Life in the Balance



Life in the balance:
Here I am at Double Tree.
Hilton Residence.
Reflecting on life’s values…
After devastating loss.

A raging fire,
taking hold of property,
devastating household;
in balance, human lives saved;
thanks to a merciful God.

This is a message:
We are here by God’s grace.
Let us be thankful,
and not take life for granted.
It is a heavenly gift.

Every breath of life
is, oh so very precious.
Every breath we take,
comes from the great Almighty,
showering all with blessings.

Giving us loved ones.
Enriching us with friendships.
And with families.
Neighbors to ease our hardships.
And children to share their joy.

Friends, we are all charged
to be each other’s keepers;
for life is sacred;
set aside for God’s purpose;
since we are all His vessels.

Our Lord is shepherd.
Surely, our cups run over.
We lack for nothing.
We are comforted in all.
Grace and Mercy follow us.

About this poem

On Saturday morning, March 4, 2023, I, as the head of household of seven people in Rockland County, New York, including four young grandchildren, their mother (our daughter), and my wife of 61 years, suffered a devastating loss of home and property, but by the grace of God, we are all safe and free of injury. We give thanks to the Lord. As it is written in First Thessalonians 5:18, King James Version (KJV): “In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. ” We give thanks to all who have come to our aid, known or unknown, for all are Good Samaritans in the service of the LORD. 

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Written on March 11, 2023

Submitted by karlcfolkes on March 11, 2023

Modified by karlcfolkes on March 11, 2023

57 sec read
364

Quick analysis:

Scheme ABAXX CBXXX XXXDX XEXBX XFXFX XXDEX XCXXE
Closest metre Iambic trimeter
Characters 899
Words 193
Stanzas 7
Stanza Lengths 5, 5, 5, 5, 5, 5, 5

Karl Constantine FOLKES

Retired educator of Jamaican ancestry with a lifelong interest in composing poetry dealing particularly with the metaphysics of self-reflection; completed a dissertation in Children’s Literature in 1991 at New York University entitled: An Analysis of Wilhelm Grimm’s “Dear Mili” Employing Von Franzian Methodological Processes of Analytical Psychology. The subject of the dissertation concerned the process of Individuation. more…

All Karl Constantine FOLKES poems | Karl Constantine FOLKES Books

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Discuss the poem Life in the Balance with the community...

9 Comments
  • karlcfolkes
    Amen, Brother. Peace and Love.
    LikeReply1 year ago
  • dougb.19255
    The fire loss might have been devastation to people with little or no faith. But you have resilience trained and honed in many prior episodes with lion or bear. There was also the devastation of ziklag and captured loved ones, But David encouraged himself in the Lord…total recovery. 
    LikeReply1 year ago
  • karlcfolkes
    You kindness registers deeply in my soul. Thank you.
    LikeReply 21 year ago
  • Soulwriter
    Oh my goodness Carl - I am so shocked and saddened to hear of this tragedy. May God give you and yours strength to rebuild and get through this difficult time.
    LikeReply 11 year ago
  • Teril
    A poet and a sage- in the hardest of times, gifting us with words of hope and love. I continue to be amazed!
    LikeReply 21 year ago
  • suzib.53754
    In all things, this Graced I pray a sure réConstitution Réstoration to be in good health and Prosper just as our Soul prospers! Blessings dear and gratitude. Miracles happen.
    LikeReply 21 year ago
  • karlcfolkes
    A beautiful comment. I love it.
    LikeReply 11 year ago
  • cristinar.52253
    A beautiful message! God is with us through good and bad.
    LikeReply 11 year ago
  • kali_p
    Optimism in the face of destruction!! We lack for nothing! A golden message
    LikeReply 21 year ago

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"Life in the Balance" Poetry.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 20 Apr. 2024. <https://www.poetry.com/poem/153928/life-in-the-balance>.

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