From the ashes of the dead, new life is born
And hope will rise like the sun on Easter morn
The same fire that ravages, gives warmth and light
The same fire that destroys, on a candle, is a welcome sight
We will rise again on the wings of the dawn
We will dance with the joy of a newborn fawn
It is a chance to rebuild, restart, and renew
To see what beauty lies hidden from view
From out of the ashes, we will rise again
We say: "Let it be done" Amen
From the crucible of fire, we will survive
Having been purified, we will now thrive
The loss is real, but it mustn't feel
Like the end. It is a brand-new start
And the memory will remain here in our hearts
I truly believe that out of the ashes we will find
Evidence of something profoundly divine
That in its wake there will come a grand revival
An awakening of faith that will have no rival
There will be a day of great jubilation
Where people will come from every nation
To join hands and hearts as sister and brother
Where peace resides and we love one another
From these ashes, I pray we will remember
That life is fleeting, and life is a treasure
But we will rise above the ashes and dust
To find something in which we can trust

Autumn is here, the leaves turning pale.
Evening is here; the day slowly fades.
The falling leaves, the gloaming sun
The arched moon, the winter's turn
All singing a melody of revival
For death is necessary before life's arrival

We often fail to realize
That we are always at a cross roads
Gazing at the unrelenting precipice
Of decision and consequence
Each moment one away
From falling farther or rising above

A life after death
prayerfully sought in churches —
Mushrooms in tree stumps

The last rose petals fall to the ground
leaving the rosehips bare
as autumn’s chill again comes around
to strip blooms that had been fair.
The rosehips have hairs all wiry and grey
that also break off, one by one.
Her color is gone, she fades away
until this rose lady’s season is done.
Her petals arrayed on frosty soil
decay gently in the cold rain
while in her hips, seeds are born
to bring forth new roses again.

Dawn is breaking o'er the earth
This is a season of great rebirth
All of life sings to glorify creation
Every rock tree and creature, every nation
Come! Awake from your great slumber
Open your eyes to a new kind of wonder
Lift your head and rise from your bed
Give thanks to the Son who keeps us fed
A new page a new chapter a new story to tell
It is an end, yes, but a beginning as well
Morning has come a new day is here
Its loving rays driving off the fog of fear
Those in darkness have seen a great light
The faith of the blind restores their sight
Look! See how the Lord, with a smile, beams
Blesses us and gives to us sweet dreams?
I sing for joy and sometimes, for joy, I weep
When I recall the promise that you keep
How you poured your love into my soul
And made a diamond from this lump of coal
And I remember Lord, in my brokenness
In my pain and shame and great distress
You love me still, wearing no disguises
And even on the days of gray
The sun still rises!

Sanguine in the meadows,
he basks in memories
of good company,
resolved to reveal
a nature he knew not.

Riddled in a tale of trauma
that brings irony:
that something so simple
could unwind the tapestry
leading to his heart.

How splendid is it
For your soul
To be a home
To everyone you've ever known

In your eyes
I can see the thoughts spinning
Opening the closed book
Taking the pen for one more look

The bridges
Burned down the road
The ashes
Still stuck to your wheel as you go