Creative Writing by Robert Stanhope - ROBERT STANHOPE

Between Heaven and Hell

7/22/2021

By Robert Stanhope

I live between the whispers
where the silence shouts
from the deep darkness
of the hollows of my heart,
still, on the pale surface
of my earthly body, my scream
faint like a mouse's breath
as the prowler nears it's soul,
I'm torn, heaven or hell.

Between Heaven and Hell

Image by Jeroným Pelikovský

Grow

7/7/2021

I planted seeds last week,
I’m no gardener,
I watered the seeds,
I’m no irrigation expert,
I weeded around the seeds,
I’m no farmer,
I saw a sprout today,
I’m a visionary,
I spoke to the sprout,
I’m an encourager,
I saw a seedling today,
I’m a believer.
I listened to the seedling,
I heard God.
He said, “Grow.”

Image by Gerd Altmann

Writer's Burning Desire

4/20/2021

Burning image

Image by Myriam

By Robert Stanhope

The words were scorching,
the lines flowing like lava,
singeing the pages
like wooden matchsticks,
the plot igniting, turning
to ashes in the wind,
on the barren land,
one ember smolders,
sparking another story.

I Walk Steady

4/15/2021

By Robert Stanhope

Mud Puddle image by Markus Distelrath

Image by Markus Distelrath

I walk steady
except when I trip,
I fall,

I walk steady
accomplish what I can,
but most of all,

I walk steady,
moving straight ahead,
through my shortfalls.

I feel the years
in my aching feet,
relief comes in rainfall.

Migration

4/14/2021

At an empty dock,
on a river calm of boats,
no snowbirds in sight.

Before the World Changed

4/13/2021

By Robert Stanhope

I remember days,
visiting family,
drinks with friends,
live music,
dining out,
travel -
the good times,
before the world changed,
before the walls went up,
before the masks concealed,
my smile,
now a frown,
what I'd give for normal,
my joy freed
from trapped sighs.

Mask photo by Mylene

Photo by Myléne

Walk With Me

4/9/2021

By Robert Stanhope

Walk with me today
as the sun rises above
to light our journey.

Walk at Sunrise by Robert Stanhope

Seize The Day

4/8/2021

By Robert Stanhope

The start of the day,
special opportunity
to live life fully.

Black & white sunrise on Anna Maria Island

We Bloom

4/7/2021

By Robert Stanhope

Green thumb in my home,
not on either of my hands,
with my wife, love is grown,
delicate as life rises up
from a fertile foundation,
we continue to bloom.

Rose photo by Uliana Pinto

Photo by Uliana Pinto.

Flow of Freedom

4/6/2021

By Robert Stanhope

Reach for the river
full of diamonds glittering
over dark waters,

He knows you will come
swim in the enticing shine
to drown away sins,

To be born again
in the blessed flow of freedom,
bathed clean of evil.

Manatee River photo by Robert Stanhope