It is quite tiresome when one stops to think
The world outside waits trembling on the brink
We may all wish there was another way
To blink our tears and sadnesses away.
But how can we effect a change indeed
When most struggle with this same care or need
Oh faint of heart, who lack the push to start
Back up your strength and all your will impart !
Can you feel the chill that’s in the air
Do you sense its power everywhere
Will it burrow in and move about
As it spreads its wings both in and out ?
There’s a pendulum that keeps apace
Of all the matters each one must face
Sometimes the pressure becomes too great
Or an answer comes when it’s too late
Truth is I really would chose to be
Included in God’s serenity !
When I was but a child of three
My nana made costumes for me
Because I danced upon the stage
At such a very early age.
It was the time of childhood stars
And “black and whites” bout men from Mars
Now my grandpa, he sure could tap
He’d dance till dawn if people clapped.
It seemed so natural to me
To imitate what I did see
For years I danced my heart away
And if I could, I would today !
AT THE AGE OF 2 ( 1933 ) I BEGAN TAP LESSONS WITH
THE SWIFT SISTERS ON WASHINGTON ST. HOBOKEN, NJ
MY SISTER ( 9 YEARS YOUNGER ) STUDIED WITH BEN
BLUE AND RUBY KEELER AT JOURNAL SQUARE, J.C. STUDIO
ALL MY SONS STUDIED WITH BETTY BYRD HOCTOR IN
HOHOKUS, N.J. FOR THEIR EARLY YEARS AND MOVED ON TO
FRED KELLY’S STUDIO ON KINDERKAMACK ROAD IN ORADELL
FOR ADVANCED LESSONS. HE WAS GENE KELLY’S BROTHER !
THEY ALL DANCED AND STILL DO !
Today’s the day for hearts and flowers
Along with Cupid’s finest hours
You’ll get a posey, two or three
And have a pleasant day, you’ll see.
Saint Valentine has long been gone
Replaced by Walmart’s gift coupon
Tis silly thus to celebrate
If all is not to be first rate.
Let’s wait to learn what will come next
And pray it’s not some silly text !
The snow has covered all the ground
There’s not another soul around
Our world of white is drowning in
A swirl of ice and sleet and wind.
There is no color anywhere
Except for trees whose limbs are bare
And evergreens both small and tall
Whose silouettes display it all.
This winter beauty that we see
Will fade away eventually !
Gone from all sight are the autumn leaves
We hear the wind, it attacks the eaves
The ice does crackle across each lawn
A small sparrow chirps, move on, it’s dawn.
The clouds are laden in shadowed sky
Let’s pray this storm quickly passes by
It’s the time of year the branches break
While plants that sleep have too much at stake
Tis the moment all must carry on
Since we have spring to depend upon !
Oh where am I, what do I see
This place precedes eternity
That’s full of tears and many sighs
Of past romance and sad goodbyes ?
The journey long that each must make
Full of surprise and glad mistake
Who knows what comes to light at last
After each one’s lifespan has passed ?
We hope and dream and wish for more
As we have never dared before
Since life is not a chance recall
The end is shared by one and all !
When I was young and oh so fleet
I loved to dance on magic feet
We’d do the rhumba, cha cha too
The fox trot, waltz or boogaloo.
Today the kids don’t dance at all
Most times they lean against the wall
Or couple up out on the floor
And seem to sway, but nothing more.
Once dancing used to be an art
With rhythm coming from the heart
I sure do wish we could return
To yesteryear with kudoes earned !
I’d like to take this time to say
Thanks to you who helped share my day
And all who left while others stayed
Became my friends or passed away.
I’ll miss you all and hope you know
My prayers are with you as you go
Each one of you has taught me this
That life’s comprised of tears and bliss.
What matters most, as time rolls by
That we, in hope, good sense apply
For friendship is a crucial must
A gift of love and special trust !
It occurs to me the world’s upside down
And instead of smiling it wears a frown
Now that’s not the way it was meant to be
With its splendid vistas and great beauty.
Stop for a moment and take a real look
There’s billions of photos filling each book
No one can create a new mountain peak
It’s those who try climbing of whom we speak.
The wisdom of God is beyond our reach
No matter how much or how hard they teach
The world is not ours, one we could not make
All have a short span to visit not break !
I cannot bear this sadness
It tears my heart to bits
I need no cloak of gladness
This garment never fits.
There is no real contentment
I shall not rest in peace
I can’t forget resentment
Until I find release.
There is no happy ending
We’ll never meet again
No sense in my pretending
There’s no remember when !
Oh sandman, sandman what shall we see
In tonight’s sleepy time fantasy
While each evening I prepare for bed
I pray I’ll have pleasant dreams ahead
If I’m honest I cannot recall
Any of my dreams of old at all
They seemed to disappear ere came dawn
And by waking time they were all gone !
There is this pair that I do see
Each morning, smiling back at me
We three have greeted every dawn
Practically since I was born.
We are old friends the three of us
And no one ever makes a fuss,
Their clothes look worn and faded too
But just like me, their hearts are true.
There is one plus I don’t possess
They’ve candied hearts within their chests
Now that may not mean much to you
But that’s one way to not feel blue.
Sometimes I wish that I might be
Like those ragdolls, emotion free !
Of recent times I’ve been so ill
With lengthy days and endless nights
That brought my life and mind a chill
And filled my soul with countless frights.
Tis true I am far better now
But need to be secure and smart
I’ll have to figure out just how
To keep God’s Word close to my heart !
There is a hoary frost upon the ground
With a whistling wind that’s gathered round
And a feeling of a deepened chill
That cloaks today with impending ill
The fire is low, the morning is due
Let’s pray the sun will come shining through !
Have we remembered to say “Thank You”
For all of the kindness that You do
And for the blessings that we receive
Like words of wisdom which we believe.
At times this old world is harsh and crude
And by action, arrogant and rude
Somehow folks assume they make the rules
While the balance of us are all fools.
How sad to think that this is the way
That most of our world reacts today
Let us pray that God does comprehend
And helps us to find some happy end !
Each day that I do read God’s Law
I gain so much, far more and more
And as each word comes clear to me
I search for greater clarity.
Now I’ve been at this since I’m small
And barely have a grasp at all
Yet every day I comprehend
To God’s advice, there is no end !
Now I have lived so many years
Years filled with hope and thick with tears
Times when I thought that I was done
And others that were full of fun.
I’ve known the wars and tragedy
And lost those who were dear to me
I left my heart on foreign shore
For those that I shall see no more.
Sometimes I’ve wondered how I could
Because my heart’s not made of wood
My thanks to God, I’ve come this far
I’m battle weary but unscarred.
I sense that I’ve withstood the test
And hope I’ve given all my best
The end for sure draws ever near
I face my God but not with fear !
AMEN.
This world lies cloaked in veils of white
That floated down all through the night
The morning woke to wond’rous sight
All layered like ice cream delight.
The air so crisp, it filled each room
And chased away old winter’s gloom
Let’s pray the laughter will resume
As happy smiles begin to bloom !
The sun it rises in the sky
Preparing to bid morn goodbye
The day progresses faster now
Soon twilight will appear somehow.
The sun does sink beyond the trees
The moon it rises with dark’s ease
The stars above sparkle and shout
Tis now the time for faith devout !
Of all our days now passing by
That bring us closer to the end
With standards that our faith apply
To witness and to be a friend,
This is the method each must try
To God above, a message send .
What ere Your will, we shall rely
Upon You Lord, we all depend
For all are Yours and as we cry
Without Your love, we cannot mend !
Regarding all life’s pain and ache
I’ve found my heart close to a break
Select a path which each must choose
And for this once walk in my shoes
The complex part aft all’s been done
Is sadness that does one o’ercome.
However long this life may be
There’s but one judge of thee and me.
Tis true for those who’ve gone away
There is no option leave or stay !
Oh hear the sounds that fill the air
Of children laughing everywhere
The glist’ning snow keeps falling down
Windblown to cover all the ground.
E’er softly while they drift and blow
O’er scenes observed now cloaked in snow
If you should wish to venture there
Dress warmly and please do take care !
There are these photos on the wall
Of folks I barely know at all
There’s a few I had never met
And others that I shan’t forget.
Familiar faces from the past
All precious images that last
As life once was, grateful to see
When all were young and used to be !
Be still my heart, I hear your beat
Sounds like a drummer on the street
What message is it being sent
That seeks a refuge in God’s tent ?
Oh blessed Lord, please help me find
Peace in this world that acts unkind
And teach me how to share this gift
With others who could use a lift !
Oh how I wish that I might spy
A comet streaking cross the sky
Or sight a rainbow shining through
When clouds appear misted with dew.
I want to know which way to go
As evening stars commence their show
Or what it takes to reach the moon
By rocket ship or space balloon.
How wonderful this world would be
If seen with eyes of fantasy !
Oh, how I wish that I had been
The apple on old Adam’s tree
I’d shake my leaves and tuck them in
To keep his idle hands off me.
I’d tell him not to take a bite
Before the troubles could begin
When he and Eve, out of some spite
Took Satan’s dare right on the chin.
Oh, sad the day man was denied,
Remembering in all you do
That God to us has never lied
Your happiness is up to you !
Each day I wake and thank the Lord
And pray we are of one accord
I beg we have but this defence
Our world is ripe with common sense.
Tis sad that we have yet to learn
Of all God’s blessings each may earn
It is not wishing makes it so
But how we act and think and grow.
If I should pass this way once more
And chance to knock upon the door
Perhaps you’ll welcome me because
It’s now we must serve common cause !
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Claire V. Bogdanos 