In these remaining moments that march on by

In these remaining moments that march on by
May we savor them you and I
For we know not how long we live
Before we die

Yet still these moments pass us by
These pleasures await
At every turn
Some new found wonder
To whisk us away

Seasons change from gray to green
And as we look on all seems serene
Yet pause awhile in this open space
Gaze in and full on this view

Though you must leave it behind
Remember oft there are many a moment
In which one finds
Treasures that lie beyond every bend

With eyes illuminated wide and full
To gaze at the glories beyond ones control
Indeed a beauty surpassing us all
Hath given life to each one so small

So wrap thy fears and sorrows and tears
In the warmth of the wondrous new day
Spring hath come and washes away
All the doubts that plagued of yesterday

-Joshua Lee Foist

Breath

Breath
This short span of existence
Found in these wisps of vapor
And soon they fade
Into an endless expanse of eternity

What lies beyond this
Passing preoccupation
Ephemeral association

All the ounces of existence
How ere the array
So simple they seem
As though an instant
Of a dream

Some warmth is felt
A dense expanse of air
Before descends down
Ne'er to reappear

So in this brief
Blossom of day
May not a heartbeat
Fade away

Without full expanse
And intention
Complete and utter
Attention

For what may be seen
Is only a glimmer
Before all grows dimmer

A life of hope
Or hopeless decay
And flutter, flutter
Away

-Joshua Lee Foist

Wish not for any other life

Wish not for any other life
But the life thee call thine own
And be no other person
But the person thee were meant to be

Fear not the days ahead
Or despise those thee hath already tread
For what can any worry accomplish
In the short second span of life

Learn the lessons laid out for you
Yet think not long on them
That they may cause thee too much strife
Strive for the best that in you can be

And trust beyond what stories lie ahead
Live and love
Listen and learn

May thee feed on the wisdom found in failing
Refreshen thy focus on thy goal ahead

And so then live
Live to love
Love thyself
And all others too

Give of thyself
Complete and true
Unselfishly serving
For love alone

Twill bind all that is broken
In kind
And bring restoration
To any it find

So shall thee walk
And lead such a life
That will be full
Of joy and harmony
For all thy days of life

-Joshua Lee Foist

Ah, restless heart

Ah, restless heart
Wallow not in the sand
Or settle for what lies but
A short distance from hand
But look out and beyond
To the sun that is rising

Rising rich and full
For there beyond
And farther still
Lies all thy longing
And the greatest thrill

For what lies ahead
Is yet to be known
But joy it brings
In each splendorous ray

It calls out
It beckons
It warms the heart
Of those in darkness

For its light shines through
All the darkest of nights
Tis sweet this longing
And surely satisfying

Twill make well the sickest of souls
Who will but linger in its light
And long for this one delight
Forever is a glorious journey beyond

Tis wondrous to behold
To feel but the warmth
Of things to come

-Joshua Lee Foist

So may I then love

So may I then love
When others would hate
May I forgive
When I have been wronged

When all reason and pride
Would be on my side
May I still strive
To live in humility

Loving as I have been loved
Forgiving as I have been forgiven
Striving each moment
To shine through the darkest
Of circumstances

When all would look to despair
May this joy reveal the hope
That there can be found

While the world is wildly wasting away
And all are desperate for anything
May I strive to be real
To give of myself

Repair the brokenness that is inside
To confess the failings that I hide
And strive all the more
To love and forgive
As the one I adore

-Joshua Lee Foist

March hath broke

March hath broke
In early morn awoke
The drops of rain
Descend down below

Come Spring in March
With thy monsooned rain
Wash away these former days
And cleanse the ground in praise

Rain down upon the earth
And with it new life in birth
Now sing of Spring
Blossoming in thy glorious green

Yea come sing of Spring
And wash away
Thy Wintered waste

Come now ye showers of rain
And wash, yes wash
Us in thy delicious drink

-Joshua Lee Foist