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Darlene Gifford Poem
Gary, you are my little soldier boy,
who died on Veteran's Day. ('83)
My sunny, golden-haired soldier boy,
that I still miss in every way.
You had just turned 13,
getting interested in girls.
When CF took you from me,
my heart, like a flag, unfurled.
You fought CF with every breath.
For 13 years you tried.
And four lung collapses later,
after each one, I said,
"Son, you will survive."
Oh, how I lied!
Now, no more hugs and kisses,
No more birthday wishes,
I watched you go
and please God know,
Heaven, receive my treasure.
Author Note: This poem was written in memory of my son, Gary,
who died of Cystic Fibrosis at 13, in 1983. I honor my soldier who so valiantly
fought his fight on the battlefield of a life threatening lung disease, which fills the lungs with sticky mucus and makes it difficult to breathe. With all CF children,
they struggle with every breath they take just to breathe! My son eventually
started to have lung collapses. He had four before the last one took his young life on Veteran's Day weekend in 1983..(Read my poem "A rainbow Glitters")
I wouldn't be a poet today, if not for my son. He was diagnoses at age three.
As I sat by his hospital bed crying, I reached into my purse for a tissue, but
instead, I pulled out a pen. I thought to myself, "Ok, God, I get the message.
You want me to write and not cry." So I wrote my first poem that night, "Not
MY Son!" Which eventually got published in Elizabeth Kubler Ross' Book "On Children and Death." Later, I wrote humorous poems to entertain my son, who
was often to sick to go to school. And I'm still writing my poems today.
Copyright © Darlene Gifford | Year Posted 2014
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Darlene Gifford Poem
I set my morning muse alarm for 2am.
But instead, it went off at three.
"Wake up!" he said, "It's me."
I reached for pen and paper. "Stop
fumbling, and turn on the light," he said.
"Or, you'll never be able to read
what I'm putting in your head."
"Why are you being so bossy?" I asked.
"Sorry," he said. "But I'm in a hurry
to get to the next poet's bed."
Copyright © Darlene Gifford | Year Posted 2014
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Darlene Gifford Poem
A yellow-tailed angelfish
flashed his tail at me.
His shimmering skin was all aglow,
as he wiggled his fins and waved hello.
Copyright © Darlene Gifford | Year Posted 2014
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Darlene Gifford Poem
Bathwater and bubbles are waiting,
but my child is nowhere near.
Yet, I can see from cookie crumbs,
he's crawled from here to there.
Oh, yes! he's been in the kitchen.
I see his crooked crumb trail,
which leads to our white kitten,
with a chocolate, sticky tail!
In every room I search
for my little chocolate mess.
Then, I find him in the my bedroom,
with his hands on my new dress!
Copyright © Darlene Gifford | Year Posted 2014
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Darlene Gifford Poem
On a sweltering summer day,
Mr. Crocodile's come to stay.
Slithering into shops and stores,
every cold thing he devours.
Children's mouths drop and drool.
They see what's keeping him so cool!
Cats and dogs linger at his feet,
licking up drippings, of sweet, stolen treats.
Cops and fire trucks roar down the block,
with their sirens blaring, chasing Mr. Crock.
Toddler's cry while their mother's scream,
to see him eating all the town's ice cream.
Copyright © Darlene Gifford | Year Posted 2014
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Darlene Gifford Poem
(Seen at the aquarium)
Eye to eye
in a stony embrace,
two rockfish kissing,
face to face.
.
Copyright © Darlene Gifford | Year Posted 2015
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Darlene Gifford Poem
Christ Jesus our Savior is waiting for you.
His door stands open wide.
Won't you accept His invitation,
to come and walk inside.
It's sinner's like you and me,
He gave His life to save.
Not one of us is worthy,
but our sins were covered at His grave.
And don't think good people go to heaven.
Because not one of us is good enough,
despite the good deeds that we do,
we're still all sinner's, through and through!
Yet, His saving grace is there for us.
No matter where we are,
or what we've done,
His arms reach out to everyone.
There is no entrance fee to pay.
Just say, Lord Jesus, show me The Way.
And when you enter into God's open door,
you'll hear all heaven's welcome roar.
Copyright © Darlene Gifford | Year Posted 2014
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Darlene Gifford Poem
Would you like a cup of g i g g l e s?
Here's all you have to do.
Take a cup and hold it up.
Then laugh in a g i g g l e or two.
Now pass your g I g g l e cup around,
and watch it quickly fill.
But, oh, be so very careful,
not to let one g i g g l e spill!
Spilled g i g g l e s are infectious.
They'll wipe away a frown.
G i g g l e s blown into the air,
will infect an entire town.
No one can be unhappy,
when bubbles of g i g g l e s pop in your hair.
So share your g i g g l e s with a friend,
and spread them everywhere.
g i g g l e s
g i g g l e s
g i g g l e s
colored with your laughter,
like loose balloons, float up in the air.
.
Copyright © Darlene Gifford | Year Posted 2014
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Darlene Gifford Poem
I found a word inside my head.
It would not go away.
It pounced into my life,
where I watched it purr and play.
It wrapped its fur around my feet,
and then around my pen.
And now it feels quite welcome,
to bring her friends right in.
So when a word,
or worlds of words,
stick in your mind and stay,
give them a home in a
story or a poem,
and let them loose to play.
Copyright © Darlene Gifford | Year Posted 2014
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Darlene Gifford Poem
"Please, God, use me today."
Is a prayer many Christian's pray.
"Take my gifts and talents, too,
let them be used in service for you."
God hears our prayers,
but, for the most part, He knows,
good intentions are forgotten
as the day quickly goes.
Because to get people's attention,
is a losing game,
when time after time,
He calls out our names.
Our ears are closed.
Our antenna's not up,
to His signs and signals
from heaven's higher up.
So He whispers in another's ear,
and get's a response,
"Yes, God, I'm here!"
But the helping hands
that are always there,
and the eyes that see
and the hearts that care,
are God's many helper's
who don't have to say,
"What can I do, God, for you today?"
Copyright © Darlene Gifford | Year Posted 2015
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