We shall not run out of values at stake
That is an action that we will not take
For the facts are what this is all about
Either spoken gently or with a shout,
Only time can tell as each day rolls on
There is this thought that we depend upon.
When the winter’s young and the cold is new
We own the courage to make this come true
That as we age and experience mounts
There is the moment when true wisdom counts.
You may do your best making fools of all,
But who will stand at last clarion’s call ?
Hear now the battle marchers’ roar
Sending our children off to war
If not for them who will it be
That gives their life to keep us free ?
With timid breath and frosted heart
Too many wait for life to start !
The heart is full with joy complete
For love of God is ever sweet
There is no reason to complain
Nor purpose needed to explain
Life’s forecast dwells in peace with thee
And basks in God’s divinity !
I hear the echoes from the street
Of hasty and retreating feet
Some voices carry on the breeze
And filter through the veil of trees.
Those sounds that do survive the night
Will disappear in morning’s light
The world awakes both old and young
When daybreak comes, the night time’s done !
Tis true that tears are often sweet
That courage rises from defeat,
That wisdom needs to curb its cheek
With all those words that it may speak.
While silence is the calmest way
To channel all our fears away
It’s working hard that is the call
To save us from decline and fall !
There was a tree that I had seen
Quite lush and large and oh so green
When I was young and not so tall
The tree had barely grown at all.
I’ve watched it age through all the years
Some good, some bad, some full of fears
But always spreading out each limb
As if in thanks offered to Him.
The tree is old, well I am too
If truth be told, we’ve shared a view
Times are long past, we’ve had our day
So like that tree nought left to say !
The shifting sands of life do blow
Across our vision wide and slow
And changes all the views we see
As we seek out God’s harmony.
The winds of time have come and gone
And left our dreams both pale and wan
Escape, escape, that cannot be
For none but death shall set us free !
The ocean’s full of frothy foam
That gathers under heaven’s dome
It splashes on the sandy shores
Receding into seaside floors
The seagulls exercise their wings
The pigeon struts and coos and sings
The osprey stretches from its perch
Expanding vision in his search !
A precious gift we each receive
Which all are anxious to believe
A God who’s there to see us through
In all the deeds that we shall do.
We thus are meant to comprehend
That life continues without end
So we must learn that day by day
There is a role that all will play.
Its parts are varied one by one
The task ahead begs to be done
To see each other as a friend
And pray for peace until the end !
Sometimes I find I cannot speak
My voice grows thin, my limbs are weak
The spirit wanes, my hope grows dim
All I can do is wait for Him !
There is this thought that life is sweet
That happiness makes all complete
That beauty pledges joy unbound
And wealth does penury confound.
However there’s much more to bliss
Than finance or sweet passion’s kiss
A heart that feels, a mind that knows
A God from whom all blessing flows !
There is a thought which fills my mind
That life has been both cruel and kind
Tis full of many ups and downs
Replete with smiles and a few frowns.
When all is well, rough storms appear
The weather, it’s not always clear
At times I’m sure we’ve been undone
When all seems cold and not much fun.
But wait a moment look about
The sun has opted to come out
To save us from catastrophe
Life is God’s true dichotomy !
One man he trod the road to peace
He prayed to God to grant release
And bowed his head unto the ground
Until some solace could be found.
He raised his eyes up to the sky
To see if heaven gave some reply
The wind blew hard, the rain it came
He cried aloud and called God’s name,
Forgive me Lord, for I’m not strong
One thing I ask, will I belong ?
Once was a killer whale I saw afloat
He was much larger than a fishing boat.
Oh such a friendly whale I’ve never met
He’d roll and dive as close as he could get
And splattered ocean water everywhere
Upon the face and hands and in one’s hair.
Oh what a thrill I’ve had to watch him swim
And how I dreamt that I could splash with him,
But whales are far too big to play with me
Besides they live in waters deep asea.
I think that I shall have to be content
Thank God that You to me this pleasure sent !
We’ve already spent far too much time
With foolish dreams verging on sublime
Tis the moment now to change our ways
Reach out to seek more productive days
For the sand is slipping by too fast
Through an opening in life’s hour glass.
God’s bugle speaks with a mighty sound
It shakes the trees and rattles the ground
The tremors are felt around the world
As heaven’s power to earth is hurled
His day is coming, it’s close and near
Lift up your eyes, then listen to hear !
I cannot bear the thought of life without
Their special love that never leaves a doubt
A love that permeates the air we breathe
That has not learned to lie or to deceive !
The man is father to the child
A mother’s care is fair and mild
Grandparents teach the child respect
While governments police neglect
The educators fill their mind
As God does all their blessings find !
Another dawn breaks free and clear
With cautions no one seems to hear
What is it we are searching for
Besides the key to peace not war ?
I wish, I wish that I could be
A magic fairy on a spree
Or Christmas star upon your tree
And if not that, a busy bee
To buzz around and set you free
So you may spend the day with me.
Thus from our pain we both shall flee
Before the queen sits down to tea
And other children can agree
The time is now to live with glee !
A seaman needs to love the sea
The wind, the force, the powers that be
His life depends on all of this
Like waves that crest and crash and miss.
But who will take their life in hand
Upon an ocean free of land
The sailor deals with faith a lot
For without luck what has he got ?
The moon, the stars, the tidal drift
These are his tools that are God’s gift
They comfort him across the main
And carry him back home again !
EXCUSE ME but Pinot Grigio and I shall have to postpone our nightly reunion for a few days as I am once again reluctantly detained on 4 North, guest at my favorite Hoboken University Medical Center A/K/A St. Mary’s ! And there I was, full of self congratulatory expressions that I had made it to Mother’s Day without having a stroke in 2017 ! Hence I’m writing to you from my bed in # 418, minus my wonderful view of the Park and the grounds of Our Lady of Grace to the north, as I am on the opposite side of this wing ! After MRIs, Cathscan, Ultrasound, et cetera, I have a positive attitude that I shall once again return to Rehab, hahaha ! Guess that my actual certificate of Graduation in 2016 ( on parchment ) is no longer valid ? The face of Hoboken certainly has changed these last few years, wonder what Frank would think of his hometown today ? Looking forward to posting this ASAP and marveling at the expediency of Wi-Fi . We all need to take a deep breath and another look to understand and appreciate the wonder of this new world in which we exist, and thank our Lord for His love and tolerance of our human faults. Amen ! Sincerely, Claire B.
Oh Lamb of God, sweet gentle soul
Help me to reach my proper goal
Teach me to follow in Your ways
And learn to use my precious days
In dedication to my God
No matter where it is I trod
May I find grace and peace with Him
And join His choir of cherubim !
When you looked up into the sky
Did you ever once question why ?
The lights they twinkle in and out
At times you feel the need to shout,
“I see you now, oh shimmer bright,
Where do you rendez-vous tonite ?
The distant ceiling overhead
Is one enchanting shining spread.
How many can there be up there
A billion more with some to spare
Have you seen them on telescope
God sure knows how to raise our hope !
When I was young too long ago
There was so much I did not know
I learned that I might wonder why
We had to walk while birds could fly
Or why the stars were seen at night
And spent their daytime out of sight,
Or how the snow would fall all day
And by next morning melt away.
Some other things I’ve noticed too
This ageing of both me and you
Tis sad to say it never ends
I pray that we’ll remain fast friends !
The sun keeps rising every day
The children small still run and play
The wind does blow swift through the trees
The branches swaying in the breeze,
The sounds of life enhance the air
Ensuring all that God is there
His giant task needs be assured
Please help us Lord to feel secured !
Now I have dreamt a thousand dreams and cried a million tears
I’ve wandered lost a lifetime long and fought a hundred fears
I’ve counted stars on lonely nights and mended wounded hearts
I’ve learned to live in quiet peace and prayed for brand new starts
Tis time to thank the Lord above for all that I’ve received
I’m grateful that He cushioned me and never once deceived !
There are few words left for us to say
To make our troubles fly fast away
There are few dreams left for us to keep
No matter waking or fast asleep
There are few years left to get it straight
Before we shall meet at heaven’s gate !
Claire V. Bogdanos 