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A Better Tomorrow

Twice weekly I would visit my dear Mom
she'd want piano music for her day -
to hear old-fashioned hymns made her feel calm
so at the old upright I'd sit and play.

The nurse would start to wheel the old folks in
as though some kind of concert had begun!
Eyes closed, toes tapping, each one with a grin
to hear those tunes brought joy to every one.

'Amazing Grace', 'Great Is Thy Faithfulness',
The Old Rugged Cross' and 'Be Still, My Soul',
'How Great Thou Art', and 'A Mighty Fortress',
would make the old feel young; the broken whole.

   Those hymns to God relieved their daily sorrow,
   reminding them of a better tomorrow.


written 14 Sep 2020 (on what would have been my Mother's 101st birthday)

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Mark Koplin Date: 9/29/2020 4:59:00 AM Congrats on your win John! Very nice Login to Reply

Michelle Faulkner Date: 9/28/2020 7:57:00 PM So pleased to see your inspiring verse on the winner's list, John, bravo! Login to Reply

Carolyn Devonshire Date: 9/28/2020 12:15:00 PM I'm sure your piano concert delighted all of the seniors, John. That's quite a wonderful gift to share with others. Congratulations on your win with this uplifting and heartwarming poem! Hugs, Carolyn Login to Reply

John Hamilton Date: 9/28/2020 8:36:00 AM What a wonderful write John, your compassionate manner has a way of being expressed in a special way in this write. The world needs more people like you, that would certainly bring a better tomorrow, and it is soon to come! Login to Reply John Watt Date: 9/28/2020 8:41:00 AM Thank you John, for the contest, keeping our focus on an optimism for a better tomorrow. Also for the kind words and generous placement ~ John

Greg Gaul Date: 9/28/2020 7:29:00 AM Congrats John on a fine verse with especially clever closing lines. Well penned. Login to Reply

Linda Alice Fowler Date: 9/28/2020 6:14:00 AM Congratulations on your win John! This is beautifully written sonnet and very sweet remembrance. Linda Login to Reply

Beryl Edmonds Date: 9/22/2020 9:00:00 AM A wonderful thing you did for your Mom and friends John. I know from my late Mom and Mother-in-law that they never forget the songs and hymns they used to sing. Bless you, Belle. Login to Reply John Watt Date: 9/22/2020 9:22:00 AM Thank you for the visit and touching words about your Mom and MIL. I'll never forget the peace and joy these songs brought to those dear souls.

Jennifer Proxenos Date: 9/19/2020 12:01:00 PM Told you that you are a good, kind man Mr. John Watt. This proves it - wonderful what you did for your mom and the old folk and made them all look forward to a better tomorrow. The last day (we didn't know it would be) my mother wanted to hear some old Greek songs, I sang to her and she fell asleep. She passed on that same evening. Blessings and hugs, Jennifer Login to Reply John Watt Date: 9/24/2020 8:41:00 AM Thank you for sharing your memories of your mother, Jenn. I'm sure her last thoughts on earth were happy ones with your voice in her ears and the knowledge of how much you care. God bless you.

Panagiota Romios Date: 9/19/2020 11:49:00 AM John, how nice of you to do this. I sang to my Mom. She lost her ability to speak or do anything fter a stroke. She lived at home with us and I was her caregiver. The harest four years of my life but I was able 24/7 to give back, all she had given to me, Bless you, Panagiota xx Login to Reply John Watt Date: 9/24/2020 8:39:00 AM I'm sure your Mom loved hearing you sing. You were very kind, and I know how hard those years were. You were being a good daughter. I'm sure it meant so much to her. God bless you.

Andrea Dietrich Date: 9/19/2020 10:29:00 AM I really like your approach here. I swear the only thing to write about a better tomorrow is to write about recalling the past!! Login to Reply John Watt Date: 9/24/2020 8:13:00 AM Thanks, Andrea!

Joanna Daniel Date: 9/18/2020 10:43:00 PM Wow! You did a wonderful thing playing old loved hymns on the piano for your beloved mother, John:) a different take on the theme:) Login to Reply John Watt Date: 9/18/2020 11:19:00 PM Thank you, Jo. Knowing my mom loved it makes it such a special memory for me. I was never very good, but she made me feel like I was Elton John. Enjoy your weekend!

Michelle Faulkner Date: 9/18/2020 10:21:00 PM Such a lovely tune set to timeless hymns - and the line about the broken made whole resonates with me, music can bring hope for happier tomorrows :) Login to Reply John Watt Date: 9/18/2020 11:14:00 PM Amen to that. Music touches the soul and brings back fond memories like almost nothing else. Except maybe Grandma's perfume ;-)

Laura Leiser Date: 9/18/2020 7:48:00 PM I can picture you playing the piano for your mom at her facility, John, and I’m sure you really did this, too! Your compassion and depth of caring is brought forth beautifully in this poem! :) Login to Reply John Watt Date: 9/18/2020 8:09:00 PM Thank you, dear friend. She put up with a lot of years of loud practicing, so her payback was once I knew how to play the thing, she rightly felt she had earned the right to ask me to play at a moment's notice. I dearly miss those moments, and it brought tears to my eyes today to remember them (with gratitude).

Susan Ashley Date: 9/18/2020 6:25:00 PM The beauty of empathy glows with warmth in the rhythm and rhymes of your sentimental sonnet, John. Your evocative pen is as vivid as it is thoughtful and the couplet is both moving and inspiring. Your tender side shines, my dear friend. Warmest wishes always.. ~Susan Login to Reply John Watt Date: 9/18/2020 8:06:00 PM You always leave the most heartwarming comments, my dear friend! Thank you for taking time to read this little memento of my mom, RIP, and leaving behind the afterglow of your thoughtfulness. I appreciate you, and hope all is well in your world ~ John

Jan Allison Date: 9/18/2020 4:00:00 PM aww such a tender poem John, they have a lady come in and play at mum's home and now they are going to have a choir in the home - I will join if they will let me, singing so uplifting and good for elderly folk or those with dementia:-) hugs Jan xx Login to Reply John Watt Date: 9/18/2020 6:34:00 PM Jan it was a serendipity that you would be the first to comment, as this poem was inspired by the email you sent me this morning, and how much you love your mum. Thank you for both email and comment, and always for your kind support. Hugs ~ John