Songs from the Heart: Poems That Stir the Soul and Awaken Faith in a Chaotic World

By Ann Howle Davis

This book is a culmination of fifty-eight years of transcribing thoughts that, when penned, evolved as poetry about faith, hope, pain, love, grace, and forgiveness. I never set down to write. I only captured the words that would begin to dance in my mind and watch as the remainder of the message fell into place.

Sometimes, it would be several in a cluster. Or only one at a time. There would be months and, sometimes, years between.

In this last year,there has been a more consistent flow. I can’t explain why. I can only say that I am humbled to be used in this way. If anyone reads these words and finds solace and hope, I believe my mission has been accomplished.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Jan 4, 2019
• ISBN: 9781984574909

Ann Howle Davis

Ann Howle Davis was born in Hartsville, SC in 1947. She began writing when she was 13 years old. She, like CS Lewis, refers to it as transcribing rather than creating. After 58 years of accumulating a collection of poems, mostly spiritual in nature, she has decided to share her gift with others. Throughout her professional career, she worked with those addicted to alcohol and drugs. She was a leader in the field of addictions counseling and was awarded several awards by her peers. After retirement, she dedicated her life to caring for her husband and working with the women’s ministry in her church. She has taught Bible studies over the years and continues to do so in a Life Group in her current church in Waxhaw, NC. She has published professional articles and assisted in the development of several curricula for counselor training and program development. Her most notable achievement was donating a kidney to her husband in 2007 when his first transplant failed after 40 years. After he lost his battle with kidney disease in 2014, she moved to Lancaster, SC to be near her daughter’s family in Waxhaw, NC. She currently resides there with her beloved Hope, and Australian Shepherd and her companion. She stated, “My prayer is that those who are led to pick up this book will be blessed beyond measure by hearing of His comfort, love and grace.”

Book preview

Christmas Moods

As the tinsel fades and the lights burn out,

I feel melancholy about the sun setting on another Christmas Day.

It seemed to arrive in slow-motion and yet leave like a flash of lightning against the winter sky.

Birthdays have come and gone, yet I am always bemused at the contrasts as I reflect on

The joy tinged with sadness,

The loneliness in the midst of crowds,

The hope that rises with the dawn and fades with the sunset,

The childlike wonder that resides with cynicism and doubt.

Jesus must have felt those contrasts as He came to do His father’s will.

Pain endured to bring healing,

Blood shed to cleanse from sin,

Death agonized to give eternal life,

One man’s rejection serving to atone for many.

Trading presents for the presence,

I linger just long enough to sense the sacred in the ordinary

And am reminded that it is not the day or date, but the message that endures.

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Heartsong

Music plays within my heart,

I cannot always hear.

Words of faith whisper hope

As I turn a deafened ear.

Hearing, I can do.

It’s listening that takes time,

Moving with the rhythm,

Trusting in the rhyme.

Why do I still turn away

When I’ll return another day

Begging to be taken in,

Turning from without within?

Your promises are always true;

They’re the truest part of You.

I need to listen, do my part,

Let Your message take my heart,

And surrender to Your will.

That’s my heartsong