image by Hanin Abouzeid, on Pixabay, slightly modified The Art of Being Humble         My wife got a real treat when she found me. Yes, sir, after being single all of those years, I was self-sufficient. I did my own laundry, did my own ironing, always opened the car door for her, and always helped with the dishes and the cooking.   I can fold bath towels properly and, when I get new clothes, I know that they need to be run through a rinse cycle and that you can’t throw a dark

illustration by the translator, Jerrice J Baptiste Ayiti, Ma Belle   (Ayiti is the original name for Haiti.)   We reimagine your beauty of long ago, when hope is far from us like the sea.   Your fireflies don’t flash in dark cornfields. Laughter disappears even with  Krik-Krak.   Precious  Joumou  squash can’t be grown, can’t be shared in backyards with pebbles.     When hope escapes us, we reach for lullabies, comforting bosom like white sand countryside.   Tin roofs of our

praise, image by Clker-Free-Vector-Images, on Pixabay He Gave   He rescued me. Now I can stand and sing.                                           He set me free. To Him I’ll cling.   He broke my chains. Now I can lift my hands. He bore my pains. Forever, I know He stands.   He gave me grace, and grace I’ll give . He gave me life. For Him I’ll live.                                                                        *   Everything We Need   How wonderful it is to know that

image by Layers, on Pixabay, modified Divine Gyre Time swirls within the architecture of the eternal where an instant masks millennia. Prophetic points of light reflect the flicker, each candle flame a sacred connection, a visible incarnation. Transcendent hearts kindle behind the eyes. Sprites of time joyfully dance. Eternal flashes ignite in bouquets of orchid and violet, rose and dahlia swell this floral firmament. Flares of faith, the essence of the now that was, is… …and

compass, image by vialevo, on Pixabay, modified Exploring Idioms     The “flight of fancy” invites us to let our imagination soar, free of cold logic’s shackles. It is in these creative moments when possibilities unfold, and the waking dream becomes a powerful force for new insights.    “Hear the breeze a gentle blow,” sings a song soft and low, soothes the mind, and unties chains. In another word: belief. Life’s uncertainties are invitations to faith and deference.   The phr

fountain pen, image by Pexels, on Pixabay, modified Closure     Clouds hide the closure of another year. Happy and sad, failures and triumphs. Conflicts at home and abroad. Warming trends. Killing of innocence. I grow weary of it.   But I still hope in the future.   To be kinder. Sharing with strangers. To be at peace with myself and nature. I say farewell to the past. Look forward to a fresh page. Start the next chapter.

image by Angela S, on Pixabay The Peace Crackling Fire Brings As I sit in front of the crackling fire, Autumn leaves swirl all around, Their brown and golden hues intertwining, Creating a cozy, calm atmosphere. The sparks of fire illuminate the room, As I sit with a cup of hot chocolate, Reminiscing of autumns having gone past, Memories I will never forget.   I know God created this cozy atmosphere So He can help me feel at peace, Bible open in one hand, The beautiful verses

Photo by Cindy Bousquet Harris What Respite   What respite from her thrilling toil did ever beauty take ~ Emily Dickinson   The dancer knows mid-air the muscular cost of a leap, and she jumps anyway, then seems to take her leisure high on that hard-won height.   This is how a new life cradles itself in muscles and nerves, in hands that take joy in the freedom of giving as they pass out food from overflow to ever-want, a practice that becomes as easy as the finches’ songs floa

butterfly pendant, image by Ella Angelika Gronewold, on Pixabay, modified Emperor of the Final Galaxy   God’s footstool his angelic altar Magnetic multitudes polarized throne Prime property a world of water Maturation grace wisdom fully grown                             Personal perception lightning scepter Matter on each and every sphere Candid moments Polaroids forever Oceans laced with his benevolent tears                           Sunlight warms our planet earth          

autumn trees, image by kollsd, on Pixabay, slightly modified Autumn Beauty Looking only at the crumbled leaves on the sidewalk And at the sunset creeping earlier and earlier o'clock           It's so easy to forget the beauty in the fall Look up, dear, see the many colors of the trees They are dancing as the wind  sheds  their old leaves Look up and see the whole picture to find peace Take your vitamin D and look outside your window during lunch time Summer sunshine will come

lion, image by Peri Priatna, on Pixabay Please connect with Spirit Fire Review on our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/SpiritFireReview Thank you!

pottery, image by Hans, on Pixabay Announcing Spirit Fire Review's nominees for the Pushcart Prize! These nominations are for works published, or to be published, in 2025. Poetry:   “Take My Yoke Upon You,” poem by Peter Venable , Sept. 2025 https://www.spiritfirereview.com/post/take-my-yoke-upon-you-4-poems-by-peter-venable   “December Morning,” poem by Sarah Tate , Sept. 2025   https://www.spiritfirereview.com/post/after-things-fell-apart-five-poems-by-sarah-tate    “Glas

(reflection in water, image by user I.D.# ICS360, on Pixabay, modified) Dear readers, Autumn is just around the corner, and I continue to...

hands, fingers, image by Chris, on Pixabay, modified Homily for the Homeless     Here is the church                On the steps Here is...

ice melting on spruce branch, image by Else Siegel, on Pixabay, modified Healing Core Wounds   Running, stretching, lifting weights I’m...

(prodigal, image by Jeff Jacobs, on Pixabay, modified) it's always joy     when the lost come home           (Scripture reference: Luke...

(cat sleeping in sunshine, image by katerinavulcano, on Pixabay, modified) Tommy One evening, the family and I were at the dinner table,...

image by palmettophoto1, on Pixabay, modified Take My Yoke Upon You Chapel basement. Volunteers seated. Inmates streamed down the old...

hazy sun, image by Maarten Brand, on Pixabay, modified December Morning     Which glacier melted here to water the grass with glisten?...

a young ballerina, image by sobima, on Pixabay Three poems inspired by the life of prima ballerina Marta Cinta.    an ode to essence                       (for Susan)       falsified documents display several  names, hide from where I come  Rosamunda, Marta Cinta, Marta  González Saldaña from Cuba? Madrid?  but my therapist knows me—  the terpsichorean linked by music  to surroundings, mood  transforming ironclad discipline  physical pain, competitiveness  with no mercy     t