September - 2016

Abstract lion in bold orange, yellow, and browns, with streaks of light streaming outward. Image by Peri Priatna, on Pixabay.

Two Poems by Tamsen Grace: "The Secret to My Strength"; The Gift of Love"

The Secret to My Strength You silenced my song, Tried to take away my voice. Like Delilah to Samson you wanted to discover the secret to my strength so I would be defenseless. Is a war a victory if you conquered the defenseless, Laid victim to the innocent. Is any war ever a victory? What you didn't understand was that secret to my strength was in those who loved and protected me, And the one who sent them to me. The Gift of Love (After finding out my childhood sweetheart had

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A Poem by Donal Mahoney: "All Aboard"

All Aboard Next to me on the train going home to the suburbs is another guy stuck in a suit reading his paper, a normal-looking guy who suddenly says it’s terrible, what’s happening in Syria and Iraq, terrorists killing people. Then he says if he believed what the terrorists believe he wouldn’t care either whether he died in battle. If 77 virgins were waiting for him, he’d be happy to die a martyr for the cause, but since he’s an atheist he knows no one is waiting. Then he lo

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A Poem by Daginne Aignend: "Lost Soul"

Lost Soul The mirror of my soul Appears to be faint Hidden in shadows Coloured by bleak paint The shining light Of my spirit is gone I lost this fight End up all alone Healing flames inside Burning away all pain and lies By your love, your might My spirit shall rise © Daginne Aignend

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A Poem by Lynda McKinney Lambert: "The 23rd Psalm for the Artist"

The 23rd Psalm for the Artist Lord, you are the mentor and patron who watches over me and gives me inspiration, guidance, and support as I need it. You have called me to come out of my studio today and brought me here to rest in the grass of the meadow beside this quietly flowing stream. Here, I can bathe in the glory of your creation. I am here because I need healing from wounds and disappointments I have experienced in the world. Touch me and give me your healing strengt

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Visual Art by Duane Locke: "Sur-Objects"

My art works to Transcend “the objective” imposed by representation on things and open the attention, Often unrecognized to the emanation and intangible reality of that is usually presented as “a thing.” © Duane Locke

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Poetry by Jonel Abellanosa: "Ode to the Holy Spirit"; "Mary of Bethany"

Ode to the Holy Spirit As devotee of the divine, I desire to have the Baptist’s eyes, belief a benevolent sky. The Christ rose from the river of obedience. As Dove of the sacred you rested on his crown, Emblem of peace, caretaker of the venerable Fire. To your poet you reveal the sempiternal, God’s deepest sighs, wind that assures the Hearing cry. Reduced to the least, I implore In depths, pliant as water, uttering the name “Jesus” as salve. I’m the man born blind, Keepi

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A Call to Love: "Freedom Fighters"

Freedom Fighters We were kindred spirits, part of a group of freedom fighters, librarians who fought with integrity for our community. We were introduced at the official announcement of my new position as branch manager of La Pintoresca Library in Pasadena, CA. I met a beautiful human being with a delightful smile, Rosalie Jaquez. This librarian was the coordinator of Pasadena Reads, an adult literacy program that would be housed in the branch for which I was now responsible.

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A Poem by Ken Allan Dronsfield: "Bestowed Blessings in a Harvest Sonnet"

Bestowed Blessings in a Harvest Sonnet Pussy willows grow at the edge of the field cows grazing among brambles and berries. Catbirds cry from a stand of shimmering alders breeze sways grasses like gentle ocean waves. The pheasant race to thickets for a safer cover; alone in the fields, I lie down and watch the sky. The grass is warm after a day spent in the sun, clouds racing eastward towards the Atlantic like huge ruffled pillows of feted marshmallows. No butterflies dancing

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Essay by Lynda McKinney Lambert: "Prologue: in which I Knit a Life Back Together"

Prologue: in which I Knit a Life Back Together It seems to me that I have always known the joy of making things with my hands. From my earliest memories, knitting with two needles in my hands and a supple, colorful ball of yarn seemed to come naturally to me. Combine that activity with a quiet and sunny room, a comforting chair, solitude, and I have a perfect day. Winter days like this one cause me to remember a time when the possibility of ever knitting again seemed as far a

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Poetry by Reanna Marchman: "Illuminate Part I: Light and Breath; Part II: Reflection"; and

ILLUMINATE Part I: Light and Breath Let’s all reach out touch a Non-loved face, light, the eye Breathe sky Love the dirty and raspy breath of Tony- holding his sign His ripped coat, face leather stench of urine, or just skin Untouched by water/ Soap a commodity, a luxury Granted- I take it Water that falls from sky out of pipe and little holes Scream- normal, no rich It screams rich Rich like chocolate cheese cake Like gold watch-wrist Don’t touch

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A Poem by Cindy Bousquet Harris: "Garden Place"

Garden Place Jesus, Your love makes for me a garden place where I can take Your hand and hear the waters flowing; they flow with promises and blessings from Your throne. Your beauty, with its sweet, clean scent, gives openness and shelter, You cheer the birds to sing, peace blossoms like a flower; thank You for the garden place, the garden of Your love. © Cindy Bousquet Harris

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SPIRIT FIRE REVIEW

Celebrating God's Goodness through Poetry, Creative Nonfiction, Visual Art, and Music