Category: Faith

Darkening Sky?

On By Al W GalliaIn Evil, Faith, fear, God, Haibun, Haiku, jesus, Nostalgia, Patriotism, Politics, Spirituality, survival, Uncategorized, WarLeave a comment

A dystopian feeling seems to be creeping through America’s freedom-loving, hard-working, family-oriented, and self-responsible citizens: They realize all is not right with our country, sort of like…

sadness…
watching a virgin forest
being clearcut

The graffiti is all over the wall everywhere! And I wonder if it can ever be erased now? Can we still refocus our eyes on the shining star? Rekindle our faith and values? I hope so.

border crossing
a crying girl’s hand squeezed
by a tattooed man

spring sunshine…
smile-less faces drift
along the sidewalk

(And Jesus said,) “…do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather, be afraid of the one who can destroy both soul and body…”

Matthew 10:28

Blessings and peace, my friends.

Do Not Be Afraid

On By Al W GalliaIn Faith, fear, God, Haiku, jesus, Peace, Senryu, Spirituality, Tanka, UncategorizedLeave a comment 
breaking news…
he taps his smart phone 
for his Bible app

the tears in his heart disappear
as Jesus touches his shoulder
Al W Gallia

Note: This app is one of many authentic, trusted Catholic and Protestant Hebrew/Greek Bible translations. How wonderful to have it at my fingertips! Blessings and peace, friends.

At once [Jesus] spoke to them, “Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid.”

Matthew 14:27

Rejoice He is Risen

On By Al W GalliaIn Faith, God, Haiga, Haiku, jesus, Senryu, Uncategorized7 Comments 
the earth quakes as
the sanctuary veil rips in half…
truly the Son of God
Al W Gallia

Easter Sunday and Christ is risen! Hallelujah resounds in my heart! Remember the reason, dear friends and family. Love, blessings and peace.

in the empty tomb
an angel greets the women
‘Jesus Christ is risen’
Al W Gallia

Jesus Enters Jerusalem

On By Al W GalliaIn Faith, God, Haibun, Haiku, jesus, Uncategorized

Jesus’ enters Jerusalem along the road amid throngs of people crying out to him! He knows what awaits him there, but still goes forth in accordance with his Father’s will.

Palm Sunday
the crowd waving palm fronds shouting
Hosanna in the highest
Al W Gallia
They have pierced my hands and my feet
I can count all my bones.
They stare at me and gloat;
they divide my garments among them;
for my clothing they cast lots.
But you, LORD, do not stay far off;
my strength, come quickly to help me.
(Psalm 22; 17-20)

Blessings and peace, friends.

Haiku: Picking Up the Gauntlet

On By Al W GalliaIn Aging, Faith, Haibun, Haiku, Handicap, Illness, Senryu, Uncategorized2 Comments

In the physical therapist’s waiting room, an elderly woman leans on her walker, her arthritic hands unable to grasp it securely. 

hot afternoon…
old woman pushes her walker
humming a gospel hymn
©️Al W Gallia

Yet her eyes sparkle with life as she smiles and greets others in the room. In her eyes I sense no despair, but only acceptance of her suffering and the ‘joie de vivre’ her Christian faith gives her. When called, still smiling as a saint, she pushes her way through the door. My prayers follow her.

leaning on his cane
he looks up the rocky trail…
the evergreens beckon
Al W Gallia

Facing the Sun

On By Al W GalliaIn Beauty, Faith, God, Haibun, Haiga, Haiku, Louisiana, Nature, Peace, Senryu, Uncategorized

It is only February and yet it feels like spring here in south Louisiana! The smell of early blooming flowers and greening trees lifts my spirit with hope for a good year ahead. I think about the snow and ice just about a days drive north and wonder: Is climate change real and is this the new normal? Whatever the case, I know we cannot control it and thank God for His many blessings, trusting Him to lead me on. Blessings and peace, my friends.

blooming azaleas…
birds at the feeder oblivious
to lawnmower noise

Al Gallia

Mosquitoes Humming

On By Al W GalliaIn Faith, God, Haibun, Haiku, Life, Rustic, Simplicity, Uncategorized 
rain drips
from the thatched roof
smell of cooking rice
Al W Gallia

She lives simply in jungle, subsisting mostly on nature’s sometimes meager bounty. Hers is a never ending hard life with very little time for leisure activities as she must provide for her children and aging parents. She has no electricity or other utility services. Her husband is seldom home.

steaming heat…
in the bamboo forest
a hacking machete
Al W Gallia

Today, regardless of weather, she hoists her fifty pound basket onto her back and starts her weekly trek to the local marketplace to sell or trade. Her sandals are worn and loose on her feet. Yet she hums and trudges on, thankful for all God has given her.

wild pig squealing…
a jet plane’s contrail above
the jungle canopy
Al W Gallia

And life goes on, as it always has for countless generations around our world.

A Fellow Traveler

On By Al W GalliaIn Faith, God, Haibun, Haiga, Haiku, Life, Nature, Peace, Senryu, Uncategorized

Out of the chill wind, I lean against the sun-warmed brick wall. A brief mid winter warmup lures my thoughts toward coming springtime in south Louisiana.

limp banana leaf
a young anole warms
in the winter sun

feeling the sunlight on my face
I too thank our loving God

Al Gallia 2023

An impatient commuter honks his horn at another car! For the moment, I am brought back into the real world where we humans continue our endless, chaotic struggle of cultures, morals, religions, money and power. But only briefly, as then I let my senses flow back to the blessed solitude, peace, and oneness of God and nature, to the promised hope and deliverance of my Christian faith.

“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find…”

Matthew 7:7

A Glimpse of Heaven

On By Al W GalliaIn Beauty, Faith, God, Haibun, Haiga, Haiku, Nature, Peace, Senryu, Spirituality, Sunset, Uncategorized

Sitting on a pier at Perdido Bay, Florida on a still winter evening, i feel so blessed as the sunset kaleidoscope slowly turns.

‘raw sienna’ drips
from the artist’s brush…
winter blaze

Al W Gallia

I sense God’s peace and comfort settle in my soul, and I hear His whisper, “Be still and know I am your God. I love you!”

a seagull settles nearby
unimaginable colors
beckon my soul

Al W Gallia