Poems (Part 2)

I found my folder of old poems. I'll share them here to save them.

Arlington May 28, 2018

When I went to Arlington, I slowly walked alone.
I wanted to respect them, the names I didn’t know.

Thousands and thousands, the white headstones were so straight.
They stand in perfect rank and file; forever they will wait.

I marveled at their beauty; I tried to read their names.
There are too many for me to read; too many died for me.

Though I do not know them, they never dreamed of me,
They gave their lives fighting, for the land of the free.

I went to see the Tomb, that honors the Unknown.
How many families waited, for those who can’t come home?

When I went to Arlington, I reflected on the past.
Why are there names not older than my own?
This graveyard is supposed to be just for wars of old.
I know that we’re still fighting, but these names brought it home.
Arlington is not just filled with past heroes.
I saw a black casket, pulled by four black horses.
One more serviceman has fallen. One more hero gave us all.

I cannot stand beside them, sharing in the fight.
My health took that away from me.
My heart will remember them, support them, forever thank them.

To remember those who died, while fighting for what’s right,
The purpose of Memorial Day,
For Them, it wasn’t free.

Some Poems from Bartlett's Familiar Quotations
Prayer
Prayer is the burden of a sigh,
The falling of a tear;
The upward glancing of an eye,
When none but God is near.
-James Montgomery

Nobody
I’m Nobody! Who are you?
Are you- Nobody- too?
Then there’s a pair of us!
Don’t tell! They’d advertise- you know!

How dreary- to be- Somebody!
How public- like a Frog-
To tell one’s name- the livelong June-
To an admiring Bog!
-Emily Dickinson

Happy Birthday April 26, 2008

The thunderous plunders of ole Captain Jack,
The treacherous arm o’ the kraken,
What e’er your travels
Who e’er you meet
You’ll swashbuckle ‘em all without question.
A grand buccaneer,
A daring adventure,
The locker 19th fast approaches.
The waters are murky
The currents are swift
But nothing will daunt my big sister.

You follow the skies
And talk to the wind,
Your courses are clearer than maps.
The swiftest of ships won’t keep up with your gait.

So on this day of your nineteenth year
The world looks up at your doings.
The greatest example you are to us all,
Don’t get discouraged and keep moving along.
Happy Birthday Cassia.

I Just Wonder... March 27, 2008
I wonder what it would be like to run away...
Other than stupid.
Just for one day.
Away from all problems and worries and cares...
To just go.
And do what I want to do
With the people I want to be with.
I just wonder...

Softball

The score is tied,
The final match of the season.
Everyone’s tense, you drop great beads of sweat.
The bases are loaded and want to come home,
The crowd grows deathly silent as the batter steps up to the plate,
CRACK! It’s a fly ball!
The bases unload as third comes on home,
Second rounds third and brings it in safe,
Next comes first base followed close by the batter,
The crowd goes wild and you fill with pride.
Your team won the season, championship, first prize,
Congratulations, we’ll see you next year.

Mother's Day 2007

Children are running, screaming and playing,
“Take me here,” “Take me there” and “Don’t forget me,”
The constant demand of all their needs.
Chauffeur, maid, doctor, and friend,
Knowing what’s best for the family.
An awesome mechanic, seamstress and cook,
She knows something’s wrong
Just with a look.
Whether it’s mending our hearts
Or teaching an art,
Mother takes time to care.
Watching her children run as they play,
In the next few years they’ll be running away.
Running to college,
Going on missions,
Finding independence and using mom’s lessons.
The house seems so empty, too big and too quiet.
When all of a sudden, an unexpected surprise,
They’re all at the door with love in their eyes.
Even with the frequent visits and reunions,
Nothing compares to this one special day,
When they all come home just to say,
“We love you Mom, Happy Mother’s Day!”