Thor’s workshop

In a dream it came to me

--Thor’s infernal workshop

thundering in the great belly of

the crusted world

…and in silhouette

the towering blacksmith

of the underworld

sooty in his work and tireless

feeding the inferno lightning and storms

as the son of Odin

of the realm of Asgard

rang Mjollnir on his great anvil

and sparked the world into being…

the outside world

the shell of the fiery cored geode

glowed greens and blues

the heat of the sun a feeble thing

at such distances

and the far sheet of stars a panorama of

cool points of light

Poem and Painting by Elizabeth Barnes

John Hasting's Timely Poems

Remembrance

John M. Hastings

Here’s to all who fought the wars,

risked their lives to save our shores.

To those who sang the battle hymn,

joined the service, left their kin.

Fought for country, personal pride.

Some returned, too many died.

Precious, youthful time they lost.

Fought abroad at such a cost.

Left the safer life back home,

families and friends they’d known.

Remember all who did not hide,

who felt a need to serve with pride

and make a better place today

for all of us who didn’t pay.

Let’s not forget the deeds of all

who served with courage, standing tall.

To you still here a debt we owe.

God bless you and those row on row.

The Manger Boy

John M. Hastings

Christmas is not far away now.

Leaves soak under late autumn rains.

Cold winds swirl grey clouds

above bare branches creating

celestial cotton candy on a stick.

We crave love…Yet,

Sit shackled in chains of gridlocked cars,

Join people-columns in mall corridors,

Dull our needs at cash registers.

Pursue tradition which can’t be bought.

Where is the magic of long ago?

Where is God’s greatest gift to mankind …

Peace, love, goodwill?

Where is the manger boy?