We had a neighbor growing up…
one every child in the neighborhood adored…
and it was my good fortune…that she lived right next door.
She was an older woman…I was never sure how old…
who lived all by herself because…she was a widow I was told.
She had a beautiful garden…she loved to feed the birds.
Her name was Mrs. Miller…but Miss Nancy she preferred.
She loved to bake me cookies…tell stories of when she and her husband met.
She had a heart as good as gold and a smile I’ll never forget.
She was one of the kindest people I ever knew
always giving, accepting, compassionate and kind…
To me…she was love, sympathy, caring and charity combined.
And I must thank Miss Nancy…not only for all the joy she brought
but for teaching me one of the most valuable lesson I have ever been taught.
Whenever I would thank her for one of the wonderful things she did
She would smile, hug me close and put her lips up to my ear…
“No need to thank me.” She would whisper
“Isn’t that the reason we’re all here”
I buy myself the gift of you
Giving to me each happiness new
When i see what eyes have treasured
With in my heart I give great measure
With deep feeling I dare invest
To save my joy and happiness
Each encounter again of interest
Even your change fills my treasure chest
How rich I've become with you in my life
I gather the crumbs of you with delight
The richest man on earth if you were my wife
The heaven I would claim after living a good life
Live in my heart, rent-free
Now and forever more.
Don't stay out in the cold;
Make yourself feel at home,
For its as good as gold.
Live in my heart, rent-free.
Don't knock, just come right in
To a place very safe,
To a place you belong,
To a heart that's fail safe.
Live in my heart, rent-free.
Flow into me, my sweet,
Like most gentle of streams.
My heart is a refuge;
It's where love's bright light gleams.
Live in my heart, rent-free.
There's enough room for you;
Stay as long as you wish!
You possess the sole key;
There, our love shall flourish.
“I Know Your Presents Will Never Leave ”
(written by Michelle L. LeBlanc 12/24/2023)
Dedicated to my son: Jayden Donald LeBlanc
__
Oh how we miss you
Especially this time of year
Christmas was your favorite holiday
The time for Christmas cheer
It wasn't all about the gifts for you
Although you loved them just the same
Family visits, Christmas lights and music
Always held the brightest flame
You had such a beautiful spirit
You're heart was as good as gold
You had compassion for others
Your smile never grew old
You loved to make people laugh
That was a gift you always gave
Making fun and pulling pranks
Just to get them at their game
You loved Christmas so very much
Just can't stop thinking of you
You're in my heart and in my mind
Even though I press on through
I love you so much, my precious son
How I miss you this Christmas Eve
As I hold your memories in my heart
I know Your Presents Will Never Leave!
RIP 2006-2022
There is no value in working hard.
Is this not the great deception?
Money is as good as gold,
it has equal value;
Everything is fine,
first world problems
are nothing;
We can’t
lose.
My silent melody
By Michelle Morris
12/09/2021
You were always the best of them:
Good and kind and true;
No one could ever replace
the essence of all that is you.
You were always the righteous one:
As good as gold and pure;
No one could ever emulate
such passion and allure.
You were always the one
that was there for everyone else;
No one could ever replace
your smiles, kind words and help.
You were always the life
of every room you walked into;
No one could replace
that energy, light and mood.
You were, you were and
are no more -
Now only memories are left,
such tearful mourning.
You were, you were,
and are always remembered -
Every single day in heart's
longing and surrender.
You were, you were, and
will always be -
You'll be forever
my silent melody.
© Michelle Morris, 2021
I’ve just moved
to the next screen
after another dollar
and I’m a hero
a man looks
over my shoulder
he slurs his speech
he falls down
the front steps
and takes a swing
at the person
who helps him
to the apartment
across the street
where he lives
for his convenience
after his fifth DUI
(he says he has
a house somewhere
and a mail order bride)
another gulps
a twenty-four ounce beer
and says the other
is as good as gold
when he isn’t drunk
and the bartender says
his tab pays the light bill
but sitting at the screen
I match
numbers and colors
in patterns
clear the screen
as if a world
collapses
making way
for another
and I can live
another life
if I chose
another game
I can be anything
and a lady hugs
another patron
and is gone
before he can
respond
while neon lights
tint a window
red and blue
You're spending time in isolation now
Nobody comes to visit anymore
You've things to say, but really don't know how
To get your message past the bedroom door
Try poetry! It's fun and it's quite cheap
Express yourself, whatever's on your mind
Plant seeds your loved ones 'ventually reap
You'll do the world a favor, sweetest kind
Tell folks about the virtues you hold dear
Consistency ... Reliability
Integrity and Honesty, that's clear
Old-fashioned, but as good as gold can be
When you look back on life and love, you'll see
You'll frame your legacy with poetry
~ Iambic Pentameter ~
March 11, 2021
Poetry as Legacy Contest
Sponsor: Line Gauthier
GRANDMA
(VERSE 1 )
Grandma I remember when you talked of days of old
When being with family was as good as gold
And how life was easier back then
You talked of all the good things that you saw
Spending time reading the bible with grandpa
And how you want to go back again
(CHORUS)
Those days will never be the same
Since the day the angles came
And took you to your home in the sky
I know you are happy with your wings
And with the other angles you sing
I’ll see you again as days go by
( VERSE 2)
Grandma I wish you didn’t have to leave us so fast
Always thought your life would always last
But Jesus had other plans
How sadness has begun to fill all my days
Wish you were still here with ma today
But I’ll see you once again
(CHORUS)
Those days will never be the same
Since the days the angles came
And took you to your home in the sky
I know you are happy with your wings
And with other angles you sing
I’ll see you again as days go by
Marty West
Inside The Mirror
Mirrors are the biggest liars in our world,
You don’t want to look at them when you are old.
I will break everyone; they show an old man,
The man that was full of youth, as some have told.
Can you see what was there? Now, all it is gone.
There is no more fire in life; it’s just cold.
Tell me, what do you see when you look at me?
A pile of rust that was once as good as gold.
I wish my mirror is showing what it was,
Now is too late, and I’m too old to behold.
What is this life that you don’t know who you are?
Until you wanted more when gone, and it’s sold.
I sold my youth for what? Some bricks and now pain,
Tell me “Haloo” how this journey will unfold.
4/2/18 Haloo
The Painting is called Inside the Mirror or Reflections. It is acrylic on canvas.
This Poem is in the form of a Ghazal without refrain with 11 syllables in each line. The rhyming of Ghazal is always aA, bA, cA, dA, eA etc.
A-im is as good as gold,
M-ove on toward your dream;
I-mmeasurable joy is like
E-ndless flow of the stream.
A-llow your arms to reach,
L-et your both hands hold;
O-n the fifteenth of September,
G-low is as good as gold.
DO AS YOUR TOLD!
No ifs,no buts or whys or hows,
mum says just do as your told.
But why? I'll try if that's your cry.
Well I don't want you catching a cold.
Catch a cold, do as I'm told
with no ifs or buts as you say.
At six years old I'm as good as gold
if that's why and how I should play.
If mum.
No!
But mum.
No!
Why mum.
No!
How am I going to say
I'll not catch a cold, I'll do as I'm told
and I'll stay in the house all day.
Heart is as good as gold.
Tragedy darkened the soul.
Distancing yourself from hope.
Loss and fear taken hold.
When you gonna step to Me.
Let me be the man you need me to be.
The man you helped to get back strong.
You know I'll never do you wrong.
Don't need to do this alone.
I'll always be on call.
Just dial I'll pick up the phone.
Come save you from further fall.
You're everything I ever dreamed of.
Fulfill everything I fall short of.
Complement each other clearly.
Clearly care for each other dearly.
Let me come lighten the load
I know it's gonna be a long road.
Will be forever patient.
In time will all make sense.
Christmas Day will be here soon.
It’s my very favorite time of year.
If I’ve been good…I have you know...
Then Santa Claus will visit here.
What will Santa bring for Christmas?
That’s all I want to know
Or even think about until he comes
With his reindeer, through the snow.
Did Santa read the list I mailed?
Could I get a stocking full of coal?
Gosh, I hope not. I’ve tried all year
To be just as good as gold.
Oh, the Happiness of Christmas…
I remember my own glee.
Momma! Daddy! Look what Santa left
Underneath our Christmas tree!
Older now, I still love Christmas;
But certainly for different reasons.
More important now than gifts
Are Peace & Love & Giving…
The truest message of the Season.
Have yourself a Very Merry Christmas,
A safe and happy New Years too.
Rejoice the Holiday Season!
That’s my Christmas Wish for you.
And as we celebrate this Christmas,
Enjoying merriment & mirth;
Pause to be thankful for God’s Greatest Gift,
Our Loving Savior’s Birth.
I have come to the crossroad, parting two paths
Contemplating, pondering, reflecting
I hear voices of falcons in a melodious tone
I came to a stop, which direction should I go
Every movie has an end
Every race has a stopping point
Every beginning has a conclusion
Every journey has a destination
Are there dangers ahead
And how will I avoid them
Will I be fearless and bold
Is the road as good as gold
Many are on the road to nowhere
Greener it looks, a road most traveled
Many go down the road with plans
On a journey they don’t understand
Travelers couldn’t travel both
The road leads where the road leads
A road without hope, a path without light
Many journey on this road, dying every night
They couldn’t find the felicity they desire
They couldn’t find the riches they longed for
They choose the wrong path they sought
And never knew true riches can’t be bought
I keep my eyes on the road as far as I could
Not needing to worry about people’s opinion
But giving Him my utmost life and attention
And reflecting for His guidance and direction
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