Category: Poems

Children Once Again

By Carla A. Romarate-Knipel

A rainy day in Woodbury, New Jersey

We were all young once

we skipped, we hopped, we danced

raced and ran

climbed trees, gazed at the sky,

wishing we could fly

and touch the stars.

Then we grew up, grew older

lost most of the awe and wonder

legs no longer strong and agile

our vision clouded, unable to see

beyond the haze of mortality’s doom.

Somewhere in between

the joy and the gloom –

a voice calls out an invitation

“Follow me…”

we hear a knocking

on the door of our hearts

the Lord of all Life

the Lord of the Dance

waiting to come in.

Anyone who opens the door

skipping, hopping, running

limping, shuffling, trudging

to let this Holy Guest in

will meet the Light of Lights,

who parts the clouds of doubt

to let the glory shine –

we become children once again

now and forevermore.

Pause for Poetry – Haiku series

Latté break – Whole and Grounded Café (Woodbury, NJ, U.S.A.)

“Longing”

dear love, how are you?
i’m staring at the empty
chair — waiting for you

to show up, perhaps
in my latté’s aroma
wafting to my nose

straight to my sad heart —
mingling with my lonely breath,
your love bringing warmth.

in the eternal
NOW — will you come dance with me,
take me in your arms?

  • CRK pandaypulong 10.18.24

Pause for Poetry – Café Scribblings

“Rhetorical”

Can one day
change the rest of my life?
Can three words
bring me to a place I’ve never been?
Can “hello” echo forever
and never say good-bye?

Can you be gone but still stay –
… in my heart,
… my memories,
till the end of my days?
Can the sound of your voice
linger …
in whispers of sweet-somethings,
secret words
only we know?

Can I move forward –
with the rest of my life
not leaving you behind?
Can I open my heart
to new possibilities …
trusting God and you
are always
with me?

  • Carla Romarate-Knipel
    10.12.24