Today’s local weather forecast calls for yesterday’s cloudy skies

Unpredictable overcasts likely produced by unforgiving eyes-

In storms where they were never present or much less invited

Raining dark judgments unfair and systemically short sighted

While the barometer measuring my personality appears to be broken

Relating to the reality of who you really are contradictory of what is spoken

Nevertheless the expected high was in the hope for better and brighter days

Be careful of impromptu twisters that seems to always get information twisted

Doppler radar usage of email perusing, cell phone checks and caller’s id listed

Essential high level flooding of the trust I once expected and placed in you

Undeserved since you never ever gave me the proper respect that I was due

But that was my faulty equipment that mistook your true intentions for

A fallout shelter and comfort for your so important weather beaten life…

Midnight page alerts, unfamiliar correspondence, whereabouts notification discarded

Like violent lightening striking an already wilting flower I’m constantly bombarded

With your little white flurries accumulating to lying dirty mile high snow drift searches

For the cheap belief that I will be handled as if I am some dollar store shovel purchase

This is not a test of the emergency broadcasting system my self respect is not for sale

Take Notice that the ice is very cold yet thin and melting away your beloved fairy tales

Even though your severe weather detectors are always hidden or pass worded my

Intuition operates…free style

Skating around vows and flirting with ex’s despite frequent tornado warnings

Now the Blizzard Wizard said I was amiss when I neglected to say Good Morning

Heed precautionary advise that sunscreen provides protection from extreme heat

Balmy pride coolly exacerbates an atmosphere of destruction and eventually defeat

Courtesy clouds fail to open up an apology or even recognize that I am what I am

You are who you are and it is what it is…A Weather Report

River of Living Waters

I’ve never really seen a river

‘Cept the one running down my cheeks

Never heard the sparkle of clear water

Hitting my rocks of aged healing hurts

Never felt the force of electrifying currents

Though shocked by many waves of emotion

Never necessary—yet necessary puddles of

Water gathers at unforeseen dry places…

Never understood why this constant stream of

Problems, crises or mere inconveniences flow?

Never even thought to pray for the connection

Until I did, there would be no answers

I’ve never really seen a river

“Cept the one running down my cheeks

Blinking away tears upon wet lashes I ask

Never expecting to hear a response so rapid

“The puddles you speak of are pools of purpose!”

Never designed to hurt, harm or swallow you

But to swell you into what I created you to be

Never sent to let you down, drown or overflow

Planned for you to prosper and be lifted up!

I’ll never really question a river

Never the one running down my cheeks

In my struggles there are purpose and peace

Drawn from the book of the Living Word

While I may be emerged in the water of life

And the skies should unfold and open up--

Even still, I will learn to say, rain on me

And to never, say, never… 

*   *   *   *   *

posted 9 August 2006

Cheryl W. Robinson is a poet, essayist and free-lance writer from Buffalo, New York, currently residing in Arlington, Texas.  She is a graduate of Medaille Colleges where she earned a BS in Media Communications.

She has a passion for inspirational writing and cites her favorite scripture, "Now unto him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly more than we can think or ask according to the power within you…" (Ephesians 3:20) as the key to overcoming any adversity.

Cheryl’s spirited work with it's “keep it real “ candor and wit has appeared in several publications including Rolling Out the Urban Style Weekly and The Gospel Guide (theGospelguide.org). She also writes an inspirational column, W.E. Mail, which appears in The Women’s Entrepreneur Network Magazine found online at www.wenetworktx.com

Cheryl is also the CEO of Always Encouraging, a division of Two The Top Enterprises, which offers a variety of products and services designed to positively motivate and elevate individuals, groups and corporations. www.alwaysencouraging.com

Her prayer is that her writing will continue to minister and inspire others to develop their relationships with Christ, family, friends and especially themselves, so that they can reach their maximum potential.

In her spare time, she enjoys reading, writing, traveling and more writing! By God's grace, she will complete her first book later this year.