Poems by Ralph Quinonez

I put on my gear to go for a bike ride,
Helmet light on, water bottle by my side.
The morning sun is soft and low,
Casting light on the road below.
I look along side the quiet bike lane,
The ride will take me to a place that will clear my mind and brain.
All the chickens scatter as I pass them by,
Their feathers flutter underneath the morning sky.

A dog starts barking as I pass the porch he's on,
Then settles down as I ride past his lawn.   
I leave the neighborhood so far behind,

And trade paved streets for peace of mind.
Deer running thorough the pastures grass,

Lifting their heads as I quietly pass.

Their gentle eyes watch me without fear,

As if they know I mean no harm from here.

Their slow steady hay is chewing time,

Feels like a quiet, sacred, heavenly rhyme.
The fresh air brushes across my face,

Cool and clean in its wide embrace.

It fills my lungs, both deep and wide,

As gratitude rises all from inside.

The country side stretches far and free,

A living place you would want to see.
All the beautiful things God has placed in my sight,

Makes the ride more enjoyable as I see the light.
In every field and sky above,

I see His quiet hand of love.
Riding through this open land,

Feeling the breeze across my hand.

I understand in moments like these,

Life's greatest gifts are simple and free.
And as I turn back around to go back home,

No longer feeling so quite alone.
I carry peace within my chest,

From riding the country roads I feel so blessed.


In the quiet of my sorrow,

When the night feels oh so long,

You are standing right beside me,

And Your presence makes me strong.

Every tear I thought was hidden,

Every fear I tried to hide,

You were holding me so gently,

Never once you left my side.

When the thunder rolls around me,

And the shadows drown the light,

You reach out to calm my chaos,

You are hope through out the night.

For the cross has split the darkness,

And Your mercy never ends,
Every sinner seeking refuge,

Finds a Father, finds a friend.
No one searching is denied,

No one broken cast aside.

Every whisper of Forgive me,

Heaven hears and Heaven cries.

You restore the lost and weary,

Lift the fallen, make them new.

Every road of grace and mercy

Leads my wandering heart to You.
Oh, Your grace will carry me,

Through the storm and through the sea.

You are faithful ever near,

Whispering, My child, please come here.

With the love You gave me that day,

When Your Son took sin away.
I will trust You and I'll hold on,

Your grace will guide me to be strong.

Lord, hear my prayer oh so dear.
My heart is aching; my mind isn't clear.
My love has left me; it hurts my soul.
Without that love, I don't feel whole.

You look out into the water;
The waves make the most beautiful sound.
A place you find peace and comfort,
Walking hand in hand and looking around.

As you walk toward the water,
Sand coats the bottom of your feet.
The smell of the sea salt drawing you closer,.
The view is so beautiful, oh so sweet.

Almost as if it is calling you.
Sometimes it's only in your mind.
A place to clear your thoughts
And leave everything very far behind.

You find shells, rocks, and other things.
The warmth is like a kiss from up above.
Looking out into the Gulf Coast
Can only remind you of true love.

As the waves come crashing in,
Time seems to be standing still.
The sun is shining down on you
As you walk the beach at your will.

Paradise you thought you could never reach.
Out in the distance you can see the ships sailing by.
Tears of joy for the scene God has put before you,
As the moment makes you cry. 

Two shadows are together as one,
A sign of great unity.
A great day full of fun
While walking at the beach.

You never promised us a perfect life, but only a perfect love.
We seek you in prayer and look for you as you are,
Our everlasting savior, a bright and shining star.
Sometimes we are out there lost, seeking your acceptance,
But we know that your will for us will never be rejections.
Because I believe what the Lord has done for us completely,
His word is our life and his life is ours so sweetly.
We may struggle to make it each and every day,
But he put it in our hearts, and he shows us the way.
Our faith grows as our lives get more involved,
One small voice to guide us with issues you will solve.
Forgive us when we fall, and pick us up to start again.
We love you oh so much; you are such a dear and caring friend.
One day we will see our loved ones who have gone before your face.
The thought of us before you, just that warm and tender embrace.
Give us peace and comfort, for things we don't understand.
Show us a serving heart, mold it into your master plan.
We live for only you, and your kingdom will prevail,
For our faith and love for you will help us to excel.
Bless our family and grant us serenity,
Because of you we now own our own identity.
Our faith, love and need is so everlasting within,
Shows how your love for us will never, never end.
Bless the less fortunate, and open their eyes to see your smile.
Give them the path to walk with you; you will make it all worthwhile.
Your love, your touch is the ultimate, until the very end,
Something we can actually never really comprehend.
Stay close to us, as you always are there when we are in need.
Bless us and our loved ones in your time, God speed.
The Lord never promised us that our life would be easily lived.
What he did promise was that his love for us would be easy conceived.
AMEN