My Passion

May loving You be my passion today
Stir in my heart to desire Your way
Guard my thoughts and my footsteps too
And fix my wandering gaze on You

Keep my heart and tongue from guile
Strengthen me in every mile
As I see Your love for me
Oh, let this my passion be

In each prayer Lord, that I pray
Will you teach me what to say?
The heart of man is vile indeed
But You, oh God supply each need

Then, if I should suffer loss
Keep my eyes fixed on the Cross
As Your love flows full and free
So let this my passion be

Purify this vessel Lord
Fill it with Your precious word
Be the Source of love in me
Oh, let this my passion be
Amen



All Rights Reserved
Janet Martin

Victoria; “our lesson at
Sonshine Club today
Was about loving ourselves as
much as we love our neighbor!!!"

Without You

I can live without butter and toast
Or the occasional cup of tea
I’d try to relinquish the thing I love most
If you should require this of me
But as I ponder the treasures I hold
I know now what I cannot do
I can live without silver and gold
But I cannot live without you
No I cannot live without you

I don’t need a big and fancy car
Or a pocket full of dreams
I don’t need to wish upon a star
No matter how brightly it beams
I don’t care for the things wealth will glean
For it soon disappears from my view
I need a shoulder on which to lean
So I cannot live without you
No, I cannot live without you

I cannot live without your tender voice
Whispering deep in my mind
And if today I was given a choice
To gain the world but leave you behind
Without hesitation would come my reply
Not needing to think it through
Oh my Lord Jesus I would rather die
For I cannot live without You
No, I cannot live without You

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Janet Martin

What good will it be for a man
if he gains the whole world
but forfeits his own soul?
Matt.16:26

The Coral Glow

I long to wander in the coral glow,
In the waning light as the breezes blow,
As I hear the music mellow and sweet
Of a subtle tango on a distant street....

And its haunting lilt wraps me in its shroud
As it carries me away on a silver cloud
To its rhythmic pulse my heartbeat yields
As I ride through time over pastel fields.......

His silhouette 'gainst the western sky
Plays with the gaze of my hungry eye
He draws me, spinning in a velvet trance
Like a mystic lover in a phantom dance

Softly the silent and the sweet combine
Vaguely carried on the sands of time
Borne by the fragrant winds of love
Flowing like a river from the skies above.......


Now the scent of desire is a heady bloom
Kissing with the passion of a bride and groom
Mingling with the tender, forgotten tears
Flooding back the memories of the faded years…


It started as a stream but the flow grew deeper
The tango was a river and its banks grew steeper
On the soft marshmallow of my cloud above
I floated on a rainbow down the river of love.


Then bathed in a prism of crystal spray
And caressed by the music’s gentle sway
There blossomed the rain- tree where we would dream
Beneath summer leaves by this rushing stream

And there in the midst of the coral glow
A wave of euphoria beset me so
My beating heart set my spirit free
For he was standing there....... smiling at me!


Framed in a symphony of golden rays
I was hypnotized by his azure gaze
Caught in a trance of insanity
As my blue-eyed angel beckoned to me

Somewhere on the edge of me my feet are walking
I listen to my whisper but it’s not me talking
I’m drowning in this tango like it’s all I’ve got
Our bodies move closer as the air gets hot........

My stolen inhibitions are beyond all care
I watch his body glisten in the saturated air
I meld into the passion of his rugged charms
When suddenly there’s nothing but my empty arms!



Alas! The dream is ended...... I awake at last
To find that he has faded from my longing grasp
But painted on the sunrise........ in its coral glow
Lay the soft and subtle footprints of my last tango.


© 2010 Janet Ruth Martin/ Rod Walford

Rod Walford is a published New Zealand poet.
To see the beautiful poetic works of Rod Walford
you may use the link on
the side of this page.

Rod, I would like to thank you for the privilege
of writing with someone of your caliber.

I have never co-written with anyone! You were a
pleasure to write with and an excellent teacher!
Thank-you for the invitation to co-write.....

Tango

Like the sound of an accordion, a steady sullen beat
It’s music softly drifting down a sultry summer street
It stirs my slumbering senses in a mournful soulful tune
And in it I am carried to that lane beneath the moon

The notes like silky satin run their fingers through my mind
The present is forgotten in this melody so fine
And deep within it fans a flame of my dormant desire
As softly I call out your name I cannot quell this fire

The melody entwines itself around my trembling soul
In it I resign myself to live as though I’m whole
For I am the lone dancer in this memory sweet and kind
As I sway to the music of the tango in my mind

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Janet Martin

First Love

Do you remember when your heart raced
At the mention of My name
The brilliance of your love-light blazed
In glowing radiant flame
Remember when your love for me
Transformed your every thought?
You longed in true humility
The wisdom that I taught

Remember how you wept with joy
As you first realized
My eternal love for you
Was pure and undisguised
Remember when you bowed your knee
Confessed undying love
And how you would serve faithfully
Your deepest love to prove

Oh, do you remember
All the praises you would sing?
Oh, do you remember when
My love was everything?
My precious, I remember
And it makes me very sad
For oh, how I desire
The first love that once you had

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Janet Martin

Yet I hold this against you;
You have forsaken your first love. Rev.2:4

One More Day

Let me hold you just a little longer
Then I’ll let you fly away
Wait til I’m a little stronger
Won’t you wait just one more day?
Then perhaps I will be able
To release my hold on you
One more day is all I’m asking
Just for one more day with you

Let me touch your cheek, my darling
Listen to the twilight blue
Let me wake another morning
To spend one more day with you
If I had just one more hour
Maybe I could let you go
One more dance among the flowers
Or beneath the moon-light glow

Let me kiss your cheek, my darling
Linger in your tender sigh
Let me walk with you my darling
Where our dreams and angels fly
I’m not asking for a fortune
Or for things so fine and new
All that I am asking darling
Is for one more day with you

All Rights Reserved
Janet Martin

Dedicated to all of those who
wish for 'just one more day'.

This Woman

When the hand of time has stolen the bright twinkle from her eye
And the girl inside this woman softly kisses her good-bye
When curves that used to draw you near no longer draw appeal
Will she still be to you, as dear as when she was a girl?
And will your love be strong enough for this woman……..?

When she must surrender to the wrinkles on her brow
When hands once smooth and tender bear the marks of labor now
When blond, chestnut or auburn hair are streaked with silver-gray
Will she to you be just as dear or dearer in a way?
And will your love be strong enough for this woman….?

When all the vigor of her youth has lost its tempting glow
And you begin to see the truth of time upon her brow
As she turns to look at you will she ignite a fire?
Will she still be for you the only woman you desire?
And will your love be strong enough for this woman…?

This woman who is still the girl who stole your heart away
Will she be your treasured pearl until your dying day?
This woman who has vowed to love you until death does part
Will she be enough for you, the jewel of your heart?
And will your love be strong enough for this woman….?
Do you thank God above for the love of this woman?

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Janet Martin

Do you……take this woman
to be your wife?

Just As We Are

There is no status we need to achieve
To come to Jesus we need to believe
No inspired words or sentiments
But a heart that is stirred to true repentance
No fame or fortune we need to acquire
A spirit of submission is His one desire
No beauty contest first to be won
We are all beautiful in the eyes of the Son
No huge bank account, no fancy car
For God so loves us JUST AS WE ARE

Al Rights Reserved
Janet Martin

A Mighty Sword

Oh what a mighty sword we wield
This tiny little quill
If we our hand to God’s Hand yield
Tuned to Heavens will
This sword can waken hearts that sleep
Melt hearts as cold as stone
For through this quill our God can speak
To earth from Heavens throne

This tiny quill a mighty sword
As words so fitly written
Waken sinners to God’s word
As by His voice we’re smitten
I look upon you in my hand
This tiny stem of ink
Oh can I write of God’s love grand
In words to make us think?

Can I with just a tiny quill
And by God’s wondrous grace
Stir a heart that’s sleeping still
With humble lines I trace?
Can I, as with a mighty sword
Draw lost men to their knees?
Arouse desire for God’s word
As we behold our need?


This great day, this day of grace
One day soon will end
We’ll meet our Maker face to face
Are we ready, friend?
For God so loved this wretched world
He gave His only Son
An offering for each boy and girl
So that we may live on

Oh, tiny quill within my hand
What mighty awesome power
For God can work His wonder grand
Through one small pen of ours
Help me move it ‘cross this page
In tune with Heavens voice
Oh parchment, you’re a mighty stage
Where man may make a choice


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For the Word of God is living and active
Sharper than any two-edged sword
It penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit,
Joints and marrow; it judges
the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Heb.4:12

A Little More...

Sometimes I think that I could use
A little more ‘this or that’
If I could then I would choose
A wallet plump and fat
A little more energy now and then
Might be a miracle cure
But there’s some things I’m lacking and
I know I need for sure….

A little more loving kindness
A little more tenderness
A little more purposed blindness
For things I cannot fix
I need a little more patience
And treasures stored above
To put it in a nutshell, I guess
I need a little more love

I need a little more compassion
For the weak and faint of heart
A smile is forever in fashion
I guess that’s where I should start
I need a little more sugar
To sweeten hasty words
A little more reliance
On Jesus Christ my Lord

A little more grace and mercy
As I desire shown to me
I need a little more gentleness
More generosity
I could use a little more money, oh sure
But it will never replace
A heart that’s honest, good and pure
Filled with God’s love and grace

Lord, give me what I truly need
A heart that’s wholly fixed on Thee

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Janet Martin

,,,for your Father knows what you need
before you ask Him. Matt.6:8

Longing

So, I’m thinking perhaps, that maybe
The things I’m longing for
Are not the plans You have for me….
The goodness yet in store
Perhaps I’ve never really sought
The fullness of Your will
The longing deep within my thought
Simply the void for You to fill

I’m thinking maybe all this time
That I’ve misunderstood
The meaning in the simple line
That You are great and good
The frame on which I measure
The essence of Your love
Cannot portray this treasure
That You shower from above

You can satisfy our longing
Each aching, deep desire
Our thirst for true belonging
Can be quenched as You inspire
Within Your out-stretched arms, oh Lord
You seek to draw us near
To satisfy the longing heart
With perfect love so dear

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Janet Martin
02/12/09

"For I know the plans I have for you,"
declares the Lord,"Plans to prosper you
and not to harm you.plans to give you hope
and a future". Jer. 29:11

I was thinking about a Psalm I had with
a poem yesterday....Ps.145:19,
and how He tells us He will give us the desires
of our heart....it got me to thinking.

I'll Settle For More

There’s so much talk, it seems, these days
‘Bout settling for less,
It’s time to change or find new ways,
New roads to happiness,
So people frown and people sigh
As they contemplate
What they must do to just ‘get by’,
Or help their sorry state

But I am not about to fold
Nor do I feel inclined
To settle for less as I get old
So I’ve made up my mind
Instead of less I’m having more!
Now don’t you judge my greed,
But I’ll ‘set by’ a little store
To satisfy my need

So Lord, I’m asking You today
For just a little more,
Increase my lot, Dear Lord I pray,
Unlike You have before…..
….More love I need for fellow-men
Who scorn me to my face,
More compassion Lord, and then
More humbleness and grace

More faith when I can hardly see,
More hope within my night,
More trust that You are here with me
Within my thickest fight
More time to spend with You alone,
More hunger for Your word,
More letting of Your will be done
Surrendering to You, Lord

Less of me and more of Thee,
Hear me Oh Lord, I pray,
Help me desire Lord, to be
More like You each day,
More gentle, meeker, kinder too,
More ready to obey,
More and more and more like You,
This is my need today


All Rights Reserved Sept. 2009
Janet Martin


By humility and the fear of the Lord are riches and
honor and life. Prov. 22:4

Tantrum

When I desire what is not mine
My Lord must sometimes intervene
He gently pries my fingers loose
While I protest and kick and scream
And like a stubborn little child
I throw a tantrum, fighting wild
Clinging to my precious find
As I demand what is not mine

When I desire what is not mine
A patient Father still abides
While I pout and sulk and whine
He waits until my will subsides
And then He draws me close to Him
Wipes my tears in eyes so dim
As He points I lift my eyes
To behold a greater prize

In shame I bow my foolish head
“I’m sinful and defiled,
Forgive each selfish word I’ve said
I’m such a stubborn child
I’m sorry Lord, for now I see
The joy that You have planned for me
Oh, help me trust Your great design
When I desire what is not mine”

All Rights Reserved
Sept. 2009
Janet Martin

“For I know the plans I have for you,”
Declares the Lord,
“Plans to prosper you and not to harm you,
Plans to give you hope and a future. Jer.29:11

A Pencil-stroke Away

Just a pencil-stroke away
Are many things that I could say
A swish, a swirl, a line and then
A message to be read by men

So before I write I’ll pray
Teach me Lord, what I should say
Guide my hand Lord, guide my pen
So You may speak through me to men

I would never care to write
Just to bring a brief delight
But let it be my one desire
To write, dear Lord, what You inspire

Let me seek to glorify
You, oh Lord in Heaven high
Let me seek to bring you praise
Exalt You King, with all my days

Just a pencil-stroke away
Are many things that I could say
Words to help or make men stumble
Words to keep us kind and humble

So as I pick up my pen
First I’ll pray to God and then
I’ll trust that He will guide my hand
So I can write what He has planned

All Rights Reserved Sept.2009

Do you see a man wise in his own eyes?
There is more hope for a fool, than for him. Prov.26:12

Someone Prayed for Me

God bless the one who prayed for me
Without, I think that I would fail
Down upon a faithful knee
Someone prayed and You prevailed
Prayer, like stairways to Your arms
When my cares would bring me low
When this old world with paltry charms
Vainly seeks to tempt me so

God, bless the one who is praying
For soldiers armed to fight
And for the lost souls straying
In the cold, dark night
Oh, I could never do it
On my wee strength alone
But prayer will walk me through it
When I think that I’m alone

God, bless the one who is praying for me
And I’ll pray for him in return
Oh, what a comfort when I cannot see
I still feel Your Presence burn
Do not call me selfish, proud or vain
In this, my one desire
That one would pray for me again
To fight temptations fire

Then, hand in hand and prayer by prayer
Your army will unite
And as we climb this golden stair
Someday we’ll win the fight
Then I will lift Your banner, Lord
To sing with all the free
I’ll celebrate the great reward
With those who prayed for me

All Rights Reserved Aug. 2009
Janet Martin

Pray continually. 2 Thess.5:17
Thank-you to those who pray for me…
You and God know who you are

God You are Awesome

God You are awesome
God You are grand
Becoming a ransom
For sinful man
Opening Your storehouse
Of mercy and love
You constantly shower us
With gifts from above

Open my eyes Lord
So others may see
The beauty of Your word
Reflected in me
Fill me with Your passion
And Your Holy fire
To walk in Your fashion
Being my one desire

God You are awesome
May all of my praise
Be for Your ransom
All of my days
Surely goodness and mercy
Shall follow me
Til my battle disperses
In victory

All Rights Reserved
Aug.2009
Janet Martin

Shout with joy to God, all the earth!!!!
Sing the glory of His name;
Make His praise glorious.
Say to God,
“How awesome are Your deeds…” PS.66:1-2

Looking For Love July 15 2009

She hides in the closet and covers her ears
The darkness her solace to hide all the tears
While Mommy and Daddy are fighting and yelling
When can she be happy; there’s really no telling?
As she whispers to no one and cries to the walls
“I just need someone to love me, that’s all”
In that dank little corner, the darkness her cover
She can’t help but wonder. Will anyone love her?
And she cries…..looking for love

With sad eyes she searches through the smoke and the gloom
A drunken hero lurches across the bar-room
Is he coming to see her, to tell her she’s sweet?
Maybe he will take her to a room down the street
In the arms of a stranger, the darkness her cover
She’ll risk all the danger; she needs someone to love her
She cries as she’s thinking and hating her deed
She weeps as she’s drinking and drowning her need
And she cries…..looking for love

She panics in fear for soon she will show
And people will sneer for her deed they will know
She weeps for the sorrow that grows in her womb
No hope for tomorrow, how loveless her doom
So she looks for an answer then heeds cold advice
That snuffs out the heart-beat with fingers of ice
She lies in a puddle of hatred and grief
Recalls how she’d huddle in the dark for relief
And she cries…..looking for love

Someone is standing in the door of a chapel
She sees they are handing out shiny red apples
Her deep inner hunger is a cold raging fire
She can wait no longer for her life-time desire
She’s drawn to the door by this kind-hearted smile
But she’s reaching for more than the fruit on a pile
As she gazes in longing at the warm, tender face
Her search for belonging accepts love’s embrace
And she cries….looking for love


And now there is peace, there’s a light in her gloom
A sweet, sweet release from her valley of doom
Some one has told her of a great God above
How He longs to hold her in His arms of love
Now she has a Father, a Savior and friend
Her searching is over as joyful tears blend
With tears of great sorrow for days of deep loss
But there’s hope for tomorrow at Calvary’s cross
And she smiles……for she has found love

By Janet Martin- May 2009
All rights Reserved