Tag: patience

How Do You Define Kindness?

The subject of this painting were the blossoms of an African Tulip tree. The blossom forms a large cup that catches rain water. Birds coming to drink from these cups carry the pollen from one blossom to another. Thus, by providing a service to the birds, the flower receives service in return. It is by giving and sharing that we grow in loving and caring.

Things of Joy
By Al Vester
I shopped for gifts early this year
And gathered a sack full of good cheer.
I polished up memories of things I’d seen,
Until they gleamed so bright and clean.
Things of joy and boundless mirth
Showing to all for all their worth:
The diamond sparkle of falling rain,
The shadow smile of the old moon’s wane,
The billows and curls from a chimney at dawn,
The husky smell of a new mown lawn,
A sapphire sky over an emerald sea,
The tender smile that you gave me.

What is Kindness?

Kindness is most easily described by the impact that it has on individuals in our society. Continue reading “How Do You Define Kindness?”

A Peaceful Night

“Tillamook Twilight” depicts Tillamook Bay, Oregon about twenty minutes after sunset on late winter day. Centered in the scene is a small fishing boat coming home after a long day on the Pacific Ocean. For many people in the world, night-time is coming-home time, a time to rest, and a time to be with family.

        NIGHTGOWN
        By Al Vester

How soft is the night when the wind takes a rest
From blowing the clouds from the east to the west,
While all of the crickets are humming a tune –
A midsummer ballad to welcome the moon.

The starlit clouds make a gossamer nest
Over valley slope and mountain crest
Wrapping each creature in a silvery cloth,
It’s the fabric of sleep that’s so light and soft.

Thus, each soul is nightly dressed
In fragile garments of dreams and rest,
With warm silky touch, they caress the skin
Stilling the turmoil, we each hold within.

A Peaceful Night

We live in a world where neon lights and traffic noises often mask sunsets and nighttime stars. However, for those who live away from city lights and noises, the setting sun can paint the sky in delicate shades of blues, pinks, golds, and oranges blazing briefly before fading into a star-studded night. Continue reading “A Peaceful Night”

Facing Obstacles

In August of 2012 there were 62 fires burning in seven western states of United States. Smoke was filling the atmosphere both day and night giving the moon an unusual haunted appearance. This painting was an attempted to capture the image of the full moon in the smoke-filled sky. Although this smoke was experienced by everyone living in the western states, the reactions by individuals ran the entire gambit from fear and anger to wonder and amazement at the spectacular red sunsets and the smoke-wreathed moon.

 OBSTACLES
By Al Vester

Brooks wouldn’t bubble
     If it weren’t for the rocks.
Bells wouldn’t ring
     If it weren’t for the knocks.
No day has ever dawned
     Without first the night.
No victor is ever crowned
     Without first the fight.
There is weight in every load
     And rocks in every road.
Life is full of struggles
     Everywhere we go,
But if we set to work,
     The blessings soon will flow.

While off the coast of Vietnam, our crew coped with many discomforts, not the least of which was the extreme heat within our own submarine. Continue reading “Facing Obstacles”