Stilled: two poems by Joy Nevin Axelson

pond with water lilies, image by Alex, on Pixabay

Stilled

I’m unconcerned with lofty things;

my soul is calm and stilled,

needing nothing, satisfied,

my turbulence is quelled.

My mind a glassy, moveless pond

of waters pure and smoothed;

pacific waves roll through my frame,

but I cannot be moved.

Provision like a flooding stream

goes far above beyond.

Asleep inside His warm embrace,

my furtive fears are calmed.

My muscles, lax, no longer tense,

my every nerve at peace,

in quietness and confidence,

my strength shall be increased.

Scripture references: Psalm 131:1 and Isaiah 30:15

*

Oh, Lord, You Reign on High

1. Oh, Lord, You reign on high,

    like thunder over the ocean.

    Your voice above the sky,

    commands the world’s devotion.

    You are the one who speaks

    and life gives birth.

    Your justice rules throughout

    the universe.

2. And when you call my name,

    I feel it in every fiber.

    My spirit resonates

    to sing your praise forever.

    No weapon can compare

    to Your great might.

    No one should dare to raise

    their arm to fight.

3. You melt the mountain ore;

    You shatter skies and silence.

    You shake the earth’s dark core,

    and put an end to violence.

    You are the One who reigns

    outside of time.

    Your hand will trace the arc

    of love divine.

Reprise: 

    Oh, Lord, You reign on high,

    like thunder over the ocean.

    Your voice above the sky

    commands my heart’s devotion.

Joy Nevin Axelson is from West Chicago

and holds a BA and an MA in French. Her

work has been featured in Foreshadow,

Kosmeo, Writing in a Women's Voice, and

Pure Slush. She is the translation coordinator

for a child sponsorship charity. She enjoys

playing nerdy board games and traveling

with her husband and two older children. 

June 2025 issue