Our lives are cast in many ways
With results for all of our days
No one may change what has begun
For history’s been set and done.
We hope and pray we do not fail
And of our strengths we shall avail
So each will do the best he can
To fill that role down to a man !
Seems the Lord we love has made it clear
There’s no just cause left for us to fear
We must follow His law and believe
In all the blessings we may receive.
The commandments were written in stone
By His finger for Moses alone
And this is what we’ve been meant to learn
Before our tenderfoot wings are earned !
Can you hear the tumult of the wind
It whines aloud that it be let in
The shutters tremble, the shingles roar
Can you feel the rattlng of the door ?
The mighty wind blows so fierce and loud
Where it gets caught bullying each cloud
Why won’t it move in a calmer way
And save its power for another day ?
My heart got lost so long ago
How that occured I cannot know
It was that war, I often think
That took our values to the brink
The young, the old, the in-between
Not one of us escaped the scene
It hollowed out each living thing
And in our lives did chaos bring
We took the test and some did win
Although too many were done in
And there were those, ones that I saw
Who ne’er returned forever more
Oh Lord I wish I could forget,
I haven’t mastered that trick yet !
…………………………………………………….
*( MEMORIES OF WORLD WAR II )
Oh would that we might see beyond
The hills, the plains, the mirrored pond
The mountains, lakes and flowing streams
That are the image of our dreams.
The valleys and the oceans wide
These are the pulse of pilgrims’ pride
And of this nation which exists
In spite of danger that persists.
While enemies near and afar
Diminish every brilliant star
Hoping to hide the shining light
That has become our freedom’s fight !
A little care, a little love
What is it we are dreaming of
A little hope tinged with a smile
Will carry us for quite awhile.
The way is long, the road is steep
We have a rendez-vous to keep
There are those jobs that we must do
With obstacles we need get through.
To aid the lost their strength to find
The weary to seek peace of mind
And help the indigent ensure
A future with their lives secure !
When I was young and not so smart
I fell in love and lost my heart
It didn’t take too long for me
To learn that love’s not always free !
No matter what, I can’t explain
Why life holds passion in disdain
We’re told true love will never die
For many that becomes a lie !
My heart is full, I cannot speak
My arms and legs are oh, so weak
I fear that life is passing by
I’ve no strength left to laugh or cry,
But try I shall and try I may
To hold on tight another day.
What else is there to keep me here
A taste of happiness or cheer,
The thought that God does love us all
And picks us up ere we may fall !
I’ve told you about my teddy bear
And all of the dreams we two did share
We’ve spoken of my Raggedy Ann
You know I was her favorite fan.
While my mom and dad who loved me so
Taught me my manners and how to show
Kindness and love to all that I greet
How to keep my faith and be discreet.
From my nana dear who was so wise
And my grandpop with those laughing eyes
I learned that life might be a great joy
If simple respect we would employ.
For whom in this world devoid of hope
Could manage to win or learn to cope
Without the aid of the God we know
And all the angels we’ve met below ?
As crowds of angels raise their voices in prayer
May our Lord in heaven forever be there
May He bless us and keep us close by His side
And always remember with Him we’ll abide !
Light the candles and hold them high
Let sunlight enter from the sky
For in the dark one cannot see
That in the light our way is free !
Sometimes I think, when I do recall
All those precious days when I was small
I would grasp my mommy’s hand so tight
As we crossed the street without a light
We always walked close and side by side
Or shared the seat on a trolley ride.
We were such great pals she and I
While all of the years were passing by
And as those times seem to fly away
Appears we switched places on one day
It was she who took my hand to cross
And me who watched she did not get lost.
Those days are gone and I miss her much
And long for the warmth of her sweet touch
I wish I knew what I could have said
Before she passed and our friendship fled !
I thought that love had come to stay
One knows true love won’t run away
For you and I were born to be
Two partners through eternity.
I’d always dreamt that this was so
No matter what or where we’d go
Though sometimes I did have a doubt
If this is what all love’s about ?
I tried so hard to stay the course
I didn’t care who was the boss
Since you and I had one intent
That for each other we were meant.
Somehow, somewhere it went astray
While all our hopes did melt away
So much for dreams and plans well made
Like future joys that got mislaid.
I often wondered what went wrong
Was I too weak, were you not strong
After the bliss of that first kiss
Why does love fade to hit or miss ?
I have often pondered how it’s done
How life progresses aft battles won
Or how one knows when it is enough
As the road runs easy, smooth or rough ?
Who makes a choice either high or low
When the winds of life begin to blow
And how is it one comprehends
If the paths we follow know no ends ?
Is there a voice that but few may hear
To whisper softly into each ear
Take care my child as the way is steep
And the hole we dig may be too deep ?
At times I feel that I cannot last
Until this current winter has passed
There are no plans that I wish to make
No celebrations or birthday cake
No special outings or travel plans
Or any trips to some foreign lands
I’d rather stay here close to my home
Then venture out or decide to roam.
Now as I trek to the local store
I may find just what I’m searching for
There is a chance if I’m very good
That somewhere near in my neighborhood
Perhaps one corner under some tree
Popping through snow as bold as can be
One tiny crocus will rear its head
Promising all that hope is not dead !
I’m peering through a veil of white
That is this early morning’s sight
Watching the snowflakes filter down
In pirouettes close to the ground
They flutter, dance and swirl about
Their silent beauty spinning out !
One cannot hear a single sound
Silence has fallen all around
The world rests in its wrap of white
That covers all we have in sight.
There blinks above no lonely star
Nor other remnant from afar
No steeple bell or chime is heard
None dare to utter any word.
Too many hours the snowflakes fall
In their great haste to cover all
The moon’s been hid by swirling snows
That’s all to see where e’er one goes !
I try so hard to comprehend
Why all our dreams are at their end
Or why our future is unclear,
The minds of most too full of fear ?
I thought we’d learned how to behave
To play the hero not the knave,
Accept the truth with open heart
And to define its nobler part.
We look into the mirror blind
What type of image will one find
Does no one see themselves for real
How can this nation ever heal ?
Oh Lord, dear Lord, what have we done
What madness is this we’ve begun ?
Do you wonder what the morrow brings
Besides the tunes that each songbird sings
What would it be like without that song
Perhaps a place one shouldn’t belong ?
Some pleasant words or a grateful chat
We’d speak about either this or that
And turn away with a smile or two
While friendship’s shared between me and you.
Oh how I yearn for the days long gone
When friends were those you might count upon
Life used to be full of many dreams
But the magic’s gone or so it seems !
When I look out and see her there
Our Liberty with greenish hair
So grand and strong reminding me
We have remained land of the free
Far longer than two hundred years
Amidst hurrahs and raucous cheers.
But now we are put to the test
To do what we know to be best
Thus save our nation from distress
And for the rest our foes impress
Our job’s ongoing, working hard
Protect ourselves and thank our God !
These winter days keep hanging on
I really thought the cold had gone
How disappointing that it’s not
I gave it all the push I’ve got
And so we’ll have to tough it out
Of this I’m sure, I have no doubt
That spring is knocking at the door
And brings the change we’re waiting for
Oh what a pleasure it will be
When we are all galoshes free !
This is a song small children sing
That I can’t help remembering
About how much we each are loved
By Jesus who resides above
A simple tune of honest word
The earliest I’ve ever heard
It rings so clearly in my head
The dearest words that can be said !
Who is there left for man to say
Come let us walk the Shepherd’s way
To join into His special flock
That from this place will evil block.
We are His army to command
That stand and wait on His demand
There is a job that we need do
We’ll begin now and see it through.
There is no other way to win
The world is dying heaped in sin
Help us, oh Lord show us the way
To earn ourselves another day !
A minor thought does come to mind
Outside these walls what shall I find
A world that’s cruel and much unkind
The foolishness of dumb and blind,
Society that’s gone to waste
A place devoid of any taste
That flounders in unthinking haste
On ideals that are wicked based !
I’d like to shout from rooftops high
To all of those just passing by
Is there compassion in your heart
What must we do to reach a start
Let’s try once more to make amends
And see if we can’t all be friends !
There were three words that rang out clear
And echoed loud the world would hear
Reverberate from ear to ear
Instilled in all that certain fear.
On one March day, was made that call
Bringing defeat to one and all
Upon this date we all recall
That many died beside that wall.
The words live on in history
A chapter based on infamy
They perservered just to be free
And fought like hell for victory !
With all the nonsense we do see
We’re so thankful for our country
We have so much just look around
It is the finest to be found.
One nation of the brave and free
A bastion of our liberty
Which many now scheme to destroy
Whatever methods they’ll employ.
In truth our God is always there
To answer our unending prayer
And keep us safe no matter what
We pledge our lives and all we’ve got !
Claire V. Bogdanos 