" HE SHOWS HIS LOVE "

When I gaze upon the morning sunrise
I ponder the grandeur of God
Who has blessed our sight out of the night
Into the dawning of new daylight.

The sun may shine and the rain may fall
The snows cover the earth in peaceful pall
The earth may heave, waters may swell
Ebbs and flows of tides in time quell.
Every season's beauty we can see
Through God's creativity.

The Lord our God shows us and tells us
In countless ways - one after the other
Of His everlasting and unconditional Love
For you and me, His sister and brother,
His Heart to uncover.

Humility personified, Jesus, the Lord
Through Love His Blood was poured.
To Him alone all Praise we accord
Always and ever may He be adored.



© Mel Patterson, 9-18-08

" A MAN NAMED ART "

A man named Art was sitting on the edge of his bed
Seeing him there alone we were strongly led
To go in and greet him with a warm "Hello,"
He looked a bear of a guy, an appealing fellow.

He was a black man as black as a man can be.
In that hospital room it was obvious to see,
He was staring at the blank green wall,
Leaning on the table cupping his jaw.
We told him we were led to call.

He smiled and told us his name
We smiled and did the same.
As we left we said, "God bless you, Art."
He in kind, said, "Thanks from my heart."
He thanked us warmly with a twinkle in his eye
This benevolent seeming very tall guy.
He made us smile, this gentle giant;
To the Lord's wish we were compliant.
Thank God Mena and I went;
I know Art was heaven-sent.

For the little we did for him, He did for us so much more;
We couldn't know the blessings that were in store.
We saw Jesus in him and in his smile
So happy we visited him for a while....
The memory of a man named Art
Is forever etched in my heart.
Thank God
for that man named Art.

© Mel Patterson, 9-1-08

There are 12 of us who go out two by two each week
to do two hours of works. We visit nursing homes,
the hospital, shut-ins, and we evangelize.
Hence, it was Filomena and I who visited
the hospital this week.

Our Lady of Knock Praesidium

St. Charles Borromeo Church

PA

" FIND our VOICE "

When things go well, it is easy to be of good cheer;
Life seems good, we're happy, no time for a tear.

When the good times are over and we wear a frown,
When problems weigh upon us and wear us down,
Find our voice, give thanks for the blessings given;
Pray to the Lord for whom the soul has striven
We will be blessed and Holy Sprit driven
To Praise Him morning, noon and night
Even if life seems a plight
Soon troubles will take flight
In Him we will delight.

Find our voice !
He's our Choice !!
We Rejoice !!!
Find our voice !

© Mel Patterson, 8-31-08

" A Briney Sea "

I see the rolling waves undulating in the deep blue ocean,
I hear the gushing, the rushing and the turbulent motion;
While many of us are in the waters thrashing all about

Frighteningly and frantically, "Save us! " we shout.

Our vessel has sunk; we were tossed into the rough sea;
How could that upset have happened, how did it come to be?
Life boats filled to capacity, life rings clung to in a death-grip
Help comes, rescuers arrive to lift us onto another ship.

I taste the salty brine and choke on what I swallow;
I drift in and out of consciousness and helplessly wallow
In waters of oblivion, with others just like me ~ in that sea
Until I hear the sound of a bell ringing in the distance
Ringing and ringing with great persistance.
It snaps me out of that horrific situation;
I find blessed relief without hesitation.
A new day has dawned,and I stretch with a yawn.




© Mel Patterson, 8-9-08

" Living Water in an Arid Desert "

Empty, depleted, withdrawn, and dry
From the depths of one's heart comes a cry;
What does one do when caught in this lie
Where satan wants one's soul to die?

Nothing negative is of God we know
So how can the tempter deceive us so?
He gains entrance easily in susceptible souls
Who strive for worldly rather than heavenly goals.

While we see where the wrong may lie,
Jesus and satan for valuable souls do vie;
The battle is between principalities and powers
Our Lord's, far above satan's,indeed, towers.

Lean not on our own but upon the Lord's power
And believe His Majesty demands satan cower;
The Blood of Jesus covers us stem to stern
And saves us from the hell-fires that burn.

Rejuvenated, renewed, restored and healed
Thru the precious blood of Christ we are sealed;
The desert aridity is now replaced by living waters
Gifts He gives to His sons and daughters.

While peace of mind does indeed wax and wane
As life sends us the sun as well as the rain,
Be uplifted to know we can come to Him in prayer
And believe no matter what, He will always care
Lord, into Your Everlasting Life, we wish a share.



© Mel Patterson, 8-9-08

" HOLY MASS "

Opening up before me
a panorama I spiritually see
of Thy Mother, Thy Saints,
Thy Angels and Thee,
gathering 'round Thy Altar,
in prayerful, peaceful Psalter.

O my Lord, Thou art wholly Divine!
The gift of wheat and the gift of wine,
bread of heaven, grapes sanguine,
by the Celebrant are consecrated
into Thy Body and Thy Blood
And Thy graces upon us flood.

Do bid us "Come," to Thy Table
While we are able
to receive Thee in Communion
the Gift of Holy Union.

When we are at Mass and fully attentive
and in worship and prayer are sensitive
we are as close to Heaven as we can be
this side of the veil unto Eternity;
Lord, God, we exalt Thee.

Lord, we are not worthy to receive Thee in this fashion
Please fill our souls with spiritual passion
for
we are as close to Heaven as we can be
this side of the veil until Eternity;
Lord, God, we exalt Thee.

© Mel Patterson, 7-20-08

" DON'T ASK ME "







Don't ask me about myself if you please
Unless you want to see me drop to my knees,
For I cannot share what is deep within my heart
Because to bare it would simply rip me apart.

I do better when I serve many others
Like you, my sisters and my brothers;
I don't do well to focus upon only me,
Try to understand and try to see
This is how I've got to be.

The Lord made me this way I dare say;
I can function with Him close by my side,
Leaning upon Him day after day after day
In Him forever I want and need to abide.

So, don't ask me if I am okay.
Just accept that I am this way;
The best way to help me is let me help you
And upon us both His favor He'll imbue
Pouring blessings down from heaven above
Gracing us with His everlasting Love.







© Mel Patterson, 6-30-08

" THE AUTUMN of my LIFE "






In the Autumn of my life it's a hill that I see;
To others a huge mountain it seems to be.

We are in shadow, black figures in the dark,
Moving upward with few eyes on the mark.

Some are stalling, sitting, resting, sleeping,
Others are beaten, backtracking and weeping.

Yet many move on and upward no matter the cost
Supporting others who otherwise might be lost.

At the top of the mountain is a brand new day,
Where the sun shines brightly holding me sway.

I see the mountain is only a hill and no more;
What once was, no longer holds store,
Past work is no longer a chore,
Peace blesses the core.
Rest, my soul, the job is done;
Look, He's coming, the Son,
For the little soul He has won.
© Mel Patterson, 6-21-08

" THE VISITATION "








When Gabriel announced to Mary she was to bear a son,
She wondered how on earth it could be done.
For a virgin she had been and intended to remain;
She thought of her betrothed's and her parents' pain.

The Angel told her she would be infused by the Holy Spirit,
That she would remain a Virgin and not to fear it;
With this knowledge Mary acquiesced to God's Holy Will
And the gracious Vessel who was Mary is honored still.

Gabriel told Mary that cousin Elizabeth was with child,
Expecting a boy, the Forerunner of Christ-undefiled;
Mary journeyed to visit her cousin, each expecting a boy,
When John sensing Jesus' Divine Presence leapt for joy.

By their meeting, though yet unborn, the boys connected;
Little was it known both, eventually, would be rejected.
For now, however, the mothers would lovingly prepare,
Each in her own time, the child each would bear.

Hail, Mary, the Lord is with you,
Woman so full of Grace;
Blessed are you who nurtured Him,
And Kissed His adorable Face




© Mel Patterson, May 30, 2008

HSSSSSSSSS





Hasten, time's a wastin' !
No time for procrastinatin' !
Get it done now, get it done quick ~
See the clock tock 'n tick!
Get the job done in a flick!
Snap to it lickity split!
Hsssssss.

Run here, run there !
Be swift, no one'll care!
Do the job fast and furious!
Slow down? Are you serious?
No time to putter and sputter;
Don't grumble and mutter!
Job might as well be in the gutter!
Hsssssss.

Do more and do it now;
Don't fool around, pal!
Get with the program, man!
You can do it, yes you can
according to my time plan!
No break, no time!
Breaking your back for a dime?
You say it's a crime?
Hsssssss.

Well, I don't care 'bout you!
I want to break you, I do!
I snarl and bark and hiss,too.
If you don't know by now,
I'll get you somehow
and to only me will you bow!
I'm your worst enemy you see!
Legions swarm around me!
You're down? I'm happy
so full of glee...
Hsssssss.

Only one thing makes me flee!
When you get on bended knee,
get smart and so prayerfully
call upon Him who cast me out,
out of Eden for tempting Eve;
O, how I did seethe
Hsssssssssss.

Don't do that! Don't pray!
Overtaking you needs one more day!
Don't worry 'bout what God'll say!
Don't call upon the One who died,
Him who was crucified!
His Blood is on me now
He calls me "foul!"
I growl!
Hssssssss!

My pinions release you..
Let HIM please you..
He grabs you from the rim.
You're safe with Him.
I scurry along
slithering away,
looking for other prey,
another I can hold sway ~
Today!
Hsssssss!



© Mel Patterson, 5-26-08

BURNING the MIDNIGHT OIL

How many times does one burn the midnight oil,

from a problem which one might wish to recoil?

I daresay there are many too numerous to count

and, seemingly, too very many to ever surmount.

Often in the wee hours of the early morning it seems,

when the body is weary but the mind indeed deems

it is required to burn that midnight oil again,

this particular poem is being written thru' my pen.

If there were no hope and there were no tomorrow

this life would be pitiful and full of sorrow.

When, however, there is faith in a Supreme Being,

then comfort and consolation is what one is seeing.

There is a soul encased in the body of skin and bone,

of blood, sinew, muscle tissue made by God Alone.

To lift one's mind, heart, soul and spirit to God above

Is to experience God's comforting and everlasting Love.

So, whatever may cause you to burn that midnight oil,

keep the Lord God in your heart with you thru' that toil,

and you will see the dawning of a brand new day

full of hope and encouragement to hold you sway

as you fold your hands and to our God pray,

Lord, teach me to do it your way.



© Mel Patterson, 5-19-08

FIRE RING

(Jesus' heart afire came to me during Mass
in an inner vision - triggering this poem)

My spiritual eyes see You standing before me,
Your heart is ablaze with leaping flame
Ignited with love for all of us;
Out of deep burning love You came.

Now in the middle of a large ring of fire
Whipping up all around me,
I am untouched by the fire-tongues
Of eternal love that surround me.

It's my sense, O Lord this is Your Love ring
Encapsulating us within Your burning Heart;
How can our spirits not shout and sing
For the infinite Love You bring
It's consummation to impart?

Send Your Ring of burning flame over the world
Engulfing satan and to hell have him furled,
While we are protected from harm and pain;
Thru Your Heart's fire heaven is our gain.

Your love burns so deeply, Lord
Showing us in ways we cannot measure;
When we praise You in one accord
You fill us with heavenly treasure;
Such is Your Holy Will and pleasure.

© Mel Patterson, 5-16-08

THE UPPER ROOM

(PENTECOST)

In the Upper Room there gathered
were those who greatly mattered
being followers of Jesus who died
waiting humbly, devoid of pride.

The Lord bid them be present there
and they were in quiet deep prayer
when they heard a wind-like rush
envelope the room in a mighty gush.

Upon each one alit a tongue of fire;
they wondered what would transpire.
It became evident as they began to speak
in other tongues they did not seek.

Filled with the Holy Spirit, each one
could proclaim how God's only Son
came to save all men, Gentiles and Jews
who would listen and follow His cues
for in their own native tongues
They all could hear ~
the Good News.

So the apostles set out two by two
Preaching to many a Gentile and Jew
Romans and thousands of others, too
Spreading the Gospel of Salvation
To every people and nation
As the Holy Spirit ~ inspired them to do.




© Mel Patterson, 5-10-08

" TIMES THREE "

I heard my name called in the early morning rising,
a call to prayer or an action to take I am surmising.
There was no accompanying dream I can recall;
it was the voice of a man and no vision at all.

Whose voice could it have been that I heard
that summoned me to wake, my sleep deferred?
Why was I called in the wee morning hours,
this cool cloudy morn with sprinkling showers?

I did not know the voice of the man who spoke
but I wondered if was it me the Lord woke?
I still hear my own name called one times three
And I wonder, Lord, could it have been Thee?

I will take from the mention of my name
that it was a call from Thee, Lord, who came
bid me rise and begin the day with prayer
for our world which is in need of repair,
that national resources we share,
that everyone for all will care.

Until we learn to love one another
As sister, brother, father and mother
the way Thou knew before the start,
O Thou Loving Sacred Heart,
cleanse us of all that is not of Thee
Thy Blood to bathe us, ah Sweet Purity,
Help us grow in spiritual maturity
Lord, I Praise and Thank Thee
For Thou didst call me ~ one times three.



© Mel Patterson, 5-10-08

" ASCENSION "

O Lord, you have risen from the dead
Exactly as you have said.
We miss the YOU we came to know
Yet we wonder why it must be so

That you will again leave us
When You're taken will they believe us?
Will they understand why You came
Will anyone ever be the same?

We see You, Lord, as You appear
Your soon leaving evokes a tear.
We wish you could longer stay
Please just for one more day?

To the Father You must return
With deep ardor my soul does burn
We approach the place of your leaving
Already my poor soul is grieving

The sooner You go to the Father
Without further adieu and bother
The Holy Spirit will light His fire
Then our spirits will never tire

To spread the good news of salvation
To every soul in every nation
So, take Your leave Lord, if You must
In You forever we shall trust

We see You leaving fading from view
And after You go we'll take our cue
To go back to our family and our friends
Rapt in Your Love that never ends.

We await with Faith, Hope and Love
Holy Spirit blessings from above
To light our souls with ardor and fire,
To spread the Kingdom as You desire.
Per Your command all will transpire
And to that great call we do aspire.




© Mel Patterson, 4-30-08

"OUT of CONTROL"

No, I am not my own universe
The world does not spin around me
Thinking so is utterly perverse
Why has it taken me so long to see?

How is it scales covered my eyes
And I refused to listen to good advice?
The evil one wore an angel's disguise
And seduced me with so many lies.

I was bitterly tossed and torn
I didn't know if I was coming or going
My mind, heart and soul were worn
Confusion and fatigue were showing.

Darkness overwhelmed me
And nothing existed for a short time
I felt as though I ceased to be
Then a tender hand helped me climb

I was lifted out of that black hole
Into the daylight of His eyes
He healed and restored my soul
And for Jesus my spirit sighs.

I relinquished my being and now am seeing
That I was out of control ~ clearly!
I repented deeply from the core of my being
And now cherish the Lord ever so dearly.

No one living soul is yet lost forever;
Jesus forgives the repentant sinner.
Pray for the lost, a noble endeavor;
Pray that every one will be a winner.

There is a battle raging right now
One we may not want to face;There are those who to satan bow
Pray they receive God's Grace.

The time is coming have no doubt
Jesus is coming as in Revelation
Be done with the evil one, the lout!
Unite under Christ Jesus as one holy nation.



© Mel Patterson, 4-25-08

" A Child Needs...."

We are products of our environment it is said
and from birth through life we are variously led
From infancy to childhood others are in charge
When you are little, others seem rather large.

A child needs benevolent and respectful care
As well as being taught to love and play fair.
If a child is taught to respect God and others
He will love himself and likewise his brothers.

Whether our childhood was nurturing or not
Comes the time when we must deal with our lot
The decisions we make will color our future
And show what we're made of as we mature.

If victory is to be won, it's upon God we trust
Knowing, loving and serving Him well we must.
Getting through life is hard enough we all know
Traveling with the Lord is the only sure way to go.

Guide the little ones in the ways of the Lord
So they, too, will praise Him, and to Him accord
All Honor, All Glory, and All Adoration
hearts full of joy and expectation,
toward the day of eternal jubilation
and
infinite exaltation.




© Mel Patterson, 4-22-08

A PLACE

In centering upon God in prayer I am made aware
of the music of a heavenly choir
accompanied by angelic flute and lyre;
of so lovely a sound I never tire.

It is by God's grace my soul is released and pleased
to accept within my spiritual hearing
celestial reverberations so endearing
and I praise God for their appearing.

I bask in the midst of a surround of sound
taken out of the shell of my physical being
transported to a place of also seeing
that Light and Music are ever agreeing.

May this transcendent moment never end,
this heavenly place blessed with every grace
where one can be lost in time and space
taken away from the daily chase
that seizes the human race.

O, Love so tender, you radiate splendor;
may these moments be evermore mine
transport me often to that place divine
where music and radiance combine
and where Thy Light does ever shine.

May all Praise and all Thanksgiving
always and everywhere
be Thine.




© Mel Patterson, 4-16-08

"YOU SHOWED ME A CHASM"

O Lord, you showed me a deep dark chasm
Between good and evil this very morning.
Then I heard you bid me " spread the warning."

On one side was the Cross of our Salvation,
On the other, dank, black, putrid degradation.

The gap between good and evil truly exists;
Contamination by the evil one stubbornly persists.

He defies Purity and Holiness; he keenly drives wedges,
And gloats to see people sliding to the gap's edges

On the side of Salvation, souls are reaching out
Grasping the weak souls who experience doubt,

Trying to save them from falling into the chasm;
With temptations satan still wants to dazzle them.

The battle between good and evil is being fought
What is it our lives and efforts will have wrought?

Are we riding the slippery slope to a bitter end
With sludge, filth, sulphur, and fire our souls to rend?

Or are we on the road to Jesus who loved us to His Death
Will we love Him and be faithful to our last breath?

Come to grips all you who search for life's meaning;
Stay away from every evil thing that is demeaning.

Choose good over evil at every single chance!
The Lord looks upon us with His Loving Glance;
Do you not already see it, perchance?

The chasm is wide, deep and steep,
Evil ones shirk , lurk and creep,
They are snide, riddled with pride,
They want to take you on a joyride,
Then laugh at you all askew
Don't let it happen to you.

Choose our Creator Who willed us to be
Imitators of Jesus Who is the Key
To life with the Holy Trinity
For Eternity.

As the end of time approaches
And the closing of the gap encroaches,
Be aware of the Lord's exhortation
Heed his call every nation.
He tarries not for much longer;
Pray to be made stronger,
For the battle is not yet done.
Bring many to God's Son
In unity all for One.

Finally, the day will come
To hell many, to heaven some;

Choose God Who willed us to be
Imitators of Jesus Who is the Key
To life with the Holy Trinity
For all Eternity.



© Mel Patterson 4-9-08

WAYWORD SOUL

O wayward soul where are you going?
What heavy crosses are you towing?
Into the wind are your dreams blowing?
Do you think that you are all-knowing?
What kind of seeds are you sowing?

When we can do no more to set things right
When what we want seems beyond our sight
Let's fall to our knees in the dark of the night
Pray to God with every bit of our might
Watch the evil one swiftly take flight.

Let's stand back and re-evaluate our lives!
With numerous trials the soul in pain writhes;
It's toward God Almighty every Christian strives,
Into His limitless pool of Mercy each soul dives
To soak up the forgiveness
and love God gives
For from infinity to infinity
His Divine Majesty lives
And He gives
and gives and
gives.

© Mel Patterson, 4-4-08