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AIDS - Ode to Elizabeth

Another First

Dedication

Faces

Goodbye

Happy Eleven

I Am Not Him

Kaitlyn

Life

Mother's Day

Ode to Princess Diana

Sad Side Show

Sexy and Clumsy

Terry

Time Enough

Words



AIDS - Ode to Elizabeth

Without white steed, the Angel came,
Rewards for self, unwanted

A soldier armed with hope and love
Brought help to those, Death-haunted.

Elizabeth, with violet eyes
Tear filled, did ease their crying.

But even Angels, such as she
Could scarce prevent their dying.

Their faceless screams, unheard before,
Became a shout, "Not Guilty!"

Their Angel's fight was joined by throngs
Professing vows of fealty.

The fight, once lost, can now be won
And answer prayers, "Please heal me."





Another First

On Kaitlyn's first birthday

There's lots of "Firsts" in your sweet youth;
First laugh, first tear, first baby tooth.
A first for me and Grandma J.
First party on your first birthday.

Cake and pink icing on your face
A clown named "Boops" whom you embrace
Eyes bright with glee, new books and toys
New friends; two little girls and boys.

Balloons, that bring your happy scream,
Turn into creatures from a dream.
Fat rainbow colored birds and bees;
A Grandma's tears which no one sees.

I know your memory will fade.
Not ours! We'll treasure how you played.
Thank God you shared a first right here
And "Happy Birthday", Kaitlyn dear.





Dedication

Through life the memories I've had
Relationships both good and bad
Environmental ruin and waste
Of Mother Earth we've all defaced
To peace and kindness, war and strife
To pain caused by the loss of life
To all emotions, sad or dear
The joy and sorrow, hope and fear
To someone special I now know
In hope that love will live and grow


For My Lovely Wife, Virginia





Faces

I've seen the face of Love
Reflected in a newborn's eyes.
I've seen the face of Hate
In countless graves, at man's demise.

I've seen the face of Charity
When hungry mouths are fed.
I've seen the face of Greed
Where Nature reigned but now is dead.

I've seen the face of Envy
At the wrong end of a gun.
I've seen the face of Evil
As a child dies, "just for fun"!

I've seen the face of Goodness
When, upon the Cross, He bled.
I've seen the face of Hope
In those remembering what He said.

I've seen the face of Pain
On mother's when their babes are born
I pray that I shall see God's face
When Gabriel blows his horn.





Goodbye

Grey mists of soul's sorrow
Coalesce in our eyes;
Heed not the great joy
In all or our hearts.

Life's changes are with us
As long as we live.
If you've lived in God's light
Your ends have new starts.

We bid you a farewell
With love strong and true;
And hope your adventure
Is all you desire.

Your shoes will need filling
We may come up short
There is no comparing
In wit or satire.

Your passion for music
Is without a match;
Except for your punning;
Peachtree got a catch.


For Terry Price - Worlds best choir director



Happy Eleven

For Crystal J., My Niece

Eleven years? My goodness girl,
Those birthdays seem to fly.
When four or five more roll around
You'll knock out every guy.

But there's a lot of growing up
This "Birthday Girl" must do.
So these few words remember, dear,
"To thine own self be true"!

It's way past time to listen up
And mind your Mom and Dad.
It's shameful for a lovely girl
To grow up dumb and bad.

So let your actions match your looks
And brighten up their life.
Then when you grow up and are wed,
You'll make a lovely wife.

Please listen to your parents, dear.
You know they tell no lies.
This world will be much better
If you're beautiful and wise!





I Am Not Him

I told you I was always true.
I promised love and care for you.
Not once did I regret the love
You said was sent from God above.

I'm not the one who hurt you so;
Who broke your heart so long ago.
He lied and cheated on his vow
And yet, the blame falls on me now.

Divorce! The arrow of your choice
Is shot at me with angry voice.
No faith or trust is given me.
I need them both. Why can't you see?

Awake, alone in tears and pain
I spent last night. What did you gain?
While grasping pillows to your breast
You left no room for me to rest.

I'm judged by shadows of your past
By long lost love which did not last.
By old mistrust and jealousy.
I am not Him! I'm only me.





Kaitlyn

Beloved Granddaughter

Long awaited, there you rest
All around you feel so blessed.
Gently hold you close, but still
As sweet tears our eyes do fill.

None so loved as you my dear
Tiny treasure, sleeping here.
Can you know what joy you bring
In our souls and hearts? They sing.

Soft and fragile, you will grow
In a world of love, I know.
Never having want nor fear
All is yours. Just ask my dear.


Love - Paw Paw J.





Life

Is life so lasting
That I need waste bits and pieces
Along the way?

Is life so short
That I have not the time to
Care for others?

Is life so full of friends
That I can't befriend another
And still one more?

I think not.

I hope not.

I pray it isn't so!





Mother's Day

To Grandma J.
Virginia

I could have brought you flowers, love
To mark this Mother's Day.

But flowers wither, then they die
Their memories fade away.

I could have brought you candied sweets
Though none as sweet as you.

When gone, there's naught but empty box
So here is something new.

My thoughts of what you brought to life
I'll treasure 'till soul's free

A family I never had
Two sons, you gave to me

And now because of you, I have
A new granddaughter too.

Thank God we found each other dear.
Thank God, and I love you.





Ode to Princess Diana

The grief flows from souls in a molten hot stream.
Falls down on a world-wide memorial wreath.
As anguished wails reach to the stars like a dream;
Ascending to God from the mourners beneath.

Her short life of suffering; romance, and fame
Was ended as Death came when from her fears fled.
From nanny, to mother of Kings, stayed the same.
The most fragrant flower on Earth now lies dead.

Great deeds she accomplished with still more to give
To sick and afflicted she brought Hope's bright rays.
Plucked from this life's garden before she could live.
The long night fell tho' 'twas the morn' of her days.

Great rivers of flowers and oceans of care
Were given in tribute from their grief and love.
The whole world did pause for a silent, sad prayer
And Heaven sang praise for this new rose, above.






Sad Side Show

Ladies and Gents, please step right up.
It only costs a dime
To see this lone forsaken guy
Who loved; but not in time

He'd talk of love but never show
Deep feelings, kept inside.
The wants; the little thoughts of love
All those he had to hide.

For once before, and long ago
He gave his heart away.
She broke it; so just get your dime.
He'll be here one more day.





Sexy and Clumsy

Eyes of blue and hair of gold
Lips of red and look so bold
Lovely hips that swing so wide
That you try so hard to hide
Daring smile that looks so sweet
Damn near knocks me off my feet
Wish that you would look around
So you won't knock poor fools down





Terry

God's gifts and talents, wit and love
Are lavished on your heart.
Your soul and inspiration shared
As wisdom you impart.

The masters' works wrought long ago
Are given life anew;
And glorify our God and King
With feelings you imbue.

We owe you more than can be paid
With silver or with gold.
Through dedication you impart
God's strength to your small fold.

Our greatest efforts you demand
And though we're not the best,
You made us more than e'er we were
For by your works we're blessed.

Through you, we sound like angel hosts.
You bless our church each day.
We all should thank our loving God
For you, when e'er we pray.

If wish were ever granted me
That wish would be just so;
"May our sweet Lord smile down on you
As through this life you go."


Written especially for Terry Price, LLUMC director of music ministry and beloved choir director, and given with Christian love and respect for all he has done for Lovers Lane United Methodist Church, the music department, and our Choir.





Time Enough

Time enough to have a child
Though that time has past.
Time enough to know you care
And our love will last.

Time enough to fill my soul
With your charm and smile.
Time enough to be a wife,
Walk that extra mile.

Time enough to be my friend
As you'll always be.
Time with you forever's not
Time enough for me.





Words

The lines, all strung together in a strange haphazard way
Are writhing on with twists and turns across the centuries
So coarsely carved within a cave, their meaning lost today
Or finely penned on parchment in precise calligraphy's.

Some telling good and evil, love and hate, or truth and lies
All resting where they're placed, awaiting one who understands.
Though heralding a birth or etched in stone at one's demise
Forever new but used before by many different hands.

They're easily affordable to paupers and to kings
The cost is naught but knowledge of their structure and portent.
They neither know the smiles nor tears their convolution brings,
Nor wait with baited breath, returns from where they're sometimes sent.

From animal caricatures to geometric forms
These lines give meaning to a thought, a way, a time, a place.
Linguistically elusive, yet their shape, like mother's arms
When understood, brings to the mind, the Words, in warm embrace.