… to Julia Beth
What word, what art, what song conveys
the contents of a sigh? –
My love, my spouse, for thee I pray
strong sails to lift thee high.
This sigh suspires by joys we’ve gained
through leagues of windward gale;
your love it often did sustain
when tempest me impaled.
And once again our course has led
into uncharted sea;
the sigh I breathed is gently said
in deep, deep love for thee.
33
It’s not silver, it’s not gold,
but what it is now must be told.
It’s the years I cherish most,
those to which I raise this toast –
Judy, Julie, Julia Beth,
you’re the one that gives me rest.
Happy anniversary –
thirty-three years, can it be?!
How time flies when I’m with you;
With you love is ever new.
Bound for Joy
I live each day
in expectation
awaiting His
revelation.
And not one day’s
anticipation
is ever met
with frustration,
even though my
limitations
bar me from
emancipation and my own sanctification.
Yet, in sublimest
salvation,
I’m bounding with joy.
And What is Love?
Love can’t imagine the world as it is;
Love can’t participate in rat races;
Love can’t be measured by use of the word;
And love can’t determine how itself is heard.
Love can be tricked as it trusts all things;
Love can be duped as it hopes all things;
Love can be fooled as it feels all things;
But love can’t be broken as it bears all things.
Love never tarries to set right its wrong;
Love never forces itself to belong;
Love never lies nor manipulates truth;
And love never plays the incredulous sleuth.
Love is the hurt for another’s sharp pain;
Love is a tear shed with nothing to gain;
Love is the void left when friends walk away;
And love is the calmness to face your last day.
Love is the only thing I take with me
When I will enter eternity;
But the lack of love lamentingly shows
That love – here on earth – takes a miracle to grow.
To Truth Fasten Love
To see the unseen,
To love what is good,
To struggle for truth,
Though not understood;
You’ll fight for what’s right
and hate all that’s vile
and see what they hide
and stoke up their ire.
But somehow you must
yo truth fasten love,
past evil see good,
and see God above.
I am you, you are me
I am you,
you are me,
we’re all God’s people;
Living each day
for more than pay
to help each other.
I join you,
you join me,
in peaceful purpose;
We empower each one
to reach greater good
and serve our neighbor.
I am you,
you are me,
we’re all God’s people;
Living each day
for more than pay
to help each other.
I hear you,
you hear me,
we hear the angels –
Calling us all
To guard the weak
with love for each other.
In a world with war
and hatred on our streets –
It’s time we recognize
we need each other.
I am you,
you are me,
Don’t you see?
Your Smile
Wealth nor health nor wisdom need I
if a smile from you I see;
all worries when seeing your broad grin
immediately cease to be.
And your smile can touch my future,
giving hope for time come;
its image I will carry
till mortal life is done.