walking with God knows it is not always simple – on our side of the fence.
We trust, we doubt, we fail, we succeed and sometimes all at the same time.
Knowing yourself – way down deep where the moss grows – is not a single step in life but the journey in one.
Here’s a poem written near the end of 2013.
Though vague, it is… you may see a portion of your life’s snuggle in the rhyme?
Far and deep my eyes are trained
Though not on flora, fauna or mountain’s terrain
As if, lake of glass – double paned
Distant reflection whose figures appear inane.
⸎
Lost in thought, beyond most deep
Know not what answers my heart doth seek
Seems the deeper I gaze – the shallower my perceptions
From whence I began? – why ask such reflections?
Still, here am I, just I, just me.
⸎
Way down deep in this loch is seen
Visage mocks – no answer glean
Just one long breath – beneath the water’s plane
Glass like waters – double pained.
⸎
Most cold the glass – both shallow and deep
Elusive peace – Seaport’s Keep
Reflections seen – of cloud filled skies
Murky damp – Life keeps drifting bye.
By: Steven R. Harrel
I know the passage in, James 1:22-24 relates to us being – be doers of God’s Word and not just someone who hears and does not apply the message – BUT – that is not the take-away I’m offering in this poem.
Rather, notice the concept suggested in verse 23… the mirror.
We all have one of those mirrors.
Use yours wisely for the days of our lives are numbered and few.
Be blessed and have a great day in your – Reflections.
20 Monday Dec 2021
Posted in Christmas, Faith, From the Heart: Poetry, Hope, Just Poems & Prayers, Love, Poetry, Poetry Corner
Tags
Christmas, From The Heart, Poems, Poetry, Poetry Corner, Poetry from the Heart, Steven R. Harrel for This Side of the Whirlwind
The day it broke with star on high
With royal troupe in route to spy,
A Priest, a King, a Prophet, Prince,
A Counselor, Savior of Divine descent.
~
Then Angels burst thru cloud and sky,
Proclaiming Christ was born this night,
As shepherds fell in awe and fear,
And angels sang, “Your Savior, Christ is here!”
~
He lies in the city of Bethlehem,
In straw filled bed lies the Son of Man.
This sign is given for all to see,
This childhood King, who is Prince of Peace
Has come to bring, a time surcease
Release of pain, from bondage’ and chain.
~
So on to glory for God proclaims
His grace tis born – bringing end to shame;
Singing peace on earth all kindred men
For He is Son of God, Redeemer, Dearest Friend.
~
Great Prince of Peace forever shall Reign
Majestic, marvelous, magnificent King
Worthier, sovereign there n’er shall be
First babe in manger, sweet Babe of Peace.
~
His mother’s favor and Father’s dote
Master, Savior, God of Hope
The Word made Flesh New Covenant in He
This hope of Man – is Christ my King!
By Steven R. Harrel
Written Christmas 2011
Slightly modified on these dates: 2013 & 2021
13 Monday Dec 2021
Posted in Faith, From the Heart: Poetry, Hope, Just Poems & Prayers, Poetry, Poetry Corner, Without Love
Tags
Faith, Hope, Love, Poems, Poetry, Poetry Corner, Poetry from the Heart
Decades we’ve passed, entrenched in great, deep abiding love.
In joy of life we danced, we sang, loved and drank in Hope’s great inordinate spirit.
Valiantly we fought to keep love and fidelity alive.
Alas, alone, my partner did drink – the soul of my strength, and I did die.
Still on I did plod, seeking an endless hope to enliven said spring.
No partner, no true-heart bearer to save me when I need scream:
Help me! Save me quick, against this muck, held fast, heavy mire, wherein slowly I do sink.
Continue reading01 Wednesday Dec 2021
Posted in From the Heart: Poetry, Just Poems & Prayers, Poetry, Poetry Corner
It’s poetry, what else is there to say?
Enjoy!
Throbs
O God! Shake my heart, shake my heart,
Tear it loose that there be anguish no more in me.
Seize the moments between each beat, where love can be silenced, where true love can sleep.
Hold it fast, resist each throb, and silence its voice,
that I might not feel the sting of sweet devotion further.
Why can I not stop the desires of this yearning, yearning, yearnings?
So simple it would seem, just to command, “Be silent my heart, obey my demands”.
Yet, O God; shake my heart, strike it dumb, make its silent till my heart is forever deadened.
Kiss me oh tomb, take whatever it may take, lay hold of my inner most, it’s all too late.
Let me find solace in the deadened beats, where love no longer strains, love no longer speaks.
Annulling that presence and desire’s piercing cries,
Forbearing the aching sweet release, forbearing the requited heart that ever bleats.
For this must I do, so when next you are near, and beyond all control, great love it appears.
When I find I am lost, in the depth of your eyes, at the smell of your hair, or the scent of your sighs.
When I can no longer bear, the draw of your voice,
Or rhapsody’s touch from your skin’s turbulent passion’s torch.
So now I despair; from whence I am but lost of all care or all reason.
What more am I to do, what more of me can belong to you?
O God! Do You not hear? Shake my heart, shake it hard,
Tear it loose that there be anguish no more in me.
Seize the moments between each beat, so love will be silenced, where true love can sleep.
And there let it sleep, even if it must be the long eternal night,
If there I find peace, be it a place of unending release,
a place where even love cannot reach,
Then grant me such peace, and give me said release.
No love! Sweet peace! Released!
Continue reading22 Friday Oct 2021
Posted in FYA, Just Poems & Prayers, Poetry, Poetry Corner, Uncategorized
What you see — when you see me
is not the me — I seem to be,
Lines and blemish, — shapes of face
do not convey — the life I’ve raced.
You cannot see the child that once I’d been,
the teen gone bye, or adulthood’s gems.
Nor can you see the joys I’ve known,
the pains I’ve shared, — or love I’ve sown.
Though in some lines you are sure to see
the smiles I’ve shared and tears some gleaned.
Though miles and miles and miles of lines,
Continue reading22 Wednesday Sep 2021
Posted in From the Heart: Poetry, Just Poems & Prayers
It makes my heart truly happy,
to know the love we share,
to feel our hearts set soaring,
to see our hearts laid bare.
Forever to love you in the now, in the then,
forever free to embrace you, as a lover and dear friend.
Blessed assurance – as our feelings soar, to thrive,
fabled emotions, our hearts twin rhythms of life.
Your love burns more deeply – than any hot iron could sear, convey,
our hearts ever healing oer brands of burning spate.
My love, my darling, sweet hope, my most dear,
Forever sweet beloved – surrendered hearts in wonderous abandon.
Thy Swain
Steven R. Harrel to his lifelong Sweetheart, Pamela
11/07/2009
This Side of the Whirlwind 