Category Archives: Poetic Contemplations

New Wounds, Old Pains

Posted on September 26, 2024 by Doc Arnett

My battle with depression has taught me several lessons. Among the most useful is the power of appreciation and focus. Continue reading →

Posted in Christian Devotions, Christian Living, Poetic Contemplations, Poetry, Relationships, Spiritual Contemplation, suffering | Tagged appreciation, Christ, depression, focus, forgiveness, garment of praise, God, grace, Holy Spirit, hurts, pain, spirit of heaviness, worship, wounds | Comments Off

Whatsoever Things Are Lovely…

Posted on September 24, 2024 by Doc Arnett

A tiny beginning list… Continue reading →

Posted in Aging, Christian Devotions, Family, Metaphysical Reflection, Nature, Poetic Contemplations, Poetry, Spiritual Contemplation | Tagged beauty, flowers, honeysuckle, images, mountains, rivers, snow, waterfalls | Comments Off

Benediction

Posted on September 5, 2024 by Doc Arnett

A low glow of orange Shows between the two houses across the street As dusk and evening begin to meet. A long cloud stretches up Above the houses, Above the streets Above this small town And all that lies around … Continue reading →

Posted in Christian Devotions, Family, Nature, Poetic Contemplations, Poetry, Spiritual Contemplation | Tagged dawn, dusk, faith, grandkids, hope, love, sunset, swimming pool | 2 Comments

On Seeing Michael McCain for the First Time in Twenty-four Years

Posted on September 4, 2024 by Doc Arnett

He finishes parking his carAs I swing into the space beside himIn Don Senor’s parking lot. We trade one-armed man hugsAnd go inside to a booth near the back. It was hard to watch and hard to not see The … Continue reading →

Posted in Aging, Christian Devotions, Christian Living, Death & Dying, Family, Poetic Contemplations, Poetry, Relationships, Spiritual Contemplation, suffering | Tagged death, faith, grief, loss, old friends, separation, sorrow | Comments Off

Night Travel in Central Kentucky

Posted on August 20, 2024 by Doc Arnett

I drive alone the curving, dipping, climbing miles Of this Bluegrass back roadIn the first full hour of the night’s full darkness. From time to time, above these painted lines,A full bright moon passes into viewIn the low eastern sky, … Continue reading →

Posted in Christian Devotions, Metaphysical Reflection, Nature, Poetic Contemplations, Poetry, Spiritual Contemplation | Tagged backroads, clouds, Kentucky, moon, night, peace, serenity, travel | Comments Off

Perspective

Posted on August 14, 2024 by Doc Arnett

The worst day I have ever had
Was better than I deserved. Continue reading →

Posted in Christian Devotions, Christian Living, Poetic Contemplations, Poetry, Spiritual Contemplation, suffering | Tagged appreciation, grace, gratitude, humility | Comments Off

Burning Brush in August

Posted on August 13, 2024 by Doc Arnett

Standing close to a burning brush pile on a blazing hot day may make you feel cooler when you walk away, but it’s still a blazing hot day. Continue reading →

Posted in Farming, Metaphysical Reflection, Poetic Contemplations, Poetry, Spiritual Contemplation, Work | Tagged abnormal, abuse, adaptation, brush pile, character, enabler, endurance, escape, fire, heat index, heat stroke, hot, misery, normal, perspective, summer, toxic relationships | Comments Off

Felling the Old Elm

Posted on August 9, 2024 by Doc Arnett

There aren’t many times when a man more needs a bit of luck and the power of prayer than when he uses a chain saw to cut down a big tree. Continue reading →

Posted in Christian Devotions, Christian Living, Poetic Contemplations, Spiritual Contemplation | Tagged chain saw, cutting firewood, danger, dead elm, firewood, luck, old fence, old tree, prayer, risks, sawing old tree | Comments Off

Old Smoke and Cold Coffee

Posted on July 25, 2024 by Doc Arnett

The flavor and smell of a cold cup of strong coffee brings back strong memories of Pap Bazzell. Continue reading →

Posted in Aging, Christian Devotions, Christian Living, Family, Farming, Gardening, Poetic Contemplations, Poetry, Profiles, Relationships, Spiritual Contemplation | Tagged grandfather, hard work, memories, molasses, Pap Bazzell, pipe, pipe smoke, Prince Albert, smoking a pipe, sorghum molasses | Comments Off

Kayaking at Wildcat

Posted on July 22, 2024 by Doc Arnett

It is the first day of July in Western Kentucky but it feels more like October:Beautiful blue skies with a few high white clouds,late afternoon temperature in the 70’s,and humidity remarkably low for this time of year. Two of my … Continue reading →

Posted in Christian Living, Exercise, Family, Nature, Poetic Contemplations, Poetry, Relationships, Spiritual Contemplation | Tagged Benjamin Arnett, father and sons, Jeremiah Arnett, kayaking, Kentucky Lake, paddling, Wildcat Creek, Wildcat Landing | Comments Off