Secret Admirer 2-18-13

(from a woman's perspective...)

Damp were the petals, kissed by the dew,

on bright, vibrant rose held up for my view -

from soft velvet fingers and unweathered skin

from one faithful heart full of true love within.

The rose was exquisite, so perfect to see -

with flower now open so beau-ti-ful-ly.

It seemed to rest easy on leaves of bright green -

(if now, you could only imagine the scene).

Behind that great gift was another one too -

who whispered poetically, "Oh, how I love you!"

It floated from voice so familiar to me

that stopped my whole world - instantly, briefly.

He caught me off-guard and I must concede

that inside his heart was a great love indeed.

For there behind raised arm, so patient and mild -

I saw the cute face of my very own child.

Reached, I there down - and speaking in prose,

I said, "Thank you child." accepting the rose.

And then to the side, I gave curtain a push -

and sure enough missing, my rose from rose bush.

But forced I a smile and gave him a kiss -

for this is one day that I'll soon reminisce.

His innocent countenance had drawn me to pray,

"Thank you, dear Lord, for my child today."

©2013 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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Beneath His Willow Tree 6-8-12

So tell me, does God understand,

and can He really see,

a lonely widow on this bench

beneath His willow tree?

There were parents busy with,

their children running free,

but no one noticed I sat here

beneath His willow tree.

Of all the people in the park,

I thought of only me.

Could no one know my broken heart

beneath His willow tree?

My husband's recent passing adds

one more bad memory,

to all my pile of heartaches here

beneath His willow tree.

"Please take away my loneliness."

I prayed, "May sorrow flee" -

but felt a tear start rolling down,

beneath His willow tree.

I prayed for one small miracle,

just one drop from His sea -

then found a peace not felt before,

beneath His willow tree.

As Jesus kissed my tear away,

I noticed lovingly,

another weary woman rest,

beneath His willow tree.

So then she shared her loneliness.

A new friend she would be.

We talked and laughed and opened up

beneath His willow tree.

The sun came out and brightened us,

as we sipped green iced tea -

and reminisced together  here

beneath His willow tree.

So tell me, does God understand,

and can He really see,

a lonely widow on this bench

beneath His willow tree?

©2012 louis gander - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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John 13:34 (NASB)

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another,

even as I have loved you, that you also love one another.

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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Too Many Flowers? 9-15-11

As God creates more flowers,

reflecting Heaven's love,

mere words cannot explain it all -

the beauty I speak of...

In fields of perfect flowers,

perfume and nose, we meet. 

I find myself among them as

they all surround my feet.

My thoughts were drawn among them.

My eyes saw every kind.

Now vivid colors capture me

like photos in my mind.

I spy a single flower.

I take a closer peek.

I find that every flower here

is special and unique.

I turn around to walk away.

I'm torn at what I see.

I've stepped on many flowers and

they will no longer be.

No longer to be cherished,

no longer to be smelled,

no longer to be photographed,

no longer to be held. 

Again I spy a single one -

this trampled one instead.

I know that it will always be -

forever lost and dead.

But I excused my clumsy feet

which trampled every kind -

Oh, how could I avoid them all -

with all that's on my mind?

Are there too many flowers?

Are those I trampled missed?

Are there too many babies?

Are those aborted kissed?

As God creates more flowers,

reflecting Heaven's love,

mere words cannot explain it all -

the beauty I speak of...

©2011 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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Genesis 1:1 (KJV)

"In the beginning, God created..." 

It Matters 6-3-11

Who hugs the little children,

abused and all alone -

if no one cares to look for them?

Real, but yet unknown.

Who hugs the hurting mothers,

(for many have been used) -

if no one cares to look for them?

Real, but yet abused.

Who hugs the unborn babies -

discarded in the trash?

Can life be kissed back into them -

or brought back with our cash?

So many different ways, there are -

that powerful abort -

the old, the young, the innocent,

who have their lives cut short.

The weak, the sick, the handicapped,

are also not exempt -

from those who hold lives in their hands,

below their deep contempt.

The rest of us just sit around,

as if we do not care -

but if their target's placed on us?

"Oh no, they wouldn't dare!"

Focused, if we are, on self,

then we will never see -

an end to all the violence and...

more victims there will be.

Decisions have been rendered.

The damage has been done -

though maybe not affecting us,

it matters to each one.

For God so loved the world.
He listens to our prayers.
He knows if talk is just mere words -
or if each person cares.

Vote Responsibly!

©2011 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
http:/www.ganderpoems.org/

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My Mom 5-3-09

My Mom,
who hugged me after painful birth,
who loved me more than all this earth,
who tucked me in when I was cold,
who, though crying, she would hold,

who stayed up nights, looked over me,
who put me first, instead of 'she',
who didn't sleep - rocked me instead,
who kissed my tiny, warm forehead,

who proved her love time and again,
who never quit through thick and thin,
who, for days, awake would keep,
who held me 'til I'd fall asleep.

who fed me, bathed me, clothed me too,
who taught me, spanked me 'til I grew,
who knew my treasures on my shelf,
who knew me more than me, myself,

who told me, "Don't your brother taunt."
who gave advice I didn't want,
who knew behind my ears was dirt,
who gave instruction 'til it hurt.

Mom won't make our history book,
but if she did, no one would look.
Though she knew scripture inside-out,
there's nothing I could write about.

Was Mom so special? Not to you,
for she had me - then followed through.
Moms fall short of explanation -
but they built this very nation.

Mom, I love you -
(and all Moms everywhere....)

©2009 louis gander - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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Grandma 2-12-07

Grownups seem so funny. They never seem to change.
‘Specially my ol’ grandma. She always acted strange.
Peculiar smells escaped out when she opened up her door.
And as I stepped into her house - heard creaking in the floor.

She seemed a bit hunched over. She wasn't very thin.
Her teeth would sometimes chatter when she moved her double chin.
She decorated very nice. A corner held the broom.
And she'd have her nylons hanging ‘round the living room....

God made grandma special. Her cooking, Heaven sent.
She hadn't much to offer but she really was content.
She was always cooking with her hair back in a bun.
And always had her apron on – had little time for fun.

Sometimes I got in trouble taking cookies from her jar....
The crumbs would seem to mark my sin. I didn't get too far.
One day we had a party. She cried when she was glad.
She cried when she was happy too and cried when she was sad.

Once she claimed I was in sin. I asked her what she meant,
So she opened up her Bible and read a whole event.
I had so many questions that she took me by the hand,
She had so many answers that I couldn’t understand.

She said God loved so deeply and - death held the only key,
So back behind the bloodstains Jesus had to die for me.
Maybe sin is so disgusting that - love has to be unfair,
And maybe that's why grandma cried - when she knelt down in prayer.

When I got hurt, she kissed it well. She was the "best-est" nurse,
Then she said, "Be careful" quoting yet another verse.
She often looked so busy. She sometimes looked quite weak;
But when I left, she always had the time to kiss my cheek.

I miss my grandma very much. She died some time ago.
But when she spoke of Jesus, her face was all aglow.
When I close my eyes I see - that same familiar face,
Reminding me of Jesus and God's everlasting grace.

©2007 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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