Decima II

It's been a year since my first venture
and back then I swore I'd write
to bring more of them to light
fulfilling this indenture
yet none since by misadventure
To Decima my silent pen
has not looked back to that day when
more of these stanzas I'd compose
creative mind there to repose
for more just now and then

Advertisement

Roar

The watchers on the wall will sound
the trumpets warning should they see
the enemy. Persistently
we’ll hold the line. To Him we’re bound.
It’s up to us to stand our ground.
Survival and salvation: May
we thank the Lord for every day
He gives to let our voices roar,
our praises to the heavens soar.
We hear His voice. We rise, obey.

Ronovan Hester offers the rhyme word “roar” to be used in a D-line of a décima having rhyme pattern ABBAACCDDC for this week’s challenge. Eugenia offers “survival” as her prompt this week.

Hook

With freeze and thaw of wintry woes
some fear the still-life’s gonna die.
Why spin the news so fast that I
can see the lies beneath fresh snows?

There is the Lamb that heaven shows,
the One who can unseal the book.
The losing side will try to hook
the world with sorrows. Persevere.
The sea of glass and fire comes here
with victory and praising. Look!

Ronovan Hester offers the rhyme word “hook” to be used in a C-line of a décima having rhyme pattern ABBAACCDDC for this week’s challenge. Eugenia offers the theme “still-life” as her prompt this week. A commentary on Revelation by Michael Rood was on my mind especially verse 15:2 which he kept referring to.

Swoop

The care they take is on display
as swallows from the rafters swoop.
From nest to ground they make a loop
to feed their young throughout the day.

Can evolution show a way
that’s plausible when all I see
is nature mocking endlessly?
Chance has no chance to make sense here.
There’s much to doubt. They no doubt fear
we’ve lost our gullibility.

Ronovan Hester offers the rhyme word “swoop” to be used in a B-line of a décima having rhyme pattern ABBAACCDDC for this week’s challenge.

Gratitude for Rest

Constricting envy cannot rest.
It meditates throughout the night,
turns dark the dawn of morning light.
Our lungs can’t breathe. We’re python pressed.

We’d much prefer to be caressed
without this dust. We don’t need more
of what they’ve got. We’re looking for
a way to make the python go,
stop scheming, squeezing, wanting so.
The Spirit breathes. We see the door.

Ronovan Hester offers the rhyme word “rest” to be used in a A-line of a décima having rhyme pattern ABBAACCDDC for this week’s challenge. Eugenia offers “envy” as the prompt for her challenge this week.

Rise

It’s not the sun. It’s not the moon.
It’s not the stars. They serve as signs.
The ordered light they offer shines,
but cannot sing a sacred tune.

He’s coming and He’s coming soon.
We lift our voice. We lift our hands
abandoning our once prized plans.
In unison our praises rise.
In expectation, earth and skies,
are eager, waiting for our stands.

Ronovan Hester offers the rhyme word “rise” to be used in a D-line of a décima having rhyme pattern ABBAACCDDC for this week’s Decima Challenge. Eugenia offers “unison” for her weekly prompt. I am thinking of Romans 8:16.

Fresh

The Lord resides within his mind,
or so he thinks, but not his heart.
His wheelchair today won’t start.
The internet goes blank. He’s blind.

He rises standing there to find
rebellion as his mental mesh
is torn revealing fallen flesh.
Knocked down his demons seek the door.
His heart’s been cleaned renewed now for
a will aligned and temple fresh.

Ronovan Hester offers the rhyme word fresh to be used in a C-line of a décima having rhyme pattern ABBAACCDDC for this week’s challenge. I am thinking of Psalm 51:10.

Hazy

This hazy morning’s white with snow
that’s covering the summer grass,
depositing a fluffy mass.
May spring appear and let things grow.
The winter’s beautiful although
it’s much too cold with silent chills.
I’d rather sleep than look for thrills
while running out about the park
where footsteps leave a foot deep mark,
unless that’s what I hear He wills.

Ronovan Hester offers the rhyme word “mass” to be used in the B-line of a décima having rhyme pattern ABBAACCDDC for this week’s prompt. Eugenia offers “hazy” for her prompt this week.

Holiness

It’s holiness that makes us hush
not happiness that runs away
with pleasures leading us astray
in nightmares while the waters rush.

With affirmations rich and plush
we thank the Lord who made the sky,
who made the earth and birds that fly
and creatures on the land below
and in the water. See! They show
the glory of our God on high.

Ronovan Hester offers the rhyme word “hush” to be used in an A line of a décima having rhyme pattern ABBAACCDDC for this week’s challenge and Eugenia offers “affirmations” for this week’s prompt. I was thinking of Jerry Bridges’ book, The Pursuit of Holiness.

Will

It’s perseverance that we need
with faithful focus, pure of heart,
repenting any wayward part.
We let the Holy Spirit lead
with prayer the writings that we read.
Avoiding tricks deceivers play
we stay upon the narrow way
that follows closely His own will
thus finding that we’ve served until
the coming of the final day.

Ronovan Hester offers the rhyme word “will” to be used in a D-line of a décima having rhyme pattern ABBAACCDDC for this week’s challenge.

Writing the Final Chapter

With little deeds I wrote my book.
May viewers not be led astray.
The cluttered moments blew away
when upside down the world was shook
and what was left is what I took.
I reasoned rightly I should read
the words I knew I ought to heed.
“You’re much too late,” the devil said,
“Tomorrow morning you’ll be dead.”
This final chapter’s all I need.

Ronovan Hester offers the rhyme word “read” to be used in a C-line of a décima having rhyme pattern ABBAACCDDC for this week’s challenge.

Eugenia offers “chapter” for this week’s Thursday Prompt.

Art and Promises

His promises He’s come to keep.
Deception’s seen through flashy art
as idols fall and drift apart.
Where demons dug delusions deep
the truth’s now clear. The liars weep.
Here comes the morning freshly made
as night departs and star lights fade.
It’s now we fully understand.
We are the bride. We take His hand.
Our ransom long ago was paid.

Ronovan Hester offers the rhyme word “art” to be used in a B-line of a décima having rhyme pattern ABBAACCDDC for this week’s challenge.

Eugenia offers the word “promises” for this week’s Thursday Prompt.

I am thinking of the last chapters of Revelation.

Jubilant Christmas

He’s there for every foe or friend.
The special gift of Christmas day
foreshadows sacrifice and may
our hearts renew, our false ways end.
While there’s still time let praises send
our gratitude beyond our tears.
Rejoice! His Spirit watches, hears
as we are blessed with penitence
for wanderings that made no sense.
We wait. Come soon – the Lord appears.

Ronovan Hester offers the rhyme word “friend” to be used in an A-line of a décima having rhyme pattern ABBAACCDDC for this week’s challenge.

And Eugenia offers the word “jubilant” as this week’s Thursday Prompt.

May you have a jubilant Christmas!

That New Day

There’s nothing that’s been left untold.
Our Shepherd’s voice we loved to hear.
Our hope replaced our urge to fear.
We followed calmly in the fold.

Obeying never will get old.
You’ve led us on the lasting way
where praise became our urge to pray.
Your joy now fully fills our hearts
and overflows. What’s sad departs.
We watch the sunrise of Your day.

Ronovan Hester offers the rhyme word “day” to be used in a D-line of a décima having rhyme pattern ABBAACCDDC for this week’s challenge. Eugenia offers the prompt word “untold” for this week’s challenge.

Road To Damascus

May all of us walk up that road
that leads from blindness to what’s true.
Priorities get altered, too.
We struggle pained against the goad
refusing to give up our load
of dark delusions – off they fly.
In brilliant light we breath a sigh
of joy proclaiming, as we pray,
the humble praise we raise today
when we were stopped by God on high.

I was thinking of Acts 9 and Erica-Sommer Dudley’s song, Road to Damascus.

Ronovan Hester offers the rhyme word “sigh” to be used in a C-line for this week’s décima having rhyme pattern ABBAACCDDC.

Rich and Notable

What’s notable, that I would find.
I ditch the fake that thinks it’s rich,
ignore the wizard with his witch,
resist a compromising mind
that fantasizes till it’s blind.
Not one of us walks here alone.
We see enough what’s dimly shown.
With fruit maturing on the way
we hear and follow so we may
know fully as we’re fully known.

---

Ronovan Hester offers the rhyme word “rich” to be used in a B line for this week’s challenge. Eugenia offers the word “notable” for this week’s Thursday prompt. I am thinking of 1 Corinthians 13:12.

Stuff and Compassion

Compassion is forgiving stuff.
It’s powerful if one is meek
and raises up the burdened weak.
Not one of us can get enough.

Though waves are high when storms are rough,
though skies show off their grays,
the Lord’s aware of all our ways
so may we stay compassionate
and offer worship. Think of it:
We have the privilege now to praise.

Ronovan Hester offers the rhyme word “stuff” to be used in an A-rhyme of a décima having rhyme pattern ABBAACCDDC for this week’s challenge. Eugenia offers the word “compassion” for this week’s prompt.

Learn

Through cold gray clouds the sun still beams
on soundless white and frequent fear.
That was a wintry time of year
when what was bad went to extremes.

Till Judgment comes demonic schemes
of wickedness rehearse their coup,
but there’s still time. May hearts renew,
return, repent, refrain and learn
to let the Spirit help discern
the flaws in stuff we thought was true.

---

Ronovan Hester offers the rhyme word “learn” to be used in a D-line of a décima having rhyme pattern ABBAACCDDC for this week’s challenge.

Pride

Rebelliousness will find its fall.
Self-righteousness will show the way
deceived deceivers go astray.
They think they’ve won, but lost it all.

On wayward paths some hear His call
and follow giving up their pride.
The faithless seek a place to hide.
The leaves descend upon the land
and snowy winter takes a stand.
The warmth’s for those who went inside.

---

Ronovan Hester offers the rhyme word “pride” to be used in a C line of a decima having rhyme pattern ABBAACCDDC for this week’s challenge.

Time

Delusion masks the sense of it.
Deceptive dreaming wastes my time.
From out of this I’d love to climb,
this dark, demonic, dragon pit.

Against the wall in mud I sit.
I see a makeshift rope appear
and from above the voice I hear
is telling me to grasp it tight.
There was no way, but now there’s light.
Death grabbed my feet, but mercy’s near.

---

Ronovan Hester offers the rhyme word “time” to be used in a B-line of a décima having rhyme pattern ABBAACCDDC for this week’s challenge. I was thinking of Jeremiah 38 about Jeremiah being rescued from the dungeon of Malchiah when describing the rescue from this dragon pit.

Jack

Jim jumps about with wayward Jack.
They think they know the way to go,
but tend to graze where demons grow
who’ll watch them fatten then attack.

The Lord makes sure Joe doesn’t lack.
He’s led to pastures green and pure.
Through evil valleys he’ll endure
when led on paths of righteousness.
With oil anointed, fed, and, yes,
through length of days he’ll dwell secure.

---

Ronovan Hester offers the rhyme word “jack” to be used in an A line of a décima having rhyme pattern ABBAACCDDC for this week’s challenge. I am thinking of Psalm 23.

Garden

Reject deception. Walk in light.
Have fellowship and know what’s true.
Let’s show it in the things we do.
Don’t stumble through the dark of night.
Confess: we haven’t done what’s right.
We’ve stained ourselves repeatedly.
They ate the fruit. In turn are we
blocked from entering the garden.
Blood brings righteousness and pardon.
It cleanses. Jesus cleanses me.

---

Ronovan Hester offers the rhyme word “garden” to be used in a D line of a décima having rhyme pattern ABBAACCDDC for this week’s challenge. I am thinking of 1 John 1.

Verve

The foolish ones presume to know
but they’ve no grounds to say what’s true
denying Truth, an odd worldview.
Consistency’s the first to go.
Coherence fails to save their show.
Unfortunately filled with nerve
they preach their faithless thoughts with verve.
Then demons sugarcoat their grim
conceptions as their minds grow dim
forgetting Whom they’re here to serve.

---

Ronovan Hester offers the rhyme word “verve” to be used in the C-line of a décima having rhyme pattern ABBAACCDDC for this week’s challenge. I am thinking of Psalm 14.

Sweep

Breathe over me. I want to hear
Your saving Words. With hyssop sweep
my heart so endless joy I’ll keep.
Your Holy Spirit’s ever near.

I humbly bend my listening ear
obeying what You have to say.
I praise You through the end of day
inhaling Spirit with each breath
in gratitude till at my death
the path to You leads where I’ll stay.

---

Ronovan Hester offers the rhyme word “sweep” to be used in a B rhyme of a décima having rhyme pattern ABBAACCDDC for this week’s challenge. I am thinking of Psalm 51.

Bright

The storm has passed. The sky is bright.
A rainbow rises from the sea.
It’s stopped by clouds eventually,
but in the sky’s a sail that’s white.
We’re thankful for this gift of light.
Our gratitude pours out as praise
that we were given all these days
to listen, hear with renewed hearts,
forsaking all deceptive arts,
performing service that obeys.

---

Ronovan Hester offers the rhyme word “bright” to be use in an A rhyme of a décima having rhyme pattern ABBAACCDDC for this week’s challenge.

Sunny

Needing words that rhyme with ‘sunny’
some demons would cooperate.
Between them they regurgitate,
“Death is dark and lava runny.
Funny how it sticks like honey.”
That made no sense! They’re on the run.
I do prefer a sunny sun
with demons nowhere to be seen,
with blue skies blue and green grass green
and demons knowing they are done.

---

Ronovan Hester offers the rhyme word “sunny” to be used in an A line of a décima having rhyme pattern ABBAACCDDC for this week’s challenge.

Pitt

It’s hard to dream up something new
when morning sunlight’s cloudless, bright.
I should have written more last night,
but that was then. What should I do?
Deceit tries hard to block what’s true,
but goodness stands against its dread.
I’ve only two lines in my head,
“The weather’s fine but Mister Pitt
decided he’d have none of it.”
For now I’ll leave the rest unsaid.

---

Ronovan Hester offers the rhyme word “pitt” to be used in a D line of a décima having rhyme patter ABBAACCDDC for this week’s challenge.

Oops

We’re persevering. Let me send
a blessing on what you may do
that it be right and it be true.
At last I know you as a friend
to look for when we reach the end.
We’ve seen the way the devil groups
despair with his deceitful troops,
because he wants to hold his ground.
Deep time is short. We’re homeward bound.
He’ll trip and fall, his final oops.

---

Ronovan Hester offers the rhyme word “oops” to be used in the C line of a décima having rhyme pattern ABBAACCDDC for this week’s challenge.