Collected Poems and Fragments by Kathryn Rust Urick

 

 

ON MOVING

 

When I was planning to move to a different house

Sometimes I was glad.

 

Some times I was sad – because there were no trees

There,

And I thought I wouldn’t hear the birds sing.

 

But ‘twas not so!  Across the street were flowers

AND trees!

And very early one morning I heard the sweet song

Of a happy little wren!

 

And I wondered – is she moving in too?

 

 

 

AN AFTERNOON

 ON A NORTHERN LAKE

 

One afternoon on a northern lake

I watched a crane do a graceful ballet

for an audience of white sea gulls

perched on an isle

Of weather beaten rock.

 

On shore tall pines swayed, applauding her

performance and

Blue sky formed background for a pattern

of faces in the clouds, seeming to be

silent critics.

 

The sun’s rays sparkled on the water and

Made footlights for the stage.

 

Then the lights grew dim – moving clouds

blotted out the sun and

closed the curtain on the final act.

 

 

 

WILD GEESE FLYING

 

And then I saw them…

Their honk, honk, honking I heard first.

Loud and clear the sound came, as they

flew southward in perfect V-formation.

It was a beautiful sight on this early

November morning.

 

I watched as long as I could see – they

finally disappeared in the early

fog and mist.

 

And my hope was renewed – wasn’t the same

Loving God who was protecting them

In their flight, watching over them,

sheltering them from harm, the same God

who is watching over me?

 

 

 

WINGBORNE

 

The millions of seeds of a single plant…

All serve to continue life on earth…

some will grow to b giant trees.

Others become food for

birds and mice…

each a very minute part…

Of a great majestic harmony….

 

The alertness of the birds…

The intensity of the plants to grow…

The constant watchfulness of each…

To protect its right to be

 

…and become…

 

This is life…. In all its forms…

so simple…

so wondrous…

so everlasting…

 

There is no time for inconsistency…

Eternal life is being served…

 

 

 

UNTITLED

 

Around it in a measured space the spinning

world is traveling… night and day…

the months and years…

summer… winter… spring and fall….

 

Into the air that surrounds the

Earth…

Clouds are forming….

clouds of wondrous splendor…

dense vapors…

and tiny wisps of crystallized air…

Expansive …ascending mists…

 

Catching the rays of the sun and

bouncing them back and forth

until the cloud is light….

Clouds that are heavy with rain…

 

And storm clouds through which the

Rays cannot pass

For days, yet

Above and beyond… the sun in shining.

 

 

 

SNOW IN THE MORNIING

 

I don’t know how He does it

From way up there where He is:

A flower stand, forgotten on my

balcony now a lovely

piece of architecture with

little rounding mounds of snow,

perfect on every extended arm

(which) in summer held beautiful

green plants.

 

Six of these mounds – like minarets

are protected carefully from

blustering winter winds –

out there to be enjoyed for

days and days.

 

 

 

ABOUT A SUNRISE

 

I have to write these lines about the Sunrise!

Such Beauty!

Always a breathtaking sight from my balcony –

 

No houses or buildings nor “earthly stuff”

to mar the scene.

 

Black, scribbly designs made by bare

branches of the trees of winter –

Striking – black against the pink and

red of the sky.

 

I follow as far as I can see around the side;

The hour is very early;

most people never see this panorama.

 

Truly, I reflect, the Art of God.”  But,

Isn’t all nature?

 

And just think –

 

No need for matting –

 

No decision to make as to

an appropriate frame”

No indecision as to “where to hang.”

 

Yet -  it is mine to keep forever.

 

 

 

THE SIGNIFICANCE OF PRAYER

 

Dear Lord, did I remember to say Amen

When I approached thy throne of

Grace last night?

 

I was so worried for thy children

everywhere!

Where is it all to end?

 

Sleep must have come just then because

I don’t remember is I said Amen.