Tag Archives: poetry

When a Pet is More than a Pet

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We all know that pets can be more than that as they take their place in our families and our hearts. Losing them to death, then, becomes as soul-wrenching as losing one of human family members. Here is what my sister, Mary, felt when one of her dearly beloved pets, her dog, Farleigh, became a treasured memory. Mary would appreciate knowing how many of us feel the same way.

When Farleigh Said Goodbye

I loved her from her very birth
This special pup God sent to earth
To warm again a heart grown cold
From hurts so deep they seared my soul 
She brought me joy, love and peace
And from turmoil came release.
Thirteen years she was by my side
With a cute smile she could never hide
 Though the years took their toll
She lost an eye as she grew old
Arthritic joints couldn’t be denied
Still she hobbled on by my side
 A spirit so strong illness could not still
She carried on through force of will
‘til that day she could barely stand
And left me for a better land
 I felt my heart pain deep inside
And knew my precious Farleigh had died
But before a single tear could be cried
A veil drew back and I saw her on the other side
 I saw my Farleigh whole and new
Not one eye she again had two
As I gazed at her happy face
I was again touched by grace
 She gave me comfort one last time
As her eyes laughed into mine
She was telling me not to cry
From beyond the veil when Farleigh said goodbye
 © Mary Frances Martin
 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

To Not Have a Memory

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My sister, Mary, and I grew up without our father in our lives. We have both lived eighty years, more or less, (I, more…she, less) and still the memory of what we missed haunts each of us. Mary recently put her sorrow into a poignant poem, and with her permission I’m sharing it here.

Lucky Lady

She smiles across the table

Over a cup of tea

Into eyes that have smiled

Back eternally

Does she know how blessed she is

To have her father there

To feel the soft caress

Of his hand upon her hair

I never knew my father

Never had the chance

To sit upon his lap

Feel his arms around me in a dance

Her father’s hair is silver

His hand trembles on his cup

She reaches out to help him

His smiling eyes light up

I close my eyes in sorrow

To have missed so much

To not have a memory

Of my fathers touch

 

©Mary Frances Martin

 

To those who have lost their fathers either by death or separation, we feel your pain and pray that you have at least your fondest memories. Unlike my sister, I have vague memories of our father before he left our lives…not by death but by separation, and I treasure the little I have.

More Power to You

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What do you think of when you think about power? Do you think of those who hold high places in government? Do you think of the rich and famous? Power is only powerful when used for the benefit of all. Here is what the Bible has to say about power: 

For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. 2 Timothy 1:7 KJV

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, Acts  1:8 ESV

For the kingdom of God does not consist in talk but in power. 1 Corinthians 4:20 ESV

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, Ephesians 3:20 NIV

 “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” 2 Corinthians 12:9 NIV

 

being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, Colossians 1:11 NIV

And from my poem “All Things Are Possible”…When you call on the power that’s inherent in you…

So, what do you think of when you think about power? Do you think of you?

 

Lest We Forget

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Please join with me in remembering…lest we forget…

IN FLANDERS FIELDS POEM
The World’s Most Famous WAR MEMORIAL POEM
By Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae

Lieutenant Colonel John McCraeIn Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place: and in the sky
The larks still bravely singing fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the dead: Short days ago,
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved: and now we lie
In Flanders fields!

Take up our quarrel with the foe
To you, from failing hands, we throw
The torch: be yours to hold it high
If ye break faith with us who die,
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields

Composed at the battlefront on May 3, 1915
during the second battle of Ypres, Belgium

Listen to Each Other

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It came to my attention today that a Scarborough MP recently died of cancer. Arnold Chan was fifty years of age and a well respected and loved politician who was first and foremost a humanitarian who cared deeply for his constituents and fellow Members of Parliament. He was said to be positive, optimistic and full of energy.

After hearing a replay of one of his speeches, this particular sentence stood out for me…”That is the challenge that is going on around the world right now,” he said. “No one is listening. Everyone is just talking at once. We have to listen to each other.”

“We have to listen to each other.” How profound is that? And how timely? And how to the point…whether in politics, families, friendships, relationships, marriages…”We have to listen to each other.”

These words remind me of a line from the famous poem, “Desiderata”: And listen to others, even to the dull and the ignorant, for they too have their story.

Some people leave this world a better place by the things they have said and done. Arnold Chan was one of those people just by uttering that single sentence…”We have to listen to each other.”

Own Your Power

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There is power and then there is power. The most powerful people are those who use their power for the good of all, not for their own self aggrandizement.

Most of us don’t feel that we have any power over anything until something catches our attention to prove otherwise. In my case it was the Bible’s many scriptures introducing me to my power. Please read on.

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; Acts 1:8 NIV

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” 2 Corinthians 12:9 NIV

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us..Ephesians 3:20 NIV

For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. 2 Timothy 1:7 NKJV

The wise prevail through great power, and those who have knowledge muster their strength. Proverbs 24:5 NIV

…being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance …Colossians 1:11

And then there is my poem:

“All Things Are Possible”.

All things are possible

To those who believe

To those who have faith

As a small mustard seed

All goals can be reached

All dreams can come true

When you call on the Power

Inherent in you

All life can be lived

To the fullest extent

All wishes fulfilled

As you know that He meant

All things are possible

To those who believe

To those who have faith

As a small mustard seed.

©1984

And so, the moral of today’s post is to own your power.

 

 

A Piece of Work

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Every once in a while a piece of literature will leave its mark on its readers. The following was first reported to be found in Old St. Paul’s Church in Baltimore in 1692. In actual fact, the poem was written in 1927 by Max Ehrmann. Three years after his death in 1945, his wife gathered up all his works and had them published as The Poems of Max Ehrmann. I gleaned this information from the Internet.

I have had this poem in my possession in poster form for many years and it still gives me pause to think and reflect whenever I read it. Here then is Desiderada, a beautiful piece of work that touches on the very values of life.

Go placidly amid the noise and haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence. As far as possible without surrender be on good terms with all persons. Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even the dull and ignorant, they too have their story.

Avoid loud and aggressive persons, they are vexations to the spirit. If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain and bitter; for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself. Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.

Keep interested in your own career, however humble, it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.

Exercise caution in your business affairs; for the world is full of trickery. But let this not blind you to what
virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals; and everywhere life is full of heroism.

Be yourself. Especially, do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love; for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment it is perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth. Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in face of sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.

Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself. You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here. And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive him to be, and whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul.

With all its sham, drudgery & broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be careful. Strive to be happy.

It’s Finally Spring

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I’m borrowing my Facebook post from yesterday to serve as today’s blog. It’s a little poem to celebrate the birth of another Spring.

Spring has sprung, winter has fled,

Let the flowers bloom, put away the sled!

Let the air smell sweet, let the trees get dressed,

Let the grass turn green and the birds build nests.

Let the days grow long, let the robins sing,

Let us all be glad that it’s finally Spring!

Image may contain: bird and text

The Wise Old Owl

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“A wise old owl sat in an oak; the more he saw the less he spoke; the less he spoke the more he heard; why can’t we all be like this wise old bird?” Anonymous.

At this moment and in times to come our world needs a wealth of wisdom.

Owl I ask is that you give a hoot!

Image result for owl photos

 

The Eyes Have It

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I met a gentleman recently who has just begun his ninth decade. He was tall and fairly straight with only a slight stoop in the shoulder area. It was obvious that his hearing was dependent on aids and it was evident that he was making an effort to zone in on the conversations around him. We were at a social gathering where most of us knew each other and he knew no one except the host…or had maybe met a couple of us briefly at a previous function.

He made sure he talked to each person at this gathering, men and women alike. When it came to my turn, he showed me a slip of paper with each person’s name and who was with whom. Beside my name was “poetess” (he had obviously been briefed) and we were off and running on the topic of poetry and poets and his interest in studying logic and related topics. He was a delightfully interesting person and left an impression me.

Ninety years old…and yet looking into his eyes there was a fountain of interest and knowledge and life…a sparkle that belied his chronological age.

One can tell a lot about a person’s sincerity by their eyes. It is said that the eyes are the windows of the soul and perhaps that is why they hold a certain fascination for me. I love seeing people have “eye to eye” conversations, though with some people there is so much going on behind the eyes that it is sometimes difficult to feel engaged.

But of the delightful gentleman in question, I can definitely and unequivocally say, “the eyes have it.”