Settled

My grandfather's family were settlers.
I have found a place to dwell.

In the place of His coming,
digging Jacob's well.

I found a place among people
who received me as their own.

God's people who are children,
the world's microphone.

I still seek a land of promise,
a place far off from where I am.

I see a place of dwelling where I
myself can stand.

Fed by the multitude of fish
and loaves who are my friends.

The world's cast-offs, the dreamers-
the kind who are His gems.

I found a place of dwelling,
a place where music sounds.

A place of peace and a land
of prosperity where
the light of Christ resounds.

I sing to those who are captives,
being set free.

A song of liberty and freedom
for all around to see.

Will you join me in this chorus?
Where voices join as one.

For I am singing to Jesus,
God's only begotten son.

The voice of many waters
is my delight.

His heart sings over me.

Shirley

Shirley Temple smiled for the millions
of those who tried to find happiness
in her. She led generations
and her memory will endure.

I learned later that she married
and became Shirley Temple Black.
She was an ambassador and didn't stop
at that.

Now her name is famous for millions
of children who order the drink with her name.

Many youth and adults watch her movies
and still speak of her fame.

Cincinnati

They have the the Cincinnati Reds,
and Bengals, too.

They have food for my soul,
eyes and heart.

Knowing a family was my start.

I started seeing God through
the eyes of a child grown.

We had history knowing and being
known.

How does the trail of freedom
lead us to the distance?

A path once underground,
is knowing stately dreams,
raising up leaders, including me.

I don't believe that "rising tides...
floats boats." However, their heart
bouyed me afloat.

Let me be all I can be.
Freedom is ringing true.

I think I am okay, hidden away,
but the stage is on the foregound for me and for you.

Blessings to all those who want to be free.
I love you, children of my past and present,
those yet to be.

Love sets the tone of our freedom,
once tasted, to become your own.

Try to be grown, in your time,
this world will be your throne.

The Airport

I like America,
in times like these,
I see it shine.

I saw two boys newly arrived from Canton,
they had English names of the Bible
but still answered to their Chinese ones.

I saw people deferring to each other,
in line taking turns.
Showing the best our country has to offer,
a deep cry for one who yearns.

There is a God who created me, created us,
what is yet to be.

Can we become the best? Once more concerned for the
value of others than just the generation of "me".
A voice of reason for the 21st century,
service and sacrifice to right what has gone wrong.

Please salute the flag of our fathers,
and let freedom reign a true song.

Hope distilled like wine.
American dreams can again be kind.

Dancing-

twirls like
tops,
spinning onto
history.

What has the
Lord made?

My God you
have not forsaken
the work
of your
hands.

Complete.

Resting.

Complete.

By Christ all things
are made.

David

Alexander Pope
asked Fair Discretion
to "tune the lyre"-
I see David in
heaven plucking
strings for
the love of his hart.

May each righteous
stumble only
enough to
gain thy
ground.
For the wisdom
of God,
after mumbles,
very soon is
sound.

Let thy word lamp my feet
on the path
most discreet.

Amen.
Alleluia.
Amen.

Beloved

Jesus-the Beloved.

John the Beloved.

With whom,
I am well pleased.

Let David arise
in her midst.

Orphanage

I went to an Opera,
accompanied by friends.
First performed in one
of the concentration camps
where orphans fled...
the SS and the Nazis.

Brundibar is hope performed
fifty-five times.
The L.A. production renewed my mind,
with hope, love, and faith restored.
Hope for the best from each of us.
Faith for us to dare to dream again.

Children are the treasure of the world.

Finished

Breaking free to overcome adversity.

The task of completion that has begun...
finally being done.

This butterfly emerged from the chrysalis.
Stronger, breaking free from all
that hinders it.

Toast

The Jelly kind,
what do you mean?
Do you offer sweetness to me?

Giraffes

Reaching for branches
with their long necks,
a baby giraffe
lags behind.

He will reach for
the trees
too, one day!

Swimming

Water and air,
bubbles of sound.

Do you go up or
would you rather
go down?

The Communion Cup

Wheat and grapes,
blood and wine.
Life of the most
precious kind.

Priests

Dominican, Franciscan priests,
friars of another time.

Remind me -
the Lord is on my mind.

Fashion

Botticelli and Beauty,
Chanel, Yves Saint Laurent.
What is the message of beauty?
What is the fashion it entails?

Fish

Keep swimming
through people
and the open shores.

Is there no
place to lay
your head,
except on the
ocean's floor?

Bananas

They are so important
to the essence of life.

Twice they've been
used to feed those
who need me-

I need God, too.

Cherries

Picking the cherries
that are low
are easier to the touch,

to the throw.

Prophet

You're a prophet
and you don't even know it.

How do you know
you prophesy truth?

Is it because God said it
or if it comes true?

Dedicated to Inrikwe Renaldo.

Sabbath

I'm trying to rest-
by-gosh-by golly...
and do what is best this day.

To refrain from cooking,
work or chores,
sometimes seems as a test,
this way.

Of my will, I set apart,
a day to seek God
with all my heart.

God rested on the seventh day.

Changes

She had so many dreams.

She wanted to change
the world since
she was a little girl.

She wrote about
Dr. King and
Gandhi and his non-violent
uprising.

She sang of Africa.

She sang of the world
she had yet not
perceived or known.

Angels

Michael,

Raphael,

and Gabriel,

All is well

when you are near.

Rainbow

Covenant promise,
words set in stone.

Worship Him alone.

True

Little girl blue,
come blow your horn.

The sheep are in the desert
and the trumpet has come.

There is also work,
still to be done.

Alcove

St.Teresa of Avila-
What is your prayer?
Do Carmelites pray
your way?

Blessings

rainbows of colors-
ages of prayer.

Help me to allow suffering to
bloom into blossoms
of flowers, fair.

St. Gisella

A woman who new her fame.
The homeless were her treasure,
each child knew her name.

She's having trouble forgiving
those who caused hurt.

The hardest lesson right
now to learn.

Can I see myself in a mirror dimly,
can I carry a crown of thorns
to his side?

I need to forgive even if not
"forever friends". Judas
was a follower and Jesus
knew his lot.

However, shame shouldn't win
and the truth is ne'er forgot.

Each day and trial are recorded
in scrolls. One day they shall
be unveiled.

Gifts of toads and ducklings,
turned to princes
and princesses in His sight.

The truth of God revealed.

St. Matthias

Chosen after casting dice.

A discipleship worth the price.

Travels abroad.

Peace that is sound.

You seem so far away today,
so out of reach to me.


Jesus is the man of the
hour for you.

Whatever the price of
your virtue,

Honor yourself
and you'll honor me, too.

To thine ownself be true.

That's a word of humility-
offered to you.

St. Nicholas

You came bearing gifts,
not the clearance kind,
bought after Christmas
at a five-and-dime.

You bore costly treasures,
like the wise men
who are still seeking Him.

Each heart of a child
given to the one
who made them perfect.

Angels in heaven proclaimed Jesus'
name, as each one accepted Jesus
as Lord.

Why doubt that the dove awaits
your return to the promised
land?

As angels feed
you with Ravens who guide
you along the path of delight.

Your family has seen
miracles, sorrow turned
to sight...
changing water into wine.

May each mortal who walks
this earth,
now know value in the friendship
of the King of each child's berth.

New wine given at this time
to come.

Christ the Lord is risen today!
Laura awaits you to sing
a happy way...taste and see
the goodness of the Lord.

His eyes go to and fro to
find faithful hearts among those
who follow.

Grandma (Muzzy)

Cream cheese and olives,
a little mayonnaise
and white bread.

Just like my grandma
used to make.

What does it take to get you back to
a place where you've been?

Is it a holy fire
or a peace within?

Why do I long for what I cannot have,
buy, or take?

My only request is of a lesser virtue.
Love, no matter what the cost,
the case, or issue.

It's a high price to take
this heart upon the cross.

Will you free me?
Save me that way?
That's all I have to pray.


Written originally on 02-11-08.

Closer

I held you close today,
your robes are blue and white,
cool as cassia.

I held you close today,
your robes are warm
like toast.

Not the jelly kind.

The kind that has milk,
cinnamon and sugar.

My mom used to make it to help
me feel better.

I held you close today,
your heart was like a hearth of fire,
quenching my every desire.

A dream fulfilled.


Your love burns within my heart.

Gisella Perezarce
07-26-08

Tree

Let me be like a wise old tree.
With rings abounding.
Everlasting.
Found in the one who
created me.

Dedicated to Laura Perez Arce Burke
and Sierra Gorda, Mexico.