"Years Ahead"

Do you remember long ago

The days of youth now gone

When all the world was just a dream

The earth we spun upon

The webs of youth, advancing years

Into a maze we formed

And as we travelled down each path

Our youthful ways were mourned

For time has never been a friend

Our youth has gone astray

We cannot stop the the passing years

The earth has spun away

And so we pass into the fringe

Of those of older years

We now begin to feel the pain

Of our advancing fears

The years ahead are shorter than

The ones we leave behind

The future looks upon us now

what pleasure can we find

So watch the years ahead of us

A vast expanse has spread

Our youth is never more to be

For years it has been dead

We've pictured many things we did

And cannot now repeat

And thought about the days to be

That we with joy can greet

Throughout the years that now remain

That we can fill with pride

We'll off into the future run

The years ahead to ride

*

2-26-98 written for my brother William as he turned fifty and was feeling so "elderly"- it is my turn next year.

"A Facade"

I seek comfort and love

In times of great need

A word spoke in kindness

On which I can feed

The love of my brothers

I know that it's near

They'll help and protect me

And carry my fear

At times when the heartache

Is more than they know

I could call and they'd listen

My sorrow would flow

But often I'm hiding

Behind a facade

And will not approach them

But turn to my God

He gives me the knowledge

Allows me to pray

And friends with their comfort

He's sending my way

They'll listen with wisdom

And hear how I feel

They'll guide and direct me

And help me to heal

*

12-20-97 I was very sad and cried out and prayed to Jehovah for comfort- sometimes we desparately need to be "told" we are loved.

"Winter Descends"

The snow is all around us

The winter now descends

It brings no joy or pleasure

My energy it spends

It drains from me the wonders

Of spring and summer ways

And takes away my comfort

With cold and bitter days

But off into the distance

A month or two ahead

The spring and its arrival

Means winter will be dead!!

*

12-11-97 another winter, another winter poem - I guess I am dragging out the cold weather poems as it is so cold here right now

(-17 degrees last night - 12-7-05)

"A True Friend"

A true friend is someone

Who looks at your soul

And knows of your problems

Whatever your role

Who reaches to comfort

And not to restrain

Whose heart will now listen

When you are in pain

A friend who is loving

Will know at a glance

Or hear with discernment

And not just by chance

If you are now suffering

They'll reach out with care

A shoulder to cry on

With comfort to share

*

- 9-10-97 - I just was thinking of a dear friend who has been gone for a number of years who used to know by the tone of your voice when something was wrong and was always there for you. Her name was Mary Marshall

"On the Porch Swing"

Sittin on the porch swing

Baskin in the sun

Maybe in the evenin

When the day is done

Graceful is the movement

Rockin to and fro

Lura's in her porch swing

Smoothly she will go

Lovin every minute

Back and forth she swings

Happy in the moment

Comfort now it brings

*

5-31-97 for my sister Lura loves her porch swing

"Springtime"

Dandelions pleasures

All across the land

Springtime now approaches

Colorful and grand

Violets are blooming

Hidden in the grass

Look close now to see them

For they soon will pass

God has now decreed it

Spring will soon arrive

Out across horizons

Colors come alive

Canvas paint and easel

Now before him stand

Colors now exploding

Watch as they expand

Spring in all its glory

Fills our hearts with love

God in all his wisdom

Paints it from above

*

5-16-96 waiting for my ride to the meeting I was observing violets and dandelions along the street in the field across from the drive to my apartment - I used to walk out to the end of the drive and wait for my ride to the meeting and enjoy the morning in the sunshine.