“The Human Heart” 2015

Doctors say a human heart Tells how we lived and died. But not how much we loved in life, Or cared, or laughed, or cried. To measure hearts physically, On wear and tear alone, Misses all the good in life, Our friends, our work, our home. So here’s to what they cannot see, Nor weigh, nor touch, nor test. Here’s to why we rise each day, To live and love with zest! Copyright (c) 2015

“No Exceptions” 2015

You don’t believe it, You’ll never get old, So much life ahead, You’re strong and you’re bold. You are truly timeless, Or perhaps just about, You’re full of new plans, All set to roll out. You watch other’s aging, It’s really too bad. You’re the observer, For them it is sad. Your life is so fresh, So much yet to do, So much left to see, Engaged through and through. The best education, The perfect new job, Stay fit for life, and The clock you will rob. Travel the world, Meeting powerful folks, Find a fine spouse, Regale friends with your jokes. Early retirement, A house on the beach, Summers in Italy, You might even teach. As the phone rings less often, It’s quieter now, You feel less important, More rows in your brow. More friends stop their working, Many move far away, Illness is lurking, For he, she, and they. Your circles draw smaller, You’re less in the know, You stop running marathons, You’re energy’s low. You look around slowly, Good friends they are aging, Compared to their children, It’s truly amazing. If wisdom is with you, And your faith holds on tight, You may finally accept that Days are followed by night. That’s when you’re tested, That’s when it is clear, If your character’s ready, You’ve nothing to fear. There’s nothing to fear If your Savior was who The Bible presented, If His story is true. As you come to accept That the ages have won, That history will claim you, When your days are done. Then smile on the life That’s been given to you, And embrace your true friends As you bid them adieu. Copyright (c) 2015

“On Being Lost” 2015

Drifting on a lake, I’ve always seen the shore. Even when in irons, There’ll soon be breezes more. When navigating life, Till now I’ve had my goals, Always busy taking action, Knowing the compass of my soul. It seems each life inherits, Its providential arc. Upon that arc I sail my ship, By which I make my mark. Once your marks’ been made, And friends all shout, “Well done”, It’s time to sail the ship to port, With what remains of evening sun. But drifting on the ocean, Now that’s another thing. Like a man without a cause, I’ve lost sight of everything. That seems to be my present fate, Having passed my port of call. I know not where I sail just now, Trusting God – I risk it all. Copyright (c) 2014

“Living With Passion” 2015

The ancient Greeks No obituaries fashioned. They asked only this, Did he live life with passion? Did he honor his parents, And love his dear wife? Did he fight for Athens, In times of great strife? Did he give to his children, The wisdom of ages? Did he guide their small feet Through the rocks of life’s stages? To friends was he loyal, To enemies strong? In challenge, a leader Who knew right from wrong? Did he bring only honor, To his native land? To all in true need, Did he lend a fair hand? If the answers are yes To these simple queries, Then he’s gone now to heaven, With comrades, not furies. Copyright (c) 2015

“Why We Love Poets” 2015

The lexicon’s filled Words up to the gill, In alpha order aligned. All words are arranged – B’s following A’s, No reason, no purpose, no rhyme. Along comes the poet, His work clearly shows it, His intent is wholly sublime. To words he brings focus, Whim, beauty and locus, Gives meaning to each distinct line. Then we do reflect, On what we often neglect, As he touches our hearts and our minds. Of the family he writes, Of faith, love, and true might, The things that move our souls to chime. They are words we can see, Clear, honest, and free, Bearing to all the truth of our time. So to poets let’s toast, Keep them doing their most, To make sense of our virtue and clime. Copyright (c) 2015

“Life’s Memories” 2015

They’re our top secrets, We love to share, Things that have happened, To those we care. The time when we traveled, My birthday surprise, Dad falls off the roof, Those funny wide ties. Your daughter’s recital, Your sons little league, The first home we bought, Our Italian intrigue. Her first trip to Europe, His first straight-A year, The ship that exploded, We just missed that deer! Your first real job offer, The death of a mate, Falling in love, On the very first date! The black box in the attic, We slept on the lawn, Poured soup on his head, Stayed up until dawn. Grandfather’s advice, And his pocket knife, too. Attending a funeral, For the death of a Jew. The first vote that you cast, The first fish that you caught, Watching her childbirth, The change that we fought. The best Christmas ever, The tornado touched down! Going to college, Just fooling around. The birth of your first child, Snow five feet or more! Writing in yearbooks The game’s final score. The day at the races, The night on the beach, Our first meal together, New children to teach. My first downhill ski trip, The boat that we sank, After mom’s near death, We thanked and we thanked. School cookies we sold, Shoveled snow for the nuns, We built our first snowman, All the races we’ve run. Painted the bathroom, Looked worst than before! Tahiti vacation, Made love on the shore. Received her sweet letter, After missing her so, The new priest at our church, His faith clearly showed. The first poem I wrote, Let me read it again, The wine that we drank, When we were just ten. You like bananas, While I like goods baked, The car crash we witnessed, We jumped in the lake! The day that I met you, Every detail is clear, Your soft hands and smile, I still hold so dear. So much to tell you, The laughs and the loves, The tears and the sorrows, The prayers to above. My happiest moment, The year that was sad, Why did she go? Her return made me glad. More memories are ready, When fiends come around, We delight in the telling, Our life of renown. They’re our top secrets, That we love to share, They endear us to others, We save them with care. When friends finally leave us, At the end of their days, We keep them alive, Retelling their ways. So gather your friends, Share a secret or two, Whisper them softly, Then they’ll share theirs with you. Copyright (c) 2015

“Just One Person” 2015

Playing solitaire You learn to see, That just one move Can change reality. That just one book You choose to read, Can change your mind And plant a seed. That just one friend You choose to know, Can help you learn, And help you grow. That just one lesson, Hard or sweet, Arrives with purpose, To guide your feet. That just one poem Seemed silly then, Returns in time, Your heart to mend. That just one tear Shed in dismay, Makes all the better This happy day. That just one person Who comes along, Can make your heart Finally sing its song. In spiritual quests You finally see, That just one prayer Can change eternity. Copyright (c) 2015

“After All Is Said & Done” 2015

After you have stood as one, Have you said more than you’ve done? After all the time you spent, Paying life its fulsome rent. Did you achieve your stated aims, Did you fully meet your claims? Was greatness in your chest, Virtue certain as your best? After looking for a mate, Happy marriage was your fate? After hoping for a child, Are they good, or are they wild? Given all that you have studied, After martial skills all readied, Did you write a timeless tome, Did you make your nation Rome? All your parents gave to you, And friendships that were true, Did you speak authentic truth, Ever since you were a youth? Are you proud of your life’s whole, Did you guard your very soul? After all is said and done, Has your life been lost – or won? Copyright (c) 2015

“Invisible No More” 2015

They are all around us, Just think and look and see. Invisible people everywhere, Who do not need to be. The hotel maid, The driver of the bus, The waitress taking orders, Kindly serving us. The keeper in the shop, The teller at the bank, Flight attendants, secretaries, Remember to always thank. Your elderly neighbor, Does she have Christmas plans? The Sunday school teacher, In need of extra hands? Bethink your long lost cousin, The priest who changed your heart, Thank the teacher that you loved, The volunteer who did his part. Everyone has feelings, We all possess a Soul, Forget yourself as habit, Help another play their role. As you teach your children lessons, And guide them on their way. Include in all their learning, How to make a person’s day. They are all around us, Just think and be aware. Invisible people every place, Make sure they know you care. Copyright (c) 2015

“Off the Bridge Again” 2013

I’ve jumped off the bridge again, Into the cold water below. Not knowing if a ship will come, And take me home in tow. I’ve jumped off the bridge again, Without a plan or friend. Not knowing where the current leads, To prosperity – or end. Copyright (c) 2013