Choka – Page 2 – Leonas Lines

Choka

Last Nights Dream

Posted on May 28, 2020 by Leonas Lines

Lamp and Tamborine drawing — Drawing by Leona J. Atkinson 05-28-20

Objects left behind,

Old out dated wooden lamps

And a tamborine,

That made no sound because

It had no jingles,

Only leather cords hanging

In braids, when shaken

They made no noise at all,

In someone’s storage shed.

Choka

In my dream last night I was a worker who was part of a cleanup team that cleared out and cleaned up houses that had been recently vacated for some reason, perhaps by people moving away or from them passing on from this life.

In this one particular scene I and others in my group, who I don’t know, no one was revealed to me, came upon a storage shed that was filled with old, quality made, wooden objects, like hand carved lamps and such. One of my companions wondered if the people would be returning to take these items as they seemed to be of value, but though they were beautifully carved wood they were outdated, and I thought that might be the reason they were left behind.

At the end of the shelf I saw a tambourine, and when I picked it up it made no sound. I saw it was because it had no jingles, only braided leather ropes hanging down. I swished it back and forth but it was silent.

Then I awoke and am now pondering what this dream might mean, either for me or someone else.

One thought I had was that instruments or objects weren’t being used for the purpose they’d been created for.

The tambourine wasn’t meant to be silent. It’s jingles we’re missing rendering it useless, but why it had leather braids is still a mystery to me…

Also, the fine quality carved wood lamps were not being used for the purpose they were created for. They were being hidden in a storage unit, sitting idle in a shelf, not showing the beautiful workmanship of their creator and not shining their light as they were supposed to do.

Hmmmm… interesting thoughts…

(I tried drawing as best I could the images I saw in my dream, also now wondering if the carved diamond shapes have any meaning…)

Your comments are welcomed. Any thoughts??

Thank you.

Choka

Summertime Saturdays

Posted on May 7, 2020 by Leonas Lines

Freshly cut grass lawn

Sound of a lawnmower

The smell of freshly cut grass

Childhood memories

Of summertime mornings

And Saturday chores

Mom cleaning the whole house

Dad working in the yard

Me trying in vain to sleep in

Cus my sheets gotta be washed

Choka

Thursday is usually the day the landscapers cut the grass here in the complex where I live. Since today was a warm sunny day ( in the 70’s) I was outside tending to my plants and experienced that smell of freshly cut grass, which I love, and it also brought back some childhood memories of summertime Saturdays. 😊

Choka

Yesterday’s Sunshine

Posted on April 18, 2020 by Leonas Lines

Yesterday’s sunshine,

Was washed away overnight.

Rain clouds now I see.

What difference a day makes!

Things change so quickly.

Moments turn to memories,

Reminding me to:

Capture the sunny days,

Before they fade away.

Choka

Yesterday was 72 degrees, sunny, no wind, and a wonderful day to be outside in nature. Today is 52 degrees, rainy, chilly and cloudy. A great day to huddle inside and read or write.

Therefore, I am thankful I was able to capture some of yesterday’s sunshine in the video above as I happened to be outside in the right place at the right time! 😊

This video is now delightful to watch on this rainy cloudy chilly day that has arrived. Hope it brightens your day also wherever you may be.

Choka

Spring in the Garden

Posted on April 15, 2020 by Leonas Lines

Bird on a garden bench in Spring

On the garden bench

Listening for Sounds of Spring

The bumble of a bee

Mixed with robins chirring

Footfall on the path

The rustle of a brown squirrel

A dove’s wings flutter

Followed by dog barking

Sounds of life surround me

Choka

The Leaves Speak of Life

Posted on April 11, 2020 by Leonas Lines

Leaves of Spring plants

Leaves surround me

As I walk thru my garden,

Those of Bleeding Hearts

And Roses of all colors,

Lilacs and Lilies,

Leafy green Vincas and Ferns,

All speak to me of life,

That in the dark days of winter

Seemed lost, but was asleep.

Choka

NaPoWriMo Day 11–Prompt: significance of flowers, but I chose to write about the leaves instead as they are what are most prominent now, since many plants aren’t blooming but are leafing out.

Choka

Stay Positive

Posted on March 27, 2020 by Leonas Lines

Sign “Keep Smiling and Carry On”

Times are sad

But dont dwell on on the bad

Stay calm and do your part

Keep hope alive in your heart

Don’t let fear creep in

Stay positive to win

Soon too, this will pass

Vanish as vaporous gas

We must stand strong en masse

Choka

Heavenly Incense

Posted on March 11, 2020 by Leonas Lines

Prayers sent up to God

Are put in golden bowls,

Prayers of all the saints

Come before God’s throne,

Set before God

Upon the golden altar,

They’re wafting up,

Waiting for that special time

Of God’s heavenly release.

Choka

Now when He had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each having a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.

Then another angel, having a golden censer, came and stood at the altar. He was given much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all the saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne.

And the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, ascended before God from the angel’s hand.

Revelation 5:8 and Revelation 8:3-4

(These scriptures came to my mind this morning and as I read them I felt led to write this poem and also to create the art. Perhaps the Spirit is telling us, saints, that our bowls will soon be tipped! )

Choka, December 2019