Margarita Lillico Poet Rhyme

Notes About The Poem

Sponsor: Constance La France 

Contest: Tribute to Joyce Johnson 

Tribute to Joyce Johnson

“Earth's Care

Though the arrogance of humanity
Insists some part of it we own,
Fragile Earth on which we stand
Is given to us as a loan.
As we impose our footprints here,
May lovely blossoms show our path.
No poisons or impurities,
Just sweet rainwater for her bath.
In robust numbers we shall march
Against pollution of our land,
Treading lightly as we advance,
Trustees of globe on which we stand.”

On which we stand, and pen while in Earth’s care,  
For’er indebted for such lavish loan. 
May sweet rainwater trace a joyous tear  
On lovely blossom path now You, Joyce, own. 

“I Am

I  am:  A lady-My mama saw to that.
I am:   An American- So proud of my nation.
I am:   A widow-  I buried two husbands.
I am:   A mother. I bore three beautiful children.
I am:   A grandma-  I have six  grand children.
I am:   A great-grandma- I have 12 great-grandchildren.
I am:   A great-great grandma..  I have seven great greats.
I am:   A Christian.. My folks were believers.
I am:   A Lutheran.  Same church for fifty years..
I am:   A church goer.  I never miss a Sunday except now in pandemic.
I am:   A gardener.  Formerly vegetable. Now flowers.
I am:   A garden club member from local to National level.
I am:   A certified flower judge.  For forty years.
I am    A Washingtonian.  I've lived here since 1943.
I am:   A North Dakotan.  Born and raised there.
I am:   A rural resident.  I live alone on my farm. 
I am:   An author.  I have published a book of poems.
I am:   A reader.  I love books.
I am:   A retired person after 30 years same job.
I am:   An old person.  I will be 102 on 7/7/20.”


A lady by birth, her own mama vowed 
That this girl will make America proud. 
A devout believer, no Sunday missed - 
Christian and Lutheran, you get the gist. 
Washington resident, farm girl, no pun, 
And a flower judge, a certified one. 
Left great  legacy starting with “I am” 
Of many a child, a flower, a poem.  

Your footprint on Earth lingers on with us - 
R.I.P.  Joyce, dear fellow poetess.

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Constance La France August 1, 2026 at 2:23 AM Margarita, a beautiful tribute to Joyce and congratulations on your win in my Tribute contest ⭐

Andrea Dietrich July 31, 2026 at 10:49 PM Congrats. I am glad to see a few people paid tribute to this amazing woman. Just realized I saw this a while back. Now I can give it a like!

Paula Goldsmith July 31, 2026 at 8:04 AM Congratulations on your win. I enjoyed reading your wonderful/creative write. Have a blessed day/week with your win...............

Andrea Dietrich June 28, 2026 at 4:40 PM Oh. You did Joyce. She was a stalwart lovely human being and poet. I think she called herself cowboy poet at one time? Thanks for recognizing her with your tribute. I am going to do Connie Wong although I also had others I loved dearly too