Our World

Mountains and valleys, rivers and lakes.
Deserts with dry beds, jungles with snakes.
Typhoons and hurricanes, heat waves and snow.
Volcanoes and earthquakes; change what we know
Sunshine and rainfall, fresh plants soon grow.
Decay to renewal, as new life flows.
Populations continually grow.
Races with language each different to know.
Variety of cultures and ways that we live,
Various standards to accept, or resist.
Codes of behaviour, laws that we make,
Each nation decides the world we create.
All people contribute, each person unique;
Our thoughts, our actions, the words that we speak.
Either we share all we can with the poor,
Or simply hold fast to our own; and ignore.
We speak out against what we know is not right,
Or complain of our leaders, our weakness; their might.
Hope is what joins us, that through it’s door
Tomorrow may bring all we need, once more.
Faith is believing what we hope will come true,
Then acting upon it in all that we do.
But love is the key for life all around,
A gift, should we choose to use, to confound.
Our lives are fleeting, how long? We don’t know.
Each day a choice, to give thanks as we go?
This world of ours is a wonderful place,
Of which we partake with every race.
In acceptance of problems and all that we face,

May our faith, hope and love transform it with grace.
At Christmas, birthdays,

Or through
the year,
We keep in
touch

With those we hold dear,
For to us they are special,
Have become a part
Of all that we value
Within our heart.
Each one has given us
A part of their self,
Freely, generously,
Denying themselves.
A link has been forged,
The chain’s become strong,
Will last forever
Our whole life through.
Though a card may be brief,
It helps us to say
We remember and
Give thanks for them,
Especially that day.
As we think of each one
We wish them life’s best,
Throughout their lives
May each one be blest.

We are reminded at Christmas of God’s own Son.
Who came out
of love for
every one.

The gift of himself so freely given,
Not all could see for he was hidden.
Within humanity’s daily care,
The usual, ordinary, everywhere.
It’s not just at Christmas but every day
That we give of ourselves come what may.
For when you give of yourself to me,
Out of love, unselfish, generously.
I can only give thanks for in you I see,
The gift of God to humanity

Where is our hope for tomorrow

In this grief
stricken
world of ours?
With our food

and water shortage
The problems grow like a tower.
Just why are the nations waiting,
What is it they hope to win?
When they hold back on their promise
And the clamour of death begins.
As they sit eating their breakfast
And leisurely begin their day.
Do they give a thought to our sons
Dying; in our land far away?
Perhaps if it were their children
Who were weak, hungry and thin,
They’d find the need to move mountains
And the help we need would pour in.
Consider all men as brothers
For peace, hope and justice to win.

Cut through whatever is binding,
Let the day of giving begin.

A family is a unit of people together

Who trust,
respect, show
love
whenever.
Such an environment will shape a child’s direction,
Teach essential principles and correction.
Can effect changes in the community,
From the young to those of more maturity.
Especially through their spiritual commitment
Effectively taught and modelled each instant.
But conversely the opposite is also true,
With a power to destroy through various abuse.
Emotional damage caused in childhood,
Often remains far longer than it should.
Forgiveness and loving consistency

Applied with wisdom and persistency,
Create the qualities of a good family,
Often desired throughout humanity.
As one small unit joins with another,
We then will realise that all men are brothers.

How much do we appreciate the people close at hand?
How clearly
do we see
when by our

side they stand?

How often have we wandered whether near or far,
Without fully realizing the hurts we leave to scar.
We often take for granted those we love the most,
And sometimes seem to see just a pillar or a post.
But each one is a person, a book for us to read,
A close encounter daily and each one has a need.

Let us try to see them clearly for their value is unique,
And in them we can find all the things outside we seek.

A LOVING TOUCH.

A touch is so

important
To those who cannot see.
Breaking the isolation,
Creating unity.
Alone by ourself
We can find delight
Through sense of taste or smell.
In sounds we hear around us,
Familiar, strange as well.
We can hear our voice
As we sing a song

Or quote a well loved rhyme.
We can touch and feel toughened steel,
Or things warm or cold as ice.
But the touch we receive
In our moment of need,
From one who understands,
Filling every part
Of our mind and heart,
Is a loving touch indeed.

No man is an island, as the saying goes,
People who
need people,
is the
songsters prose.

Each one is a person, all humanity
With our dreams and longings, similarities.
Now I’m old and feeble, independent? me?
What I wish I cannot, causing agony.
But there’s much more to it, is it such a crime
To be so forgetful, and long past my prime?
I keep trying daily to do all I should,
But the hours it takes me, I could be of wood.

Once I could bend freely quickly passed the time,
Then, it was plain sailing, now, I can’t survive
Unless someone helps me, I feel like a child
With needing help daily, and so sad inside.
Feeling such a nuisance, it’s so hard to bear,
Being such a burden, making others care.
When they’re kind and gentle, patient as can be,
Then I know they’re loving, genuine you see.
It makes such a difference the attitude shown,
Makes me feel a person worthy to be known.

Lonely . . . lies the baby battered in it’s cot,
Also it’s parent,

divorced, married or not.

Lonely . . . the child abused by those held dear,
As well as the one suppressing guilt and fear.
Lonely . . . the teenager seeking as they roam,

Joined by the unemployed whom everyone disowns.
Lonely . . . young Mother’s isolated at home,
Moving so frequently to areas unknown.
All of life compartments, from birth to old age through.,
Separated families, society fractured too.
Illness or infirmity, the lowest to on high,
Bereavement, loss, redundant, lonely is the cry.
Individuals seeking, longing to be known
At depth, and in reality, identity shared and shown.
Loneliness is facing a discovering of oneself,
Feelings and perceptions unhindered become wealth.
Loneliness accepted, creatively used,
Meaning and existence thoughtfully perused.
Changing, building bridges, relationships renewed,
Faith, hope and charity from self to self produced.

I could search
the whole
world over

And never find another you.
Like a day of precious memories
You are forever new.
Contributing uniquely
In your own special way,
Adding laughter, joy, . . . a richness,
Whether near or far away.
It isn’t what you give me,
Or even what you do,
That gives to life a value
Far more than gold can do.
It is you, yourself, just being
, as only you can be.
The essence of your spirit
Is the beauty that I see.

Who knows what twists and turns life will take,

The decisions we will face the choices we must make.
Life is fleeting, this much we know,
Should we just exist? Or make the most of it’s flow.
As we reach out to others all around us
We find new friends whose love will touch us.
For life is a gift we are all meant to share,
Not just with one, but all, everywhere.
Each one we care for and help on life’s way,
Contributes to the good which then holds sway.
So never be afraid to reach out in love,
For it is a gift from ‘Our Father’ above.

A simple act of sharing was how it all began,

The young boy’s lunch he sacrificed
As he gave it to the man.
Who took his gift and blessed it
Which was multiplied that day,
For many around were hungry
For more than they could say.
It gave them time to listen
To receive much more than food,
From this one small act of sharing
Came an enormous amount of good.
If what we have is given,
Willingly, then blessed,
We will discover that nothing is wasted
God alone will do the rest.

Retirement.

Life has been filled with work and play,
Routine discipline day to day,
Times of resting from sheer hard work,
At others doing things that irk.
Suddenly life is filled with cheer,
Time on my hands, no need to fear,
Hundred and one things I can do,
Where to start needs discipline too.
Much more still to be achieved,
Contribute or not, just as I please,
What are the things I want to pass on,
Learnt from my past, times that have gone.
Caring, compassion, loving too,
Willing to learn anything new,
Beauty in nature, music, art,
Accepting all right from the start.
A new phase of life has begun
Promising joy, freedom and fun,
To make the most of every day
Is my intention come what may.

We long for peace but we misunderstand

If we think we can hold it within our own hands.
There are those who think peace is a scene, or a year
When they find all of their loved ones are near.
Others, that it is contained in a day
When they can either work, rest or play.
But the only real peace to be found in the land
Is given as we trust and take hold of God’s hand.
When we realize he has loved us since before we were born,
He knows when we are tired, sad and forlorn.
His will be the peace that we receive inside
As we find how much he loves us and say with pride.
Ours is a God who always understands,
He has lived with us and walked in our land.
His resurrection is ours on earth
For to him we are truly of infinite worth.
Each sorrow or problem, whatever may befall,
His love and peace will be with us through them all.

Missing.

The Father wept, his child was missing,
No more hugs with laughter and kisses.
Time together, sharing, listening,
Feeling so proud watching him grow.
Unable to guide, out there on his own.
Is he in peril? Where can he be?
I have to search for he is part of me.
It doesn’t matter how many I have,
Whether boys or girls, good or bad.
Each one is special, a part of my heart,
I have to leave, I must depart
To search and seek until he is found,
Through hills, valleys, cities and towns.
There is no other way; he’s so precious you see.
What joy I will feel if he turns toward me.
I’ll re-assure, forgiving all, for he is my child
Whom I long for and call.

How can I express the sunrise or it’s setting at close of day?

The colours of all the flowers with petals and leaves so gay.
The trees which shelter songbirds, running brooks or gentle

stream,

High mountains with deep valleys, breath-taking wonders I

perceive.

Of benefits received from sunshine combined with falling

rain,

Their value goes far deeper than my senses can explain.
When I think of all my loved ones and all that they mean to

me,

My friends and known acquaintances, the rest of humanity.
They bring such joy to living; it’s just the same you see
They don’t have to change or say naught, but silently witness

and be.

I didn’t know the depth of all you meant to me

….until we parted.
I was full of myself, and foolish
To take you so much for granted.
The pain I caused you, I since have felt
With utter desolation.
When I realised the gift
You gave me of your self,
Was all I ever wanted.
I ask your forgiveness
Of all that is past,
The pain and hurt, our parting.
This lesson of life so painfully learnt
Will be forever lasting.
If only I could take us back
To how we used to be.
Vibrant with health and energy,
Laughing in unity.
If only I could then stop time,
For us to stay the same.
You were ever there when needed,
To help, advise, share pain.
Without your presence, love, support,
How will I cope? Or be?
I long each day to have you near,
Forever close to me.
Though I know that life goes on,
Our span on earth a brief time.
All you have ever given me
Will remain, ever mine.
I give thanks each day for all you are,
And will always be, to me.
My lovely wife, partner, friend,
Forever part of me.

A treasured grandchild is what you are.

Just like a bright and shining star
Against the back-drop of the night.
So too, your presence gives to me
Far more than you can know or see.
You give an added depth to life,
Which helps in all the stress and strife.
Our bond of friendship ever strong,
Creates within a lovely song.
So thank you child for all you are,
A bright and shining, lovely star.

Why do you say you’re useless,

When you mean the world to me?
Don’t you know I’d rather have you near
Than not at all with me?
Our commitment made so long ago,
Still stands as strong today.
As we grow old and faculties fade,
Inside we’re still the same.
Throughout the years we’ve grown as one,
And ever more you’ll be
My loving husband, partner, friend,
Forever…..part of me.

Where have you gone to, my bonny lad?

As I sit and look back it makes me feel sad.
I still have you with me, to touch and to hold,
But the illness you have, grows stronger, more bold.
Do you know I still love you, though I see no response?
Do you realise it is I who supplies all your wants?
No longer together in thought, word or deed.
For this illness separates …… loneliness indeed.
As I remember our commitment made many years ago,
Our lives in all their fullness, how the time has flown.
At times occasionally it’s you I see
As momentarily you return and manage to see me.
But whatever may happen, together or apart,
You will always be held close in my heart.