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carol j. phipps | all galleries >> Galleries >> Movie - Song - Poem - Book Titles > When I Consider My Life
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02-Jun-2019 Photo: Carol J Phipps

When I Consider My Life

WHEN I CONSIDER HOW MY LIFE IS SPENT
(Inspired by John Milton’s ON HIS BLINDNESS)

When I consider how my life is spent,
I’m warmed by all the blessings I have known.
The good seeds I have sown have flourished.
Family and friends enrich my days.
My soul is fed by music, art and poetry.
I’m welcomed home by one well-spoiled cat,
my rapt attention his only goal.
Soon I shall enter my last decade. Visions
of heaven fade beside this vivid Now.
But fear of clinging on too long persists.
Those final years might be best if left unlived.
May He who gave me life grant two last things—
strength to meet my end with faith, and grace
not simply to endure but to embrace.

Elaine Parker Akin
epa:6/1/2019
Revisions 8/20/19



other sizes: small medium original auto
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Guest 06-Aug-2019 18:35
"May He who gave me life grant two last things—
strength to meet my end with faith, and grace
not simply to endure but to embrace. .." Wonderul! (Robert)
Guest 11-Jul-2019 18:55
How I can relate to those thoughts...
Elena Pelaez 10-Jul-2019 09:45
Beautiful visual and literary composition!! <3
Jeff Real24-Jun-2019 11:56
What an incredible work of art you have created!
So perfect with this wonderful poem.
V
Pat Cole 21-Jun-2019 15:14
Thanks for sharing this poem and the picture CJ.
Elaine is a gifted writer and a gracious human being.
Thank you both!
Sharon 19-Jun-2019 17:14
Lovely picture Carol. It goes perfectly with Elaine's thought provoking poem. Perfect pairing.
Susan Dawson 19-Jun-2019 11:12
Nelson & I are blessed to have Elaine as our dear friend. She's an inspiration to us!
Nelson & Susan Dawson
David Harmon-Vaught 19-Jun-2019 03:45
Of all the wonderful poems and prose you have written, this piece touched me more with each line and phrase. Perhaps it is so because of my own recent heart attack and prematurely forced examination of how easily and soon my own last days could come. Might I be in my last decade two decades sooner than I thought? Thank you, Elaine, for your gifted ability to look into life and death, finding in both ways to encourage and brighten the paths of those of us who follow your words. Your life itself has been a gift to mine.
Guest 19-Jun-2019 01:26
How so very beautiful and heart felt. I love this.
- Meg Bahlke
Guest 18-Jun-2019 23:07
This is truly lovely, Elaine. You captured the sentiment beautifully. Sharon White
Amelia 18-Jun-2019 20:50
Thank you for sharing this. It speaks to my heart.
Larry 18-Jun-2019 20:04
What beautiful poetry and photography. Thank you for sharing. Larry McSwain
Guest 18-Jun-2019 15:10
I love this poem by Elaine , and love who she is! She been writing beautiful poetry and living a beautiful life for the decades I have known her. Bravo and Blessings! Steve Shoemaker
Darrell Adams 18-Jun-2019 15:08
Elaine I can't read it without hearing your voice say it! The life in your voice so well expresses the blessings you've known... the seeds you've sown... and the host of good folks you've shared your life. Thank you.
Mary Zimmer 18-Jun-2019 15:06
Elaine, I saw you at Hinson conference, but didn't get to catch you to talk. This is a beautiful poem celebrating a beautiful life. You've always been a model for me for grace under pressure and for writing. Working on my first whole book right now. And your continuing to write is inspiration for that.
Guest 18-Jun-2019 13:34
Such a lovely, tender poem paired with the image of a memorial bench.
Pastor Joseph 18-Jun-2019 12:35
Beautiful!!!!!
John Arnett 18-Jun-2019 12:01
"Grace to embrace not just endure" good thouights. But this next decade may not be the last. Consider Helen Graves at age 105 whom I hope to visit again this fall... But for the most part the decade of the 90's is our farewell time. Sobering to think that I've got just seven years to go before the age when my dad developed his Alzheimer's. Thank you Elaine for sharing your poetry.
Janet Miller 18-Jun-2019 11:49
This is absolutely beautiful. It's a perfect portrait of the late year thoughts.
J Scott Coile 18-Jun-2019 11:26
Tell Elain this touched my heart. Beautiful and well paired imagery.
Barb Allen 18-Jun-2019 10:35
Beautiful contemplation. Completely agree with the last sentiment. Thanks, Elaine.
Tim Heilman 18-Jun-2019 10:24
Such a beautiful poem. The picture suits it well.
laine18-Jun-2019 10:09
That is beautifully done, Carol and Elaine.
Harry Pickens 18-Jun-2019 03:01
ELAINE!! THIS IS SO SO BEAUTIFUL. THANK YOU!!!
Steve Zimmer 18-Jun-2019 02:58
When I was younger and Elaine was a bit younger than I am now, I was in quiet awe of her. I hope that when I enter my last decade, I am as smartly together in mind and soul. Oh, there are times when I really miss my CHBC family. Blessings to all.
Les Hollon 18-Jun-2019 02:49
Profound. Revealing of courage & faith. Tender. Tough.
Clarifying for your journey. Inspirational and instructive
for our journey.
With gratitude & love, Les & Vicki Hollon
Les Hollon 18-Jun-2019 02:45
Profound. Poignant. Revealing of courage & faith.
Clarifying for your journey. Inspirational & instructive
for our journey. With love & gratitude, Les & Vicki Hollon
Laura Lea 18-Jun-2019 02:36
Beautifully expressed, Elaine. I, too think about these things and hope for grace and strength to surrender when the time comes.
Brittani B 18-Jun-2019 02:26
Good reflections.
Dennis Hoyne18-Jun-2019 00:45
A touching image, and poem.
Karen G 18-Jun-2019 00:39
beautifully expressed in photo and verse
Graeme18-Jun-2019 00:00
What a lovely headstone and poem, Carol.V
Karen Stuebing17-Jun-2019 19:03
I really like the tones and depth of field in this capture. They convey a somber mood. Wonderful photo and processing. V.
Liz Bickel17-Jun-2019 18:17
Poignant. Both the words and the photo.
Well shot. The sepia toning provides a strong mood.
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