One More Ocean Grove Poem

Maude's photo of Ocean Grove tents--2012

CAMP MEETING WEEK

An hour and a world away

is a charming place we love to stay,

where time stands still a little while,

in fact, some call it, “God’s Square Mile.”

Our spiritual retreat vacation

at this gem within our nation

is where we find more than we seek,

at Ocean Grove, Camp Meeting Week.

The Great Auditorium’s surrounded

by quaint tent houses, abounded

by flower gardens, every hue;

coral, magenta, lavender blue.

Great preachers come from far and near,

expectant pilgrims come to hear

the preaching and angelic choir

as the great pipe organ sends its fire

of resounding music through the air,

inviting all who will to prayer.

All this takes place beside the sea

in a grove of sweet tranquility.

Stroll tented lanes in ocean breeze,

past tabernacle, B & Bs;

Victorian landmarks give a show

of “painted ladies” row on row.

Visit eateries, little stores

and take the garden trolley tour.

This Jersey shore town gives to each

respite, chapels, sandy beach,

a quiet boardwalk and pavilion,

where perhaps, more than a million

over the years have stopped and heard

Gospel concerts and God’s good Word.

So come, find more than you may seek

at Ocean Grove, Camp Meeting Week.

Maude Carolan

This poem was written several years ago and many decorative broadsides have been distributed. It was featured in the Great Auditorium program once during Camp Meeting Week. This is one of the poems included in my new chapbook, "God's Square Mile--Poems about Ocean Grove". For ordering information, scroll to the end of this website.

Weekend Retreat--Ocean Grove, NJ

Maude's photo/Cross on Ocean Grove Beach

HAIKU

On Ocean Grove beach

a Cross atop a sand dune

is a seagull’s perch

Maude Carolan Pych

We just returned from a lovely long weekend away in Ocean Grove, NJ, especially to attend the 60th Annual Choir Festival. What a joy! joy! joy! More than 600 singers participated in the glorious presentation. While out for a stroll on the boardwalk, I snapped the above photo, knowing it would be the perfect accompaniment to this little haiku, which is one of the poems in my newest chapbook, "God's Square Mile--Poems about Ocean Grove". Ordering information appears at the very end of this website.

Introducing My New Chapbook

Maude's newest chapbook

WORSHIPFUL CONTRASTS--
OCEAN GROVE

9 a.m. Sunday—

Contemporary worship. 

Boardwalk Pavilion, Ocean Grove

This is where we worship 

with snare drums and guitars

funky drama and 

spontaneous praise dance on the boards

facing sand and spray and rising sun

This is where we lift our hands 

and shout "Hallelujah!"

louder than the rousing rhythmic praise

of the waves crashing in our midst

This is where families come in tees and tank tops

cut-off denim, wrinkly cotton shorts

bare feet, sneakers, flip-flops

It's where we fan ourselves with song-sheets

chug from Poland Spring bottles

and flip through the pages of our Bibles

It's where we greet strangers, unabashedly

with "Praise the Lord!" and hugs and exit

faces shining with Moses-glow

10:30 a.m. Sunday—

Classic worship. Great Auditorium, Ocean Grove

I walk briskly from the Boardwalk Pavilion

(with my Moses-glow) to the old Methodist edifice

with its prominent Cross facing the Atlantic

This is where thousands gather

facing a purpose spelled out in lights:

Holiness to the Lord—So be ye holy

This is where worshipers arrive in crisp pressed cotton

and wrinkle-free polyester, strap sandals, pumps and pearls

where we rise and sing on key, hymns by Wesley and Crosby

where we utter printed responses by rote and in unison

Here, to the accompaniment of a historic pipe organ

we hear a traditional choir sing traditional hymns

and accomplished tenors and sopranos

and some of the greatest preachers on earth

do magnificently what they have been magnificently trained to do

This is where we pray quietly, reverently, solemnly

hands folded in our laps, as 100 silver-haired ushers

process prominently with collection baskets

wearing white slacks, dark jackets and red ties

with white carnations pinned to their lapels

This is where Gordon Turk, the organist

presents a resounding recessional

as we nod at one other warmly

and walk out edified into a balmy afternoon

Maude Carolan Pych

The above poem is about my favorite vacation place at the Jersey Shore. Just this week I put the finishing touches on a new chapbook all about this shore town. It is titled, "God's Square Mile...Poems about Ocean Grove". Ordering information can be accessed by scrolling to the bottom of this blog.