Wondering Pilgrim

US Haiku

POTUS has a dream
in acquiring Canada
and then Greenland too

I Think My New Sleep App’s Mistaken

I think my new sleep app’s mistaken
Perhaps its early days yet
But each morning when I awaken
It’s so confident on how I am set.

It tells me I sleep like a penguin
Lightly and on the alert
Should eggs I protect be taken
By predators out to subvert.

Yet my history begs to differ
I’m known for sleeping quite deep
To wake me, there’s little tougher
Than loud bells, an alarm, a car’s beep.

I slept through a storm one winter
Our shed flew into the street
Roof tiles gone and pergola a-splinter
Yet my dreaming continued so sweet.

So this penguin ain’t much of a lifeguard
My app must review its plan
A few more sleeps are bound for its scorecard
Before I become the app’s fan!

_{(c) Dennis Ryle January 2025}

Epiphany

Exploding light
Never yet seen
But always there
when eyesight is keen

Wandering strangers
Tracking a star
End up at a manger
after coming so far.

Arising from water
Beard dripping wet
He walks from the river
his pathway is set

The wedding at Cana
in full celebratory swing
has run out of wine
an unthinkable thing.

A guest at the party
notes all those aghast
Words over water
Best wine is served last

_{(c) Dennis Ryle January 2025}

‘Twas the Twelfth Day of Christmas

He expanded his repertoire
As Parump-a-Pum-Pum grew
His unique gift to expand
Twelve drummers give due.

Now twelve days is up
The New Year begun
Epiphany’s here
As bright as the sun!

_{(c) Dennis Ryle January 2025}

‘Twas the Eleventh Day of Christmas

Eleven Pipers Piping?
Apostles remaining, they say,
After one sold his soul
And gave his whole life away.

The spot soon filled by Matthias
No gap would last very long
The Book tells of their great ventures
And the pipers rejoice in their song!

_{(c) Dennis Ryle January 2025}

‘Twas the Tenth Day of Christmas

AI Image (yes one is missing, but hey it’s AI!)

Ten lords a-leaping
In such joyful festive mood.
To suggest over-imbibement
Would seem abundantly rude!

Rather a disguise for ten commandments
‘Oft displayed in halls dim and dour.
Together they express the Shalom,
Of joy that is meant to endure.

^{(c) Dennis Ryle January 2025}

‘Twas the Ninth Day of Christmas

Nine ladies dancing – a recurring theme
When Spirit is broached, or so it would seem
‘Tis Spirit’s nine fruits¹, emerging in time
A sign of her work in a soul’s growth sublime.

Love, joy and peace a-twirling
While Patience, kindness, and goodness
Sync their pirouette
And faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control
Complete the set with a new pas-de-trois.

^{(c) Dennis Ryle January 2025}

Galatians 5:22 ↩︎

‘Twas the Eighth Day of Christmas

The milk of human kindness
These eight maids bring on the scene;
‘Tis the servanthood of Christlikeness
That is central to this theme.

And eight signs the core of salvation
From ark to fresh possibility;
Lay the number on its side
And it becomes the truth of infinity

‘Twas the Seventh Day of Christmas

Seven swans a-swimming,
Black feathered in this corner of the earth,
Affirming Spirit’s seven traits¹,
Each desiring to bring birth.

Speech that reveals,
Service that frees,
Teaching that enlarges,
Encouragement that strengthens,
Giving that empties,
Generosity that fills,
Compassion that enfolds.

_{(c) Dennis Ryle December 2024}

Romans 12:6-8 ↩︎

‘Twas the Sixth Day of Christmas

Six geese a layin’
On Creation’s doorstep a-playin’
Six days give birth
Sun, moon, and stars
Earth, sea, and plants
Now all creatures a-prayin’
_{(c) Dennis Ryle December 2024}