POETRY:
A Baby to Love
Written to help my friend’s daughter when she
first discovered she was adopted.
You ask if I’m your real mama,
I want you to know you have two.
One grew you inside her belly
and one that will take care of you.
You needed a mama to hold you.
I wanted a baby to love.
We called out so loud for each other,
that God heard our cries from above.
He brought us both together
from places far apart.
You see, you weren’t born in my belly,
instead you were born in my heart.
You’re everything I ever dreamed of.
You are my wish come true.
I can see the love and kindness
shining from inside of you.
I am so very happy,
that’s how you make me feel.
I will love you forever,
that’s how you know I am real.
Copyright, 2008
Fifty Years
To my mom on her 50th wedding anniversary.
My father died two years earlier.
Fifty years you were together,
though the last two were just in your heart,
that shouldn’t diminish this great day,
those two years are such a small part,
Compared to a lifetime of sharing
one beautiful life made from two,
a lifetime of loving and caring
that touched every person you knew.
So today should be a celebration,
even though we can’t help shed some tears.
Today is for beautiful memories
of so many wonderful years.
Simple Pleasures
My first poem
The warm glow of copper,
a sweet smelling rose,
a child’s tender hug
or a kiss on the nose,
tea with a friend,
laughter that’s shared,
a note you receive
from someone who cared.
Everyday life is full of small treasures
when you take time to enjoy simple pleasures.
The Artist
A fresh idea, then a picture
forming in your mind,
soon to be put down on paper,
a true “one of a kind.”
A highlight here, more shadows there,
work into the night,
knowing that your mind won’t rest
until it looks just right.
Colors blending, mood descending,
message coming through;
Your work can’t help but show a part
of what’s inside of you.
All the parts, the lights, the darks,
when they become a whole,
you’ll see more than a work of art,
you’ll see the artist’s soul.
Dear Mom
A poem for Mother’s Day
When pregnant the first time, I took childbirth lessons
to become a good mother, perhaps one of the best ones.
Learning the mechanics of raising a child,
the diapering, the feeding, that all took a while.
But I am amazed as my children grow,
to find out how much I already know.
I know how to comfort and wipe away tears.
I know how to listen and calm their worst fears.
I know to ignore their smaller infractions
and praise all their crazy, homemade contraptions.
I laugh at the things that they think are funny.
I’m good friends with Santa and the Easter Bunny.
I show them the difference between wrong and right,
and when they are sick, I stay up all night.
From where came this wisdom to give them my best,
to love them and guide them and all of the rest?
Now I know the answer; it’s clear as the morn.
I’ve been taking lessons since the day I was born.
The instruction was free, as each year I grew.
I am still learning. My teacher is you.
With all my love,
Paula
Heart Full of Joy
In dedication to my father
Storybook friends, tales of Bunny Blue
and So Dear to my Heart, my sentiment of you.
With a heart full of joy, love you did sow.
Like towers we built high, my pride in you does grow.
Dance to the music, twirl me ‘cross the floor.
I was once your princess; will be forever more.
A favorite memory, us raking fall leaves,
spiraling downward, how my heart grieves.
Sadness, be gone! Don’t stand in my light.
Dad left me his heart of joy. I know I’ll be alright.
SHORT STORIES:
The Bridge
Today was not a good day.
This morning, Angela had another argument with her mother and, then, two older girls bullied her on the way home from school. To make matters worse, her favorite necklace was stolen from her locker! As she walked home from school, her tears began to fall. When she came to the turn in the road that would bring her home, Angela decided to just keep on walking. Maybe, she imagined, if I walk far enough, I can walk myself into a whole new world where everything is perfect.
Silly idea, she thought. But she kept on walking. She went faster and faster. When she saw a path into the woods, she decided to follow it. She wanted to get as far away from her old life as possible. But as she pushed on through the forest she got so tired that she tripped and fell. Lying there in the quiet, she could hear the sound of running water. She followed the sound until she came to a lovely, sparkling stream.
Angela was surprised to see a bridge built over the water way out there in the woods. It was a beautiful, arched foot bridge made of stone. There was a sunny dirt path leading up to it. As she stepped onto the path, a fairy with shimmering wings appeared in front of her. The fairy looked like spring with her earthy green dress, dainty slippers and a garland of yellow flowers in her hair. Tiny, colorful lights twinkled around her as she danced and flitted about, blocking Angela’s path.
Her voice sounded like gentle laughter when she asked, “Are you sure you want to go that way?”
“Well, yes . . . . . I guess so.” the girl replied hesitantly.
“You need to be sure.” cautioned the fairy.
“Why?” she wanted to know.
“Because,” the fairy said, “this is a bridge into a new world.”
“What do you mean?” Angela asked quizzically.
“On the other side of this bridge is the truth about your life and why you are here. Once you know that, your life will never be the same again.” said the fairy.
“Will it be better?” the girl snorted.
“That’s totally up to you.” the fairy smiled.
“What do I have to do?”
“You have to give up your old way of seeing yourself and everyone else in your world.” the fairy replied.
“How do I do that?” the girl inquired with a puzzled look.
The fairy replied, “You must stop seeing with your eyes and begin to see with your heart.”
“With my heart?” Angela’s eyebrows rose in surprise.
“Yes“, explained the fairy. “Your eyes see only illusions. Your heart sees only what is real.”
“Well, my eyes see this bridge and that tree and those bullies back there. They seem pretty real to me!” the girl exclaimed. “Aren’t they?”
“No, not really.”
the fairy replied. “The only thing that is real is love.”
I’m not sure I understand.” Angela sighed. “Then why is my mother yelling at me and how come my necklace missing?’’
“Everything that happens here is to help you learn.” explained the fairy.
“Learn what!!!?” the girl cried.
The fairy went on to explain, “Everything anyone does is either an act OF love or a call FOR love. When people act in hurtful ways, they are really acting out of fear and what they are really looking for is love.”
“You will understand all of this better after you cross over the bridge.” The fairy smiled as she gently extended her hand toward the girl and asked, “Are you ready?”
“Are you coming with me?” Angela wanted to know.
“Yes,” the fairy replied, “but once we reach the other side, I will become invisible.”
“Well, how will I know you are there?” she retorted.
“Every time you remember to see things differently, that will be me guiding you.” the fairy reassured her. “Please don’t be frightened.” she smiled as she extended her hand again.
“A beautiful new world awaits you.”
And so Angela started over the bridge.
When she reached the other side, she was surprised and disappointed. Everything in her life was just the same as before. “Is this some kind of joke?!” she thought out loud. She had imagined that in this new world, everything would be…..well…. perfect! Then she heard the fairy’s voice in her mind, “Everything IS perfect. It’s all in how you choose to see it.”
Angela remembered what the fairy told her about love and fear. So, when people did things hurtful things, Angela tried to remember to see that they were really just calling out for love and that changed how she responded to them. One day, in the middle of an argument, she stopped and said, “I love you Mom. I’m sorry we are fighting.” On another day she sent a note to the bullies sincerely telling them something she admired about them and asking if they could be friends. She even put a note on her locker asking if her missing necklace could “please” be returned.
As she tried this new way of looking at things, some amazing changes started to happen. Her world didn’t become perfect overnight. She didn’t get her necklace back, but she did get along better with her mother and the bullies left her alone. As Angela learned to see with her heart, her life became more and more joyful. She began to realize that she had, indeed, crossed a bridge into a whole new world.
Copyright 2011
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