While childhood does so quickly pass
Those lessons learned forever last
A child has eyes that seek the truth
And caring heart that needs no proof.
The child does not a judgement make
Based on reports both real and fake
The honest world of children knows
That “thank you” works and kindness shows.
Why do we lose this simple touch
When older grown we’ve learned so much ?
What we have lost and left behind
Is innocence we’ll never find !
We search for the rainbow to show
These colors wherever we go
The blue for the calm of the sky
The yellow to keep our hope high
Green to remind us of rebirth
And brown like the color of earth.
There’s purple to honor our love
Of God and the angels above
While red brings great passion to life
With orange to challenge the strife.
Now lavender favors our past
The pink helps the sweetness to last.
The chartreuse works to calm the mind
But aqua seeks patience to find
The peach has a wonderful glow
And the gray, the wisdom to know.
I think the magenta’s the best
It outshines the whole of the rest
I wonder if God wore a coat
Would pale lily capture His vote ?
I thought myself alone one day
When voices soon came out to play
They called my name and cheered me on
Return with them to times long gone.
I dreamt I was transported back
To childhoods trust and angers lack
To days of joy when friendships grew
And sharing dreams were things we knew.
Then I awoke to noise and din
Into our world engrossed in sin
I wish I knew how to return
To that safe place of love and learn !
The bells ring out with such joyful sound
The bellmans feet scarce touch the ground
He performs the chore his very best
His effort seems to outdo the rest.
What a happy face he shows to God
As he pulls those cords so extra hard,
What a wond’rous place for us to be
To share this path to eternity !
The times have come the times have gone
Some times were good and some forlorn
The heart remembers with a smile
The days that made our lives worthwhile.
The gentle deeds and loving word
Our ears with gratitude have heard
Are not forgot but linger long
And in our minds repeat the song
That angels in the clouds on high
Will echo till the day we die
That God is love not foolish pride
And comforts us from deep inside !
I have placed my life in God’s hand
Hoping to glimpse the promised land
Like Moses on that magic spot
Who saw the place but entered not.
Just the distant sight of it all
Is enough to lift lifetimes pall
For in the end when truth is known
Each of us reaps what we have sown.
I think I have come to the end of my dreams
Was it but pretend, because that’s how it seems.
I’m not sure I know what the next step will be
But whatever it is Lord tarry with me
Forgive my failures and stay close by my side
As I slowly begin the last of my ride.
I’ve traveled so far on my journey of light
It’s time now to enter that final goodnight.
The sound of voices I love may twist the rules
Belief otherwise is the substance of fools.
What shall we do this blessed day,
We’ll walk with God along the way
And tred the path to long ago
When kindly thoughts did ebb and flow.
We’ll take a moment here and there
Remembering the love we shared
And try to keep our dreams alive
While unrelenting powers thrive.
When we have chosen every word
The angels up above have heard
And tasted both wins and defeat
Then may our hearts decline to beat !
A hopeful dream has piqued my mind
If I seek God what shall I find ?
A treasure trove of caring thought
With acts of love in kindness taught
Great patience gathered all around
While simple truths and peace abound,
The joy that bides with one each day
And faith that carries fear away
The gentle calm believing brings
And happiness where gladness sings.
TODAY is one of those days, remarkable and reassuring, a day to renew my connection with American values! A day to believe that we can rise above the chaos of our declining society with unfailing faith in our humanity. I have spent a number of hours in the last few days in the company of what I found to be a cohesive family, gathering for a wedding. How comfortable to witness old fashioned affection ! It brought back memories of my childhood and those wonderful family togethers by the lake, by the beach, in the park. Doesn’t everyone recall one magic occasion ? What is the fascination with immediate gratification of all of our senses when we leave no opening for that spectacular surprise or chance occurrence. Where did we lose anticipation ? Oh, Santa will you become the next victim of expediency ? As a small child, Christmas Eve filled our home with varied relatives, there would be rapping on the front window, a jingling of sleigh bells on the porch and as the curtain was pulled aside, the sight of a jolly person in a red hat waving a big red sack ! It took a few years and a new home before I realised that it was my cuddly and chubby aunt in a homemade costume who came calling, I know, I know, Alice in Wonderland ! I believe HER family WAS dysfunctional ! But aren’t we all just a bit, who wants to be perfect ? Such a heavy burden to bear ! I found it delightful to wake up to a brief spate of normalcy these few days in the Sheraton on the Hudson. HAHA !! Sincerely, Claire B.
The morning dew collects upon the petals of the rose
The leaves that fall into the stream drift as the water flows
The breeze that greets the newborn morn may whisper ever sweet
As birdlings in their parents nest await their early treat.
I’d like to think that men are bold and to their faith keep true
It might just be my fondest dream it would be me and you
The dearest hope I can conceive is one which makes Him glad
These must be joys that God does love and will not make Him sad.
I awoke this morning with these words in my head, “For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on him should not perish” ( John 3:16 ). Wow ! For those of us who are parents this is some wake-up call, but for those who have only one child, what a sacrifice ! This unseen being or power that masquerades in many forms to many peoples for many centuries must really like us, you think ? Frankly, I can’t begin to imagine that kind of love, I’m not even capable of it. How about you ? Is that why love has such power, not to be confused with lust ? The Bible is full of stories of love, when did we lose the true meaning ? Perhaps we should consider the story of David and Bathsheba, now that was lust ! Just look at the results, the baby died and the wisest man who lived, his brother Solomon, left us reams of prayers and wisdom and a civilization that perished. But love, like that of Jacob and Rachel endures forever. I think that is God’s love for us and passes all understanding ! I’m sure His promises are eternal and I’m willing to spin the wheel with God, no matter where the chips may fall. Will you join me ? It is truly the lack of love destroying this old world today and it’s time we got our act together ! Sincerely, Claire B.
There is no one born without worth
We are His children from our birth
This world so great and marvelous
Such beauty God has gifted us.
He counts the hairs upon our heads
While angels guard us in our beds
There’s so much magic happening
With His true wisdom beckoning.
A consequence this wealth recalls
When in the forest one leaf falls
The stars above can sense the sound
And heaven hears it hit the ground !
The heart is full of sadness
The mind so full of grief
One needs a sense of gladness
For laughter brings relief.
A simple love of goodness
Can reach out to lift pain
An act of tender kindness
Stirs souls to hope again.
I believe each man approaches faith by life’s crooked path
A victim of passion, disillusion, anger or wrath
When all else is exhausted and his time seems to run out
He turns to God his heart full of pain, his mind full of doubt.
And there in the starkness of a life devoid of some aim
He discovers the truth as he calls on God’s holy name.
Soon the path becomes straight and he will recapture his life
Learning to live with His love instead of chaos or strife.
I heard the prayers said on Christmas Day
From the bloody wars a world away
As they echoed loudly through the hall
Upon my heart fell a heavy pall
That felt like a weight I could not lift
I know peace is an elusive gift !
Somehow all my tears refuse to cease
From war and death there seems no release.
So I begged God for a helping hand
To cleanse this lost and forgotten land
And I shall wait for my answer clear
Pray it won’t take forever to hear !
I am feeling somewhat ancient and aching all the while
But I always try to manage to show a happy smile.
My God has dealt with me kindly over so many years
He has granted me much joy some without too many tears.
As I recall my life from its beginning to its end
I express my gratitude God has been my special Friend !
May you find joyous peace
May The Lord bless your life
May your troubles decrease
As you parry with strife.
May the hand of the Lord
Heal the ache in your heart
And with loving accord
Give your life a new start.
There was a child so long ago
Born in a manger, cold and low
That gentle child became the man
To carry out God’s master plan.
I wish I had been there that day
When He was born so far away
To celebrate that happening
The birth of our beloved King !
Where do all of our memories go
Recalling things we knew long ago
To remember when I was so small
And my world about seemed ever tall.
These remembrances still fill my mind
Days sometimes glad and sometimes unkind
Some days when I felt lost or confused
Others as we laughed and were amused.
Plain and simple joys that used to be
Committed now to each memory
That won’t be lost and keeps flowering
With its virtues overpowering.
The frost that clouds my window pane
Left over from the icy rain
Fogs the view from my balcony
Posing this deep dark mystery
That begs an answer loud and clear
I can’t remember why I’m here.
Remind me Lord what I must do
To keep in harmony with You.
Be fair and just and kind and wise
Remember truth discard the lies
Help the poor and defend the weak
And thank the Lord each time I speak.
The snowflakes flutter to the ground
They do not make a single sound
But rushing down they seem to crowd
Our world with joy more than allowed.
Their swirl of white a veil intense
That covers errors with defense
And makes this place a wond’rous sight
Bedecked in every shade of light
As God envisions all the while
Perhaps the view evokes His smile !
A song of joy he brings to you
The notes he sings from out the blue
Will hang in air so gently sweet
This serenade of love complete,
Phrases that emerge unbroken
With esteem its tender token.
Listen closely and you will hear
A sprightly tune too full of cheer
That lends to life its special edge
Melodic bird on windows ledge.
Dear God above take hold my hand
I wander aimless through this land
I do not know how we will fare
Where shall we go, who will be there ?
The lessons that my life has taught
And dreams I’ve dreamt have come to nought.
The world seems caught in some sad plight
Shall we survive through this bleak night ?
Stretch out Your hand to guide us there
We need Your love and help and care.
The church bells rang so sharp and clear
Sweet peal of music on the ear
Echoed nightly from the steeple
Calling all the faithful people
To worship with the Christmas child
Who blissful sleeps in manner mild.
His arms reach out to woo them in
Help rid us all of vice and sin
This simple babe brings worldly peace
And from our grief grants us release.
I woke this morning full of joy and love, so much that I was impelled to share and sharing is what I shall now do ! The words in my head were “My mind to me a kingdom is such perfect joy therein I find, as far exceeds all earthly bliss that God or nature hath assigned”, the poet, Sir Edward Dyer, died 1607. I must admit that I cannot recall when or where I encountered those words, as you must know by now, my long life has been blue-collar, middle American soon approaching its close. Mind and heart, both precious gifts from our creator who gifted us with free will to utilize both, either or none ! Such freedom ! Such joy ! Such love ! One month from now will be the 25th year of my confinement to a wheelchair due to a long ago accident however I continue to live alone and unassisted quite happily among my books and dreams. Walking is exceedingly difficult and a bit painful at best not to mention the snails pace, sometimes worse than others depending upon divers weather factors. I am ready to turn another page in life’s book and appreciate your tolerance and input. I can only hope that you find my thoughts soothing and may be able to help me uncover information about the “Legend” as in Francis Bacon’s “I had rather believe all the fables in the Legend and the Talmud and the Alcoran than that this universal frame is without a mind”. Sincerely, Claire B.
I love you Lord, this much I know
I’m thankful for the trees that grow
The flowers that will all spring forth
As winter winds escape due north,
The raucous clouds that bring us rain
To help implode great fields of grain
And snow that melts into the stream
Where schools of fish will spawn and teem.
I’m grateful for the air that sings
And carries life upon its wings
The gull, the dove, the sparrow small
Belong to God as do we all !
Could we but know what life may hold
Would we perform in manner bold
Or take the path of lesser ways
To weaken failures of our days ?
I’m never sure what I should choose
There’s much at stake to win or lose
Somehow I’d like to think that I
Might opt to give love one last try !
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Claire V. Bogdanos 