The prompt for the 9th poem of the year in the Deadlines for Writers poetry group was "bowl."  My submission is based on Galatians 5:22-23, the fruit of The Spirit. I used a style reminiscent of Helen Steiner Rice's poetry. I am aware that the theology might be a little vague. This scripture simply states what our live WILL produce if we are living in God's Spirit; the qualities are not given to us as goals in themselves. 

Life’s Centerpiece

My life’s a stately silver bowl -

Created to be filled.

It’s up to me to choose the fruit

My centerpiece to build.

**

I want to make my life worthwhile -

And create a life of beauty.

So I’ll search my heart and fill it well.

It’s my privilege and duty.

**

Apples of LOVE form the base of it all.

Daily polishing makes them shine.

Into the middle of my bowl they go,

To be uniquely mine.

**

Then I choose the largest peach;

Its rosy face aglow.

The peach of JOY nestles near

The pear of PEACE just so.

**

My life begins to fill with Good -

Love and joy and peace!

I work to tend them every day -

My beautiful centerpiece.

**

Still, to meet my purpose well,

My life must connect with others.

So, regardless of cost, I find I must add

Plums of PATIENCE for my brothers.

**

As love and joy have stretched my bowl

I find there’s ample space

For cherries of KINDNESS and GOODNESS each day,

Giving me strength to live with grace.

**

I arrange my bowl with GENTLENESS.

As living well requires.

The human souls I meet each day

Have struggles and desires.

 **

The goal of living my life just right?

In my own strength I couldn’t come near it.

But when I live in FAITHFULNESS,

God holds me up with His Spirit.

**

My centerpiece will be pleasing to Him.

Through His Spirit and my Self-control,

I am meeting my purpose and living the Good

By filling my one silver bowl.