Poems

In just a few days, Lent begins.
A time to purge our heart from sin. 
To live charity with our kin.

It’s not about trimming your gut,
Or making a deep budget cut,
Or showing kindness towards your mutt. 

Lent is a kind of training camp,
A time to put oil in our lamp, 
To make our scorched hearts more damp.  

Lent is a time to love and pray,
To carve out space for Christ each day,
To embrace God’s plan, come what may.

Desserts are hard to sacrifice,
More grace is had in being nice  
Whatever the pain or the price.

Forty days to love Christ, Our Lord,
For us, his sacred blood has poured,
And this should touch our heart’s strings chord!

The tough economy…will my kids find work?
Medicare, tax hikes…and they’re cutting the perks!
Marriage is so fragile, the enemy lurks!

The future is uncertain, we can all have fears.
The devil makes this a cause for many tears.
He plants these doubts, and that’s all we seem to hear.

“Be not afraid!”; Christ voices his heart felt plea!
“I know your concerns; I do care, trust in me!”
Spend less time worrying, and more on your knees!

In God alone can the future have it’s start. 
Deposit all your fears in Christ’s Sacred Heart!!

Hard shell guards s oft heart.
You never see what´s inside…
Let God’s love shine out!

The little things count for more than you think.
A smile, a kind word, a thumbs up, or a wink,
A dozen roses, red or even pink,
Carrying the weight of the weakest link.

Holding open doors and pulling back chairs,
Selfless giving, with all the wear and tear…
Why is it that “thank you notes” are so rare?
It’s all about showing how much you care!

So many open wounds and hidden tears,
So many sleepless nights and anxious fears…
Love them all, so they feel Christ is near!
Lead them to His heart: when they cry, He hears!

God speaks to us in so many ways:
A gentle breeze, a beautiful day,
A friend who says, “it’ll be ok,”
A grace to keep our passions at bay.

He’s concerned about the big and the small.
He removes traps in which we can fall.
He hears our pleas, responds to our call,
He acts right away, he doesn’t stall.  

He works behind the scenes…quietly.
All with subtle discretion…mildly.
His love is so creative…wildly.
Yet so simple and so clear…childly.

God, our Father, our brother, our friend…
Our faithful companion till the end!

Early to rise and often late to bed,
Pounding it out and getting it all done.
A quiet force of love…with little said,
Wife and kids come first; not much time for fun. 

He doesn’t just “provide”; his heart stays home.
He knows a good “dad” is a better “spouse,”
And he knows the kids, from God, are on loan. 
This matters more than wealth, fame or the house!

He carries the weight of all on his back,
Your tears and your fears are deep in his soul.
He sacrifices, so you never lack. 
Bringing Christ in the hearth; this is his goal!

So much selflessness…so much wear and tear.
We love you Dad, we notice and we care!

Each year we take a day to pause,
To celebrate a worthy cause.
You, mom, were the heart of our home,
Words can’t express all in this poem.

A life of total selflessness,
Cooking, driving,…cleaning our mess!
Each day, each moment spent for us,
And putting up with so much fuss!

Your gentle smile and warm embrace,
Daily Mass, prayer…fills you with grace!
Your love for Christ beams in your eyes,
His love for you is no sur prise!

Eighty seven candles this year,
Still so vibrant, so strong…no fear!
The Saints and angels shout today:
“Keep fighting strong!  Happy birthday!!”

From our mother’s womb, our life began.
As tottlers we loved to hold her hand.
Shopping, cooking on the frying pan,
No time to read, rest or work her tan.

Mom’s hearts burn bright, yet are crowned with thorns,
Their kid’s digressions cause them to mourn.
Glasses are broken, trousers are torn,
They break rules from which they were forewarned…

Sharp migraine headaches and sleepless nights,
Resolving scuffles, breaking up fights.
Offering wisdom, precious insights…
Mom’s firm Faith is a beacon of light.

This “school of love” is taught without pay.
Mom’s strong example, shows us the way.
Her warm, gentle smile kept us all at bay…
I love you mom, Happy Mother’s Day!!!

Death
To self
Lets Christ live.
Love enemies,
Forgive trespassers,
Keep your anger in check,
Temperance in food and drink,
Control your disordered passions….
Your love for Christ must drive this effort.
Those who sow in tears, reap with shouts of joy!!

War
ensues.
The struggle
within each heart
is fought in silence. 
The battle lines are drawn:
my own way vs. God’s way, 
selfishness vs. selflessness.
It’s very easy to be deceived.
Pray for wisdom to discern, strength to fight!