The bedtime stories I was told
When I was not so very old
Remain with me these many years
And fill my heart with smiles and tears !
A magic bean that climbed a wall
And saved the princess from a fall
Teutonic knights both brash and brave
Who slayed the serpent in a cave !
The knave of hearts who stole the tarts
Or ogres who have kindly hearts
Come to my mind with varied tales
Like Salome with all her veils !
I’d love to visit just once more
Ere I secure childhood’s last door !
I thought that I might want to be
A songbird perched upon a tree
There hidden deep among the leaves
While chirping songs into the breeze !
The notes would carry through the air
Impressing those who sojourned there
Perhaps they will return once more
To witness a new bird encore !
Awake the joy this hope will be
And join our Lord in harmony !
I wish I were an hour glass
That holds the precious sand of time
Then I’d control the way days pass
And that would be my wish sublime !
I’d find a way to slow the sand
So time cannot just slip away
And it will seem alright and grand
For us to share this one last day !
The only bears I’ve ever seen
Are in the zoo or on the screen
I’d like to think I’ll never meet
A single one out on the street !
Most bears are wild and roam about
They are quite large with scary snout
But if we met I’d stay quite calm
And slowly turn away from harm,
I’d try to walk with a loud sound
Or crunchy step upon the ground
Talking and praying as I flee
Hoping that he’s as scared as me !
The graying cloud of morning mist
Sweeps over one like angels kissed
With dewdrops wet and breeze caressed,
The body seems by calm possessed !
The still of dawn is best of all
To seek the charm of nature’s call
And learn to listen to the voice
That echoes sounds of each one’s choice !
It is to God we owe our vow
To heed His words both then and now !
It suddenly occurred to me
God’s outreach plan is truly free
Since angels do not charge a fee
While caring for humanity !
Those memories that flood my mind
Are treasures love has left behind
To warm the space of waning hours
Where time does fade amongst the flowers !
They are more clear then e’er before
And to my heart, my faith restore
There is so much that has been lost
I’ve never stopped to count the cost !
But what I know has brought me peace
Because my hopes will never cease
My faith in God does grow and grow
As in my life His blessings flow !
Sixty-five years ago today
My father died, he passed away
We did not know if we’d survive
How would we keep ourselves alive ?
It wasn’t easy I’ll tell you
But we were strong and made it through
It’s true to say that I’m the last
With memories of that sad past !
Such feelings one can never share
Perhaps you know if you’ve been there
So long ago it’s like a dream
That wakens with a silent scream !
He missed it all, the laughs and sighs
The joyous days, the sad goodbyes
How many times I’ve wished you here
My heart still aches for Daddy dear !
How does a child observe a war
And query what they’re fighting for
It can’t be love no matter what
For in a war love’s been forgot !
It isn’t peace, that’s most absurd
As here hate is the final word
And kindness cannot help a bit
In chaos it will never fit !
How sad there’s no path left to try
To help explain or justify
Why men must ever vengeful be
Using God’s cause to kill with glee !
I simply refuse to allow
Your dark mood to overshadow
My bright and happy day for now !
I know that God exists
His will and power persists
I want to be kept near
And promise to adhere.
I truly am His child
Obliging meek and mild
I hold no other view
And am forever true !
When I was small and dreamt a bit
About a niche where I might fit
I thought that dance could be my style
It made my folks applaud and smile !
I’d twist and twirl and spin around
And click my heels upon the ground
Into the kitchen, on the stairs
I tapped away most of my cares !
In window panes or mirror bound
That’s how I chose each pose I found
Since I have lost my dancing shoes
Which other footwear shall I choose ?
With fortune surely changed so much
What will replace my stagedoor lust ?
( My wheelchair and I are good friends since 1989 )
Mommy, Mommy if I can fly
Please won’t you tell me just how high ?
My little one, up to the stars
There is no goal that can’t be ours !
Daddy, Daddy what can I do
To grow up strong and be like you ?
Oh little one, learn to love God
You’ll find no task will be too hard !
Do you hear the maddening sound
Of chaos rising all around
And do you smell fear in the air
It’s like a shroud that lingers there !
How can we hide, where will we run
This world’s not safe for anyone
As for myself I have scant fear
I’m sure my time moves ever near !
We whisper prayers both night and day
That entreat God to pave the way
And help us all to safer be
Encouraging civility !
The cradle clings unto the branch
This cannot be pure happenstance
But is the work of stronger hands
T’will bring about the Master’s plans !
Tis strange that we who have no worth
Bethink ourselves the salt of earth
While dung we are in our pursuit
Of evil gain and heartless loot !
The children who inherit this
Denied the blessings of kindness
Are the lost sheep now gone astray
Who need God’s help to find their way !
The seasons change they come and go
With wind and sun and rain and snow
The years progress both good and bad
With laughs and tears both glad and sad !
Thus life moves on each day aplomb
With no one there to add the sum
Or seek to find the final cost
About our lives and what we’ve lost !
This world that is at war with God
Is the result of spare the rod
For every word that has been writ
Accomplishment for each will fit !
I’m grateful that God’s given me
Some chance to share eternity
Though I’m not sure I’m ready yet
To take that path of no regret.
Remembering is part of me
How do I set my memory free ?
I’d rather not be left behind
Without a purpose I can find
I’d like to think I follow rules
In league with wisemen never fools
But most of all I dream to see
God’s blessed place so heavenly !
A tiny child arrived today
He is too young to learn to play
We’ll have to wait a little while
Ere we discern his darling smile.
Sweet baby born so innocent
May fill our lives with true content
When sleepless nights that fade away
Bring greater joy from day to day !
Our love will grow and glow and flow
Into the future parents know
As God sees us in manner like
He is the Parent to each tyke !
The wind comes rushing through the trees
So like a wild autumnal breeze
With chilly breath and frosted lips
That touches even fingertips !
Imagination floods the mind
Amongst the images we find
Those moments when we push away
We cannot face, no not today !
The morrow brings us renewed strength
To last the whole of one day’s length
God reaches out to us His cup
Inviting us to sip and sup !
I find myself alone and lost
My courage gone my values tossed
What shall I do, where must I go
Lord what come next, I’d like to know
If there can be another chance
Will it be worth a second glance ?
I think it’s time to seek some rest
And beg that soon I may be blessed
With vision clear and effort deep
The strength to all my virtues keep
For none will ever better be
Than those my God gave unto me !
Where have they gone the comfort days
All soft and warm midst caring ways
When that we knew was safe and kind
The world had heart and soul and mind.
Our love of God did hold great sway
We did not fear for each new day
Now seeming lost no way to turn
The time is late, too late to learn ?
I’ve traveled far and traveled wide
Through ancient town and countryside
Atop the hill, o’er valley stream
On mountainside or cottage scene !
This treasure wherewith we’ve been graced
Grand forests with their limbs enlaced
The sturdy vines that creep and hide
Encouraging the moss beside.
These are the sights that nature brings
Into our lives when beauty sings
Such a great wonder God has sown
Each minute seed that time has grown !
Oh how I miss each Sunday morn
Sounds echoing since I was born
Those happy tunes or plaintive hymns
From early on till evening dims.
Their voices raised with one accord
The hopeful sing and praise the Lord,
My mother’s voice so sweet and strong
Would sound aloud the whole week long.
She loved to sing each olden tune
About romance, lost love or moon,
I wish I knew if heaven rings
With hymns and songs an angel sings !
Once was I thought that I would be
Some heroine in history
One must be brave and noble too
With sacrifice for quite a few !
It took so long to understand
That life’s not always great or grand
And sometimes it just pays to be
A simple sort with piety !
It’s strange the way dreams disappear
To leave us all quite baffled here
How much more fun if we could be
Included in God’s next story !
Perhaps it is because I’m old
That childhood glows like precious gold
Those days we thought had been forgot
Are part of each one’s Camelot !
Which role we play is our own choice
The option is weep or rejoice
We complicate decisions made
It’s what we do when plans are laid !
For each of us who would go back
What’s done is done we can’t redact
While we retrieve lost memory
There’s nothing that God does not see !
I thought I was alone last night
The sky was still the moon so bright
A fragile silence filled the air
Almost as though someone were there !
Deep in the shadows of my room
I shivered in the subtle gloom
And whispered softly in my prayers
When all else fails I know God cares !
Now as I close my eyes with ease
To slowly sink upon my knees
I’m not quite sure how I shall rise
But when I do tis God’s surprise!
The mist that rises from the sea
That through the night envelops me
And curries favor with the winds
Consoles me as each day begins !
Tis true I was a child forlorn
Who to adversity was born
But took to courage with a will
To greet the world and ply my skill !
There is no task that is too small
No barrier I find too tall
No kindness lies outside my reach
My love of God’s beyond impeach !
What is it that men mean to say
Their words keep getting in the way
Feint tongues are stumbling o’er their teeth
Failing to state what’s underneath ?
Much easier to honest be
When will they learn that truth is free ?
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Claire V. Bogdanos 