By Dennis Patton
ASSUMED VOICE OF THE SANDAL MAKER AT THE CROSS
I mended shabby sandals best I could,
Wove love of You in every supple throng
to tie Your weary feet to soles of wood.
I made the laces soft but extra strong.
I’ve tracked Your steps in sands of Galilee.
(The fish is carved into each sandal sole.)
And, Lord, that mark imprints the heart of me.
You gave me life. You made me truly whole.
Today Your bare footprints left tracks in blood
From sharp stones on the path up to the cross.
We heard the ring of nails, the hammer’s thud.
Your followers are broken in our loss.
Crowds passed by you in cruel jeering bands.
I’d worried for Your feet but, Lord, Your hands!
— Faye Boyette Wise Deceased
IT HAPPENED AT THE CROSS
There at the cross where they nailed Him and watched as He suffered in pain, the soldiers drew lots for His clothing, a practice that’s so inhumane.
The crown of sharp thorns left Him bleeding.
His back was a horrible sight.
His feet and hands were torn by nails when they lifted His cross upright.
He hung in torment through darkness that covered the shame of His death. “Father, forgive them,” He whispered. Those words were His dying last breath.
His Father in heaven was listening and little did they know at that hour the tomb would not hold our Savior. He was accessing God’s power.
The cross’s power was sufficient to hold up the sacrificed Son when mercies of God accepted our payment. The victory’s been won!
— Dennis Patton Alexander
EASTER ACROSTIC
Easter is for remembering the past And how Jesus’ love for us will always last
Scripture says His life for us is what He gave
Then after three days He arose from the grave
Eternal life awaits all who believe in Him
Reaching out, He told of life without end.
— Milan Allinson Deceased
WHISPER OF HOPE
Footprints in the sands of time, small and shallow, growing larger, deeper under the yoke of guilt.
Hopelessness permeates the cries of condemnation in roaring winds ravaging earthquakes, and raging fires -Until
a small voice whispers, “He is risen!”
— Don Crowson Deceased
To submit poems for publication, please send poems of 16 or fewer lines to Dennis Patton, 2512 Springhill Circle, Alexander, AR 72002, or patton_dr@ hotmail.com. The Saline County Branch of PRA is scheduled to meet at 1:00 pm, at the Parkview United Methodist Church, 514 North Border Street, Benton, AR, on April 23.