(Feel free to use these poems and share with others.)
My Quest( my mission statement for life)
To view each day as a chance to learn from yesterday, plan for tomorrow and act accordingly.
To be as Don Quixote and view life as it should be and not as it is.
To see each person for what is inside, not what they put out front.
To go to sleep at night with the knowledge that my family and friends know I love them unconditionally and that I am proud they are part of my life.
To know that if I should die, the words, actions and thoughts of today could stand as my monument.
To keep my word no matter what.
To be true to myself above all else.
To reward accomplishments no matter how small or great they are.
To see the magic in every sunset and enjoy it.
To show kindness regardless of circumstance.
To be able to smile no matter the complaints I may have.
To attempt the absurd! (thus achieving the impossible from time to time.)
This is my Quest.
sb
What The Flag Means To Me(written 9-12-01)
The red is the blood of too many people who have given their lives
to provide us the right to fly, or burn it.
It is also the blood of the many innocent lives lost, simply because they were Americans.
The white is the hopes and dreams of the familes of those
who have died, that their sacrifice
was not in vain and meant something.
The blue is the promise of each new generation, that they will leave the world
a better place than their parents did.
It also is the many tears shed among all classes of people, hoping for this better life.
The stars represent the heavenly guidence our leaders receive from above,
starting with our founding fathers down to the present day administration.
(this is given even if they don't deserve it themselves)
What does the flag mean to me?
It's hard to put into words,
but as I stand with hand over heart and sing the last words of,
"...and the home of the brave."
a tear comes to my eye, and my heart beats alittle stronger.
This flag is my heritage from my father and his father, and what I leave to my children.
Long may it wave
sb
Courtship
Thank You
If all the flowers in the world
could be gathered into just one bunch,
they still would not match the beauty
I see when I look in your eyes.
If all the sunsets would combine in one
great effort, the thrill would not compare to
the tug of my heart when I see you smile.
If all the music I love were compressed into
one final song, it could never
match the joy I feel when I hear you laugh.
If all the actions I could ever do would
join together in one moment, I still would not
feel as complete as when I hold you in my arms.
Thank you.
sb
Tears
Tears form in your eyes
and run down your cheeks
pulling at the strings
which hold my heart.
The words come easy
as I say I love you
you give me a hug,
a smile, then my tears start.
The feelings we have
are special and alone.
No one else can understand
what we both feel.
Our tears join as one
Our hearts reach and touch,
the love begins to grow
and is growing still.
sb
The Truth
All around me was praise.
But I knew the truth.
People gave me compliments
But I knew the truth
I knew what they could
never know, would never know.
I thought I was beyond even God's help
but then you came and
made me feel truly happy with
myself.
Some how you too knew the truth,
but of a different sort.
You knew what I could be,
should be and would be
with your help.
sb
The Rut
The sides were steep and
you could see where
countless times I had tried
to crawl out, only to
fall back to the bottom.
I knelt and cried and even screamed
then tried again, only to
almost make it then fall
head over heels back
to the bottom.
As I sat and cried, I thought
to pray for help.
As I opened my eyes
I saw you at the top
with a rope.
sb
Fatherhood (moms too)
Babe in Arms
As you're held in my shaking arms
and I look into your face
I see a smile on your lips
and strive to keep the tears in place.
Even in the short time
we've known you, we've been
able to feel your love with
your wisdom and spirit,
which came from above.
With nervous hands and
a voice a quiver I start
the prayer, it sounds a whisper.
How can I tell you what
you mean to me
or what I hope you'll
someday be.
How can I tell you of
all the plans I've
made for you as
you grow to be a man.
How can I ever thank God
enough for sending
you to us.
sb
Equal
Every soul is equal.
One like the other.
As far as God is concerned.
the proof for this is simple,
We are all blessed with
the love of a mother.
sb
My Newborn Son (thoughts of a mother)
(For Adam Lyndsay Gunder
Born Feb. 12, 1980
Mackay, Queensland, Australia)
You are the first of our family.
You were planned for, waited for
and wanted.
As I hold you in my arms
and look into your face.
I wonder what you will become.
Rich or poor, Famous or not.
Tall or short, happy or sad.
So many to choose from
So many to become.
A president, or even a prophet!
Rebellious or obedient, so many.
But this much I do know.
You will be loved!
sb
New Mother
Sleep will not come to
my tired, bloodshot eyes.
For someone is missing,
wait...was that his cry?
I listen again, but only
silence meets my ears.
My heart races on
My mind fills with fears.
Is he all right, is he safe?
I slip out of bed
and walk down the hall.
My spirit is full of dread.
I peek in the window
and see that he's all right.
Then I tiptoe to my bed
and turn out the light.
Peace fills my heart and
chases away the cold.
I had to check on him
After all,
he's only two days old!
sb
LOVE IS:
A tear wiper
A band-aid giver,
A smile,
A hug,
A Mom.
sb
MOM
That person who loves you
without compromise.
Who will be honest with
you, even if it hurts.
Who gives her all for
your happiness.
Who cleans the house
and irons your shirts.
But most of all
that person who is
the closest you'll
come to an angel.
sb
Dreams (for Randy)
Dragons flying, knights riding
Damsels crying, wizards fighting
a losing battle, (or so it seems)
Sailors sailing, sea tossing
Pirates raiding, dolphins swimming,
As my five year old awakes
from his dreams.
sb
Legacy
(written for my Mother)
When I crawled and then took
my first faltering steps
you were behind to catch
if I should fall.
You believed in me.
As I walked to school
bravely for the first time,
you followed behind yet
You believed in me.
Reading for the hundredth time
“Where The Wild Things Are”
Smiling to yourself as I
mouthed the words to
match your voice.
You believed in me.
As I tried to teach
myself this weeks
instrument, missing more
notes than I hit.
Quietly encouraging the song.
You believed in me.
Band concerts, half-time shows
parades and pep rally’s.
Attending each one
with silent support.
I saw and felt that
You believed in me.
Writing letters to say
that money was not a concern,
or not to worry about the rain
or the latest bike wreck or
the lack of apparent success
between the lines I read
You believed in me.
Quietly supporting my
choices knowing it would
end in pain, you smiled
and still let me know that
You believed in me.
As you earned the title
Grandmother which changed
to Ma with ease.
Offering advice when asked
and when not,
You believed in me.
Explaining that the
light at the end of the
tunnel was not an
oncoming train but
happiness for me at last
You believed in me.
Accepting my choices and
guiding me to my love.
You listened to my plans
gave little comment,
You believed in me.
The Love I have for my wife,
my friends and family, and for
the Lord, can all be traced back to
You believing in me
Thank you.
I only hope
as my children and
grandchildren think of me,
that they will one day,
be able to say,
"He believed in me."
sb
Our Family Symphony
As an orchestra is made of different
Instruments, each playing
Their own special song.
Combining together for one
Great magical sound.
So to has been our family.
Each person with their unique
Voice, and part.
Needing guidance, support
Looking to our conductor...you.
Often the sound was sweet,
Sometimes it was flat.
But mostly the sound would
Rival the angels song.
We owe it to you
For allowing each of us
To play a part of the
Symphony in your soul.
sb
Misc.
A Child's Plea
As God looked down from heaven one day.
He watched as a little child knelt to pray.
"Please dear god, I know you care,
So please listen to my special prayer.
A minute ago a car you see,
Came and hit my puppy, Dee.
The doctor says he's met his death.
But I know you can give him breath.
I try to be good every day,
So please, please let my puppy stay."
While with a smile on His face.
God worked a miracle in that place.
A puppy walked away that day,
All because a child knelt to pray.
sb
Poetry
What is Poetry?
Two words that rhyme
or maybe an idea
that will last through time.
Or is it more?
Like words of expression
that bring happiness
and chase away depression.
Or could it be
a sobering thought
with a point
that should be taught.
Is it an escape
from all that is real?
Or maybe a way to let
you know how I feel.
sb
Opposites
The soul would have no rainbows
if the eyes had no tears.
We wouldn't know the happy
without the sad through the years.
When life is dumping on you
and you think you're near your end,
Please think a moment, and call me
your everlasting friend.
sb
Standard
Am I living beneath my
calling as a Child of God?
Do I live up to
my standard of royalty?
If I don't, then
who's fault is it?
Since it's mine,
I had better bend my knees.
sb
Amen
A small word yet, it carries
allot of meaning.
It binds us to
what's been said.
But best of all, it
means he's finally done.
sb
The Comic
Eyes filled up with tears
and people had to hold
their sides, they were
laughing so hard.
Their worries and problems
that had been on their
minds a moment before
were now, for the moment, forgotten.
He stood in the middle
of this laughing, crying crowd.
With a smile on his face
They were no longer sad.
He had met his goal,
people were happy again.
This gave him satisfaction
for what he had brought to them.
sb
