we are the authors of our life's opus
every scene and every chapter
we hold the pen as we record
history dreams and ambitions
stepping into the shoes of the hero
our integrity and pride on the line
one day we'll sign off on that final page
I need you Lord in every way
But I underestimate how much I need you
I need you in every thing I do
I need you when I go to bed
I need you to sleep peacefully
I need you to wake up every morning
I need you to say my prayers
I need you as I set to work
I need you in every activity
Cause without you I can do nothing
And that is why at the end of every accomplishment
Or setback or delay
I say thank you Jesus
A response from a happy and trusting heart!
Some say we do not need God
In matters He has given us authority
But man is weak and bogged down with frailties
Eternally engaged with battles for survival
And so needs constant guidance
For by our own strength we can do nothing
Dreams fade not away;
Our active efforts bring us
The crown of glory.
The Cat Who Said I Can
They said, that I could never do this!
And I hollered back, “Oh, yes I can!!”
So I hurried down to the sporting store,
And bought sleek, feline-sized, water-skis.
I went to the lake and showed them all.
That indeed not only I would but I could.
Astounding the crowds, one and all,what a ball!
I even created a sleek, water-ski club for cats.
For that, I deserve a goldfeather in my hat!!
Poem 1
7/26/2024
Where's the confidence in life
You're facing a controversial world
Of changes, chaos and upheavals
But an optimist will see a chance in difficulty
A pessimist will see difficulty in a chance
You have to try to live better
God only helps those who help themselves
Only trials, perseverance and efforts
Will accomplish something
A little accomplishment means
A little confidence
Let's the confidence piles up
And you'll have eureka at last
I took the longer way around
I discovered the elongated path
I have gone through the mystery of life
I have seen those things that bring about doubt
I scaled the walls meant for me
I also encountered the things that I shouldn't have seen
What did I miss from the start
That caused life to fall apart
Now I watch the steps that I take
I first question a thing to avoid an escape
I shook and jive to remain alive
I had the Divine all the time
I believe that I will see the finish line
I will claim all that was and is mine
I too had a path I had to take
I reached that higher state
Of mind a thing I never lost
Of time that thing that forever taught
I'm ready to continue on this road
A place that's paved in gold
My wish for you to also see
That place of true destiny
Everlasting from one day to the next
Something that we will never regret
We took the longer way around
But we believe that we will still have our crown
You too I pray to see
On this path of true destiny
When youth was ripe and strong
And accomplishment was infantile
Future was but an un-walked pathway
Stretching the distance to today.
Events and persons still unknown
Would fill history yet to be made
Written in tears of joy and tragedy
Propelled by footsteps seeking the undiscovered.
Steep slopes of the unattained
Warm valleys of the accomplished
Appeared on the pages of Life
As Youth was absorbed by maturity.
Fine-tuning of accumulated lessons
Tempered and became wisdom
Prejudices revealed their baselessness
The realization of wasted time displayed its' folly.
Sunset is neigh
Legacies become epitaphs
Needs become non-existent.
Age introduces … eternity.
February brings the return of Black History month
Black history is real history every day of the week,
So, I react with an “it’s a long coming” harumph!
Important roles of Blacks have been a hide and seek
It’s a cryin’ shame we must now denote “special” days
For Black history is “real” history every day of the week.
Learning important roles of Blacks will always amaze
Every day in American history, Black people excelled,
It’s a cryin’ shame we must now denote special days.
In school, Black achievements were routinely quelled
We were not taught their innumerable accomplishments,
Every day in American history, Black people excelled.
Black people are long overdue for acknowledgments
For their inestimable, incredible contributions to our lives,
We were not taught their invaluable accomplishments.
All lives matter in the grand scheme of history’s archives
Every day we must honor people of all races and creeds
For their inestimable, incredible contributions to our lives.
Written January 29, 2022
I said -
I will accomplish;
They said -
I will not...
I became
A vagabond;
I accomplished
What they ever could not...!
17 November 2021
With any great accomplishment, comes great sacrifice.
With any great sacrifice, comes great hardship.
With any great hardship, comes great learning.
And all of that brings great reward.
I didn't trust that I could post strong words
that would import my wish to grant insight
to visions that whirl round within my brain-
by blocking out a common grammar mark.
Oh, words- with such profusion you subsist
apart from using this most basic sign!
I push to find out just how far I'll go,
by working through this quaint activity.
By this third stanza- now I fathom it-
my mind dismissing no-go form of words.
Vocabulary grants broad ways to mold;
much fun it is commanding, shaping it!
At last- a random, abstract notion stirs!
"Must lavish all your days with rightful ways
that bring tranquility to what you do-
by sharing your strong amity and skills."
At last, my skill did fill this task at hand-
as kind, inspiring words impart my thought!
A workaround did soon display pay-off-
and so, this missing part of words- forgot!
July 17, 2020
~10th Place~
Premier Contest: Lipogram Poem Poetry Contest
Sponsor: Emile Pinet
Judged: 07/27/2020
(Blank Verse /Lipogram No Letter “E” permitted)
s
T
R
U
G
G
L
E
ARRIVAL
D
E
C
L
I
N
E
(Villanova Pennsylvania: November, 2016)
Life's Ladder
As time goes by, and we mature,
our serious life's journey begins-
the climb to attain growth and goals,
with many challenges to complete, for
the rewards of a meaningful life.
We smile at the foot of life's ladder
with bright hope for the ascent ahead;
our chance to make our mark in life-
to reach that summit that defines us.
Looking up, it may seem impossible-
but happy with purpose, we proceed.
Up, up, we climb- hoping each rung
above leads to another level of drive
and the thrill of accomplishment.
This is our steep ladder, our life, our
personal purpose, to achieve our peak-
the potential- individual to each of us.
At the top of our life's ladder is the
glory and fulfillment- and the vision
of peace- that we have done our best.
Sandra M. Haight
~Honorable Mention~
Contest: The Smile At The Foot Of A Ladder
Sponsor: Craig Cornish
Judged: 05/22/2019
~Honorable Mention~
Contest: 600, Any Free Verse - Max Of 20 Lines,
Sponsor: Brian Strand
Judged: 05/30/2019
I am an acknowledged poet now,
I appreciate that very much.
I received a lovely trophy,
For excellence in poetry.
Editor's Choice Awards,
Guested for a collection of poems.
I wrote two books,
"Living with God" and the "Sounds of Christmas".
My poems appear in published books,
A copy of my books appear in the Library of Congress in the United States.
The poetry magic began when I retired as a senior,
I discovered a company on the computer.
For the Senior's Open House I am having a storyboard display of my poems,
I hope my dear friend Robert will come and I am very honored.
I believe in miracles, this is a miracle in my life,
God sends us miracles and I am forever thankful.
Author: Gwen von Erlach Schutz
finishing touches
to gazebo
new summer guesthouse
posted on June 4, 2018
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