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/

-------

Why You? 5-27-11

When liars win, life isn't fair -

not one will ever, ever care -

life's burdens are too much to bear.

Why me Lord?

I stand down by the ocean shore -

the poison seeps down to my core -

there's none who listen anymore -

Why me Lord?

My love grew cold, my anger hot -

my gut twists in each kind of knot -

it pains me so, an awful lot -

Why me Lord?

The ocean waves still seem to race -

they crest, then spill most anyplace -

but waves ignore my grieving face -

Why me Lord?

My problems grew and come to meet -

as water wraps around my feet -

I'm tired, exhausted, very beat -

Why me Lord?

The waves roll in for years and years -

through all my trials, all my fears -

my cheeks have felt so many tears -

Why me Lord?

My heart, for others, has out-poured -

yet something pulls on my heart's cord -

of everyone who I've ignored -

Why You Lord?

©2011 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http:/www.ganderpoems.org/

-------