#0014

Orchid, I cut you

When you lost your bloom

But I didn't discard you

I kept you in my room.

You reminded me of love I'd known

Over time your flowers fade;

You stood there on my window ledge

Looking barren and betrayed.

I knew that someday you'd bloom once more,

Though your progress was slow.

I nourished you with water

then stepped back and hoped you'd grow.

Today I reaped the rewards

Of not neglecting you

Your first flower of the season

Finally peeped through.

I did not know when your flowers died

And I had to cut you down

That it would be so worth it

When new buds removed my frown.

#0013

There were three men while you were away

Who walked my path for a time,

Though wisdom I would not attribute to all

of those three that shared my climb.

The first of these three men lightened my load

So I grew careless; forgetting my map,

merely following him up the mountainside

Naive, I foresaw no mishap.

On trecherous rocks, I tripped and fell,

And I seemed to have lost my guide,

I crawled forward, blinded by pain,

And the mists reached far and wide.

My eyes filled with terror, I fumbled around,

To find his outstretched hand,

But I was deserted; left quite alone,

I could no longer stand.

In my weakness, the next man appeared,

Walking out of the black,

I feebly shouted, "Help me sir,

I've fallen and lost my pack."

As I made out his figure I realised

He could not help me through

He had no kit, no first aid,

and I was quite beaten and blue.

He was not steady on his legs,

I was knocked further off mine,

And looking down the cliff-edge I knew

I was over the safety line.

I cried for help and a voice came to me,

The voice that I knew from my youth,

It had always spoken quietly and

I knew it would tell me the truth.

I struggled and floundered to get to my feet

All my efforts seemed to be vain

But I took courage from hearing the call

From one who could ease all my pain.

I felt that someone was drawing near

and I reached out and touched a hand

And my map was handed back to me

As I began to understand.

The deep, black mists were clearing

As my journey I once again braved,

And the third man was a hiker, like me,

Who the hand in the mist had saved.

We discussed as we walked together

The troubles we had faced

His destination was the same as mine,

And for a time each other we paced.

The road seemed much more clearcut now,

and after one of the bends

Our maps showed us taking different paths

So we departed as good friends.

I often think about that walk

As into the foothills I climb,

And think about the people who

Have walked with me for a time.

I consider why I spent so long

Making such slow progress

I hope that those lost in the mist with me

Have all moved onto success.

We all have an epic journey

That we must undertake

and though companions may disappoint us,

There is one who will never forsake.

There were three men, mere mortals

By whom the path was trod,

But the thing that brought me to success

Was learning to walk with God.

#0012

A lonely heart, misunderstood,

They would change me if they could.

Perhaps there's something in their mind

That does not recognise my kind.

In class we were asked to think about

Stretching a rubber band over the earth.

Who would be within and who would be without

If it was over exactly half the turf?

Who decides what is a 'normal' brain?

How do we draw the line between mad and sane?

Or between obsession and love?

Perspective even dictates 'below' or 'above'.

Once I had a lapse of will-power

And found myself walking a path

That I will regret each day and hour

Though I can look back and laugh.

Really sanity is a matter of view

Not merely what is false or true

It may depend on circumstance

Can't be determined at a glance.

So you may think what you wish of me,

If you feel to judge,

But I'll leave you to your values

and from mine I will not budge.

#0011

It's Christmas tomorrow,

The day is almost here!

Let's celebrate the birth

Of our Lord, so dear.

His birth had been prophesied,

A miraculous event.

The star bore witness

That Christ was heaven-sent.

The woman who first held Him

Enveloped in her love,

Would see Him rise up to be

The Saviour, promised from above.

The purity so evident

In this Holy Child,

Would be with Him throughout His life,

A man both meek and mild.

I wish that I had been there;

A witness of His birth,

Yet Christmas is a time to walk

As He did on this earth.

It's Christmas day tomorrow,

So let's give as He gave,

Selflessly He lived His life

With all mankind to save.

#0010

What shall I say when I pick up the phone?

"Hi, it's me", "How are you?", "How is life alone?"

Oh, what shall I say- haven't seen you for years-

So the phone rings, I pick it up... and burst into tears.

Unfinished 001

You gave me such sound advice through all my troubles.

The logical, sensible, level-headed approach.

You taught me to 'take the higher ground'

When all I wanted was to fight fire with fire.

Over time, I realised you were right.

You taught me that the solution to a problem was within myself

And that if I wanted people to behave better; I must first.

You were afraid of heights and so I learned to fear them too.

You reminded me to appreciate the dear people in my life.

The ones that loved me, though they didn't have to.

True friends were a matter of quality over quantity.

I'm sure you taught me to walk, talk, dance, sing, laugh and cry. I don't remember.

I'm sure you saw my very first failure; and took more note of my very first success.

You taught me to turn to the mother of my friend when I left a party and say:

"Thank you for having me!" or "Thank you very much."

But you couldn't ever teach me how I should best express my gratitude to you.

I pause at the door of our home.

Bags all packed.

All set.

Car engine running.

Life is ahead.

It's waiting.

I turn to my mother and thank her for the lessons she has given me.

But I do not tell her that my fondest memory is the time I cried alone in my room

Over my aching heart and she said nothing; but held me to her breast like I was just

a young girl again, and kissed my forehead, and let me cry.

#0009 (Fourth Christmas; together alone)

The first one, a Wonder,

The joy you were there,

We enjoyed our Christmas

Not even a care.

The second; love blossomed

And I drew you near

Knowing Next Christmas

You would not be here.

Third Christmas; Not present

Though present you sent,

From your great distance...

But how much it meant!

Soon our Fourth Christmas;

I invite it with glee

Knowing Next Christmas

You'll be here with me.

Rediscovered 003

Today, as I take your hand,

and they pronounce you mine,

the weaving of our lives are joined

the threads all intertwine.

We do not see the whole road

which will fall beneath our feet

but we'll continue together

toward the tasks we must complete.

Today, as I kneel with you,

Inside God's Holy House,

I will feel the eternal joy

of calling you my spouse.

We will laugh, cry and pray together

over the choices we face,

drawing strength as we make our home

into a sacred place.

#0008

I wonder as I'm passing by your name

If I shall ever look at it the same.

Has it really been a year since we met?

The time apart has helped me to forget.

Your shadow, the mere memories of the past,

Will haunt me for as long as days shall last.

Just the thought of what you could be; How sweet!

But reality never could compete.

My second love; I'll never be the same,

Yet one day, I will not recall your name.

#0007

He gave me everything I have,
So I owe Him my all,
I feel the gratitude deep within,
But short I often fall.

I have spent many hours learning of Him,
And the path which He has trod,
Like footprints leading us through the snow,
as we grasp the iron rod.

In my heart I long to be like Him,
But the flaxen cord is strong,
And only His power can sever it,
Helping me back when I go wrong.

Sometimes He lends me His holy view,
And the way ahead seems clear,
Still I stumble and trip over my own feet;
Yet, He is always near.

As I feel unsteady
And my feet are losing grip,
All I need do is stretch out my hand,
He will help me not to trip.

Whenever I do stumble,
When from Him I've moved away,
I can try again in my
attempt to never stray.

The greatest miracle of all
Comes with each restart,
When through His tender mercies,
I am given a new heart.