I WELL remember the pandemonium when Mom and Dad had "the (entire) family" there at one time!!
HURRY BACK
When we were young and newly married
We began to think in terms of three.
We didn’t want to be ‘just a couple’,
We wanted to be a family.
Soon our wishes were granted
As one by one they came …
Three little individuals,
Each as different as each name.
Years passed oh, so swiftly,
Three babes grew into boys, and then
Before we hardly knew it,
Three little boys turned into men.
Now our sons are the young marrieds
And have children of their own.
We have grandchildren like little stairsteps
As two by two they come.
Its quite exciting when they visit …
Saints preserve my silvered pate!
For of our three, two each have four,
And four plus four are eight.
Now eighty little fingers
Are ever busy, too,
So before they arrive I make a list
Of things that I must do:
Move the fancy doo-dads,
(The ones that mean so much to me)
Place them in the cabinet,
Turn the lock and hide the key.
Get out the plastic tumblers
For frequently they thirst,
And especially where there are children,
Always practice ‘safety first’.
Fill the cookie jar and cake-tins,
Stock up on peanut butter, jam and bread.
Keep the mending basket handy,
Stocked with needles, pins and thread.
Remember, too, that well-fed tummies
Are oft’ accompanied by sleepy heads,
So set up the crib and play-pen;
Put rubber sheets on all the beds.
When they are gone we view the wreckage …
Spills all over the kitchen floor,
Blobs of jelly on light switches,
Sticky knobs on every door.
Tattered magazines and papers,
Backless books and paper dolls;
Rumpled cushions, sagging curtains,
Little mud-tracks in the halls.
Bubble gum stuck on chair-seats;
Forgotten toys left on the stair.
Gathering up lost socks and mittens,
Grandma breathes a silent prayer …
Mopping, sweeping, straightening, cleaning
Smudges from the window-pane …
“Go, my dears, my heart goes with you,
But please, oh, please come soon again!”
G.Mc.A.
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snoop
Over 90 days ago
United States
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There were three of us boys in the family over nearly an 18 year spread of time. I am the youngest. My older brother was a polio victim and I know that took a LOT of Mom's attention and time. We grew up on a farm, and Mom was truly the stay-at-home mother with raising 3 sons and house work, canning of fruits and vegetables, and seeing that things were always in order around the house. I do remember myself being ill with all the childhood illnesses (at one time, it seemed) and Dad doing a lot of looking after me so Mom could rest. With that in mind, I believe this poem was written reflecting her inner (and HAD TO BE tired!!) thoughts.
TO MY HUSBAND
I bless you dear, dear, for the roof o’er head
That shelters me from storm;
And bless you for the walls so strong
That keep me safe and warm.
I bless you for the many things
That make my day’s work light;
And for your strength and kindness
That comfort me at night.
I bless you for the sons you gave …
For providing all our needs;
And bless you, dear, for guiding them
In righteous ways and deeds.
I bless you for the sleepless hours
Spent soothing restless heads
Permitting my undisturbed rest
In warm, soft-pillowed bed.
I bless you, dear, for giving all
I’ve wanted most from life …
But bless you most for loving me
And making me your wife.
G.Mc.A.
TO MY HUSBAND
I bless you dear, dear, for the roof o’er head
That shelters me from storm;
And bless you for the walls so strong
That keep me safe and warm.
I bless you for the many things
That make my day’s work light;
And for your strength and kindness
That comfort me at night.
I bless you for the sons you gave …
For providing all our needs;
And bless you, dear, for guiding them
In righteous ways and deeds.
I bless you for the sleepless hours
Spent soothing restless heads
Permitting my undisturbed rest
In warm, soft-pillowed bed.
I bless you, dear, for giving all
I’ve wanted most from life …
But bless you most for loving me
And making me your wife.
G.Mc.A.
Active Ink Slinger
Quote by magnificent1rascalQuote by snoop
(Can someone help me with what she was saying with "quadre"...?? That is NOT a word and I'd like to make a correction there also. Please!!)
I would venture a guess that she meant cadre in the sense of framework. It fits with what she's saying in the verse.
THANK YOU...I hope Mom approves of this...lol!! ...can you (as a moderator) go in and make that change? Eliminate my question, etc.? I would really appreciate it.
Rick.
Active Ink Slinger
HOMESTEAD
Follow today where we found our way along a
Winding graveled road and wooded mountain trail;
Revel in the beauty of that secluded spot
And feast your soul.
‘Twas not a Hermitage there we found,
Nor a hide - away,
But a cool and calm, quaint retreat
Serenely nestled far from the maddening
Throngs of a busy, bustling street;
Simple, yet as enduring as the memories
That haunt these rugged hills.
Love and life and laughter
These walls have known across the years,
With here and there a measure of sadness,
Shared burdens, heartaches, and a minglng
Of sorrow’s bitter tears
Balancing the picture of life making it completely whole.
Each day they took in stride,
Amply prepared to cope with any interference
Daring to mar their plans or bar their schemes.
With love and confidence and faith
They pledged their troth
To share each with each their dreams.
Thus walking hand in hand a man and bride found
This quiet spot made lovely by Nature’s lavish hand,
And working side by side they cleared this plot of ground.
Close by a rippling waters of a bubbling mountain spring
Together here they laid the stones
Whereon rested all their hopes and dreams.
Log upon rough-hewn log they built solidly and well
Upon a firm foundation as solid and secure
As the love they gave each other.
Stout hearts, strong hands and love enduring as these hills
Laid hearthstone, erected beams and fashioned these
Ancient sills
Worn smooth by time and tread of many feet
That found their way and crossed that threshold o’er,
As drawn by some magic lure
Enticing them to come that way, as indeed they were!
And though the miles be many between a journey’s beginning and its end,
The road is never long that leads to a door
Swung wide in welcome to all who come as friend to friend.
G.Mc.A.
Follow today where we found our way along a
Winding graveled road and wooded mountain trail;
Revel in the beauty of that secluded spot
And feast your soul.
‘Twas not a Hermitage there we found,
Nor a hide - away,
But a cool and calm, quaint retreat
Serenely nestled far from the maddening
Throngs of a busy, bustling street;
Simple, yet as enduring as the memories
That haunt these rugged hills.
Love and life and laughter
These walls have known across the years,
With here and there a measure of sadness,
Shared burdens, heartaches, and a minglng
Of sorrow’s bitter tears
Balancing the picture of life making it completely whole.
Each day they took in stride,
Amply prepared to cope with any interference
Daring to mar their plans or bar their schemes.
With love and confidence and faith
They pledged their troth
To share each with each their dreams.
Thus walking hand in hand a man and bride found
This quiet spot made lovely by Nature’s lavish hand,
And working side by side they cleared this plot of ground.
Close by a rippling waters of a bubbling mountain spring
Together here they laid the stones
Whereon rested all their hopes and dreams.
Log upon rough-hewn log they built solidly and well
Upon a firm foundation as solid and secure
As the love they gave each other.
Stout hearts, strong hands and love enduring as these hills
Laid hearthstone, erected beams and fashioned these
Ancient sills
Worn smooth by time and tread of many feet
That found their way and crossed that threshold o’er,
As drawn by some magic lure
Enticing them to come that way, as indeed they were!
And though the miles be many between a journey’s beginning and its end,
The road is never long that leads to a door
Swung wide in welcome to all who come as friend to friend.
G.Mc.A.
Active Ink Slinger
Mom obviously 'struggled' some with her writing. This was evidently written for a possible local radio program. I substituted "the reader" in next to last line after removing a person's name. I think it reads better anyway. Hope Mom approves of this minor change in her wording!!
RECOMPENSE
The song is there … we feel it,
Its music stirs our heart
But when we try to write it
The words are slow to start.
Our efforts fail to please us
The words are jumbled so.
It’s hard to put on paper
The music of the soul.
There is no continuity,
No cadre and no zest.
The music that so stirs us
Lies slumbering in our breast.
We try again to waken
These noble thoughts, and find
On taking pen and paper,
We write line after line.
We read aloud the content,
We scan each line and verse;
We count each beat and measure
But each time it just gets worse.
To us it seems so trivial,
Though we’ve done the best we can,
But when the reader reads them,
My, don’t they sound so grand!
G. Mc. A.
RECOMPENSE
The song is there … we feel it,
Its music stirs our heart
But when we try to write it
The words are slow to start.
Our efforts fail to please us
The words are jumbled so.
It’s hard to put on paper
The music of the soul.
There is no continuity,
No cadre and no zest.
The music that so stirs us
Lies slumbering in our breast.
We try again to waken
These noble thoughts, and find
On taking pen and paper,
We write line after line.
We read aloud the content,
We scan each line and verse;
We count each beat and measure
But each time it just gets worse.
To us it seems so trivial,
Though we’ve done the best we can,
But when the reader reads them,
My, don’t they sound so grand!
G. Mc. A.
Active Ink Slinger
Here is another...according to a penciled note in margin, this was "unfinished junk" ... I kindly disagree with Mom on that comment!!
PINING FOR YOU
Shadows are falling at the close of day;
Night birds are calling from over the way;
Starlight is shining from Heaven so blue
While my heart is pining ... is pining for you.
Sweetheart, come back to me,
Don't stay away.
Tomorrow's sun will bring
Another day.
Give me a chance to prove
My love for you,
And cease my heart's pining ...
Its pining for you.
Winds whisper softly in treetops above;
Clear rippling streams murmur sweet words of love;
Nature is singing her love songs so true,
While my heart is pining ... is pining for you.
G.Mc.A. (probably written Feb. 1941 according to a penciled note in margin)
PINING FOR YOU
Shadows are falling at the close of day;
Night birds are calling from over the way;
Starlight is shining from Heaven so blue
While my heart is pining ... is pining for you.
Sweetheart, come back to me,
Don't stay away.
Tomorrow's sun will bring
Another day.
Give me a chance to prove
My love for you,
And cease my heart's pining ...
Its pining for you.
Winds whisper softly in treetops above;
Clear rippling streams murmur sweet words of love;
Nature is singing her love songs so true,
While my heart is pining ... is pining for you.
G.Mc.A. (probably written Feb. 1941 according to a penciled note in margin)
Active Ink Slinger
And another...
RENAISSANCE
Just as surely as the mysterious force
of a tender crocus bud
Can penetrate the frozen earth
And open wide its petals to the sun,
So shall the questing tendrils of my love entwine
And penetrate the icy shell of indifference
Encasing the sanctuary of your heart,
And wake a slumbering dream
To enfold in lasting beauty
Entwining your love with mine.
G.Mc.A., 1908 - 1984
RENAISSANCE
Just as surely as the mysterious force
of a tender crocus bud
Can penetrate the frozen earth
And open wide its petals to the sun,
So shall the questing tendrils of my love entwine
And penetrate the icy shell of indifference
Encasing the sanctuary of your heart,
And wake a slumbering dream
To enfold in lasting beauty
Entwining your love with mine.
G.Mc.A., 1908 - 1984
Active Ink Slinger
Mother dabbled in poetry throughout her life, and I did not know the extent of her work...or really have an appreciation for it. Fortunately some of her work was not tossed out in the trash and I am able to now appreciate it and feel like I am on an "adventure of discovery" with it.
...I can "imagine" that she was inspired to write this while attending some civic meeting where she was separated from Dad during a meal function. Just my guess...??
RESCUE
I was alone in a crowded room
Like a ship-wrecked mariner, lost
Among islands of tables, full-laden;
Adrift on a sea of faces;
Storm-tossed upon waves of laughter
Unheard above the din of voices
Blended with the clatter of silver against china
And the tinkle of ice against crystal
Until from across the room
Your eyes found mine
And rescued me
Giving anchorage
In the haven of your smile.
G.Mc.A., 1908 - 1984
...I can "imagine" that she was inspired to write this while attending some civic meeting where she was separated from Dad during a meal function. Just my guess...??
RESCUE
I was alone in a crowded room
Like a ship-wrecked mariner, lost
Among islands of tables, full-laden;
Adrift on a sea of faces;
Storm-tossed upon waves of laughter
Unheard above the din of voices
Blended with the clatter of silver against china
And the tinkle of ice against crystal
Until from across the room
Your eyes found mine
And rescued me
Giving anchorage
In the haven of your smile.
G.Mc.A., 1908 - 1984