Phyllis Ratcliff-Beaumonte

Seattle, Washington

Phyllis writes poetry to inspire others. She is a high school teacher, who has also taught at colleges and is included in Who's Who in American Education and Who's Who Among America's Teachers. Her poems have been included in several publications by The National Library of Poetry and Poetic Voices of America, 1990. In 1993, she won an International Poet of Merit Award. Phyllis has published two books: The most recent one, Roses and Thorns: Poetry and Prose, has been included in a collection at the Washington State Library. Her book is also very popular with students.

Fleeting Shadows

When love frees the soul
images flow drifting from the mind.
They retreat then reappear,
those fleeting shadows of another time.
No longer rich that devious past,
apparitions gently fade
while bells toll from within the heart
unlocking the freshness of spring at last
Yet, while waiting for love again
my eyes behold the past.

Take Jesus On Your Journey

Life is a journey
and the road can be rough
the valleys hazardous
and the mountains you climb, tough.

Your burdens will be heavy
the stress hard to bear.
Tears will flow in the midnight hour
no one will be willing to share.

Oh as you travel
set your standards high
For you must always give your best
this must not be denied.

But while on your quest
for the high road
serve and obey the divine
for his finger of mercy and love
will direct you as you climb.

Then when all is said and done
and to dust you must return
make sure you have achieved the highest
prize in Christ Jesus Our Lord.

December

For what purpose December do you return?
Is it to cast your magic spell with sounds
of crunching ice under moonlit nights
producing tree columns muffed with snow,
while gifts and celebrations of joy await
eyes that slumber light entertain delightful
thoughts throughout the silent night.

For what purpose December do you return?
bearing wreaths of holly green framing windows
with candle glows around the Christmas scenes.
Carollers singing melodies their cheeks flushed
from the cold, softens the hardest heart as they
declare joy to the world!

Or December, do you return to tell the greatest story
ever told; awakening our pious hearts to the good
news of an incarnate Christ born to proclaim an
infinite love sent down from up above
to prepare us for the spring of life
when all thing are reborn.
For what purpose December do you return?

Phyllis welcomes letters, please write her:

c/o IPHOF
1 Poetry Plaza
Owings Mills, Maryland 21117