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

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

POINT OF GRACE

It is fitting that Easter should come in the spring. When the woods come alive and the red birds sing.

And God whispers in the wind and touches base with you and me; one can’t help but revisit a point of grace called Calvary.

The time and the place

God’s grace set us free; just like in the spring

He wore His heart on His sleeve. — Mike Pafundi

Deceased

O Faithful

O Faithful One born for all mankind pure in heart sinless man you are gave up your riches for all the world that they may live abundantly in life

O Faithful One your human body torn in pieces the cross you carried, with blood and sweat

We waited for you on resurrection day

— Kathy Easter

Traskwood

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. Poets’ Roundtable of Arkansas is scheduled to meet for the Dr. Lily Peter Spring Celebration on April 20, 2024, at the Parkview United Methodist Church, 514 North Border Street, Benton. Registration begins at 9:00 am. There is no registration fee.