First Love

I can’t explain,

These times uncared-for

With heart toward God

Still not yet bared. 

I know from where, 

Descends a dove.

To hasten me back,

To my first love.

Rick Stassi 2022

lovely and true

grove of trees -Renoir

grove of trees Renoir

peace comes in drops of rain
light piercing in prismatic plane
with hopeful glances far above
He is near and cradles in love

when do we fill the gap of vanity
and overflow like tourmaline sea?
i ponder inward and see my flaw
knowing God’s restoration in awe

renewal waxes in unfurling leaf
soft green waves silent absence brief
my Creator will not leave my aching heart
He is watchful and shall never part

I hope someday I will see
into myself amber lens free
to see the possibilty of finding anew
what God has always seen lovely and true.

(c) 2016 rickjstassi

treatise 2

picasso-retrats-th

Pablo Picasso

For now
we see through a glass, darkly;
but then face to face:
now I know in part;
but then shall I know
even as also I am known.

1 Corinthians 13:12 KJV

How I long to
See deeper into
My soul
To understand
How God sees me
And you.

Would I then
Learn to love
Even more
As I see
the depth of
His love?

rickjstassi

treatise

Peasants beneath Trees at Moret by Camille Pissarro

Peasants beneath Trees at Moret by Camille Pissarro

For God
so loved the world
that He gave
His only begotten
Son,
that whoever believes
in Him
should not perish
but have everlasting life.

John 3:16

loving

picasso

if I should see as God does see,
surface colors would disagree
but a spectrum of inner light
would soon flood all my sight
causing release anxious sigh
binding embrace alluring tie

eternal love shall e’er hold sway
Light is darkness’ painful dismay
Forever now is horizon’s draw
Anxious ice in springtime thaw
Hold close all children dear
Pressing in to He who’s near.

(c) 2016 rickjstassi

rest

picasso peace

Picasso

hasten toward peace
acquaint yourself with
this way of silence

hearken the voice of rest
let reason fail
and your heart soften

peer with eager eyes
into the light
shone of breath and life

hear melodious passage
it brings metered beauty
upon ears wanting

allow summer breeze
she will warm you
and prepare you heart

seek eyes of God
for He will hold fast
a gaze of lasting love.

(c) 2016 rickjstassi

greener days

3-Oceanische-Landschaft

Paul Klee

On greener days
I rest in light
of radiant warmth
respite til night
joy parallels
symphonic rise
and I’m content
with angst’s demise

On greener days
i cannot grieve
the hidden things
and dying bereave
and if suddenly
they should arise
I’ll turn my thoughts
and close my eyes

On greener days
i will give praise
for grand escape
from rankling malaise
and look into
your loving glance
for paths on lea
and joyful dance

(c) 2016 rickjstassi

blissful

Autumn-by-Paul-Gauguin

lead me to promises

with hope rising
elevated over horizons
where eternity is seen

steep mountain passes
where trials are endured
conceding to gentle green
in peace unveiled

adjacent still water
in wisdom’s depth
under His wing
protected always

caressing breezes
O gentle love
peering through windowed
paths to your soul

seeking smiles
in rose blush
making me whole
in warming hearts

hidden in eternity
wary of all things
subject to no thing
save His light

and drowning in your arms
like blissful dream.
it is love’s deeper side
carried on a kiss.

(c) 2015 rick stassi