So Far To Go 11-27-11

The year, I'm told, is eighteen-ten.

The weather's dry and hot.

I 'reckon dad knows where to go.

The horses do not trot.

We're tired and very thirsty,

with rations, water low.

The wagon trails' a long one and,

we have so far to go.

The wagon cover's full of holes

and leaks each time it rains.

The mud strains both the horses.

Our perseverance wanes.

But persevere, we can and must.

That's what mere patience proves -

while breathing in the trail dust

behind the horses hooves.

Supplies? ...almost depleted.

Before I go to sleep,

I lay awake, my stomach hurts,

I hear my mother weep.

The bread, she trims the mold from -

it helps my hunger pangs.

A line is stretched above my head.

Our dripping laundry hangs.

I'm not the wisest western child

I don't know very much.

I'm not quite sure how 'blessings' work,

and 'thankfulness' and such.

But Jesus, we are so obliged -

for shoes that fit our feet,

safety from the wolves and snakes,

and berries we can eat.

I'm sorry that I think of corn,

potatoes, peas or fish -

but if I lived in different times,

or place - that'd be my wish.

I'd eat just like a gentleman.

I'd eat my last string bean.

I'd eat what others did not want -

then lick their dishes clean.

Sometimes... my mom, I'll see a tear.

She hides it pretty good.

But Jesus, I know mother -

she'd help me if she could.

She stays up nights when I am sick.

I hear her prayers to You.

She shows her love to everyone

and knows just what to do.

So answer, Jesus, my small prayer...

I ask it for our Nation -

that it would always thankful be -

bent not unto temptation.

I wonder if Americans

will ever truly know -

this wagon trails' a long one and,

we have so far to go.

©2011 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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Magic? 11-22-11

Please God, won't You listen,
to my most desperate need -
without Your final remedy,
to rid myself of greed?

I want a magic potion,
or one fantastic pill -
that gives me everything I want -
good health, success, a thrill.

Go look inside your magic hat.
What goodies are inside?
I know all things are possible,
so please let me decide...

Then let me win the lotto.
I've only just begun -
to think of great things I could do
for each poor, needy one.

I'm not a little, selfish child -
but want You to respond,
to help me fix my problems with,
Your great and magic wand.

I promise that I'll listen.
I promise to obey -
if only You would wave Your wand
to take my ills away...

---

Satanic hero-worship,
brainwashing little ones -
witchcraft spells and sorcery
beget the anger, guns.

Palm readings, stars and tarot cards,
or mystic crystal balls -
God but hears a 'song and dance'
each time the sinner calls.

We want for easy answers,
we grasp at every straw,
we wish for all our heart's desire -
but need our hearts to thaw.

When cities lay in ruin -
when we are all in tatters -
when hope hangs by a single thread -
then only God still matters.

©2011 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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This Single Tree 11-17-11

I want to change the whole wide world

and show God's loving touch.

I know the great commission.

I want to do so much...

---

A brilliant yellow daffodil -

with color bright and full...

but how, if I have never seen -

can know how beautiful?

A peach - so juicy, succulent -

with taste that I can savor...

but how, if I have never ate -

can know its unique flavor?

A sonata in D-minor -

with music so profound...

but how, if I have never heard -

can truly know its sound?

Jesus - so perfect, wonderful -

who loves me without end...

but how, if I so stingy loved -

can know Him as a friend?

If head, I pull, from clouds above,

one day I'll understand -

this world is like a forest and,

this tree, just like a man.

Proclaim, I how, God's love to all -

and in the forest be -

when I know not the blessing 'cause

I stand in way of me?

---

Indeed, I want to change the world,

and show God's loving touch.

But change, I how, the forest when -

this single tree's too much?

©2011 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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Log Cabin Christmas 11-11-11

You ask about this picture

that hangs here on my wall?

Many thoughts come to my mind.

I can't recall them all.

It's of our old log cabin

that stood along a stream -

nestled in a heavy woods

with weather most extreme.

The summer heat, unbearable,

preceded autumn hues -

and winter brought the heavy snow

which drooped the many yews.

Our hard work filled the wood box.

Much colder times, there'd be.

I'd follow dad's familiar tracks -

to seek a Christmas tree.

A chair set by the window,

sat I, upon the chair -

peering down our old dirt road

with grandpa not yet there.

The sunrise and the sunset

was all the clock we had -

so hours I would be on watch

with brother, mom and dad.

So patiently the snowfall

would cling to window sill.

Serene and quiet were those days -

snow blanketing each hill.

Then at last his carriage came,

bouncing up the drive.

Anticipation answered,

and Christmas came alive.

The planks beneath dad's footsteps

sounded from the floor.

He gave a pat as he walked by,

then answered our front door.

The gift that I received that day

came in a homemade box.

I opened it and once again -

long underwear and socks.

Toys were quite a rarity.

I thought it not unfair -

for on those chilly winter nights,

I didn't really care.

The fire dancing in the hearth

was better than fine art -

and love was not for brand new toys -

but rather from the heart.

The inconvenient hardships

were really not so bad.

Grandpa and my family,

were really all I had.

Sunday was our day of rest

that I enjoyed the most -

when father parked our wagon near

the church's hitching post.

Patience filled our earnest souls,

charity, the mind -

and my most precious presents now,

are memories, every kind.

We bore so many crosses

with work and suffering -

but they bound us together and,

I wouldn't change a thing.

If now an opportunity

brought back 'the good old days',

I'd trade todays conveniences

for more rewarding ways.

I don't regret my childhood.

I would not trade the years.

Now please, you must forgive me for

my sentimental tears...

Oh goodness, my - how time does fly!

It's almost half-past seven!

But stories more, you'll hear some day

when we meet up in Heaven.

So that's my picture on my wall,

reminding me of Christmas -

a world of true tranquility -

where I found love for Jesus.

©2011 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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When Time Has Come 11-10-11

Our Father in Heaven, please hear this prayer,

and let each and every special child know we care.

There's often things they can't explain or even share,

but let these children know that You are always there.

Hope.

And comfort them in knowing, that I am with them too -

to understand the problems they all are going through.

And if, by chance, there's something more that You can do,

then let that great and special miracle rain down from You.

Grace.

Your Word proves that You love the very 'least of these',

so send - if it's Your will - just one more miracle please.

We need Your love to comfort like a gentle breeze -

to take away their pain and cure this bad disease.

Love.

You know the special care that we are speaking of -

and know if You are willing there from up above -

will let us see Your healing as a snow-white dove,

descending down from Heaven from our 'God of Love'.

Faith.

Thank you for all blessings that You've ever given.

We've ignored them not, nor have we forgotten.

And forgiven too, our enemies - seventy times seven -

and ready for a journey, to a perfect land called Heaven.

In perfect peace, Amen.

©2011 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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Letter To Mommy 11-6-11

Dear Mommy,

did I let you down?

Please mommy - tell me how.

I never tried to make mistakes,

Please tell me mommy - now.

I never caused an accident,

or broke your favorite vase,

or spilled my milk at dinner time,

or made a naughty face.

So mommy, were you mad at me?

I'd really like to know...

And yes, indeed, I kicked a bit -

but hardly hurt you so.

At meal time, I never whined.

I ate all I was given.

And though you mentioned God a lot,

I'm sure you were forgiven.

I hope I never hurt you -

if so, forgive me please.

Tell me - was I really loved?

I was the least of these.

At first, I was a bit confused -

but now my thoughts are sorted.

...Mommy, I'd have hugged you if,

I hadn't been aborted.

I would have kissed you on the cheek,

We could have laughed and smiled -

but none of these are mem'ries now...

except for one,

-Your child.

©2011 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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