Well here we are another day
What is it there is left to say
Just one more spate of noun and verb
Some sweet, some kind and some acerb ?
Close to the end we wait on line
And query how we’ll spend our time
Will it be worth this last delay
Is there value in one more stay ?
We’ve had our chance of small avail
Do you believe that we shall fail ?
I’ll take no risk and won’t assume
Now I am in God’s waiting room !
Oh Lamb of God so full of grace
I wish I could have seen your face
In shining light or dark of night
I’m sure it was a brilliant sight !
Old men who leaned upon their crutch
The widowed who had suffered much
The crippled old, completely blind,
They flocked to Him to solace find !
While those whose spirits went astray
Came to hear what He had to say
A godlike man with message clear
God loves us all, allay your fear !
When lives are touched by tragedy
And good men fall in agony
We pray our God who is all-see
Will help them rise to victory.
Sometimes it seems thoughts tiptoe past
That fragile space where dreams are cast
And linger there in that dark spot
Till time beyond forget-me-not.
It is with wonder that I see
The mind’s acute complexity
What power above did give us breath
To see us through from birth to death ?
What would we learn if we could know
When life is done, where do we go ?
There is a river I have seen
Its waters flow and ebb and stream
Sometimes it trickles on the ground
Among loose pebbles all around
Reminding us of how God’s word
Spreads like those waters as it’s heard
Embracing all both far and near
Sharing His blessings through each year !
My nana was my special friend
She taught me how to sew and mend
To make my bed and hang my clothes
To fold my undies and my hose
We talked sometimes into the night
She made my problems turn out right
And helped me overcome my fears,
Oh she’s been gone these many years.
I wish that she could see me now
To know I made it through somehow
I want to thank her from my heart
She gave my life it’s special start !
Sometimes when life seems turned around
I sense all that we’ve lost and found
Our longing for the loss is great
But finding God has sealed our fate
There is this hope discovery brings
While gaining faith that joyful rings !
Tis true I may be made of clay
I’m not descended from an ape
Nor am I here for just a day
There is for me but one escape !
EXCUSE me but I digress, wouldn’t you ? I find myself musing among the words of Dr. Holmes, the senior Oliver Wendell of course ! If you have followed my DATELINES, then you will know how taken I am with his writing all these many years. There is a line he wrote in a letter from Beverly Farms, 7/9/1885, that is exceedingly profound and I would like you to ponder its core meaning ! He ends his self critique with these words: But the morning dew means little to the withered leaf ! Wow ! He repeats in a letter from same on 7/9/1894 noting that his opinion hasn’t changed. May I ask you to search out these letters on WIKIPEDIA, nothing like authenticating. Now what does this have to do with facing one’s own mortality, everything ! In our lives we calmly allow atrophy to overtake parts of our anatomy to stifle the most exciting contributions we are capable of making, from actions to words ! This includes progeny to thought process, wisdom. Why did God give us speech ? Or the capacity to think, plan, dream, hope ? And not the lions ? For we are special in His image, not automatons, however we are perceived. I for one wish to exercise my abilities until the day I bid adieu, knowing all the while that this is what I was created for. In Genesis 9:1 instructions to Noah, be fruitful and multiply and replenish the earth. Amen ! Sincerely, Claire B.
“And if I should live to be……….That last leaf upon the tree……….In the spring,……….Let them smile, as I do now,…………At the old forsaken bough………..Where I cling”………….( final stanza). The Last Leaf by Oliver Wendell Holmes
Oh for the life that is no more
When hearts were young and kept no score
When all we knew was how to be
Afraid of abject poverty !
Our lives were so much simpler then
When girls were gals and guys were men
When unisex was still unknown
And being high meant airborne flown !
Songs had real words and melody
And marriage knew God’s sanctity
I wish we could turn back the clock
Oh what I’d give to join that flock !
This barren place seems void of air
It’s empty breath reeks of despair
The silence grows as hours pass
Like shadows in a looking glass.
The emptiness this waiting brings
Is like a dirge the lonely sings
Sometimes it is out of distress
The helpless fight against redress,
They question if one ever wins
And what to do when calm begins !
It’s only in the arms of God
That true redemption will be found
Sometimes that task seems just so hard
And forces one into the ground !
Sometimes I wake when it is dark
And lie abed with vision stark
I hear the creak each structure makes
As wind and rain the silence breaks !
I note how trees do bend and sway
It seems that dawn is on her way
The day begins its morning song
As silent we will join the throng !
The senses soon repeat the flow
Who knows where each new day will go
Because today may bring surprise
God hear my prayers before I rise !
I’d like to think that we were friends
But that’s not where the story ends
We shared great times along the way
The path was straight, we did not stray.
When we were young each fell in love
What was it we were dreaming of
Our hearts were true and pure somehow
But things are not so simple now !
That golden hair has turned to white
With little will left here to fight
Mementos that we meant to keep
Got lost in some discarded heap,
The times long gone of used to be
Our friendship found eternity !
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 !
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 !
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 !
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 !
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 !
How I remember little things
The way the scent of ocean clings
And salt that lingers on one’s lips
Or dreams of trips on sailing ships !
The sound of waves that lash the shore
They whisper you’ve been here before
Days of great joy they can’t return
Their memories shall ever burn !
A heart that’s full with treasure sings
Amidst the pleasure laughter brings
Remembering what used to be
Becomes a lifelong litany !
We search around, what do we see
A world wrapt in fragility
This paradise with dreams delayed
Is where you’ll find courage displayed !
The knowledge that the years have taught
This history for which we’ve fought
To live our faith, bide by its word
And heed God’s call that we have heard !
Prepare to gird for grievous aim
Know in the end we shall acclaim
The strength of our great Lord above
Who feels our grief and sends His love !
In time teardrops blend with the rain
Flushing emotions down life’s drain
So much alike they shall remain !
Those raindrops falling from the sky
God’s cleansing force here rushing by
This separation won’t defy !
Thus tears and rain can sisters be
And blend together silently
While each retains identity !
True tears much softer surely are
Engendering those near and far
To welcome wind and greet each star !
All history is long and bold
As destinies do here unfold,
My forebears came in ‘forty-six
Over the sea to join the mix
And oh, how fast this nation grew
From far and wide by crowd or few !
There is a story I’ve been told
By great grandma when she was old,
About the three mast ship they caught
While fleeing from the nearest port
And leaving all they owned behind
Except mementoes they could find !
That voyage to the promised land
Was long and harsh and out of hand,
No Lady in the Harbor stood
Just dreams of hope and common good !
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Claire V. Bogdanos 