Betsy O. Borchardt
CONTACT:
Address:
W6983 Vacation Village Ct.
Wautoma, WI 54982
Email: eolkb6.0@gmail.com
Blog: http://betsyborchardt.wordpress.com
BIO:
Betsy Olk Borchardt is a native of Wisconsin. After her education at Clintonville Sr. High School and her B.A. degree in Sociology from St. Norbert College in December 1980, she married Andrew Peter Borchardt. During their time in Nashville, Tennessee, she studied for a year in the Master's program in Social Work at The University of Tennessee, Nashville Branch. Andy's work took them to Kansas City. During a period of extended illness, Betsy's muse became her daily inspiration for literary and artistic expression. Betsy has written poems of catharsis, love, nature, spirituality, and observations of life. She also leads us through poems portraying her purpose of life. Much of Betsy's poetry reveals a need for relationship, not only human, but divine. Betsy and her husband live just outside Wautoma where they plan to retire.
PUBLICATIONS:
Betsy's poem, “Black Monday,” was published in Margaret's Corner Newsletter in 1986. She was published in Poetic Voices of America, Summer 1985, Sparrowgrass Poetry Forum; Best New Poets of 1986, John Frost, American Poetry Assn.; Hearts on Fire: A Treasury of Poems on Love, Vol III, edited by John Frost, American Poetry Assn., 1986. Betsy's unpublished book of poetry was completed in 1986. More recently, Betsy has been writing and publishing her poetry on her Christian blog.
Poetry
The Living Word
Who can regard the day
a failure?
A treasure never exhausted,
suddenly raided
and torn,
Strewn portside in the Gulf.
Fragments of books
settling atop watery graves
of soldier/sailors.
While waves chop at our vessel,
A wicked wind whirls.
A warring nation led by Satan
dares attack God's people.
Blinding light appears
as glorious angels slay sinners.
God's people protected,
blessed,
for we believe His Word, the Bible.
We cling to His promises within.
His mercy and faithfulness
never exhausted.
Published December 3, 2018 in http://betsyborchardt.wordpress.com
Song for Fallen Soldiers
Why did they have to die?
Each hero stepped up and said,
I will go.
I will protect you.
They were more willing
than brave.
What faced them
they met
with honor,
With the determination
to save others' lives,
not counting their own.
An intense struggle
became their lot.
Not turning back
became their practice,
the reality they chose.
Kingdoms, nations, peoples
they carried on their backs
Whose destiny they handed to God,
with faith in the outcome.
When they fell
they counted not their loss,
But rejoiced in the safety
for those they loved.
Their sacrifice,
Preordained by God
is lifted before us.
They stand forever immortalized
as heroes.
Those who've kept us free.
Those whose first thought was,
I will go.
published May 26, 2013 in http://betsyborchardt.wordpress.com