My Dearest Friends 2-22-13

The stars come out to welcome me.  The sun had set so fast.

I need to live a simple life, forgetting evil's past.

Here, I'm at peace with all my friends - at this, my Alma mater.

A seagull swoops so ever low.  Its wingtip kisses water.

True friends have such a special way of understanding word -

though swaying branches speak to me in language never heard.

But I can understand them all, for I've been here before.

So lonely are the busy ones who only hear the shore.

The moon looks down with saddened frown.  I sense it's message there,

"We love it when you visit us.  We really, truly care."

But even so, I soon must go.  Much stronger is the breeze.

It's whisper lingers, "Do not go.  Stay longer, if you please."

Each time I leave I don't forget the many loving ways

they're etched into my mem'ry like the sunset's brilliant rays -

that shower down around me as a rainbow's vivid views

and light up like a halo to enhance all nature's hues.

Between my obligations, torn - decisions I regret -

then say, the leaves there in the trees, "Please do not leave us yet."

And say, the little waves on shore (as they splash near my feet),

"To have you here, to talk to us, is such a real treat."

So I respond in loving kind, "God made you so divine!

You'll always be my sincere friends.  The pleasure is all mine!

"I so enjoy our favorite talks and I, great wonders, see.

So rich, our time together is.  I love your company."

Reflecting off the water's waves, the lights from distant shore -

still seem to make me want to stay and talk a little more.

Yet like the sun, I now must run.  The sky is turning black.

They may not know I love them so, but I'll be coming back.

Just one more time, I soak it in.  God always makes it right.

"I'll miss you all, my dearest friends- and bid you all Good night!"

I turn to take a final glance before I walk away.

I hesitate, a tear slips down.  There'll be another day.

©2013 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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A Perfect Masterpiece 12-3-12

Peered I, up to the heavens. So stunned, I stood in awe.

His hand swept over East to West and this is what I saw...

A sight exposing every truth, that made me nearly faint.

A sight, that in a million years, no man could ever paint.

A special, brand new masterpiece that God creates each day.

A special, brand new vision that He gives along my way.

I see a vast creation that is pure outside and in

before His work is tarnished by horrendous, evil sin.

He paints His skies so differently. No two are just the same.

He paints the creatures on the earth - the wild and the tame.

The sunsets over mountain peaks are not identical -

and snowflakes falling from the sky - not precisely equal.

The clouds float freely with the breeze while rolling on thin air.

Though no two skies are just alike, they share the canvas there.

And no two meadows look the same as I walk down His path.

I see no trees identical when grown through nature's wrath.

Not equal are the mountain streams or creatures of the wild.

And so unique the sunsets are - as faces of a child.

So patiently, a flower bud waits ready to unfurl.

A swirl of brilliant petals bloom.  I see a little girl.

Her whole life laid in front of her that she became forthwith -

another link within the chain this world had yanked her with.

Priorities had dragged her from her work to shopping mall.

And every day, a masterpiece - yet she had missed them all.

Now richly dressed as all the rest who never seemed to care,

she peered inside a cancer ward and saw young children there.

She saw the face of one small boy with cute and chubby cheeks -

and though the tears had dried away she saw the many streaks.

They washed away the happiness in life so short, but giving -

as sin has made the sky to fall on innocent still living.

God waves His hand across the sky, but have I failed to see -

out way beyond my own routine, beyond my vanity?

God paints a perfect masterpiece on each and every child.

I finally saw His masterpiece when that young child smiled.

Peered I, up to the heavens. Through tears, I prayed in awe.

His hand swept over East to West and that is what I saw...

©2012 louis gander - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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Beyond My Weathered Window 10-8-11

Beyond my weathered window,

beyond my little view -

I see one from my rocker and,

I pray you see one too -

see one on each hillside,

see one on your way,

see one in each valley,

see one every day.

The moon shines on the water,

the sea reflects the light.

Boats pass through this painting,

with sails of halo white.

A sea bird glides in silhouette,

above the sails masts,

above the ropes and bollards,

as breezes travel past.

Final work arrives at dusk

before reflections cease -

on piers I've known since childhood

on this, God's masterpiece.

But few have seen this sunset,

and fewer wonder why -

God's bright and vivid colors

still wash across the sky.

And people race His colors -

oblivious and blind -

as God continues painting

so generously kind.

Wide brush strokes still continue,

with colors bold and lush.

Though 'man' has stole the meanings,

God still holds the brush.

Beyond my weathered window,

beyond my little view -

I watch Him from my rocker and,

I pray you see Him too -

see Him in the sunsets,

see Him in your prayers,

see Him in the life you live,

and see Him everywhere.

©2011 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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Classmates 6-20-10

Oh, those times that I recall
so many years ago,
I remember many things
within the sunsets glow...

Oh, the places I recall
so many years ago -
the teachers and the classrooms,
our desks made up each row.

Oh, the voices I recall
so many years ago -
I can hear those words again
each time spring waters flow.

Oh, the faces I recall
so many years ago -
I can see those friends again
within the sunlights glow.

Oh, the friendships I recall
so many years ago.
I remember friendships' bloom
and saw the flowers grow.

Oh, those hopes from yester-year
and through my heartfelt cheer -
In my eye that cries each tear,
from classmates I held dear.

Oh, the classmates I recall -
the time runs quick and sure.
Tears flow freely from my eyes -
as memories still stir.

Oh, those times that I recall
so many years ago,
I remember this and more
within the sunsets glow...

©2010 louis gander - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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What Is Art? 3-9-09

"What is art?” if to me, you would ask,

I'd say its a laborious, challenging task.

God creates life that we can't comprehend -

then puts it in nature, beginning to end...

We suffer the challenge to come even near

the beautiful landscapes we hold ever dear.

The brilliant full sunsets that take breath away

only proves artwork is futile and gray.

Though it’s improved and forever is honed,

creation is simply just mimicked and cloned.

With all of the paintings and all of the words,

none can replace nature’s flowers or birds.

I search, and within me, I find that great art -

comes from creation through a humble heart.

So never take credit, profits or fame -

for next to creation, our work is a shame.

©2009 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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Mother 10-8-08

Words describe so many things,
one beside another;
and words explain so very much
but can’t describe my mother.

If a picture’s worth a thousand words -
each word, a pound of letters;
then mother surpasses sunsets,
and pounds of gold from debtors.

She’s worth a million smiles,
she carries many scars;
her worth, a million rainbows,
her value exceeds stars.

Yes, mother is quite different -
and the only one I get.
And I'm the one she could afford.
I love her quite a bit.

So what explains my mother?
What’s in my vast report?
And what describes my mother when,
ALL my words fall short?

We shared so many memories,
our hearts shared many years;
so what describes my mother is -
the love inside my tears....

©2008 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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Proverbs 31:(KJV)
10"Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.
11The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.
12She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.
13She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.
14She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar.
15She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.
16She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.
17She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.
18She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night.
19She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.
20She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.
21She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet.
22She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple.
23Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.
24She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.
25Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.
26She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.
27She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.
28Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.
29Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.
30Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised."