Best Fond Poems
A Fond Farewell to the Soup
You've all been "Souper".
As I set down at the keyboard
My eyes are filled with tears
For I’ll be saying “ Good-bye”
To folks I’ve “known” for years.
I recently self-published my 4th book
Silly rhymes now fill some 400 pages.
Printed up “officially” in the hope
They’ll last down through the ages. :o)
No one will buy many, if past is judge
But that wasn’t the original point.
If all else fails and they fall apart
I can use the pages to wrap a “joint”. :o)
My 12 yr. elder-life phase of rhyming
Has “respectfully” come to an end.
This last rhyme will finish it out
I’ll now send it to you, my friend.
I joined your group some years ago
But oft felt out of place, not good enough.
When you’re doing something just for fun
Not feeling “up to it” gets kind of rough.
Someone once said: “I’m not so sure
I’d want to be a part of any group
That would accept me into membership.
In desperation, to that level I stoop. :o)
But I’ve written many sheets since then
Least twice felt a need to be preserved
A piece that went together so nicely
I’ve felt “keeping” is what it deserved.
But I’ve gotten off my track again
To say: Adieu to this fine troop.
It’s grown to be for me a family
This wonderful “poets” group.
Thanks a lot for the many times
You’ve read my silly stuff
Shared many supportive comments
Not always, just thoughtless fluff.
I know I’ll miss you but see no need
To be a part, for I can still read.
The wonderful gifts each often shares
On this huge internet poetry feed.
So in the weeks and months ahead
I’ll be back. You won’t know I’ve read
But know I’m enjoying each one
Just don’t let it go to your head.
Respectfully entered by oldbuck
We became lovers in a youthful world
Where love's elation flowed forever free
And allowed untamed fervor to unfurl
In a sphere of change to young to see
Could all our shades and shadows have been known
When we held tight in our love's embrace
To know we could only reap what was sown
From windswept furrows, we could not replace
Now in these years of twilight thoughts are pure
I welcome the world we both looked upon
When we touched the face of love so unsure
Until the moment came when it was gone
You are a memory a lasting gift
A fond remembrance, that I will die with
3/26/21
A Fond Farewell
By
M P Walsh
I text her every day at Ten, just to say good day,
Ask how’s it going, Nana, is everything okay?
Did you sleep the sleep of slumber, or stay awake ‘til 10,
And by the way the real good news, the Red Sox won again!
She answers back and I could see the tiredness in her text,
I woke again, she tells me, for that same old 5 AM.
I offer her a fix to keep her sleeping through the night,
But she writes it just won’t work for me: “I’ve already tried it twice.”
I send her back a ha, ha text to let her know I care,
She then sends me a big red face (I guess I wasn’t fair).
She asks me if my walk went well and did I wave at cars,
I answer her with big bright eyes, emoji eyes not mine.
My Nana Jo, a precious jewel, whose friendship means a lot,
We seem to get along most times but scold me when I’m not.
She is one of my darling Angels number one to be exact,
The other two are there for me but Nana tops the lot.
All three Angels are my friends we share some precious dates,
Like birthdays and of Christmas time with dinners to celebrate.
We laugh and joke and smile a bunch and try to stay at ease,
We’re happy as a clam and snug, my three Angels and me!
Of course I’m getting older just not ready to leave the Girls,
They’re also over 50 but they just don’t look their age.
I celebrate my life and pray that I will go with ease.
Because after all is said and done, it’s where I want to be.
And when it rains look at the sky to Heaven and beyond,
Because the rain that wets your face is just a gift of mine.
And when the rain lets up and a Rainbow comes along,
Just sneak under the Rainbow, pause, and hear me sing my songs.
I lay cold and alone in complete and utter darkness
Never again to feel the sunlight upon my face
Alone yet never again lonely, no laughter, no tears, no more fears
Gone is the longing for companionship, the burden of love, nor hatred
Did I wish this? Is this bliss? Have I done this to myself? Or has life dealt me a cruel blow? Unable to right certain wrongs
Gone are the troubles we all must face, but, gone too are the joys
Perhaps not so many fond memories, but at least a few.
Surely, a few...
A dream on my mind.
A far distant memory.
A smile on my lips.
When our flag is torn and burned I yearn
For an America I once knew.
When our patriots fall I hear the call
Of cold blood red, white and blue.
And hearing the talk from those that mock
The beauty of our beliefs,
I’m reminded that freedom’s price
Isn’t always pure, sweet peace.
As the eagle dares in places where
Some will never see;
Higher ground where love is found
America aims to be.
God bless all those who gave their all
That others might remain,
In liberty’s light through day and night
They did not go down in vain.
Sail on, sail on,
Sail onward homeward bound…
Making this world a better place,
True freedom you have found.
Though human thoughts and words cannot
Apprehend all your good treasures,
Laying down your life for friends
Goes beyond all human measure.
Sail on, sail on,
Sail onward homeward bound…
God bless you all who gave your all
That we living might sleep sound.
All you noble warriors
And lovers of democratic dreams:
Salutations, admiration,
Laurels of inestimable esteem.
From now on through eternity
To thrones of noble realms;
We give thanks for all your selflessness
And bid you fond farewell.
Fond of Food
By Franklin Price
4/16/2016
Fond of foods that flood the mouth
With salivation sweet
Candy's dandy for dentists too
When we have some sweets to eat
We weren't rich by any means
but our bellies were full and our clothes were clean
They didn't display those high priced names
but they wore fine just the same
We didn't ride around in fancy cars
Grandma saved pennies in a big glass jar
We learned early that money doesn't grow on trees
we also learned to say "thank you" and "please"
I mowed the grass in the summertime
My sister helped hang the clothes on the line
My cousin usually took out the trash
On Friday we'd each get seven dollars cash
At nigh we slept under a big window fan
It made the most comforting sound when it ran
We put a beaten on that old screen door
We must have popped it a million times or more
In the Fall we'd all gather up wood
and invite every kid in the neighborhood
Grandaddy would build us a pretty good fire
We'd all roast hotdogs on coat hanger wires
Our first roller skates had metal wheels
with rubber stoppers on the backs of the heels
We had a paved alley alongside the house
You could see sparks when we skated around
Every couple of years we'd get a new bike
We'd attach playing cards to all of the spikes
We'd attach them with grandma's wooden clothespins
so it would sound like our bikes had motorcycle engines
As I look back on our childhood
I think we had it pretty good
We didn't need all the fancy stuff
We had each other and that was enough
Grandma's house was our favorite place
We'd never felt more loved and safe
That old house was home to us
It was the best even when we'd fight and fuss
Those memories to me are so crisp and clear
I will always hold them very dear
Holding on to my Nan’s hand, we walked around the lake
The snow was deep all around and there were kids tying on skates
My Nan squeezed my hand and we set off to the little wooden café
Smoke was spiraling out of the stove pipe stack and to my surprise we went in
There was no money but my Nan told me she was buying me a treat
“You always miss out on the treats when everyone is around
Treats to them are sweets and you don’t like them and I understand that.”
The treat she had for me alone was a cup of hot milky Horlicks and a scone
A scone with no jam, and an unsugared drink. We watched the kids play
We sat watching the snow fall and she told me that ten American airmen had died there
Just where the children were playing, she had seen the crash happen
When life got her down a bit she would walk to the lake and buy a cup of tea
She had watched the oak trees that were planted as a memorial to the men grow
She knew that those men would have given anything to be where she was now
Short of money but with her granddaughter enjoying time together.
She smiled and squeezed my hand across the table.
My Nan taught me such a lot.
© 7/12/2012
Entry For ‘Fond Memories’ Contest sponsored By C Cornish
through the window i peered
intricate layers of lace
painted by old man winter
obscured my view of any visible signs
the snow outside was deep
but the emotions inside ran deeper
i remember waking Christmas morn
empty plate and cup littered the sink
fancy gifts. delicately placed
beneath the now silent tree
giggles of children covered the sounds
of ripping paper being scattered about
beneath the layers of red, green, gold,
topped with only a bow, i recall that doll
trying to summersault her way over to me
(better than i ever could) little “tumbelina”
the only gift i wished for, the only thing
that seemed to matter that Christmas day
to a child who still believed in the magic
of santa, his reindeer and sleigh
Hello everybody,
First I would like to thank you all from Robert Dufresne and myself for all your kind
comments on our Collaboration. I started this series with the intent
to make a book out of it, Robert and I have become very good friends and I asked
him to collaborate with me on this endeavor, and he accepted.Your comments have
been phenomenal, And from Robert and I, I thank you. And if I may take Liberties Robert
thanks you. I feel that if we continue writing in this forum we will degrade the impact
of the book as it is released,therefore we will write 3 more pieces for your enjoyment,
and then as we decided we will go En Dormante to finish the rest. It is our hope that by
fall of year next it will be in print. We are also collaborating on a poetry book. With hopes
it should be ready by Summer 2011. We love you all and appreciate your comments and hope
you will read our works. Love Rick and Robert A.K.A. Brick and Bill
It's harder than we thought-to bid you farewell
The memories lived here, those moments to dwell
The walls resonating our laughter,absorbing our tears
A night's sleep in your arms would allay all our fears.
Packing the things from each nook- all that we might,
Can't take with us the solace coming back to you each night.
Regret the times we failed, could have loved you better
Why do you feel like a person,not just our loyal shelter.
Those old and wise trees keeping vigil with aplomb
Don't know if they will miss us when we are gone.
Carrying with us the chatter of squirrels,the songs of birds
The tiptoe of spring dawn that beckoned the deer in herds.
Our plans and destinations are ephemeral as a line in sand
And the flow just now takes us to a different piece of land.
Our first love forever and ever you will remain
While we try our luck falling in love once again.
I want to share a few,
Fond memories of my dad,
With an experience or two,
Of the times together we had.
He was a carpenter by trade,
Just like Jesus used to be,
But the full time job with mom he made,
Was taking care of me.
I remember things we did together,
When I was five years old,
My first fishing trip, buying my first heifer,
And letting me ride a steer in a rodeo.
Fixing a racecar up together was fun,
It was for me to race someday,
Even though it was work that was done,
It seemed more like play.
It was in April of 2001,
When my dad helped me find a steer,
I named him Blazer and he was the one,
That I thought would bring a winning year.
I looked forward to the pick up day to be,
When my dad would be breaking in the steer,
And it would be just dad and me,
Because my mom, of that, she had a fear.
Before he had a chance to break her in,
He had a heart attack and had to rest,
He told me that I’d have to step in,
And just try to do my best.
I was a little worried and not so sure,
If I could even really do this stuff,
And since it had always been my dad before,
I waited for my dad to guide me when he had strength enough.
My dad wanted to help me more but he was too sick,
So I tried even harder this time around,
And Blazer sure didn’t like the show stick,
But I finally got him to walk with me on the ground.
And the time came that I knew then,
Blazer would be ready for the Auction show,
But my dad had another heart attack again,
And I realized there was life lesson for me to know.
The lesson that I have learned here,
Is that sometimes we really do,
Take for granted our family will always be there,
But you never know when they won’t be able to help you.
As the brightest star in the sky,
Reminds me of Nana, my dad’s mother,
There is now another bright star near by,
For dad and the love we shared with each other.
Written for Dustin 5/27/2003
Florence McMillian (Flo)
Like me, Jimmy had a passion
For writing poetry too
So I thought I’d write a special one
To share with all of you
For my cousin Jimmy Peoples
I have a lot of fond memories
From when we grew up together
With such loving families
After our Grand-daddy Gray
I was supposed to be named Lawrence
But since I was born a girl
I was given the name of Florence
Jimmy was born two months after me
And Lawrence was his middle name
Our childhood days were filled with joy
And happy memories will always remain
As we grew older through these 51 years
And the adult life kept us mostly apart
All of the fun, laughter and adventures
Feels just like yesterday in my heart
I developed a cousin family reunion
To keep all of our cousins in touch
To get together with all the families
To me, it really means so much
I trust in the Good Lord
As only He knows just when
It is the time for one of us
To come and join with Him
Though Jimmy is going home
With the Lord before we do
I’ll cherish all the precious memories
Until I reach Heaven too
Love, Flo
Florence McMillian (Flo)
I have a fond memory
Of a house back a lane
Oh how I wish
I could visit again
The three who were there
Were so special to me
And each time I'd visit
My heart filled with glee
The setting was country
But oh it was grand
And I loved setting on the swing
Surveying the land
Love filled each room
God's spirit was there
And besides hospitality
You were shown such love and such care
Their were three at one time
Then two and then one
And finally all of them
Made their journey home
I miss them so
But I know that someday
In Heaven I'll see them
Together again
A Tribute To: Elvin * Ralph * and Dora Lykens