The time has come the book is read
We will not scurry to our bed
For all our dreams will fade and die
In that brief space we bid goodbye.
The earthly stores we hid away
Will come to nought on that last day
Our lives were meant to end in grace
As we now know it’s God we face.
We know the hand of God above
Bids us accept His way of love
This should be so for all of us
The fuel of life’s great omnibus.
To lead another by the hand
We find it sense to understand
God made no one to live alone
Our hearts and heads not carved of stone.
We own the power to include care
With values that we keep and share
Our duty is to love with joy
In truthful ways we need employ
For love is more than carnal lust
It’s kind and sweet and sure and just.
Thank you Lord for another day
The wind is cool the sky is gray
But if we wait a little while
The morning sun begins to smile.
Such joy to wake this way each morn
Why should I feel lost or forlorn ?
My heart is full my mind is clear
My love of God defeats my fear
I am so glad that I can see
God’s gracious care that comforts me !
Beseech the Lord, He’s always there
Lift up your voice to Him in prayer
And raise your arms to call His name
Beg Him help save the halt and lame.
Grant us the strength to see this through
Roll back black clouds from skies of blue
Reach out a hand which we may clasp
Or garments edge that we can grasp.
Lord with each breath we’ll ask today
For aid to carry us away
Upon the winds in God’s command
We’ll follow Him air, sea and land.
Oh brisk November, cold and chill
Baring all of bleak winters ill
Your days are short while nights are long
The winds too brash, the currents strong.
The message that’s delivered here
Now echoes clearly on the ear
No matter what your stay may bring
God guarantees each newborn spring.
I’ve thought a lot about romance
And pondered if a second chance
Might be of value at some stage
Who has the time at this ripe age ?
The faithful love that does endure
Is one which is both kind and sure
Within this sphere that we may share
The love of God for whom we care !
I do not wish to live in fear
I cannot see the sense
I’d will the terror disappear
Such thoughts are too intense.
I do believe God would agree
I’ll speak for the defense
His love will keep us safe and free
We are His innocents.
I’ve no dreams of great eloquence or grace
My heart just sings to view your laughing face
Such joy it carries to my simple heart
Enough to give my day a blessed start.
I’m sure this love that spreads is whole and real
And feeds the courage of the hope I feel
That you’ll turn out to be the finest lad
With kindly thoughts and deeds as did your dad.
You’ll find the joy of life can be
The doorway to great ecstasy
In which reigns love without delay
And peace that is sweet freedoms way.
The huge forgiving loving Heart
That welcomes your new second start,
A gift now bought with no disdain
Can open doors to faith again.
It’s one to cherish with your strength
So it will last your lifetimes length.
I walked about in my garden today
Speaking with plants in my casual way
Trimming the leaves and hand picking the weeds
Cutting dried pods and collecting the seeds.
I tried to converse with positive means
Praising their growth and the length of the beans.
I respect nature, I’m careful with words
Fondly addressing the vocal wild birds,
I make sure they get appropriate treats
Would I do less for broccoli and beets ?
I do have a secret I must confess
I think may add to my gardens success.
Leftover coffee with all of the grind
Mix with water in a pail of some kind
And ladled with love to sprinkle the rest
Has helped me to make my garden the best.
Oh Romeo, Romeo where have you gone
Seems there’s no love left to wish upon
Romance has fled its fate is unknown
While its happiness has all but flown.
Does this mean we’ve lost our chance at love
What hope is left to be dreaming of ?
You’ll text and tweet and speak on the phone
Yet after this you’re still home alone
The instant has passed and gone astray
You’ll have to wait for another day.
Would you rather live without surprise
Or find passion deep in someones eyes ?
You really don’t have a choice you’ll see
Finding love appears lost fantasy !
I love the sound of children at play
It makes one smile and brightens the day
A little child is a golden gift
And sure to give ones spirit a lift,
With smiles so sweet and a tear or two
Their innocence and sheer trust in you
Gives one the courage to stand up tall
Unselfish and kind loving and all.
I walked outside to catch the breeze
The wind was whipping through the trees
It made a sound that echoed clear
And sent a shiver ear to ear.
I glanced above and saw the skies
They darkened there before my eyes
The clouds were ominous and bold
And in a flash my hands grew cold.
I turned away, I’d had enough
The weather grew both foul and gruff.
It seems to me as I recall
So long ago when I was small
My Nana knew just what to do
To keep me safe from cold or flu.
She’d grab me up and hug me tight
And promise that I’d be alright.
Since no one’s left to take her place
I seldom spot one kindly face
‘Tis sad to think that era’s gone
There’s nought that’s left to wish upon.
Now that I’m sure the magic’s flown
The world I knew became unknown
I sense the rest that used to be
Has now become futility.
A little bit of heaven landed on my window sill
I did by chance observe him resting peaceful and quite still
And to my great surprise he lingered longer than he should
Taking in the view, checking o’er that spot wherein he stood.
I don’t really know if he’d visited with me before
But be assured I gave my word, he’s welcome at my door
If there’s a hope however small, I spoke and he has heard
I want him to know my world’s safe for such a tiny bird !
I love you Lord, you have my heart
Without Your name my day won’t start
Each one is Yours as is each hour
With no God there is no power.
I find myself in cautious awe
I hope to learn what my help’s for,
To praise Your name and do Your will
I’ve made mistakes, You love me still.
I comprehend that we may be
Together for eternity !
I thought my heart would melt away
I stood and watched it die today
I never dreamt I’d feel this sad
I’ve sacrificed the love I had.
I stood aside took second place
And spoke with God to seek some space
I tried the best that I knew how
That it would turn out right for now
I trusted God and queried why
I cannot give love one last try !
One little bird sang out to me
Seems like he’d simply lost his way
His song held promises we’d be
Old friends who met that special day.
I hoped that he would come to know
I’d thought of him as Gods sweet sign
That heaven had sent down to show
How everything would turn out fine.
I miss dear bird now I am grown
It feels like it was yesterday
I’m sure because my cares have flown
And carried all my fears away !
It would be sad if I should wake
To find my life one great mistake
The road I took was meek and mild
I trusted God, I am His child
I sought His love and gentle care
I chose His way to learn and share
I never thought that I should doubt
What His wisdom was all about
Now that I’m sure that I was right
I’ll see no fear in day or night.
The older we get, the more precious the memories, do you agree ? Those terrible years of the Great depression followed by the worldwide destruction of war will forever bring tears to my eyes and a longing in my heart that knows no consolation ! The cost was too high, the loss too great. It engendered a new wave in poetry and literature, Plath, Pound, Masefield, Yeats, Steinbeck, Houseman. I’ve chosen to quote John Masefield. You’ve read about the English teacher who opened my mind and eyes, Lorena Fry, she worked in this country most of her adult life, was born and educated in England and returned home each summer and upon her retirement moved there permanently. Her family home abutted that of Masefield and according to her they were good friends ( I often thought she loved him, my girlish musings ! Woodstock ? ). I am sorry that she never knew how she broadened my life ! This is from “Tewkesbury Road” : “O, to feel the beat of the rain, and the homely smell of the earth, Is a tune for the blood to jig to, a joy past power of words; And the blessed green comely meadows are all a ripple with mirth At the noise of the lambs at play and the dear wild cry of the birds”.
John Masefield Please read this poetic genius and his words and dream !
Sincerely, Claire B.
Our lips must whisper a fervent prayer
Our hearts must echo its plaintive air
The mist must cover the nights delay
The winds must carry our breath away
We need give life one more chance to find
Some lasting peace that won’t cloud our mind
It matters not where the blame must fall
Remember God helps forgive us all !
Wishing cannot alter conditions
But praying changes attitudes and
Attitudes can affect our behavior
Radically ! So for God’s sake
And yours, PRAY !!
( my Nana taught me that prayer changes things )
Within my heart there is this hole
To fill its void becomes my goal
What shall I do if efforts fail
I’ve tried my best to lift the veil
That weighs so heavy on my chest
I cannot spare one moments rest
Until I give this empty space
Some purpose that will chance embrace
All those I’ve loved and I am sure
That without God there is no cure !
You can’t believe that man is all alone
If exiled to some isle of rock and stone
There is no spot on earth that’s out of bound
Know God’s been there before we touch the ground
We need avow that He has set the rules
Our role is learning care with proper tools
And keeping faith profound within our hearts
Lest we should miss the blessing God imparts.
When I remember who I used to be
Before the wealth of years had set me free
I dwell upon the days when we were friends
Those glory days before the story ends
Its tender moments that the heart did find
My memories are pieces left behind.
I know the summer’s gone to rest
I feel the sun upon my chest
I am a part of natures race
I feel her breeze upon my face.
The gushing dawn assails my eye
My heart so full I want to cry
While tiny creatures rush around
My ears are blessed with mornings sound.
It’s strange to see leaves downward drift
These roustabouts my spirits lift
The dreams we’ve lost may chance survive
Because we’ve learned how to revive.
I hear the wind brush through my hair
The smell of fall now fills the air
With each crisp gust my spirits fly
As moments rise and heave and sigh.
I sense the chill that’s not yet there
I shall partake of this worlds share
My spirits grow so full of cheer
I laugh because God’s love is here !
I awoke this AM from a dream of a long ago memory ! It was spring 1936, I was a little girl in a pretty ruffled dress at the wedding of my mothers only sister to a man who always smiled ! Tho’ they were both a bit old for the occasion ! Now I believe there must be a reason for the dream, never dreamt of them before ! My Aunt Olga must not be confused with “old” Aunt Olga, this was my godmother, born in a flat on Willow in Hoboken, March 25, 1910, Good Friday. My Pop called her his “hot cross bun”. As a girl she played piano and soloed as a choir soprano in several local churches. Exceedingly ambitious, graduated from Katherine Gibbs, she became a bilingual court stenographer and translator in N.Y. court system. She met her future husband, college graduate and rising “management” at Hanover Bank downtown. Of course their “paradise” ended with Pearl Harbor, as Selective Service rapidly drafted 1 A’s, single, married, no children, college degree, those on the edge of age 38, before they avoided draft eligibility. My uncle was fluent in English, German and French, he became part of the cadre of those administering justice and prosecution of war crimes, an experience from which he never truly recovered ! My aunt became the companion and driver of Anne Morrow Lindbergh when she lived in New Jersey years ago and loved her job. They worked hard, were kind and loving, sharing a long life together, entering the Bergen Pines Veteran’s Home where they both died in late 90’s. Rare indeed, yes? The greatest generation !!
Sincerely, Claire B.
I count among my friends as best I ever had
The first of all is God and then my mom and dad
I know you’ll be surprised but this is truly so
A friend is always there no matter where you go.
When I was just a girl, my dad he went away
He never really left, I speak with him each day
I know he will not answer we are worlds apart
But I can feel his love because he’s in my heart.
And as the years have passed my mom has joined his side
To leave me all alone impatient here outside
Some day it will just happen I shall join them there
We will be as one with eternity to share.
When I was a child in a polka dot dress
I’d sashay around all my aunts to impress
When I was a girl in a blue gingham gown
I’d swoop and turn and spin to feel upside-down
When I was a lass in my first going out
I wore that costume with not one single doubt
When I fell in love and was dressed as a bride
I wore that garment with a heart full of pride
Now I’m quite old and my figure’s past showing
I’ve learned this one lesson as I’ve been growing
That God loves me best whatever I’m wearing
It’s all about giving, helping and caring !
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Claire V. Bogdanos 