Reaching for what might have been,
Stretching toward what may yet be;
Leaning inward to the heart
For the faith to see.

Faith for vision clear and true,
Hope to brave the shadows,
Love to bear the time apart;
Grace for all that follows.

Longing for God’s best for you,
Yet, pining for your presence;
I pray our lives together bring
More of love’s pure essence.

©1998 Michael S. Davis

Flush and Pink and brand-spanking new,
As you wiggle and squint and try to coo;
While i tickle and stroke and ooo and ahh,
And say something silly like, "I'm your Papa!"

Mommy is resting with joy in  her sighs,
and daddy is watching with pride in his eyes.
Your family is gathered both near and far
and they're praying for you wherever they are.

On my big finger, your tiny ones land
and with that little clasp, my heart's in your hand.
Hold it with care in all that you do,
know that I'm here and papa loves you!

©2000 Michael S. Davis

When you are near,
I can’t find the words to portray the
wonderful singing in my heart;
And then again,
there is no describing the
aching it endures when we’re apart.

When you are part of my day,
I can’t explain the
unbelievable completeness of my being;
And then again,
how could a heart so whole
feel so broken when you’re away.

When you are with me,
I am content
with my heart so full of you;
And then again,
when you are gone
it rings so hollow and emptily.

When you are by my side,
my heart smiles
with pure and crazy delight;
And then again,
without you even near
the thought of you makes my sad heart bright!

©2013 Michael S. Davis

I though of God's great love for me and I began to understand
When i looked at that child of mine grip my finger with her hand.
My beautiful daughter, my only child, my very flesh and bone,
My precious flowering rose, I would not give her to atone;
Not for my own sin or any other, much less my enemy.

I love her and would give my life in place of hers, my freedom to keep her free.
I've watched her grow and am so proud of the person that she is;
And pray even with me failing her, she knows that she is His.
In God's Son she's put her faith and with His Son does walk,
And thank my God that every day with His only Child will talk.

©1996 Michael S. Davis

God sent a star - to shine and light the way,
It was a guide to those who sought the light;
To those with wisdom to turn from night to day,
And find in grace, true majesty and might.

Tha star that shone so brightly long ago,
No longer shines to guide me through this life.
God sends us stars who gove a quiding glow;
For me none shine more clearly than my wife.

In her sacrificial care I see, my God, Your love for me;
And in her gracious touch, just how merciful You are.
So I give my thanks to You, O God, who let her be
My love, my wife, my shining star!

©2003 Michael S. Davis

I don't have to ask, I call you my valentine,
Be mine, not to possess ; you are.  mine -
to love and cherish, to nurture and hold,
to snuggle and kiss and be even more bold.
With you I'll  laugh and cry and struggle and play.
And daily with two hearts, as one we will pray.
The hopes and the dreams we want out of life,
are becoming reality, my valentine, my wife.

©1998 Michael S. Davis

it's not by the drop
but poured out by bucketfuls
when God gives mercy

©2013 Michael S. Davis

My thoughts are full of you
As the treasure that I find
That permeates my mind
And fills my point of view.

Replenished from that well
That brims over with your love,
I want the world to tell
And bless our God above.

You fulfill my sweetest dreams
And supply a warmer glow
Than the brightest, clearest  sunbeam.
So with joy I overflow.

I choose to love you so,
That I fill your thoughts, too;
Then you may always know,
—I am occupied by you.

©2013 Michael S. Davis

One more step,
One more load of clothes,
One more phone call,
One more postponed promise,
One more complaint,
One more box to move,
One more backache unsoothed.
One more favor to ask,
One more day of work,
One more dollar short,
One more throbbing headache,
One more problem faced,
One more solution needed,
One more curse to bear,
One more blessing sought,
One more stolen moment,
One more card to mail,
One more lonely night,
One more day apart, but...
One more day loving you, and
One more day of being loved.

©Michael S. Davis 2013

You got up this morning, to face another day;
To go through all the motions, with all that, that implies.
Perhaps it’s your passion, or maybe it’s just the pay,
Just remember it makes a difference in other people’s lives.

I have one more smile to give you, because you saved my life,
One more chance to take and hold my daughter in my arms,
One more moment to see the look of love from my dear wife,
One more day a captive to my grand children’s charms.

I have one more joke to tell with the laughter it could bring,
One more meal to savor its taste upon my tongue,
One more chance to serve Christ, my Lord and King,
One more time to listen as a favorite song is sung.

I have one more rose to lift, to smell its sweet perfume,
One more hour to toil to provide for those I love,
One more moment amazed at a butterfly's costume,
One more game to watch and hear a baseball hit a glove.

I have many, many, many, “one more” things to do,
But this day I just lie here, as I think of life and death;
Pondering just few things that I’d like to say to you,
As I live through one more sunset and sigh another breath.

So, with these poetic words I offer humble gratitude
To you who rolled out of bed and on that day I met
With defibrillator paddles and a get it done attitude,
You each worked to get it done and gave me one more sunset.

©2008 Michael S. Davis

The night is long while we’re apart.
The night continues . . .
     the clock keeps ticking . . .
          and the sunrise waits.

Our fears are exposed with each bump in the darkness.

Our frustration grows when every glance at the clock
reveals that daylight is no nearer.

Our hearts reach out
through the blackness of the distance between us,
to embrace in the warmth of the sunshine of our love.

Our eyes then focus on the new day that will end
our long night apart.

©2000 Michael S. Davis

Heavenly paradise, that one place of bliss;
I don't think I doubted, I now know it exists.
I enjoy Eden’s blossoms, as I nuzzle your hair;
And my heart has no doubt that I’m actually there
Surrounded by beauty of celestial kind;
Engulfed in nirvana that transcends my poor mind.
The light of that place that forms when we meet
Exposes a beauty from our heads to our feet,
And could not exist outside of the place
Our hearts sculpted out of time and of space.
With you in my arms, I experience rebirth
And know the sweet ecstasy of heaven on earth.

©1998 Michael S Davis

There’s a part of me I never knew,
Then I met you.

You’re the part of me I always missed,
Until we kissed.

You’re the part of me that brought me charm,
The moment I held you in my arms.

You’re the part of me that should only be,
Forever and always, part of me.

My choicest prayer is like that, too,
To  always and ever, be part of you.

©1998 Michael S. Davis

There you are,
shouting in silence from the ultra sound.
"I am here."

Yes you are,
smiling in the dim warm rosy glow,
changing our lives.

A mere peanut,
nestled warmly in the center of
your mother's being

"How are you?"
We ask as the anxious spots of crimson
spark our fears.

"No, dear God!"
Our hearts scream as your heart slips
from your mothers womb.

Then the terror,
as your mother nearly gives her life
to save your own.

Senseless grief
as we excuse God for our not
getting to know you.

Eternal hope,
as we send your spirit to God
with our prayers.

Precious memories
of a life we held with our love
for but a moment.

We are changed
as we examine just how deeply
you touched our souls.

©2013 Michael S Davis

Language precisely
is an inaccurate device
to communicate.

©2013 Michael S Davis

Playing Mahjong with Our Hearts

North, South, East, and West,
One after one, we find a match.
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter,
Each tile fits that we uncover.
One, two, three four.
With our hearts we add the score.
As we match bouquets of flowers,
Love sweeps us upward in its powers.
Five, six, seven, eight,
It’s amazing how each pair mates.
Then all that left’s that set of nine,
We find we’ve won in record time.

©2001 Michael S. Davis

A Meditation on II Corinthians 12:7-10

There is a point where I turn to You.
A time when I realize that
no one else will do.

I do my own thing, from You I stray.
Then something i can't handle
gets in my way.

I plea for mercy, "Please take it away;"
But, my point of dependency
is here to stay.

Walking in faith is hard to do,
Thanks for that point where
I depend on You.

©1996 Michael S. Davis

I sit here, poor ol' lonely me,
and fear the grip of senility.
My joints all ache - i can barely see.
Everything's worn out on me.

My family's busy and pays no mind.
So often their words aren't too kind.
To their slights they think I'm blind,
as if I have no heart or mind.

Lord to you I turn and humbly pray
for the strength to face this day.
My faltering steps lead in Your way.
Please show me what to do and say.

Help me see your loving care,
and of others needs be aware.
Help me be ready their burdens to bear,
as Your salvation I gladly share.

I'll hang in here one more day,
as these old bones creak and sway.
Perhaps my famliy will come and see
- poor ol' lonely me.

©1979 Michael S. Davis

I hold you in my arms and you tilt your head back,
as I kiss the ivory softness of your neck.
I sense the awesome power I have in your love for me,
and in my love for you
I’m powerless to do anything but please.
You stand close behind me and touch me with your hand,
putting your cheek softly next to mine.
With your arm across my chest,
I feel the boundless power you have in my love for you.
And because of your love for me,
I know you are powerless to bring me any harm.
Then we look into each other’s eyes
as you sit upon my lap,
and we are overcome
in the powerless power of our love.

©2002 Michael S. Davis

Precious roses placed in her care,
Each one is different, each with gifts so rare.
She tenderly nurtures them in this garden of life,
As she prepares them for spring and the seasons of strife.

They are warmed by the sunshine of her love
And challenged by the fertilizer of her demands,
They are watered with the tears of her concern
And pruned under the discipline of her hands.

She lives humbled and honored and trembles each day,
That as placed in her hand by the Heavenly Father,
These precious roses make a beautiful bouquet
By which the Lord up above has honored her as “mother.”

©2013 Michael S Davis

I will not take from you.
I will receive what you freely give,
Your time, with attentiveness;
Your opinion, with deliberation;
Your wisdom, with appreciation;
Your care, with contentment;
Your trust, with meekness;
Your happiness, with joy;
Your sorrow, with comfort;
Your compassion, with relief;
Your humanness, with understanding;
Your adoration, with commitment;
Your passion, with fidelity;
Your heart, with sacrifice;
Your soul, with reverence;
Your love, with devotion.

©1998 Michael S. Davis

When there is death, there is no hope
Without a resurrection.
In this life, things often die
And leave no satisfaction.
Because of Christ's great sacrifice
there is a new beginning.
And though it's hard, please take my hand;
Our new life now is starting.
Tomorrow's dim and filled with dreams.
Today is ours together.
So, step by step we'll walk this road
Through sun or stormy weather.
We'll make this day of resurrection
The hope for our tomorrows
And hand in hand we'll start again
As one for all that follows.

©1998 Michael S. Davis

We must see our sin
in the light of God's desires
and expectations.

©2013 Michael S. Davis

No more doubt, no more fear,
In your love I feel secure.

Though it’s hard to understand,
I know my heart’s safe in your hand.

No matter when, no matter where,
I know your love is always there.

I hope you know it’s also true,
My love is always there for you.

©1998 Michael S Davis

Oh how we dread
being pulled apart
by our circumstances;
and thrill
as the bonds of our love
draw us back,
closer than before.

©2013  Michael S. Davis

N'er will I forget the day
you said that you were leaving.
Now that you are really gone,
it's always you I'm seeing.

In the morning sunrise
its you in radiance beaming;
In every ruby rose
your pure deep love is blooming;

In every happy smile
your pretty face there grinning;
In the songs of every bird
you set my heart to singing;

In every thoughtful act
your caring touch receiving.
And when its time to say good night
It's your kiss I'm missing.

In these I see you every day
and know its you I missing,
and yearningly await the day
of my heart's love returning.

©2013 Michael S. Davis

So tired —and...
the body groans,
even as my spirit moans;
my brain aches, as frustration
overwhelms me without solution.

So tired — yet . . .
I find hope in my faith,
comfort in your embrace,
encouragement in your eyes,
and the future in our prayers.

So tired —so . . .
for now, in this one moment,
let’s set aside all the torment
drop the handles of our too-full carts,
and rest in the warm embrace of our hearts.

©2013 Michael S Davis

Stay close, my darling.
It is so dark and cold
when anything between us casts a shadow.
It is easy to get separated in the darkness—
and we both hate the cold.
Speak to me when the shadows fall
and I will whisper your name;
Then we can reach out to each other
and step into the light of each other’s arms
and the warmth of each other’s hearts.

©2010  Michael S. Davis

Thank you
for appreciating the little things I do that say I care,
for tolerating all the little things that don't,
for assuming I am always concerned about you,
for missing me the way I miss you,
for watching my favorite shows with me,
for not making me watch yours, but letting me anyway,
for letting me work a puzzle while watching your show,
for working a puzzle instead of commenting on my show,
for understanding wanting you all to myself,
for wanting me all to yourself,
for accepting the faith and trust I place in you,
for the faith and trust you place in me,
for looking at most things the same way I do,
for looking at some things in ways I don't,
for listening for my heart in my voice,
for seeing my heart in my eyes
for looking beyond my failures,
for believing in me,
for being the person you are,
for loving our children,
for our children respecting you,
for helping me to be my best me,
for being just who you are,
for desiring my caresses,
for longing to touch me;
for the contentment of your sighs,
for the passion of your kisses,
for the comfort of your hugs
for your friendship.
for your love.

©2013  Michael S. Davis

Who knows why there were walls so high
around your heart and mine.
Perhaps there were just too many hurts
and things that made our souls pine.
So painful brick by brick
and impenetrable stone by stone
The walls around each of hearts
climbed until we each were shut off and alone.
We did not know that our walls
each had a window,
Until we met and saw amidst our walls
the portals through which our lives were aglow.
And in that glow we found the doors
that would let each enter in
Beyond the walls and with the other
a new life begin.
We found the key that let us
unlock those doors and each pass through,
And let the trusting, understanding, unconditional love
be the only thing between me and you.

©2000 Michael S Davis

Beaming. . .as a beacon
in a world filled with the darkness of sin,
showing the way to safety.

Illuminating. . .the darkest corners
with God’s glorious light,
letting people know their sin for what it is.

Scattering. . .the darkness
before God’s holy light,
breaking Satan’s death grip on this world.

Shining. . .ever shining,
Or the world will die in darkness,
never having known the Light.

©1996 Michael S. Davis

There are moments when God's light shines bright across the sands of time,
revealing the difference between right and wrong with an indisputable line.

A line not drawn by the hand of man, it drips from the heart of God;
as unrighteous men reject his plan and refuse his grace for a rod.
When those times come and the line is drawn and God calls for men to stand,
you'll find us there at the break of dawn; in His light at the line in the sand.

©2003 Michael S. Davis

Not the oldest or the youngest,
not the first or the last,
Just like icing on an Oreo™
or a sailboat's tallest mast;
It's where two close friends will put you
as you all go into town,
Or where you'll put yourself
when those two begin to frown;
It's where bees sip sweet nectar
from a yellow daffodil,
Like a bull's-eye on a target
or an axle on a wheel;
It's the safest place to be
in fiercest hurricane
And where the grass grows greener
on the quiet country lane;
It's where Jesus hung between two thieves
to die for you and me,
So, make a difference in the middle,
it's the place you're meant to be!

©1994 Michael S. Davis

As in the sweetest verse,
Where every word is chosen and the meter is rehearsed,
And a  perfect balance found, that expresses things profound;
So, love has chosen us and our hearts now beat in rhyme
As a match formed up in heaven, now and for all time.
We find that every nuance of the time we spend together
Shows that we belong, like two birds of the same feather,
Like the right goes with the left or the mate for that old sock,
Like a nut goes with a bolt or the way tick goes with tock
Like two peas fit in a pod, or a hand fits in a glove.
The beauty of that balance, that’s the poetry of our love.

©1998 Michael S. Davis