Angels In Disguise
There are angels among us
though you may not know.
They offer us guidance
wherever we go.
They whisper words softly
and if we do not hear,
they lead us to safety
calm every fear.
Angels can appear
in the least likely place
in friend or in foe,
so be kind just in case.
These angels ask nothing
in return for their deeds,
but a heart that forgives,
a spirit that needs.
For each of us craves
someone we can trust
when life gets too hard
and seems quite unjust.
It’s then that the angels
do what they do best;
love us and guide us
and show us we’re blessed.
Life, Death & Other Sacred Things
On Sacred Ground
Bury me beside a creek
so I can hear the waters speak
and plant a rose beside my grave,
its’ scent is something that I crave.
Bury me in shade of tree
where honeysuckle grows for me
and where the blue birds sing all day
in Carolina, I long to stay.
For here I was born and want to be
home at last, my spirit free
to lie in the Blue Ridge night and day,
to rest in peace, O Lord I pray.
Rhapsody of Life
In the water’s mellow music,
In each storm cloud high above,
I sense a deep connection
and it fills my soul with love.
In each and every blade of grass,
in every kind of tree,
on every mountain top I find
a gift God gave to me.
In the sunrise every morning,
In stars that shine at night,
In every blooming flower.
I always find delight.
In little children’s laughter,
In an old man’s friendly face,
In a baby’s tiny fingers,
I behold a simple grace.
In bird song every morning,
in waves that touch the shore,
in every living thing I find
a miracle in store.
Not Today
When memories begin to fade,
when I break promise I’ve made,
and life no longer seems so gay
I shall be old, but not today.
For I have children I must hold
and many stories to be told
and much to see along the way;
I shall be old, but not today.
When I no longer care to write
of all life’s wonder and delight,
or take the time to kneel and pray,
I shall be old, but not today.
For there is much that I must do,
poems to write; at least a few,
and so much more I have to say;
I shall be old, but not today.
When love can’t make my spirit glow
and I care not if roses grow,
it’s then and only then I’ll say,
I shall be old, but not today.
For in my gardens, love has grown
in all the seeds that I have sown,
and never may it wilt away;
I shall be old, but not today.
When I care not how others feel
and life no longer offers thrill,
when hopes and dreams all fade away
I shall be old, but not today.
For I must not accept defeat
for life is short and oh, so sweet
and there’s no time to waste away;
I shall be old, but not today...
Along The Way
If something should happen to me today,
If I get lost along the way,
If I don’t complete what I had planned
I pray I’ll leave footsteps in the sand.
My dreams were great. My goals were high.
My struggles were my battle cry.
I did my best to even the score
Yet always knew I should do more
To reveal to the world a child’s hell,
To speak for those afraid to tell,
To right the wrongs of evil’s deeds,
To show how long a broken heart bleeds.
To those whose hands reached out to mine,
Your love meant more than I can define.
Your encouragement was always there
To let me know that someone cared.
My heart is full; my soul is at ease
And I thank God on bended knees
For giving me this gift to create,
And so many blessings to appreciate.
So if something should happen to me today,
If I get lost along the way,
If I don’t complete what I had planned
I pray I’ll leave footsteps in the sand.
Through Me Lord
Lord be my eyes, so I may see
the beauty in everything you give to me.
Lord be my ears, so I can listen to all
the cries of the children whenever they call.
Lord be my voice, so the world I can tell
that God is the difference between heaven and hell.
Lord be my heart, fill it with love,
so some glorious day, I’ll meet God above!
Lord, work through me, show me the way
and salvation will be mine some glorious day!
This poem, In Celebration of Angels, is dedicated to my friends Jackie, Mary, and Mid.
In Celebration of Angels
One more struggle,
one more trial,
one more mountain I must climb
but the angels will be with me
as they have been all the time
for I never could have made it
without them to carry me.
Through it all I felt their presence
till they set my spirit free.
Now I walk another mountain
and I know I’m not alone
but I finally have the courage
to attempt it on my own.
Now I know if life gets scary
and I can not see the light
I can ask for God’s protection
and his angels will take flight.
Though it’s been a long, long journey
and not every path is straight,
now that Jesus is my savior
every day I celebrate.
I have many, many blessings
and I’m thankful for them all
and I thank God and his angels
for helping me to stand up tall.
Sonnet
Poet’s Design
When daybreak comes and I no longer care
to listen for the mourning doves first cry,
anticipate the sunrise in the sky
or smell the apple blossoms in the air
my passion to write poetry will die.
When night falls and I hear no symphony
in creatures that were once so dear to me,
when heaven is not magic to my eyes
and rivers do no draw me to their side,
my passion to write poetry will die.
When miracles are only fantasy
and justice doesn’t matter much to me,
My purpose in this world will cease to be;
Life is written in my poetry.
Immortal Man
I’m the spirit of man, an immortal soul
the sum of all people, the total, the whole.
I surrendered my life so yours would not end.
I believed in the virtues of compassionate men.
When I suffered from hunger
you had no food to spare.
When I begged for some water
you had none to share.
When I asked for forgiveness
you would not forgive
yet you ask for my grace each day that you live.
You looked at my skin, shackled my feet.
You murdered, imprisoned, tried to defeat.
You used your religion to wipe out a breed.
You stoned and you laughed
as you watched humans bleed.
When you look at our world
look close and you’ll see
all I prayed man would never be.
Still I’ll go on believing
in the morality of mankind.
I’m the universal spirit
good and evil defined.
2nd Place Deep Waters Poetry Contest
My Protector
I can feel his gentle presence
as he watches over me,
as he guides me and protects me
any place that I might be.
I can feel his arms around me
every day and all night long,
and I know when I am singing
he has blessed me with this song.
Oh God almighty, watch over me,
guide and protect me, eternally.
Oh God almighty, bless me today.
I feel your presence in every way.
Do Not Cry For Me
Remember when I was alive and do not cry for me,
for I had treasures on this Earth that were so heavenly!
Though I have had my share of woes, the blessings far outweigh,
for God had many plans for me that took my pain away.
The sound of children’s laughter was music to my ears,
and when I saw injustices, God helped to ease my fears.
With visions that inspired, he showed my goals to me ;
and with this special gift he gave I wrote my poetry.
I’ve held a tiny baby’s hand and sang a lullaby.
I have walked in Summer rains, seen rainbows in the sky!
Of daffodils and violets, I’ve written poetry,
and don’t forget forget-me-nots that bloom there by the tree.
I’ve seen the eagle flying high, watched him soaring there!
I’ve watched a thunderstorm at night; its power beyond compare!
I’ve watched a shooting star go by and felt a special thrill,
and I have seen the chickadee land on my window sill!
I’ve had the chance to see the world in magnificent display,
the Ravenfork and Mingo Falls and more along my way!
I’ve walked where laurel was in bloom and heard the owl at night!
I’ve seen the oceans crashing waves and felt its awesome might!
I’ve seen blue smoky mountains and valleys far below.
I’ve smelled the roses by the walk, made angels in the snow!
I’ve walked in puddles with bare feet and laid in green, green grass.
With children I watched clouds above and saw the dragons pass!
I have heard the mourning dove, smelled a honeysuckle breeze.
So many blessings I have had with treasures such as these!
I’ve had the love of family and friends to make me smile,
and I have seen such miracles in just this little while!
I’ve lived life to the fullest, and oh, it went so fast!
There was much more for me to do, but now it’s time at last.
So remember when I was alive and do not cry for me,
for I had treasures on this Earth that were so heavenly!
Universal Muse
She is light
in dark, mysterious spaces,
integrity in immoral places .
She's hope
in spite of uncertainty,
mercy for those with misery.
She's an idealist
in a realm of broken dreams,
conscious of her adversary's schemes.
She's morality
displayed for all to see,
enlightenment to all who wish to be.
She's time,
yesterday, today, tomorrow,
ecstasy within a world of sorrow.
She's creation
from beginning to the end,
solitude yet society's boisterous friend.
She's love in a world of sin and hate.
She's harmony;
this, the poet's fate.
