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Simply Story Poetry

Simply Story Poetry

By Beverley Joy

Simply Story Poetry is my collection of general life poetry and poems that follow my spiritual journey through life that I have written over the years. My general poems are about nature, life reflection, family and friend relationships, people I have met, and places I have seen. I write Simply - in everyday language. My poems tell a Story in poetic rhythm and rhyme. Read my poems on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Linkedin and at simplystorypoetry.com and buy verse products at my beverleyjoy Redbubble Shop.
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Stepping Over into Love

Simply Story PoetryFeb 18, 2023

00:00
01:08
You're moving on
Jun 03, 202300:59
A Lover's Hug

A Lover's Hug

Hi, I'm Beverley Joy of Simply Story Poetry. The story of Grace continues...Together with the need, and desire, to help her dad care for their mentally ill mother. Her husband seemed happy working six days a week and spending his spare time helping his mates. Grace scheduled a monthly date night, but over time, that didn't provide enough to meet her need for affection. She felt so lonely in her marriage. After 16 years of marriage, what would she do?

You can read my poems at ⁠⁠⁠Simply Story Poetry⁠⁠⁠ on ⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠Pinterest, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠and LinkedIn ⁠⁠⁠and at ⁠⁠⁠simplystorypoetry.com⁠⁠⁠.

I hope your lover, partner or husband, gives you loving hugs, like no other. Beverley Joy.

May 26, 202302:35
Weathered Love
May 25, 202301:01
Risk to love again
Apr 30, 202303:00
Distant love smashed
Apr 05, 202303:26
I'm Moving On
Mar 09, 202302:29
My love boat is moored to you
Mar 04, 202302:05
Falling in Love Again
Feb 24, 202301:42
Stepping Over into Love
Feb 18, 202301:08
Let's

Let's

Hi, I'm Beverley Joy of Simply Story Poetry. I wrote this poem on a postcard-perfect day while living in Broome Western Australia, on my journey around Australia in a motorhome. The love story of Grace, titled Wilted No More, continues. Grace and her husband, Darren, have travelled right across the top of Australia to the northwest coast. Both of them feel relaxed having left their troubles way back east in Queensland. They have travelled through small country towns, and desert land, climbed mountains to take in majestic views and walked through lush green valleys along the way. Now, for a few months, they are staying on the coast where the sun sets over the ocean. 

Hundreds of tourists come each day, during the dry season, to Cable Beach at sunset to watch nature's breathtaking show. Some choose to sit inside a beachfront restaurant, and others sit on the back of a camel for a sunset ride along the ocean's edge. A select few sail out on a yacht sipping champagne and caviar. Some drive further up the beach in their four-wheel drives, while many others sit on the beach. Late in the afternoons, Grace and Darren would perch on their favourite 'rock,' along the foreshore away from the crowds, sipping cheap wine and snacking on crackers and cheese while they waited for nature's show to begin. They loved their new simplified uncomplicated life in which they were discovering so many unrushed, enjoyable experiences. Beverley Joy.

You can read my poems at Simply Story Poetry on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, LinkedIn and at simplystorypoetry.com.

Happy Valentine's Day. 

Feb 13, 202302:19
The Journey of True Love
Feb 10, 202301:15
The Poetry of Love
Feb 03, 202302:38
Love is Living Art
Jan 27, 202301:41
Steal Away a Moment in Time

Steal Away a Moment in Time

Hi, I'm Beverley Joy of Simply Story Poetry. Those early weeks and months of falling in love are so intense with love-soaked emotions and thoughts that drip into every area of our waking day. A constant drip that catches our attention, drawing us away from our work, our study, and our task at hand. Reminiscing past times that we spent together or dreaming of future times to be spent together. Even as the months roll on and the frequency of these thoughts and emotions slow down, love still longs to steal away and be alone together. Stolen moments quench love's thirst and keep the romance flowing.

Story Excerpt from Wilted No More - Standing out on the balcony admiring their surroundings, he wrapped his arms around Grace and tenderly kissed her. They turned and looked out at the dark expanse of ocean that stretched out before them.

‘Well, I don’t think we could have had a better day,’

Grace commented.

‘I agree. It was perfect.’

They had travelled south to the small seaside village of Fingal Head in northern New South Wales, where they had booked a small cabin in a caravan park for one week. Situated right on the beach, the setting was tranquil and the view magnificent. There was nothing between them and the beach but the sand dunes. The beach was practically empty, and it was easy to imagine that they were on a deserted island. Their mobile phones were out of range, and technology was quiet for a change.

You can read my poems at Simply Story Poetry on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, LinkedIn and at simplystorypoetry.com.

Thanks for letting me steal a moment of your time to listen to my poem. Beverley Joy.

Jan 20, 202301:54
Time Will Tell

Time Will Tell

Hi, I'm Beverley Joy of Simply Story Poetry. Simply Story Poetry launches into this new year with the theme of  LOVE. Ah, that's Amore. The story of Grace continues after she fell in love for the first time at 17 years of age. The last poem that I posted on 2nd December 2022 was about Grace 'Leaving on a Jet Plane' to move from Brisbane in Queensland, down south to Melbourne Victoria to live closer to her boyfriend Alex, leaving all her family dramas far behind her. Now, a year later, she was stepping out into the adult world to build her own life, make her own decisions and learn from her mistakes and benefit from her good decisions and adventures.

The teenage love between Grace and Alex only lasted one year. Grace returned to Brisbane to live close to her family, but not in the family home. She moved into a small unit in a neighbouring suburb with her best friend from high school. Grace went on a blind date with Brian, a friend of a work colleague from her new place of work back in Brisbane. Brian rang her the next day to ask Grace out on their first official date.

This date was old-fashioned and picture-perfect, like in a romantic movie. The guy and the girl are dressed in formal attire. He picks her up in a fancy car and drives her to a five-star restaurant where they eat seafood and drink champagne while chatting and looking out over the river lights of the city from their intimate table-for-two.

Story Excerpt: You can read my poems and the excerpts from the story Wilted No More, which is the sequel story to the book The Wilted Rose, both written by Kate Kelsen at Simply Story Poetry on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, LinkedIn and at simplystorypoetry.com.

Enjoy this series of poems of love. Beverley Joy.

Jan 11, 202301:46
Saying I'm Too Busy Is A Cover Up
Jan 05, 202302:26
A Scribble In Time
Jan 01, 202302:04
Quick, Save The Saviour

Quick, Save The Saviour

Hi, I'm Beverley Joy of Simply Story Poetry. This poem is about the events that followed the visit of the Wise Men, or Magi, to Joseph, Mary and the child King, Jesus. You can read the story in Matthew chapter 2 verses 13 to 23. The ruler of that region, King Herod, who was known to murder anyone he thought was a threat to his reign as king, was furious that the Magi did not report back to him with the whereabouts of Jesus. So, he orders all infants 2 years of age and younger to be killed in the vicinity of the city of Bethlehem. This story gives us a glimpse into the very early life of Jesus.  

The lyrics of the song by Clay Aiken titled Mary, Did You Know, tell the story of the many loving and gracious miracles and wonders that Jesus would grow up to perform during his 3 years of ministry on this earth. I love a scene, in the Youtube video to this song, that I have linked in this poem on my website, showing a young Jesus watching his earthly father, Joseph work at his carpentry, the profession that Jesus would work in once He was old enough. 

Listen to the Christmas Story Parts 1-7, which includes Christmas in the Garden of Eden, Part 1, Four Unusual Women, Part 2, 700BC Part 3, Mary Part 4, Mary and Elizabeth Part 5, Joseph Part 6, and The Saviour is Born Part 7, 14th Dec. Also Gifts Fit For a King, the three wise men, and Quick, Save The Saviour, the escape to Egypt.

You can read my poems, listen to songs and videos that I link when they match the theme of the poem, see references to what I read and study to write the content of the poem at Simply Story Poetry on Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter and at simplystorypoetry.com  and follow me on Instagram.

May you and your family have a blessed time this Christmas. Beverley Joy.

Dec 28, 202202:26
Gifts Fit For A King

Gifts Fit For A King

Hi, I'm Beverley Joy of Simply Story Poetry. It is uncertain exactly when the Wise Men, or Magi, visited Jesus, but it certainly wasn't at the same time as when the shepherds visited him, at his birth in the animal stable, as is commonly represented in Christmas scenes and on Christmas Cards. Apparently, it was sometime between a few months and two years after his birth. The Magi followed a star that miraculously guided them to Jesus, the child King. They first presented themselves to King Herod of Judea, in Jerusalem to inform him of their purpose for visiting his kingdom, which was to visit and worship the King of the Jews. 

Herod did not know about this 'king of the Jews' and he felt threatened by this news. King Herod called a meeting with the scholars of law and the Jewish religious leaders to inform him of what knowledge they had of this event. They informed the King that the event fulfilled a Jewish prophecy told over 800 years earlier. When the Magi arrived at the house where Joseph, Mary and Jesus the child now lived, they gave gifts commonly given to honour a king, to Jesus - Gold for family wealth and as a symbol of kingship on earth, Frankincense as a precious expensive perfume and a symbol of deity and Myrrh an oil used for anointing and balming, and a symbol of death. 

Listen to the Christmas Story Parts 1-7, which includes Christmas in the Garden of Eden, Part 1, Four Unusual Women, Part 2, 700BC Part 3, Mary Part 4,  Mary and Elizabeth Part 5, Joseph Part 6, and The Saviour is Born Part 7. Also, Gifts Fit For a King, the three wise men, and Quick, Save The Saviour, the escape to Egypt.

You can read the story behind each poem - what inspired me to write it, why I chose the feature image (which you cannot see well on a podcast image), references to what I read and studied to write the poem's content. I attach links to songs when I find a song that matches the poem's theme. 

Read my poems at Simply Story Poetry on Facebook, Pinterest, and Twitter and at simplystorypoetry.com  and follow me on Instagram.

Thank you for listening. Beverley Joy.

Dec 26, 202201:40
Together For Christmas
Dec 23, 202201:38
Far Away For Christmas
Dec 17, 202201:37
The Christmas Story Part 1-7

The Christmas Story Part 1-7

Hi, I'm Beverley Joy of Simply Story Poetry. Listen to the Christmas Story Parts 1-7, which includes Christmas in the Garden of Eden, Part 1, Four Unusual Women, Part 2, 700BC Part 3, Mary Part 4, Mary and Elizabeth Part 5, Joseph Part 6, and The Saviour is Born Part 7. Also, Gifts Fit For a King, the three wise men, and Quick, Save The Saviour, the escape to Egypt. 

Christmas in the Garden of Eden - The Christmas Story Part 1. This poem is Part 1 of 7 parts to the poetic script that follows the Christmas Story from the very beginning to end. I wrote this Christmas script for a Christmas Service that we held at the local church, that I was attending at the time, in 2019. In between each poem, being recited by various children and adults, we all sang Christmas Carols, including the congregation, relevant to that part of the story. I wrote Part 1, after having studied Genesis chapter 3 verse 15 and learning that the Christmas Story begins in the Garden of Eden. Although God punished Adam, Eve and Satan, in Genesis chapter 3, with His prophecy 'I will cause hostility between you (Satan) and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring. He (Jesus) will strike your head, and you (Satan) will strike His heel,' God gives them hope with the promise of His future Saviour of the world. 

In my interpretation of the feature image, that I have chosen for this poem, I see God's hands holding the garden. The smoke and fire rising from the garden depict the destruction of paradise by Adam and Eve's disobedience to God. But there is a glimpse of a city on the opposite side of the fire, which depict God's promised new city and garden. The waterfall depicts the river of life that will run through the new garden. A lion depicts Jesus (Revelations 5:5) and the eagle with its wings spread wide soaring over the garden, reminds me of one of my favourite verses in the Bible. You can read my poem titled Eagle Wings based on Isaiah 40:31a "But those who wait on the LORD shall renew their strength, they will soar on wings like eagles." You can read the story behind this poem - what inspired me to write it, why I chose the feature image (which you cannot see well on a podcast image), and references to what I read and studied to write the poem's content. I attach links to songs when I find a song that matches the poem's theme. You can read my poems at simplystorypoetry.com You can browse through my poetry verses available on print-on-demand gift ideas in my shop at beverleyjoy.redbubble.com. 

You can browse through my poetry verses available on print-on-demand gift ideas in my shop at beverleyjoy.redbubble.com.

You can read my poems at Simply Story Poetry on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, LinkedIn and at simplystorypoetry.com.

May you enjoy Christmas with someone you love and receive love in return. Beverley Joy.

Dec 13, 202214:59
The Best Gift to Give is You
Dec 09, 202201:37
The River of Love

The River of Love

Hi, I'm Beverley Joy of Simply Story Poetry. After Grace returned from her Easter weekend in Melbourne with Alex, she decided to take the bold step forward and left home to live in Melbourne on her 18th birthday. Moving far away from the family home and all its chaos to start fresh, as a young adult, pursuing love and happiness.

Book Excerpt from The Wilted Rose by Kate Kelsen: Inside the aircraft, she followed the narrow aisle along to her seat. More and more people boarded, and as Grace watched the cabin fill up, in her mind’s eye she could still see her parents’ sad faces as she had so happily and boldly waved goodbye... She was being a selfish teenager, she knew, but she was only trying to survive. As the plane climbed higher into the sky, Grace smiled to herself. She was destined for a new city, a new future. The rest of her life awaited her at the other end of this flight.

You can read the poems and book excerpts following Grace's childhood, which I have posted on my blog throughout October and November 2022, at simplystorypoetry.com.

You can read my poems at Simply Story Poetry on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, LinkedIn and at simplystorypoetry.com.

Thank you for listening. Beverley Joy

Dec 01, 202202:08
Love Is Blooming

Love Is Blooming

Hi, I'm Beverley Joy of Simply Story Poetry. Over the past few months, the postman had been busy delivering letters to and fro between Grace in Brisbane and Alex in Melbourne, two teenagers in love. When he called her, Grace run from her room to answer the phone that was attached to the lounge room wall. She had to strain to hear Alex and whisper back into the house phone in an attempt to keep her conversation private from her father and brothers sitting in the adjacent lounge room of their small family home. 

Book Excerpt from The Wilted Rose by Kate Kelsen: That coming Easter weekend, instead of bathers and towels, she packed her bag with beanies, scarves, jumpers and jeans. On Thursday evening, Jack drove her to the airport...Grace breathed in deep the freedom she felt. Alex oozed confidence, made her laugh and was exciting to be with. He opened up a whole new world of fun and adventure to her. 

You can read the poems and book excerpts following Grace's childhood, which I have posted on my blog throughout October and November 2022, at simplystorypoetry.com.

You can read my poems at Simply Story Poetry on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, LinkedIn and at simplystorypoetry.com

Enjoy. Beverley Joy

Nov 25, 202201:29
The Pattern of The Beatitudes

The Pattern of The Beatitudes

Hi, I'm Beverley Joy of Simply Story Poetry. This short poem is my final thoughts regarding the Beatitudes of Jesus, a series of poems I published a few months ago.
Nov 20, 202201:02
The First Date

The First Date

Hi, I'm Beverley Joy of Simply Story Poetry. Grace was falling in love for the first time. Now seventeen years of age, back in the 1970s. Falling in love for the first time is such a unique experience. Nervous excitement and fear spun around in her mind and body. Feelings that have never been felt like this before in her young life. Thoughts, full of the excitement and fear of what ifs, leading up to her first date.

Book Excerpt from The Wilted Rose by Kate Kelsen - Grace ignored her brothers’ teasing as they travelled back up along the East Coast toward home. She was head over heels in love, and she didn’t care what they thought of it. Gazing out the window, the breathtaking landscape passed by her eyes, but she didn’t take it in. Her mind was elsewhere, replaying every precious moment of the last week over and over in her mind.

You can read the poems and book excerpts following Grace's childhood, which I have posted on my blog throughout October and November 2022, at simplystorypoetry.com.

You can read my poems at Simply Story Poetry on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, LinkedIn and at simplystorypoetry.com. Beverley Joy

Nov 18, 202201:37
Attraction

Attraction

Hi, I'm Beverley Joy of Simply Story Poetry. This series of poems follows the love life of Grace, the daughter in the story of The Wilted Rose written by Kate Kelsen and based on the story of my life. Come with me over the next few months as we take a poetic journey of romantic love. 

This poem picks up the story of Grace when she was 17 years of age and going on a holiday to a youth camp with her brothers at the end of her first year of full-time work. 

It turned out that Grace was the last to discover that the spunky most popular guy at the youth camp was interested in her. "Why would he be interested in me?" she thought to herself. A few guys during her high school years had shown interest in her, but that was nothing out of the ordinary for the average high school girl. 

Maybe it was because she had a rich golden tan and was visiting Victoria from the envied sunshine state of Queensland. There was no doubt that Grace was fit and healthy as she had lived an active high school life on the school athletic and sports teams and on weekends her dad would take her and her brothers, and cousins water skiing at Esk and Moogarah Dams. Now she felt self-conscious as the other girls at camp whispered as they looked at her. It was awkward enough being the new kid in town, but now this unsolicited attention. Beverley Joy.

You can read the poems and book excerpts following Grace's childhood, which I have posted on my blog throughout October and November 2022, at simplystorypoetry.com

You can read my poems at Simply Story Poetry on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, LinkedIn and at simplystorypoetry.com.


Nov 11, 202202:29
The Rose

The Rose

Hi, I'm Beverley Joy of Simply Story Poetry. This is the first poem in a series following the love life of Grace, the daughter in the story of The Wilted Rose written by Kate Kelsen and based on the story of my life. You can read the poems and book excerpts following Grace's childhood, which I have posted on my blog throughout October 2022, at simplystorypoetry.com. The Wilted Rose book finishes with Grace leaving home at eighteen years of age. 

Though the story of The Wilted Rose concludes, the story of Grace's pursuit of true love continues. Though her mother's life wilted in mental illness, Grace's adult life was just beginning. Full of hopes and dreams of love and happiness, just like her mother had decades earlier, Grace was determined to forge a brighter and healthy future for herself than her mother had lived and it starts with moving far away from the strict religion of her youth and her mother. 

Buy a Wilted Rose for Christmas! (The Wilted Rose ebook)

You can read my poems at Simply Story Poetry on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, LinkedIn and at simplystorypoetry.com.

Come with me over the next few months as we take a poetic journey of romantic love. Beverley Joy.

Nov 03, 202202:41
The Door to Wisdom
Jul 01, 202203:52
The Final Beatitude and The Pattern of the Beatitudes

The Final Beatitude and The Pattern of the Beatitudes

Hi, I'm Beverley Joy of Simply Story. This is the last of the Beatitudes taught by Jesus in Matthew 5:10-12. Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. It has been interesting studying The Beatitudes taught by Jesus. A pattern immerses throughout them which I have included after this short poem.  

You can read my poems at Simply Story Poetry on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, LinkedIn and at simplystorypoetry.com and follow me on Instagram. 

Thank you for listening to my poem. I appreciate it. Beverley Joy

Jun 30, 202202:24
Peacemakers

Peacemakers

Hi, I'm Beverley Joy of Simply Story Poetry. This poem is based on the seventh of The Beatitudes in Matthew chapter 5 verse 9 'Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God.' This Beatitude has a clear practical meaning - working toward peaceful living with ourselves, others and being at peace with God. Throughout history the cry for peace continues to echo across the world. Let us always pray for leaders who pursue wisdom and world peace. Let us all strive for wisdom and peace in our homes and radiate them out into our individual worlds.

You can read my poems at Simply Story Poetry on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, LinkedIn and at simplystorypoetry.com and follow me on Instagram.

I appreciate you taking the time to listen to my poem. Beverley Joy

Jun 29, 202204:36
Let's Talk Self Talk
May 25, 202206:00
Her Fragrant Love for Jesus

Her Fragrant Love for Jesus

Hi, I'm Beverley Joy of Simply Story. This poem tells the story of the unnamed woman's extravagant action in pouring a whole jar of expensive perfumed oil over Jesus' head dripping down to His feet found in Luke 7:36-50. Some commentaries say it was Mary Magdalene, some say, Mary, sister of Martha and Lazareth. I am leaving her nameless because the Bible does for a reason. The significance of what this woman does is the focus of the story. In Mark 14:1-11, this story of loving devotion to Jesus appears between two stories of hatred toward Jesus. This story tells of her love and devotion to Jesus and Jesus showing mercy and grace toward her. And again, Jesus stands up and protects a woman from the scoffs and criticism of the men.

Listen to my other poems on Women in the Bible -  A Few Faithful Women - Easter Story Part 1, The Passion of Mary Magdalene -  Easter Story Part 2, Her Touch of Simply Faith The women with the blood issue, The Busyness Excuse, Mary and Martha, Mary and Elizabeth, Mary, Four Unusual Women Sweet Temptation, Eve Genesis 3, She Gave From Her Heart The Woman and the Two Coins Luke 21:1-4, Takes Two To Tango The Adulterous Woman of John 8:1-11 I Am Ruth, A Daughter's Care Ruth, 'Thirst Quenching' The Woman at the Well.

Thanks for listening. Beverley Joy

May 24, 202203:12
The Unchangeability of Change

The Unchangeability of Change

Hi, I'm Beverley Joy of Simply Story. Sometimes when change presents itself, and we don't accept it. Fear can hold us back from accepting change in our lives. Many times we have no choice but to accept change whether that it is good or bad for us. Change can be uncomfortable and scary. It takes courage to accept change. It takes courage to change the changes that are forced upon us. Change can be exciting and intriguing, bring renewed energy and experiences into our lives. Change can cause upheaval in our comfortable lives. Change can be just the thing that we were looking for at the time.

Either way change confronts us continuously. Whether we 'go with the flow' or adapt it to fit more comfortably into our lives, or whether we stand strong against it, we have to deal with change. We must make a decision on how to process change in our lives. We can accept change one day and then decide that we don't like the end result of change, so we adapt the change to better suit our way of life.

Change can be seen when people make a 'sea change' or a 'tree change' to escape the hustle and bustle of city life. On the other side, some people, like I did, make a change toward the city life. I enjoyed the excitement and energy of life in the city. Walking along the city river toward the city centre as the sun rose over the horizon, breaking through the high rise buildings. Then walking back as the night lights lit up the river and buildings. Lots of people talking, briskly walking, running, chatting and bicycle riding. Then one day change came into my life and I moved away to a 'sea and tree' change to a country seaside town.

Some people fight for change. They want change in policies. Sometimes the changes they want are good, sometimes they fight for bad changes, depending on how the changes they want are going to affect different groups within society.

Change is processed in different ways by each person as is happiness. This has made me think back to my poem What is Happiness? We all want to be happy. A change accepted eagerly by one person may enhance their happiness. That same change may not be eagerly accepted by another person causing them to feel unhappy.

I  don't want to miss out on new adventures in life, so I have learnt to embrace change. I was inspired to write this poem on the same gusty windy day as I wrote The Wind's Loud Song.  Beverley Joy.

You can read my poems at Simply Story Poetry on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, LinkedIn and at simplystorypoetry.com and follow me on Instagram.

Thanks so much for listening to my poem. Beverley Joy

May 18, 202200:46
Blessed Are The Pure in Heart?
May 16, 202202:11
Born as a New Page in an Empty Journal
May 11, 202201:50
Blessed are the Merciful?

Blessed are the Merciful?

Hi, I'm Beverley Joy of Simply Story Poetry. This poem is based on The Beatitudes in Matthew chapter five verse seven, 'Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.' Mercy reminds me of the Japanese art of Kintsugi, meaning "golden joinery,' which treats breakage and repair as part of the history of an object, rather than something to discard or throw away. Kintsugi is the Japanese art of repairing broken pottery by mending the areas of breakage with lacquer dusted or mixed with powdered gold, silver, or platinum. When we seek mercy from God or a person we have wronged. We pay mercy forward by extending compassion or forgiveness to someone who does not deserve it. Mercy is also a desire to relieve the suffering of someone less fortunate than ourselves.

To extend mercy is to act compassionately to those in distress or hurting, especially when it is within one's power to punish or harm them. The word mercy means "price paid." Show mercy to those who have hurt you, to those who have offended you, toward those who are less fortunate than yourself.

The Setting: The Romans did not consider mercy as a virtue. They honoured and respected courage, personal power, and totalitarianism. Mercy was considered a weakness of character.  Successful Romans would have felt ashamed to be called merciful.

Other poems in this series of The Beatitudes are The Beatitudes of Jesus - Introduction, Blessed Are the Poor in Spirit? Blessed Are Those Who Mourn? Blessed Are The Meek? Blessed Are Those Who Hunger and Thirst?

You can read my poems at Simply Story Poetry on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and at simplystorypoetry.com and follow me on Instagram.

Thank you for listening to my poem. Beverley Joy


May 10, 202204:57
A Love Letter from Mum
May 05, 202204:12
Build Your House of Love
May 03, 202202:15
The Scent of Sunshine
Apr 28, 202201:43
A Daughter's Care - Women of the Bible
Apr 26, 202207:14
ANZAC DAY Prayer
Apr 24, 202201:35
Thank You

Thank You

Hi, I'm Beverley Joy of Simply Story Poetry. This month I celebrate one year of posting two poems each week. So, I send a huge thank you to all my readers and listeners.  Your support is greatly appreciated and encourages me to keep going. Most of the poems I published in 2021, were poems that I had written over the past 10 years.

When I started publishing for the new year in February 2022, I set myself a challenge to research, write and record three new poems each week, so that I could position myself one month of poems scheduled in advance. Thankfully, I achieved that goal by the end of March by working on new poems every day. This was to take the pressure off me to write, record and publish two new poems each week in my work area.

There is a big difference between being free to scribble a poem in a journal sitting on a picturesque beach on a perfect sunny day in the cool summer breeze and having to write poetry in my work area under the pressure of a weekly deadline. These past two months I have not enjoyed this stressful process and is not how I write at my best. I can read the pressure between the lines of poems that I have forced out of my mind onto the paper. It feels like holding your breath underwater. I have managed to create some breathing space for myself to write my poems in more relaxed environments.

I have notebooks full of research notes on topics of poems that I want to write, so 2022 is the year for those new poems to be written and published. Now, each weekend I go for a bicycle ride to the beach, not far from where I live, sit there looking out over the water and scribble out new poetry from my research notes. This month I have been away on a self-imposed weekend writers retreat followed by a visit with family who live on a country property bordering a seaside township.

I spend three weekdays editing, recording and scheduling poems. I write articles for my website Simply Create 2 Share. I wish I had the time to write articles every week, but at present, I only manage to write two articles each month. It takes a lot more time for me to write a 1500 word article than to write a poem. Poetry flows freely out of my mind. But article writing is a new skill that I want to improve. Usually, a poem from the article, so the article writing is the seed that blossoms into fragrant poetry. 

May the fragrance of my poetry send you ripples of joy and encouragement. Beverley Joy

You can read my poems at Simply Story Poetry on Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter and at simplystorypoetry.com and follow on Instagram.

Apr 21, 202200:54
The Passion of Mary Magdalene - Easter Story Part 2

The Passion of Mary Magdalene - Easter Story Part 2

Hi, I'm Beverley Joy of Simply Story Poetry. This poem is Part 2 of the Easter Story. It is the story of Mary Magdalene at the tomb on that first Easter Sunday morning. 

Listen to my other poems on Women in the Bible - A Few Faithful Women - Easter Story Part 1, 15th April 2022, The Passion of Mary Magdalene -  Easter Story Part 2, 16th April 2022, Her Touch of Simply Faith 15th April, The women with the blood issue, 28th March, The Busyness Excuse, Mary and Martha, 22nd Feb, Mary and Elizabeth, 30th Nov 2021, Mary, 23rd Nov, Four Unusual Women 9th Nov 2021, Sweet Temptation, Eve Genesis 3, 15th Sept, She Gave From Her Heart The Woman and the Two Coins Luke 21:1-4, 17th August, Takes Two To Tango The Adulterous Woman of John 8:1-11 1st July, I Am Ruth, 3rd June and Feast or Famine, Ruth 27th May, and 'Thirst Quenching' The Woman at the Well, 27th April 2021.

You can read my poems at Simply Story Poetry on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and at simplystorypoetry.com and follow me on Instagram.

Thank you for encouraging me by listening to my poem. Beverley Joy.

Apr 16, 202205:28
A Few Faithful Women - The Easter Story Part 1
Apr 14, 202206:57
Why does the world need a Saviour?

Why does the world need a Saviour?

Hi, I'm Beverley Joy of Simply Story Poetry. I wrote this poem to share at the men's prison Easter service as a Prison Chaplain. What a time in history to share it for the first time publically. Three years of the pandemic, devastating floods and fires throughout Australia and the world, the current war in Ukraine, unrest throughout the nations of our world, millions of homeless refugees, pollution beyond our capacity to correct. Just to name a few of the worldwide problems let alone local and family problems facing us.

We pray "Lord, come quickly." Revelation 22:20. But God in His patience and love waits. For God to intervene will require Him to punish those who do not love Him. So He waits. 'The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent.' 2 Peter 3:9 NLT 'For this is how God loved the world: He gave His one and only Son so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.' John 3:16

You can read my poems at Simply Story Poetry on Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter and at simplystorypoetry.com and follow me on Instagram.

Thank you for taking a few minutes of your precious time to listen to this poem. Beverley Joy.

Apr 12, 202201:06
The Mortgage Warrior
Apr 07, 202203:24
Blessed Are Those who Hunger and Thirst?

Blessed Are Those who Hunger and Thirst?

Hi, I'm Beverley Joy of Simply Story Poetry. This poem is based on the fourth of The Beatitudes in Matthew chapter 5 verse 6 'Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.' This Beatitude has both a physical and spiritual meaning. Jesus lived on earth at a time when many of the Jews struggled, living in poverty, burdened by high taxes payable to the Roman Empire. Nothing much has changed physically in the world today!

That day when Jesus taught these Beatitudes, He spoke of a future world where the pain and sorrow of this present world will no longer exist Revelation 21:4-5. But Jesus also spoke of an immediate quenching of spiritual hunger and thirst available through faith and trust in Him Psalm 107:9

Other poems in this series of The Beatitudes are The Beatitudes of Jesus - Introduction, Blessed Are the Poor in Spirit? Blessed Are Those Who Mourn? Blessed Are The Meek? 

You can read my poems at Simply Story Poetry on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and at simplystorypoetry.com and follow me on Instagram.

Thank you for taking these few minutes to listen to my poem. 'Encourage each other with these words.' 1 Thessalonians 4:18 NLT


Apr 05, 202204:18
The Ebb and Flow of Life

The Ebb and Flow of Life

Hi, I'm Beverley Joy of Simply Story Poetry. The ebb and flow of life, the highs and lows of experiences, the coming and going of relationships, the constant fluctuation of society, the rise and fall of emotions, the continuous change in circumstance and nature. All of life on earth and the environment are in a state of continuous change. We can choose to flow with change or swim against the current of change. Not all change is good. Not all change is bad. Some changes that we have to accept, flow against our core values and beliefs. Some changes that we don't have to accept, we decide to accept, to add new experiences and adventure to our lives. 

I wrote this poem after I went through my belongings to decide what I would take to my new address and what I would give away to the second-hand shop. Things that years earlier I could not part with, but now the strong emotions and memories embedded in those items have detached enough for me to allow my heart to let them go. Give them away to someone who will attach fresh emotions and memories to those items. I chose this Feature Image as it shows both the rollercoaster and the waves breaking on the shoreline. The background music flows with the rhythm of the waves gently rolling up the sandy beach and then receding back into itself over and over again.

You can read my poems at Simply Story Poetry on Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter, Linkedin and at simplystorypoetry.com.

Thank you for listening to my poem that I hope you enjoyed. Beverley Joy.

Mar 31, 202203:29