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Best Poems Written by Robert Nehls

Below are the all-time best Robert Nehls poems as chosen by PoetrySoup members

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Life's Stories

His eyes are dark, but, there's still a spark. 
There are canyons in his face.
His lungs are gone and it won't be long,
'Till his heart can't keep the pace.
He's lived three lives, had his share of wives.
The decades have been nine.
There's a soul to bare, with a joy to share.
And he always says, "I'm fine."

He's a wise old man and the whole damn clan,
Likes to hear him tell his tales.
He remembers when as a boy of ten,
He was raising up the sails,
Of his father's boat and he'll always gloat,
"It was hard work for a boy."
"Hell, it was hard for men, but I'd go again,
Just to feel that youthful joy."

With dreams to follow and pride to swallow,
He reached for life with lust.
Following his heart, met his first sweetheart,
On the street he calls, "False Trust."
After one short week, they were heard to speak,
"Until death do us part."
Then, the next two years, thunder, lightning, tears.
And she left with his torn heart.

Lost in grief a while, it was hard to smile.
And he wore his armor well.
Heartless, hurt and laden, but a fair young maiden
Put him under her sweet spell.
Speaking of her dreams, and the gold dust streams
Sparkled in her clear blue eyes.
Making his blood stir, and he followed her 
To the land of pastel skies.

Bitter cold up there, but he didn't care.
She could make the hard ice melt.
Then his heart returned, and a fire burned.
True love was what he felt.
She could feel it to and the fever grew,
Like the child in her womb.
But, a family was not meant to be.
And her corpse became it's tomb.

His whole world shattered and nothing mattered.
Streams and canyons echoed pain.
Cursing God and man for the evil plan,
That was driving him insane.
Wandering aimlessly in the open sea,
Of demented souls that quit.
Two long years go by, and he can't deny,
He remembers none of it.

Then at twenty five, well, he comes alive,
And decides to live once more.
Like a broken spell, he walks out of hell,
Passing through life's open door.
Everyone there knows where the story goes,
And the old man kind of grins.
With a little wink, he begins to think,
This is where my life begins.

There was gold out there and he didn't care,
What it took to make it his.
"I'll be rich one day," he was heard to say,
"And that's just the way it is."
Well, he mucked and slaved but he never caved,
So the gold gave up the fight.
There were nuggets found measured by the pound;
Bringing golden dreams in sight.

Just a vagabond who was rich beyond,
The means of any king.
He was young with health and he bathed in wealth,
As the girls began to cling.
Well, he played the field, but he wouldn't yield,
To the pressures of the heart.
There were memories, love was some disease,
That could tear a soul apart.

He was rich it's true, but he also knew,
That you can't buy happiness.
So, he headed down to his old home town,
To what? He could only guess.
It was strange to see the old filigree,
Pressed in frames upon the wall.
Faces lost somehow to the years that now,
Drift into his heart's recall.

Seven years had passed since his father last,
Took a breath upon this earth.
Mother held him tight and to his delight,
He began to feel his worth.
No conditions there, love was everywhere,
Riches far beyond the gold.
So, he bought some land, and he took the hand,
Of fate with a life to mold.

Was a big barn dance, when another chance,
At true love was brought his way.
With her skin so fair, and her golden hair,
He was drawn to Jenny Mae.
Dancing close all night and to his delight,
She allowed a little kiss. 
When he dreamed of her, the thought would occur.
There was too much there to miss.

He was ready then, his heart soared again,
And he longed to tie the knot.
Down upon his knee with a marriage plea,
A sweet wife was what he got.
Life brought so much joy when their baby boy,
Had been born out on the farm.
And eventually it was them plus three.
Fate had swung it's loving arm.

There were ups and downs, but the world goes round,
With reunions every year.
And he swells with pride as he holds his bride,
Sitting next to him it's clear,
That we may grow old, but there's always gold,
To share when love abounds.
Laughter all about, life that seems to shout,
Love's the greatest of all sounds.

Tell us more, they say, right up 'till today;
He's reminded where they were.
He includes them all in his tale as tall,
As an ancient Douglas fir.
Jenny holds his hand, ah, this life's so grand.
And the old man kind of grins.
With a little wink, he begins to think.
This is where my life begins.

Details | Robert Nehls Poem

My Day Is Coming

I used to mow the lawn with joy.
     And trim up all the trees.
Prune the hedges, tend the garden. 
     Way down upon my knees.
Shoot the bull with good time friends.
     Now, most of them are gone.
And, I know my day is coming.
     I guess it wont be long.

             BUT NOW......

I sit in shade, with tea in hand,
     And wave out to the guy,
Who mows the lawn and trims the trees,
     While I just sit and sigh.
I dream about the friends I've had.
     We always sang life's song.
And, I know my day is coming.
     I guess it won't be long.

             AND SO......

I've made some new friends here and there.
     It's hard to be alone.
Have shared some stories, had some fun.
     A few more friends have flown.
Created some new memories.
     When memories are strong.
And, I know my day is coming.
     I guess it won't be long

             WELL......

I wrote those verses years ago.
     But, I'm still going strong.
And, I know my day is coming.
     I guess it won't be long.

Details | Robert Nehls Poem

Mama Please Don'T Cry

MAMA PLEASE DON'T CRY

She smiled through the waves of pain
And held her mother's hand.
"Oh, Mama please don't cry," she said.
"And try to understand.
God wants me up in heaven now.
I hear him calling me.
There's lots of angels singing out.
It sounds so heavenly.

"Oh Mama please don't cry," she said.
"It's time for me to go.
You've given me your love and joy.
And Mom I love you so."
She wipes away her mama's tears
And looks into her eyes.
Then drifts into the Lord's sweet hands
As they say their goodbyes.

Now Mama hears her little girl;
"Oh, Mama please don't cry."
So brave and strong her little one:
The day they said goodbye.

Details | Robert Nehls Poem

My Way Back Home

I stand by the water, a bottle in my hand.
The spirits help me face another day.
Think about my wife and kids and do not understand,
How I walked out and threw it all away.
Look out on still waters, tears fall from my eyes.
Drifting through the promises I made.
Promises that float away on dark and clouded skies.
When the wind whispers, the devil must be paid.
But now and then there's laughter in my memories.
Little voices shouting, daddy I love you.
Tears that fall for happy, prayers on bended knees.
Life flowed like a river, dreams did come true.

CHORUS
Lord, help me get back on the road to happiness.
Safe into adoring arms and loving sweet caress.
I need you Lord to guide me, You're my only friend.
Help me Lord, please help me, find my way back home again.

I can't remember when, it started to go wrong.
But, somehow I just lost the will to live.
The shadows and the darkness summoned me to come along.
And gave me life with nothing left to give.
I'm walking on a tightrope, my heart is on the brink.
My strength is gone, there's nowhere left to fall.
The bottle gives me nothing but the need for one more drink.
God I pray that you can hear me call.
Cause now and then there's laughter in my memories.
Little voices shouting, daddy I love you.
Tears that fall for happy, prayers on bended knees.
Life flowed like a river, dreams did come true.

CHORUS
Lord, help me get back on the road to happiness.
Safe into adoring arms and loving sweet caress.
I need you Lord to guide me, You're my only friend.
Help me Lord, please help me, find my way back home again.

Details | Robert Nehls Poem

The Art of Life

His poems created melodies
     Of angel's wings and restless seas,
          Of crisp blue mornings and cloudless skies,
               And pearls of wisdom that help souls rise.

This all was written from the heart;
     No less pure than Raphael's art.
          He stroked the canvas of our mind,
               And helped the searching soul to find;

That we can learn life's melodies,
     And fly above the restless seas;
          Into the cloudless morning skies,
               Until at last we realize.

We all are artist in a way.
     We mold our lives with heaven's clay.
          Though many brushes stroke our mind;
             The final picture, we've designed.

Details | Robert Nehls Poem

Smile

Smile, don't let the day get you down.
Smile, it's much easier than frown.
     Greet the morning with your laughter.
     Know that dreams may still come true.
     Pray for happy ever after,
     For your neighbor and for you.

Smile, share it with the world outside.
Smile, dry the tears that have been cried.
     Be a ray of hope that's shining,
     Like a beacon in the night.
     You're an architect designing,
     Ways to fill the dark with light.

Smile, give a hand to those in need.
Smile, Gently watering love's seed.
     Your life is music, sing it's song.
     Shout it from the mountain top.
     Invite the world to sing along.
     The melody will never stop.

Smile, it's a gift you have to give.
Smile, it's the only way to live.
JUST SMILE!

Details | Robert Nehls Poem

This Time Lord I'M Coming Home

This time Lord I'm coming home.
     Hungry, tired, all alone.
I feel the angels comfort me.
     This is where I want to be.
This time Lord I'm coming home.
     It's always been where I belong. 
I'll do the things I know I should,
     'Cause, this time Lord, I'm coming home for good.

How quickly all the years have passed.
It seems like yesterday.
My faith was slipping, fading fast,
And I just walked away.
In search of all the earthly things,
That somehow brought me joy.
I knocked and doors were opening,
Was just the devil's ploy.

My senses lived a blissful life,
With every turn I took.
I left my home, the kids and wife,
Without a second look.
I prayed for good times every night
A new world to explore.
I heard a voice, say, "It's alright."
And then I lost some more.

I drank my way to happiness.
Gave barroom crowds a show.
Was in some woman's sweet caress,
Whenever I would go.
The morning light fell down on me,
A dull consuming weight.
That took away the memory 
Of heaven's pearly gate.

Had nothing left, I lost it all.
Was well on my way down.
I swam in tears and alcohol,
Until I thought I'd drown.
Was contemplating suicide.
Had nowhere else to go.
That's when I heard the voice inside...
I'LL ALWAYS LOVE YOU SO!!

This time Lord I'm coming home.
     Hungry, tired, all alone.
I feel the angels comfort me.
     This is where I want to be.
This time Lord I'm coming home.
     It's always been where I belong.
I'll do the things I know I should.
     'Cause, this time Lord, I'm coming home for good.

Details | Robert Nehls Poem

Living In My Car

It wasn't planned or by design,
But, somehow it worked out just fine.
My bank account was fairly high.
I lost my job and said goodbye
To all the things that tied me down.
I sold my house without a frown.
Got rid of almost everything.
Could hear my spirit start to sing.
Packed up my clothes and old guitar,
And started living in my car.

The city never held my heart,
Was just a game, I played my part.
Said, "see you later," to my friends.
One story starts, another ends.
I filled my tank and hit the road,
Without a care and nothing owed.
The pages opened up for me,
'Till freedom's all that I could see.
Just followed notions and a star,
And cherished living in my car.

My clock was sunset and the dawn,
It's all that I relied upon.
I'd sleep by streams and sometimes share,
The forest with whatever's there.
Nights silence was a welcome change.
My thoughts would soar to places strange.
I blended in with natures plan.
Just me and God and my sedan.
I learned of life and journeyed far, 
When I was living in my car.

Details | Robert Nehls Poem

Benches

Benches beckon those that shuffle softly through the ruins of decisions they have made.
Sitting in the silence, in the fog of their regrets and grief, that never seems to fade.
The sun is shining brightly on the benches in the park, glistening through their fallen tears.
As they sit among the ashes, of the solitude and thoughts, of all their wasted years.

Now there's one among them, with her smile and her stories, that can lift a troubled soul.
Picking up the pieces of their broken dreams and lives, as she tries to make them whole.
She's an angel sent from heaven, with music in her voice, that seems to sing their song.
The broken souls on benches, that were silent in their sorrow, gather strength to sing along.

In an instant they can feel, the happiness and joy, that long ago gave reason to go on.
With tears that once were full of fear, now falling with the hope and dreams, of a bright new dawn.
The angel's wings enfold them, as they feel the love of God, that can guide a shattered soul.
Moving slowly from the emptiness, they rise up from the ashes, with the faith that they'll be whole.

Now the benches sit in idleness, with great anticipation, of the lonely broken hearts.
Beckoning the shattered souls, that somehow drift to benches, and the love that God imparts.
And the benches that were empty, now are filled with heavens music, as the angel  sings their song.
While the never ending circle, of the silent souls in sorrow, gather strength to sing along.

Details | Robert Nehls Poem

Love's Journey Through a Broken Soul

It started as a trickle on the darkest night of all.
Relentless in it's joy and everlasting ecstasy.
Moving to the wreckage of a soul that had to fall,
Into the torrid trenches of a long forgotten sea.

"Lord help me," were the desperate cries that echoed through his hell.
Praying for the strength to rise above the cold despair.
God's love began it's journey while enfolding every cell.
The Holy Surgeon with the skill to make sacred repair.

The water of the spirit soon began to fill the soul;
Stirring light into the darkness of the yielding ebon night.
Illuminating love that makes a broken child whole;
That once was blind but now can see the future can be bright.

The Angel's sing, the trumpets blare, It's heaven's joyous sound.
Another soul has risen from the grim and lonely dead.
He asked for help, the good Lord answered, love is all around.
The great eternal Light of God now fills the road ahead.