Stalking Us 1-22-13

You follow me and haunt me

in terrorizing ways.

Your silence keeps me guessing here

in my most frightened gaze.

Sometimes you stalk me from my left -

and sometimes from my right.

Sometimes you're right in front of me -

or just beyond my sight.

Sometimes taller, you appear,

intimidatingly -

and every day I see you here,

I simply want to flee.

To add some distance, I sometimes

accelerate my pace.

Yet matters not, my quickened step,

I can't increase the space.

You march 'lock-step' along with me

and blatantly impede -

my privacy and liberties

exacting my same speed.

I get enraged and shake my fists -

but you make your fists too.

Once and for all, I'd be so glad

to rid myself of you.

You hang around me mimicking!

I plead with you - just GO!!

I find myself at my wit's end

escaping my own shadow.

Oh yes, just like our shadows,

temptation follows us -

stalking us where e'er we go.

That's why we need Jesus.

©2013 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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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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Reflection 6-12-07

.

Feeling sad and lonely?

Do wrinkles own your face?

Does guilt still stalk your sinful past -

temptations big disgrace?

Focus on our Father as

He puts us in this place.

He knows what He is doing.

So faithful, His embrace.

Lets walk along together -

just imagine you and I,

strolling past His quiet stream -

below His rich, blue sky...

His grasses and flowers seem

to bow as we go by.

Along His stream

His huge trees stand -

leaves curtsy way up high.

God never changes. God never fails

in Heaven or here below.

All nature exposes God above,

today as long ago.

He opens all His beauty, since

the beginning, so we know -

and looking back down to His stream,

we’ll see His waters flow.

It trickles over rocks and stones

down to an open pass,

to a pond so still and tranquil -

that no man could surpass.

As a mirror proves all truth -

His sky, His trees, His grass -

there it all rests quietly,

this pond as smooth as glass.

Carefully lean over and

smile without a fuss.

Take a look at God's creation -

there's nothing to discuss....

Peer upon the water,

don't trust the two of us.

If our faith and love is strong,

our smile reflects Jesus.

©2007 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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