Sahra,

the Littlest
Angel
Bits and Pieces of Life, Love
and Inspirational Messages

By Belinda Sue

PublishAmerica
Baltimore
 2007 by Belinda Sue.
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored
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First printing

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ISBN: 1-60441-382-4
PUBLISHED BY PUBLISHAMERICA, LLLP
www.publishamerica.com
Baltimore

Printed in the United States of America

 Table of Contents

A Christmas Story
A Gentle Little Lamb
A Kiss at Dawn
A Lost Love One
A Mommas Prayer for her Soldier
A New Horizon
A Perfect Day in May
Where the Spirit Grows
A Resolution for the New Year
A Soldier Rides
Bad Bad Boys
Choices
Christmas Cheer Coming
Dear Kenny
Dear Sal
Did You Know I Have Cancer?
We Die the Way We Live
Earth Angels
Final Good-Byes
Good-Bye Old Man Winter
Happy Birthday Day to My Old Friend
Happy Fathers Day
Happy Mommas Day
Happy Thirtieth Birthday Son
Hello!
Hello, Dear Ashley
HOPE
I Am So Sorry
I Miss You
In Memory of Sal
It Wasnt Long Ago
Its Halloween!
Kylie
Mr. Habit
My Soul Mate
Oh, Ashley!
Oh, Katrina
Oh, My God!
On a Wing and a Prayer
Patience
Poor Wont Buy Me
Sal My Pal
The Day Virginia Tech Cried
The Heavenly Walk
The Wind of Change
This One Is for You
To Love & Forgive
We cant change what we wont acknowledge. Dr. Phil
What Dreams Are Made Of
Will You Be My Valentine
 Sahra,
the Littlest
Angel
Bits and Pieces of Life, Love
and Inspirational Messages

By Belinda Sue
A Christmas Story

The Holidays is coming near,

Ho-ho-ho and Christmas cheer.
It comes quicker with each passing year.
After a while its the same old cheer.

I walk into stores here in town.

The commercialism is all around.
It wont be long. I am afraid to say.
I will hear. Get out of my way!

The high price of that gift thats just right.

You hope will still be there, when the money is right.
The traffic collects at all the stoplights.
And the cold wet snow is always worse at night.

I want to try something different this year.

I want to say Thank You, and smile ear to ear!
I want to offer my hand to a friend thats near.
And remember all that was lost this past year

11
I want to remember. I dont have it so bad.
Things could be worse and I could be mad.
I want to be thankful for all I have had.
Knowing I am blessed isnt so bad.

When Christmas approachs each year, I wanted to grasp that

mood Christmas brings. This is a very sad time for many who like
myself feels the pressure by the spending and rush of the holidays. I
dread the Christmas Season for this reason. I wanted to express that
we dont have to conform to the commercialism and the buying frenzy
during the holidays. But rather, I want to remember the real meaning
of why we celebrate Christmas.

12
A Gentle Little Lamb

Within the darkness of a quiet bedroom,

I find myself in a half conscious state.
Within the blackness that surrounds me.
I can feel my objects in their normal state.

My senses come a live, when a presence

Enters the sanctuary of my souls being.
My heart begins to race, my hearing acute,
To any auditory sound that surrounds me.

Sick to my stomach and short of breath.

I pull my covers up to my head.
If I lay perfectly still, my breathing stops.
I can feel him coming near.

My thoughts have become unclear.

My reactions in slow mode,
Time becomes non-existent,
Within the comfort of my home.

13
This stranger in the night,
He rapes me of my innocence.
He moves, Oh. So slowly,
Stripping me of my senses.

I have asked him, Why? So much of the time,

Never a straight answer at any time.
With his fatherly smile and his touch of my hand.
He would whisper: Oh, My Gentle Little Lamb.

As the years slowly move by.

My feelings and thoughts they seem to die.
Then from out of No-Where!
A trigger, and I am ready to Cry Why?

Over the past year we have seen the rise and fall of pedophiles in
this country. I remember when I was a child. My father molested me
during my youth. I know what it feels like to be hurt in this way. I
wanted the reader to feel the fear, to understand how this affects
children even years later in adulthood. When we become adults this
part of your childhood you put behind you and move forward.
Though, you will never forget. I left home at fifteen labeled a out of
control teen. Even forty-five years later I can still feel him coming
near.

14
A Kiss at Dawn

I watch with an eager eye as the morning mist,

Gently hovers over a peaceful quiet pond.
The early morning light breaks and
Begins to remove the cover of a vast grey blanket.

From the heavens high the morning rays

Breaks through the dark & dreary hue,
Moving the fog so slowly in a ghost like images,
Toward the high majestic mountaintops.

I watch these towering trees, standing like stiff soldiers,

Tall and strong with great arms reaching blindly,
Boldly, through a vacant vast slow-moving fog that hangs
Heavy through the quiet stillness of a still dark morning.

I listen and faintly can hear a soft buzzing of bumblebees,

A merry little melody I wanted to play along.
Teasing and floating above the wild forest flowers,
As I hum this subtle good morning song.

15
I gently touch the warm, moist forest floor
Where small soft babies slowly stirring next to a mothers
Bountiful breast, each moving quietly over the other.
I listen, for the suckling and slurping of each fragile new life.

I can feel the air. Its crisp and slightly cool,

Touch by dampness and goose bumps move up my arms.
Catching a deep breath, and a gentle awakening fills my spirit.
I can recall this youthful summer morning.

Watching the fog so gently rising giving way

To a sweet faint fragrance of wild flowers,
Above a musty damp forest floor. How I remember!
Crystal clear some thirty years ago past.

I have come to realize, today!

How that day in my youth,
I was blessed with a Kiss at Dawn
And I will carry this feeling till the end of my days.

Growing older and reaching middle age, I find myself reliving the
moments in my childhood.

16
A Lost Love One

A starch pressed uniform now lays

Still on a cold made-up corpse.
Her childs pride has not been lost.

A folded American Flag she clutchs

To her heart. A symbol she has had
Right from the start.

A mother weeps from the debts of her soul,

For her childs lost spirit
That she will never see grow old.

Her childs life so normal at heart.

A Future that was blessed
Right from the start.

A mother so proud of her soldier son.

She will walk the lonely path,
Of a Lost Love One.

17
 I have a son who serves with the Navy and has made a career out
of the military. With the war raging in the Middle East, I can only
imagine how it feels for the thousands of mothers who have lost their
children. I write this passage for the mothers who have seen this very
picture. I want them to know there are others who can share their pain.

18
Mommas Prayer for Her Soldier

I Pray for YouPride,

So you may wear your uniform with Honor.

I Pray for You.Wisdom,

So you may not be Fooled.

I Pray for YouCourage,

So you may face your enemy Fearlessly.

I Pray for YouFaith,

So you may never feel Alone.

I Pray for YouClarity,

So you may see the Wicked at Heart.

I Pray for You.Strength,

So you may face your duties Tirelessly.

I Pray for YourSoul,

So you may enter Heaven.

I Pray for YourSpirit,

So you may be able to Cry.

19
I Pray for YourAngels,
So they may always be with You.

I pray for me.Patience,

Until You Come Home!

My son joined the Navy in 1998. I have always had a soft spot
for our soldiers. But when it is your son, all logic leaves. I wanted
to say what every mother wants to say to her soldier son.

20
A New Horizon

Gather around my friends I want you to hear,

How we will start and begin from here.

I know your loss is great and your heart is torn.

But life can come back and be restored.

I will bring a piece of my heart I want to share.

Taking my memories and be gone from there.

Together as one, we will do the same.

Standing together without the shame.

Then hand and hand, we will go

And gather our neighbors to let them know.

We will build a fire from our loss,

We will burn to embers. nothing by cost.

Then with prayer the fire will grow,

Dust to dust, that is what we know.

Let Mother Earth take back our pain.

Release our sorrow and bring back the gentle rain.

21
Together we will keep the embers red,
Until this last piece of our nightmare is dead.

Inspired by the horror in the gulf.

22
A Perfect Day in May

White fluffy clouds floating

Across a crystal blue sky.

A gentle warm breeze stirring

The sweet aroma of Honey Suckle.

Children frolic joyously,

In the cool waters of a shallow creek.

The aroma of a barbecue,

Teasing and playing with our memories.

Listening to the soft sounds,

Of buzzing bees in harmony with new life.

Knowing that Our Veterans,

Our Children gave us the Supreme Gift.

Remembering what it costs

To keeping our rights free from terror.

23
Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow
Celebrating Memorial Day.

This was inspired by Memorial Day and what it means.

24
A Place Where the Spirit Grows

Once upon a time,

Little Big Man and Bluebell, his parakeet friend,
They vowed to be friends to the very end!
Then one sad day, Little Big Man told his friend.
He was sick and their fun together will soon end.

Not knowing what to do, Little Bluebell cried.

Who will play with me now? She wept inside.
You will find new friends to play.
Little Big Man said to her one day.

Then you will grow and move far away.

You will meet other friends along your pathway.
Though, I wont be here my little bird friend.
I will be watching over you right to the very end.

So dont be sad for me! chuckled, Little Big Man.

My body is sick, but my spirit will not end.
Then he said to his faithful friend.
You watch. One day you will see me again!

25
Many years have past and Bluebell got old.
She still remembers what Little Big Man once told.
We all have a time when we must go.
But there is a place where the spirit grows.

For with the spirit of God we will pass.

We will be together, forever one day at last.

Little Big Man was a very old ferret I adopted. Bluebell was a
parakeet that befriended Little Big Man about a year before his death.
In nature these two critters are enemies. But in my home, they would
eat together and sleep together. Bluebell had no fear. Little Big Man
was dying of cancer and became very sick toward the end. Bluebell
didnt understand and became angry when Little Big Man couldnt
play.
Death is confusing to anyone, when we lose a love one to illness.
It brings great pain for everyone as the illness finally takes away the
body of the one you love. This is what we mourn. Without the body
the spirit is free to move onto the next part of life. The spirit continues
to grow.
This little fable, teaches us that death of our body isnt the end of
our spirit.

26
A Resolution for the New Year

A New Year is coming fast.

2005 will end finally at last!
For all of us, it was a rough year.
Mother Nature shook us with horrible fear.

Hurricanes, floods, earthquakes and death,

Rocked our world and tested our faith.
A foreign war we are still engaged,
Killing our children and giving us rage.

The bird flu showed its ugly side,

And the fear we have with terrorist suicides.
For each New Year that comes our way,
We can begin a new start to a fresh new day.

My resolution for this New Year,

To be thankful and try to live without fear.
To offer a helping hand to my neighbors near,
And tell my love ones, how much I love them dear.

27
 I started writing poetry in the winter of 2004. For each holiday or
event, I wrote a piece that would represent that time. Keeping my
goals to write short poems that inspired & lifted our spirits. So when
the first of the year came I wrote this piece to reflect how I saw the New
Year coming. Though, there is much we cannot control. We can
control how we react to these issues.

28
A Soldier Rides

You left home with

Laughter and Cheers Now,
You returned to us in Your eyes they twinkle,
Anger and Tears. Your laughter is light!
You ride with other soldiers
I wanted to ask you Both day and night!
What you feel?
But a wall went up And a soldier now rides,
And it was real. With his Honor and his Victory.
My Son, he returns me,
I cried a Barrel of Tears, With his Pride and his Dignity.
For my childs younger years.
A Purple Heart I hold dear,
Not knowing all his fears.

With a lot of Blood, Sweat and Tears

The doctors said:
You would become stronger
In a just few years.

29
Then some special Vets
Came one day.
They pick you up and
You went on your way.

Inspired by the Bikers and Veterans they support.

30
Bad Bad Boys

Do you know a Bad Bad Boy? You can always count on them,
He may be the guy next door, Always being right there.
Or someones brother, Especially if its got sex
You cant always be sure. In it for them, somewhere!

Hes a Mamas pride and joy, But when the night is quiet,
A fathers nightmare. And your bed lonely and cold.
Take the good with bad. A Bad Bad Boy,
Its seems only fair. Can fill that empty void.

His smile will melt, His toys is any thing

An old ladys heart. He can ride for speed.
Make her feel twenty, Living on the edge,
A silly old fart. With danger he needs.

His laughter is light. He loves the gentleness,

His humor is dry. Of an animals quiet heart.
Hell have shit eaten grin, Bless by the heavens,
You can be sure loaded with lies. Held close by his angels heart.

His eyes they will twinkle. They are difficult to love,

Making you feel faint and light. And harder to walk away.
Leaving you more silly, then tickled Leaving you questioning,

31
Into the late hours of night. Your faith in many, many ways.
Hes honest and trustworthy, So when you find,
The best friend to have. Your own little Bad Bad Boy.
Dont tell him he cant. Be sure to love them only,
Because hell show you he has. They are a rarity like no other
little joy!

He knows all the hot spots,

And the ladies everywhere.
Everyone is his friend,
A buddy he can find anywhere.

Sex is his passion,

Play he does with flair.
One minute youll hug him,
The next minute youll swear.

32
Choices

Our choices are decided by the experiences we share,

The education were taught and the wisdom from wear.

Decided only by our wants, our dreams and fears.

We walk through life blundering from there to here.

For every choice we make a consequence will fair,

Sometimes expected, sometimes from out of no-where.

Good or bad our choices is the Freewill we have.

No one is more liable then you when it goes bad.

The young will make choices with foolishness to wear.

The older wise one knows better then to go there.

Make your choices wisely, the consequences can fare.

Unless the choice is someone elses out there!

I wanted to illustrate that our Choices is the actions of our Freewill

and the Consequences is the actions of the Choices from our Freewill.
This poem shows us that being young and making the wrong choices,
is different then being old and making the wrong choices.

33
Christmas Cheer Coming

The snow came in the still of the night

Leaving quiet shadows under the bright streetlights.

Within minutes the snow covered the streets.

Leaving a soft blanket of white on everything it meets.

Colors of Christmas lights blue, red and green,

Sparkles on the snow making it feel like a dream.

I watch silently as the snow gently falls to the ground

A feeling of comfort spreads over me all around.

As my thoughts drift back to my childhood years

When the holidays meant family, food and cheer.

Things have changed so much since those days.

These days, my life is different in so many ways.

My son is in the Navy with a life of his own.

I spend these days wishing him to come home.

34
As I grow older with each passing new year.
I cant help but shed a few tears.

But this Christmas I will have family, food and cheer.

For my son will be home this Christmas year.

Inspired by Christmas 2005 and my son coming home from the

Navy. When are children have grown and we start in on our later
years. We tend to live in the yesterday of life during the holidays. It
helps to get through the loneliness.

35
Dear Kenny

It is the Christmas Season,

The fourth one we have shared.
Our lives we have blended
Despite our past wear.

I dont know how it happen,

Things just work out that way.
Things just came together,
And has been since that day.

Now the holidays are here again.

And the New Year is coming near.
I want to let you know.
I am looking forward to this year.

36
For together we can conquer,
Any thing, that comes our way.
I want to say I love you,
In my own little way.

This poem I wrote to my best friend for a Christmas present in

2005. Inspired by a phrase he would often say, I want to say I love
you in my own little way.

37
Dear Sal

I want you to know I brought your ashes home, today.

It has been a month now, since you went away.
I still have my moments during my day.
When my heart cries wishing things was different in some way!

My old friend, you would have stayed if you could.

I know that my tired old body will leave one day, as it should.
My days seem to come quicker now and move right a long.
I want you to know I am doing ok with you gone.

So I gathered your things in a large red bag.

Remembering old days of what we once had.
Your red service scarf made my eyes tear.
When I was with you there was nothing to fear.

Knowing I will one day see you again,

Helps me to be able to wait until then.
I wasnt sure how I would deal with this fate.
But I knew your spirit is not lost so I can wait.

38
One day at a time, it still doesnt seem real.
To lose the love of your life the pain is so real.
So I hope you wont mind if I say Hi every now or then!
To let you know how my life goes on and how it comes in.

I lost my long time companion last year, a chocolate lab that I miss
very much!

39
Did You Know I Have Cancer?

Or was it my baldhead that gave it away?

Or was it when I couldnt stop throwing up,
Eat a full meal, or sleep in peace?
Did you notice how scared I feel?

Or was it something I said or I didnt say that gave it away?

Or was it the wasting away or never knowing,
How or what I feel, other then this anger,
I wish I knew a better way to deal?

Or was it when I only dealt with the day at hand?

Or was it my tomorrows, I had no plans?
Did I give it away when my fear would take a hold?
When I couldnt stop the tears to know which way I could go.

Or was it when you realized how fragile life can be,

Or was it when you saw my mortality in your own eyes, today!
Did you notice my prayers each morning, each day?
Asking for strength for yet another day?

40
Or was it the day I left this mortal realm?
Or was it my funeral, and finally our farewells?
Do you notice, I am no longer in pain
And though I have left your side.
I am much closer as an angel, then I ever was when I was alive.

Cancer is a part of our life. Weve come a long way with research
and cures. But there is still a percentage of people that will leave us
behind whether there is a cure or not. This is a very cruel death for our
love ones. Knowing there is no easy way to leave someone behind, I
like knowing my love ones can watch over me from beyond.

41
We Die the Way We Live

Knowing your time here,

Is almost all done,
The Blessing of flesh,
Is all but past fun.

The air will feel fresher,

Youll want even more.
The sky will look bluer,
Then any blue before.

Your senses will heighten,

In a Holy sort of way.
Asking your self Why?
On this given day.

Nothing is scarier than not

Knowing how or when.
Will it be painful you ask
When it comes to the end?

42
Your eyes will cry
Just one little tear.
But your heart will scream,
With senseless fear.

Living your life

In the best way you can.
Is the only insurance
You can take with you then.

So do not fear death

My dear mortal friend.
How you live your life,
Will come out in the end.

43
 Earth Angels

Theres a group of earth angels

I want you to know.
Theyll care for your soul,
Helping the dying is their major goal.

Youll find them in all walks of your life.

Your journey they will guide.
With help from the heavens,
These gentle spirits you will find.

Their heart is unconditional.

Theyll lend a gentle ear.
Offering a caring hand,
When your spirit is full of fear.

They offer dignity with touch of flair.

Laughter for the soul with all they share.
Offering the sick and dying understanding,
Without all of life crippling despair.

44
 Their work is tiring, and difficult.
Without complaint they never wear.
They know their duty is needed.
Their rewards are few to share.

But when your days are number.

Your next phase of life draws near.
These precious earth angels,
Will walk with you as death comes near.

They offer strength, and strong will,

Caring heart, and healing hands.
These earth angels are the Nurses
I am proud to call Hospice Care.

In honor of all hospice caregivers.

45
Final Good-byes

Cancer is a sentence that means

Your Life will change.
What you knew before now!
Will never be the same.

I know it may be difficult

To see the brighter side.
But a blessing may be out there
If you would just look inside.

When death comes a knocking,

And it takes you by surprise.
Questions go without answers,
Youre life ends, nothing is said otherwise.

But to have the opportunity,

To decide you true demise.
Make plans & help your love ones
Accept you Final Good-byes.

46
What a special gift to give
To share your love one last time.
Once your affairs are in order,
Then there is no surprise!

Now you can take and make

The most of the time you have left.
Making every moment precious.
Living with the time you have left.

And live each day in its fullness.

For we live until we die.
Soon you will go home, my friend!
Just waiting for us on the other side.

One out of three people will be affected by Cancer or will be touch

by some one with some form of Cancer in their lifetime. I wanted to
show that preparing for that trip gives us time to get everything in order,
then taking the time you have left and making every moment count,
is a gift. Never being able to say your Final Good-byes is a sadness we
all can relate.

47
Goodbye, Old Man Winter

Ice, frigid air and cold winter snow,

Gloves, winter coats, it all can go.
Soon the sun will warm fresh air.
Goodbye winter blues, hello warm spring air!

Robins will soon have their young

Feeding them cool worms from the ground above.
Watching these birds, bounce and play.
Knowing Old Man Winter is finally gone this day.

Mother Nature has it all under control,

Making our spirit glad theres no more snow.
The Flowers will bloom in magical ways,
Giving us a fresh start to begin a new day.

The trees feel the warm sunrays

As the leaves pop out more and more each day.
Kids find their balls and skates,
Goodbye cold nights, hello longer days.

48
Soon warm spring rain will help the flowers stay.
Giving life to everything in a subtle way.
Before you know winter will be here again,
So lets enjoy this spring weather while we can!

After a long winter, spring is more then welcome!

49
Happy Birthday to My Old Friend

I want to say, Happy Birthday to you my old friend.

You and I have reached the age where life lessons,
Now are the windows to our soul, leaving us with Nostalgia,
Hope and Faith for our future goals.

The years have come and gone taking our innocence.

Offering more consequences to the choices weve made.
For each Birthday that comes we hope to collect,
Knowledge, Wisdom and Experience without all the fret.

Life is never easy, and the road has taken its toll.
With each Birthday we managed just to hold our own.
With our senior years now knocking,
I feel much wiser about our days of old.
So I want to wish you the best of the Big Five O!

50
Happy Fathers Day

My Father would hold my hand,

When I was very small.
He put me on his shoulders,
When I wasnt very tall.

My Father would walk with me,

So I wouldnt stray.
He would leave me with many choices
Along my Lonely Way.

My Father will always be with me,

As his grandchildren grow.
He will walk with my children
And teach them what they need to know.

When my Fathers Day is done

And his strength is all but gone.
I will help him through this day,
Guide Him and Bless his Way!

51
 A tribute to our fathers, I wanted to create a verse that honored
fathers on Fathers Day. I find very few good messages out there in the
Greeting Cards for Fathers Day. I wrote this with vision of it in
greeting cards for those who have very special fathers.

52
 Happy Mothers Day
Mom Tum!

I remember one New Years Day.

I was a new momma with a new son.
I should have been happy
Feeding breast milk to this little one.
But that wasnt where I was.
I was lying in a hospital bed,
Fearing the worst, alone,
I was worried with horrible dread.
No one was there to tell me its ok,
That my fears of dread were unfounded instead.
With only prayers for comfort I laid my young head.
Slipping into sleep not knowing within.
I was nineteen telling myself that this cant be real.
Life at this age is so surreal.
Breast Cancer was a death sentence then,
The loneliness and fear captured my spirit within.
Leaving me beaten my heart cried and I begged,
Please God! Help me be strong instead.
So when I woke to find my aunt Tum.
Holding my hand and saying, Hi, Hon.
Everything was ok and life for me wasnt done.
Because my mom Tum was there
When no one else had come.
53
 I have never forgot that moment in time.
So much has happened in the long run.
Now turning fifty, that young life is done.
I never believed I would see this golden sun.
And seeing this life and the markers, I have run.
Life has always been strange for me,
Everyone thinks they know me.
But that path has always been mine alone.
Feeling cursed since I was young, you know!
The times I remember best,
Was shared under your roof, play or rest.
I was very lucky, this I know!
I made it this far with only a few scars to show.
When the road got rocky and my heart would grow cold.
I would remember your family,
And the unconditional love that you showed.
I have made many mistakes, God only knows!
But one of your lessons I remember best.
Was your love and how it stood above all the rest!
No matter what mistakes your children made
It never shadowed your faith and love in their dismay.
That day in my hospital room,
You carved a place in my future.
Where my poetry here will forever show.
The lessons I have carried through,
Have been the lessons I have learned from you!
With your Courage I learned Faith,
And your Unconditional love gave me strength.
My words are a gift from God
And my today was a gift from you!

54
 With this milestone I have conquered.
I want to start the next part of my life,
Saying Thank You to the one person,
Who taught me how to love in this light.
I am where I am today looking at life,
Thankful for all my falls, my blunders, my plight.
With everything that Life gives and takes
I wanted you to know that day long ago.
Changed my future and the path I was bound to go.
Above all I am glad to be here today.
To tell you
This is my gift to you, on Mammas Day,
To say I love you Mom Tum in my little way!

Wishing you a Happy Mommas Day!

55
Happy Thirtieth Birthday Son

When you were born, I was soscared,

For I had no idea what future we would share.

Your childhood showed the strength you possessed,

Even then I sense your specialness.

When you entered your rocky teen years.

Our lives blended despite our shared fears.

Then the day came you was ready to go your own way.
So I ask God if he could help you find your pathway.

The day you will mark your Thirtieth Birthday,

A landmark for this Momma I am proud to say!

Know that when I say my prayers tonight,

I want you to know youre the best part of my life!
Happy Birthday Jason (my son)

56
Hello!

I want to say, Thank you!

And let you know.

I got up early one morning,

To watch the falling snow.

The gentle rain you sent my way,

Feed my thirsty plants today.

And I wished upon your evening star,

Casting my hopes and dreams toward heaven afar.

I silently pray several times a day,

And hold my head high in my own little way.

For every day is a new day only to be found,

The grace of God in everything all around.

I created this piece for one of many Poetry Contests that I entered
over the past year. I wanted to write a piece that was a little spiritual
in nature, but deliver a clear message. I wanted to remind readers that
there is a lot of life we take for granted.

57
Hello, Dear Ashley!

I got a message,
You werent feeling well.
Your body is fighting
Cancer.do tell!

Your eleven years old

Is what I am told.
Thats a really good age
Not too young or too old!

I know you must be sad,

For such a young lad.
You should be playing ball
And out running and all!

Though, I am just an old fart,

Let me tell you something from my heart.
You hang in there and be strong.
Your spirit will help you along.

58
Take each day as it comes,
And rest when you are done.
Keep in mind that you are young,
And show them doctors you are not done!

Keep focus on tomorrow,

Make plans and strive without the sorrow.
Theres a lot of life out here,
For eleven year olds I hear!

In memory of Ashley a young man who left this world way too
soon!
A fellow poet asked me if I could write something for Ashley and
his family during a very sick episode he was having in the hospital.
This is what came from my heart. Though, his family has seen this
poem, Ashley didnt.
I wrote another piece titled, Oh, Ashley! when I received word
that he passed this life and went home. I wanted to honor this brave
young man.
I created this simple, easy reading verse to lift up the spirits of any
child who may be sick with Cancer by just replacing the name and age.
I pray that my words of inspiration might be of some comfort to those
involved in such a cruel illness.

59
 HOPE

A Will toward Empowerment, to Conquer over any

Adversity.

H. Helping those who need a Hand Up.

O. Offering a Kind Word or Deed.

P. Prayer for all involved.

E. Everyone pulling together to support the other.

HOPE a test of faith, A willingness to Help, To Offer a

better way,
A belief that with Prayer and Everyone pulling together,
We can HOPE for a better world for Everyone.

With the recent storms and endless victims over the past year. I
wanted to remind us that HOPE is more then a four-letter word.

60
I Am So Sorry!

I cannot begin to understand your pain.

For the rest of your days you will be facing rain.

For what you dont know is hard to accept,

For the love of your child is all you have left.

Knowing you cant hold your child tight.

Makes your spirit and soul ache, day and night.

My prayers and thoughts I want you to know,

They are from a mother who could only begin to know.

I believe, we will see each other again,

When all of our days are marked at the end.

Her body might be gone, but her spirit remains the same.
She is watching over you with all that remains.

But for right now, you take one day at a time.

And things will get easier, when it is time.

In memory of the lost children.

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I Miss You

Every year that goes by.

I cant help but ask, Why?
The day you left my side,
My heart cried inside.
I wanted you to stay.
But I knew you had to go away.
As the holidays come again this year.
I wish I could share this years cheer.
Like the old days we want to hear.
Life doesnt work that way.
So all I want to say,
I will miss you every day!

We all have someone who we have lost and we miss.

62
In Memory of Sal
2/11/96-10/26/06

The time has come and I must say goodbye.

For what ever the future holds for each of us.
Our time together here has now past us by.
So I want to make this promise to you my old friend.
I believe in time our spirits will meet again.
So save me a warm place up above for when my time ends.
For I do not know how long I will be.
With time my pain and loss will ease,
But only God knows what will be.

So I will continue our walks as if youre by my side.

Eat cheeseburgers, and rest by the fireside.
Maybe one day, I will chase the Ice Cream Truck,
Roll in the snow, or run with a flock of ducks.
And each time I get in my car to go for a ride.
I can feel you behind me each and every time.
You will always hold a special part in my heart.
As my life must continue without you being a part.

63
So let me just say.
I will hold your spirit high each and every day!
Always being thankful for every moment in each day.
But, there is one more thing I want you to know!
You saved my life,. This I know!

You were my legs when I couldnt stand a lone.

64
It Wasnt Long Ago

It wasnt long ago,

I was strong and healthy, you know?
A career with a future
In Fire Fighting to show.

As I grew older,
And the years have gone by.
I look back at my life,
And I cant help wonder why?

It was a very scary day.

The doctors were unable to say.
But, I knew my future
Was never going to be my way.

MS would now be my life,

And new challenges took on a new light.
My body soon tired and my legs grew weak.
Though, my Soul and Spirit were any thing but weak.

65
I soon learned what fear would be like.
For pain took over and made its own life.
But this is my body and not my life!
My spirit and soul are the keys to a better life.

When my days were hard and the nights were long.

I took to prayer and singing a song.
Pain can cripple this I know!
So when it does, let your spirit show.

Our bodies will change and grow very old.

But our soul and spirit will never be old.
Life is like a babbling brook.
It never stops no matter how it looks.

There was a time in my life where pain ruled with an iron fist. In
the early nineties it was MS, later I will be diagnose with
fibromyalasia. Each with a life sentence just the same. I wrote this
for someone who was suffering with great pain that just crippled her.
The doctors have no answers, just more pills and so you live in a lonely
world of chronic illness. I know that pain. There is lot of us out there,
so this is for you!

66
Its Halloween!

With the full moon high in the sky,

You can see little black bats flying by.
On this night for many a past year,
Adults and kids have meant here.

Not far from where you are right here.

You will find a little black witch living there.
In an old house that sits all alone,
If you listen carefully you can hear it moan.

Her best friend is an old black cat.

You can find him sitting on her Welcome Mat.
Have you seen her flying in the night sky?
With the full moon way up high?

She stands only a few feet high.

Dress in all black when she flies through the sky.
Same time every year you can find her here.
Its called Halloween or Old Fools Day, I hear!

67
If you listen carefully,
You can hear her laughing eerily.
As she flies through the night sky,
Where little Trick or Treaters is passing by.

When you see her flying high.

Be sure to wave and tell her. Hi!
Be sure to wave back when she waves at you.
Or she will come to your bedroom and scare all of you!

My favorite time of the year, Halloween! When I was a kid, I liked

Halloween better then Christmas. Dressing up and going from house
to house calling Trick or Treat! My favorite costume is the witch.
Even now, I still dress up like a witch.

68
Kylie Champa

I got a message your not feeling well,

Keeping up a good fight almost all your life, they tell.
I am sorry to hear that Kylie dear,
Know my prayers are with you here.

I know youre tired, and you are scared,

But there are people out here that does care.
Youre so young to face such pain,
Your days should be happy without the rain.

I have said these words time and time again.

Take each day the best you can,
Then rest each day at the end.
And let your spirit shine from within.

Doing this each day,

You soon can see the light of day.
We were never promise days without the rain.
Just know these days do come to an end.

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When days are hard for me to bear.
I sit back and give a song to prayer.
With your favorite song at heart,
It wont be hard to get a fresh start.

Inspired by a fellow poet who was collecting pieces of poetry that

express hope and inspiration for this child while she fought a crippling
illness.
I wanted to honor Kylie and her place in this world. Critically ill
children tear my heart and soul a part. I designed this piece to be read
by anyone. By simply changing the title and name of this piece it can
be a personal tribute to any child who is suffering from a serious illness.

70
Mr. Habit

I want to tell you about my friend.

Loyal, devoted, always knows when.
When I am low and feeling blue,
A prescription pill will make me new.

When I am happy, I want some cheer,

Lets celebrate and have some beer!
When I have those long, hard days,
I cant wait to have a smoke and get away.

When the nights are quiet, dark, and still,

On these nights, I will eat my fill.
You ask me how I cope each day?
Mr. Habit will always show me a way.

Prescription drugs, alcohol, cigarettes, and food, our society has

learned to medicate our selves out of any mood. We have learned to
escape reality always finding short term fixes. Then unknown to us,
we soon find our little habits have become full-time faithful addictions
that assist us in managing our every day. So why are we so shocked
when we hear of a death by addiction? A Culture Flaw, Maybe?

71
My Soul Mate

I remember the day we first met.

The first time our eyes connected.
My heart stop and I couldnt catch my breath.

I remember not knowing what to say,

Your quiet manner calming me quickly.
Leaving me speechless just the same.

We have been together ever since.

You always watching over me intently.
With a blink of your eye, I felt safe inside.

Time has past us by, my old friend.

For age is now a sonnet of past lessons gone by.
To be looked on with grace and fortitude.

So I know it wont be long, we will bide our farewells.

To say good-bye to the life we have shared.
And to the moments in time that has made us one.

Our days now mark and all senses on heighten alert.

I do not know the corner that will be marked.
For the wind has changed one more time, I presume.

72
I know that we are aging quickly now by far.
I dont want it gone with out said
How much your life here is treasured in my heart.

Over the years, our loyalty for each other went beyond duty,
And beyond the time and space that we share today.
For the love we share together
Will be crown by the sands of time.

In honor of the special man in my life, for the love of my life, Sal,
my support companion. He was my legs when I couldnt stand. Now
in his later years we both have learn to respect father time.

73
Oh, Ashley!

I am so sorry to see you go.

Life wont be same without you here, you know?
I know you barely learn to live
And you had so much yet to give.

I want to say I understand.

But right now it is all I can do to stand.
I want to hold my head up for you,
I want to smile and laugh its true.

But right now my heart hurts,

And my smile only works in spurts.
I know in time this anger I feel
Will leave me and I will heal.

Please know, Ashley Dear,

You have left a lot of friends here.
I rest in knowing your pain is gone,
And your spirit will forever carry on!

74
 Part two of a pair of poems dedicated to honor the life of this brave
young man. I believe this clear and simple verse gives a clear message
and offers the understanding of the courage that this little guy
possessed. My goal is to see this piece published and honor forever the
life of Ashley.

75
Oh, Katrina!

What have you done?

You came in the early morning, before the rising sun.
No hurricane should be so strong to last the way you did is wrong.
The wind blew hard, and the rain came down.
No one knew what you would do now.
I heard the babies cry, and mothers screaming, Why?
Many left the area and those who stayed,
Never will forget the price they paid.

OhKatrina!
We had no idea what you would do.
But when the morning light came,
Life was never going to be the same.
Many of us watched the news in horror.
The breath taking pictures brought such sorrow.
What will we do? The survivors cried!
We have no water, no food or pride.
We lost everything, and some lost their lives.
Oh. Katrina! How will we survive?

76
Then the worst came to pass.
The Levis broke and what was left will never last!
Our country has suffered many blows.
But the loss of life from Katrina, no one will ever know.

I want to help what can I do?

I have no money to share with you.
My heart cries out for you, each child, mother and father, too!
But listen everyone. I am not the only one!
I will pray to God to help you through,
And light a white candle just for you,
When I say my prayers tonight,
I will sing Amazing Grace just for those who have lost their life.

I dont know when or how it will come.

Things will get better in the long run.
Until that time comes, lets all hold hands and stand as one!
We are stronger together and better then one.

I dedicate this poem to all survivors of Katrina, to let them know

our prayers are with them.

77
Oh, My God!

Where will I go from here?

Will I have a life without the fear?
Will I be able to move on?
To a future life beyond?

Will my children remember?

How happy we were here.
Will I have the courage & strength?
To teach them how to believe such faith.

To show them how you face your fears

With nothing close and nothing near.
I dont want to be so scared,
Oh! My God! Please Help Me Here!

In 1986 I was in a flood that took everything after trying to salvage

what was left from a nasty divorce. With the destruction, terror, and
fear I saw with Katrina, brought back many feelings I had in 86.
When you have nothing left to lose you feel defeated, beaten and lost.
I wanted this piece to show how fear can take your soul, the spirit and
make you question your faith.

78
On a Wing and a Prayer

I came into this world on a wing and a prayer.

Soon my innocence robbed, my spirit I dont know where.
Born by anger, confusion, and sin.
I hid my pain, and my fear I kept within.

During my youth, my innocence all but gone,

By tortured events through a series of wrongs.
Alcohol and Drugs was my way to cope each day.
Getting past Father Time, this seemed to be my way!

Sex was something I enjoyed when I felt lost.

Substituting for loneliness without any real cost.
It wasnt soon enough a childs birth saved my life.
A special young man I am proud to see in this light.

I can tell you that little spirit; he helped me find a way,

With the help of my angels and special friends of a past day.
Courage is a part of my faith I try to keep in stride.
Bringing pride to those Rocky Roads, I all but wanted to hide.

79
My adult years are winding down slowly, I am afraid to say.
Golden youth shares my spirit; my soul is ready to call it a day.
So when my days have come to a welcome end.
My last wish is to leave the way I came in
On A Wing & A Prayer

A very private piece of my past and how it reflects on my life today.

80
Patience

Some have said, Patience is a Virtue,

A Moral Trait, A Strength in Faith.
Patience comes when you know
All is well and a Higher Power prevails.

There is calmness; a peacefulness knowing all is well.

That your life is in complete control.
Whether youre standing in the grocery line,
Waiting for the doctor or your dinner in a fine dine.

Some of us have the Strength, others without.

But life is so much better if you can wait it out.
It is said, Good things come to those who wait.
Knowing this comes in handy when waiting on Fate.

For it is when you surrender the outcome.

When youll find the Higher Power will come.
For everything has a time, a cycle, a season,
Help keeps me from questioning the reason.

81
So each time I find myself anxious, or stress out.
I must remember I have the Patience to wait it out.
My Spirits Loyalty is to my Higher Self.
Giving me the courage and erasing my doubt.

It takes work to practice patience you will find.

Growing stronger with faith always close behind.
It takes great courage to surrender control.
Believing in a Divine Power has complete control.

So when you find impatience has crossed your path.

Grab a book and this too in time will pass.
Give the outcome to the one, who knows it all,
Rest knowing a Higher Power controls it all.

82
Poor Wont Buy Me

A little country cottage resting on a far off hill.

Surrounded by huge hard woods that reach toward the heavens.
Or that fish filled pond found in a Rockwell scene.

Poor wont buy me.

Those pretty pink sandals I saw in a shoe store window.
That will match the second hand dress
I will find shopping at the Thrifty Thrift.

Poor wont buy me.

Better medical care or a visit to a dentist to do tooth repair.
Quality drugs that would make life easier, healthier, or safer,
Isnt the program we call Medicare.

Poor wont buy me.

High quality foods; fresh fruits or crispy crunchy vegetables,
Or a fresh Angus steak, Perdue, or even simple seafood.
Oh! How I wish it could!

Poor wont buy me.

Neither my dignity nor my pride now buried and hard to find.
The trust I must have in total strangers that covet me,
Taking away all my personal will.

83
Poor wont buy me
The embarrassment back, when I couldnt pay my rent,
Save my car from repossession or let me say yes to my son.
When all he wanted was a little toy Tonka truck.

Poor only bought the hardest of lessons, the coldest of times,

And rough Rocky Roads I struggled on. PoorEducated me
how to be
Humble, Gracious, and Thankful things wasnt, worse!

When I took ill in the early nineties, no one could prepare me for
the road, of government resources, below poverty conditions, and
aurora of a lower social class that everyone snubs. We watch
conditions changing at the local levels, in high government, and in our
own cultural habits every day.
A person needs back bone instead of courage, and discipline
instead of focus, persistence instead of anger, and you learn to have
patience of a saint, skin tough as nails and Faith like the Pope.
Then I write another poem.

84
Sal, My Pal

I want to tell you about my best friend.

Loyal he is right to the very end.
Weve been together it seems for-ever,
Thick and thin we pledge for evermore.

I look back at all those years,

We had some fun and a lot of cheer.
But things werent always good I know.
The road took turns and there was some lows.

You stood beside me all those years.

When I couldnt stand without the fear.
My legs was weak, my arms strong,
With your help we could do no wrong.

With the passing of our lives my friend,

My years with you are precious by far.
Bringing smiles to my memories,
I will never ask for nothing more.

85
 A short time ago my loyal companion, Sal, a chocolate lab gave me
a real life shocker and I had to face his mortality. The scare has made
me realize how precious our time together is right now.
Until that time comes and I am force to bid farewell, I want to
celebrate Sals life with this piece.

86
The Day Virginia Tech Cried

With a New Moon rising

A northeastern storm raged.
Gusty winds, snow and rain,
Rocked the east coast from Virginia to Maine.
We knew it was coming.
We thought we were prepared.
But as the storm came in anger.
The real truth of this day wouldnt compare.
Who would have thought?
Who could have known?
It wasnt Mother Nature!
But a lonely man who went cold.
The worst tragedy in our history,
President Bush will declare.
The death total was more then thirty.
A loss that will throw this country in despair.
The mothers will cry for that last good-bye.
Fathers will scream for justice from the heavens high!
The strangers who will watch the news in horror,
Asking why and how can we protect each other?
Every child lost is a great loss for us all,
Maybe a leader, a doctor, or studying law.
But each was a mothers child loved best, most of all.

87
This loss will change us, making us stronger despite this fall.
Within time our pain will ease.
Whether we ever know the truth or the lies in between.
We lost a child and that will hurt us all.
This pain we must share as a country, standing united one and
all.
Let us pray for their spirit that will never die,
Our kids deserve more, remembering their lives.
So this is a memorial for us to live by,
Remembering the day Virginia Tech Cried.

A memorial for those who lost their lives.

88
The Heavenly Walk

The Path I take,

I want you to know.
It has had its ups and
Downs, you know!
I cant say,
That I havent felt fear.
Praying for the best,
And knowing the change is near.
Sometimes I laugh
When I want to cry.
Then some days
Its all but a lie!
When I look back
I want to be able to say.
It all came in
When the wind changed one day.
Then time sits in
And age creeps in.
Before you know
It is time for the end!

89
When I am asked,
At those Pearly Gates
What I like best?

It would have to be my Eternal Rest!!!!

In memory Dana Reeves, I wanted to honor her life and the

strength and courage she had.

90
The Wind of Change

The wind of change is drawing near.

I will cast my dreams and let go of my fears.
I will find the strength to do what is right,
And welcome my lessons come the next morning light.

I have seen the wind change now several life times.

Always swiftly, never understanding why?
But if you have been there, I can tell you no lie!
All you can do is hold on for the ride.

It can come in the still of the night,

Or hit you in the face come the morning light.
It might take a week or two to blow through.
But the wind of change will catch you. too!

Over the past year, I have felt as if I am on the verge of major life
changes. With simple rhyme, and easy flow I wanted to share with the
reader the excitement I feel about the change that is drawing so near.
Something I believe all of us can relate and enjoy.

91
This One Is for You

I remember a warm spring day,

An adventure had come my way.
I remember the sky was clear blue.
You told me your name was Stu.

We fished in cool clear creeks,

During those long hot summer weeks.
And those long hot summer days,
You would snorkel and I would play.

You took me on a motorcycle ride.

I held on tight as we went side to side.
I have always felt safe in your hands,
When we rode hard over the Virginia farmlands.

I remember the fire tower we climbed,

And I left my panties behind.
The trip down the mountain that day,
It still brings giggles to me to this day!

92
I remember a Christmas not too long ago.
How we played in the white Virginia snow.
Halloween was always a whole lot of fun,
And riding four wheelers and shooting guns.

I remember Flippy. He was your friend.

Humped my foot and we laughed to no end.
These wonderful days have come and gone.
My memories of you will always carry on!

I wrote this for a Christmas present to Stu (dear friend) in 2005.

I try to capture the good in our relationship and the fun we had one
summer. Flippy was his pet rabbit who would follow me all over the
house. This is a story about life and love, and a moment in time.

93
To Love & Forgive

Is to say I am sorry
When I know I am wrong.
Is to take back my angry words,
And apologize for my wrong.

To Love & Forgive

Is to understand your pain
To walk beside you when it rains.
To know youre not alone.
When you feel you are alone.

To Love & Forgive

Is to believe it is not too late,
Because forgiveness is a healthy start.
Knowing that part of your love,
Is the part of your Unconditional Heart.

To understand Love is to understand Forgiveness. The two go

together like any couple, each is separate from the other, but a Pair
just the same.

94
We cant change what we dont acknowledge.
Dr Phil

Gather around my friends I have a story to share.

Its about people in Africa, and the suffering over there.
We need to take a stand, and open our eyes.
For genocide lives and grows in these peoples lives.

The victims that have survived suffered most of all.

The women and children they have seen it all.
Millions are homeless and thousands are dead.
They live with terror and starvation with no end.

I know things are hard here at home.

High gas prices and killer storms, each taking a toll.
Why should I help so far away?
When we have so much loss in our life today.

I know that once you hear this horrible tale.

You will want to help these defeated souls without fail.
I have an idea that might solve it all.
Drop a Penny is what it is called.

95
A few pennies can really go a long long way.
Making a big difference and giving hope in a big way!
Food and shelter are their immediate needs.
Then we will take the pennies and teach them to read.

Drop a Penny will be our new Goal.

Then watch these survivors get up and go.
If each of us Dropped a Penny a day,
It wouldnt be long we could stop this tragedy, today!

With George, Brad, Opera and Angelina Jolie standing up

strong.
We will put an end to this horrible and terrible wrong!
We will defeat hunger, and suffering, illness and strife.
We will teach these refugees how to live a good life!

Recently I was watching an Oprah show on the crisis in Chad and

Darfur. George Clooney and his father made a trip to witness first
hand the humanitarian crisis in Africa. I was touch by the efforts of
these stars to make a better life for these refugees.

96
What Dreams Are Made Of

Goals that keep the spirit high with education filling our hopes
And training the learning mind. Capturing ours wants,
Warning off our fears and challenging our demons
That we hide here and there!
Giving way to unconditional love that bears no boundaries.
Shows us courage when the rocky road is hard to fair.
Faith that never tires, Hope that never wears,
Honesty that bears fruit and will follow despite past ware.

Chorus
Can you see your dreams are they in your reach?
Just let your self-go and dont be afraid to meet,
Meet your destiny head on and dont be meek,
For time is of the essence, the right time is what we seek.

Patience that comes with great wisdom and rewards.

That comes from many a hard knocks,
Bad choices and close doors.
Knowing how to laugh and seeing the brighter side,
Rolling with the hard times, bouncing pass the highs.
Sharing your spirit when all else fails.
Giving prayer that soothes the tired and frail.
Giving us strength for yet another day when we fail.

97
Chorus

So dont ever give up, or look back with regret!

For life is a journey and your lessons you must not fret.
We all have dreams, some we can share,
Choices with consequences, we pray were prepared.
Others we walk in loneliness with prayer we want to share,
Knowing this life is completely unfair.
So I will take one day at a time,
And will cast my dreams in messages,

I will send off with Prayer!!

Who doesnt have dreams? It is what propels us to improve our

station in life, stabilizes our hope and gives us the strength to have faith
when the world comes down hard. My dreams are my prayers, my
prayers are my dreams and so I will get out of bed and go through my
day. Because I need to see how this all ends.

98
Will You Be My Valentine?

I have walked through life looking and searching.

Wondering where my True Love will be.
Never knowing which turn of a corner, I will find thee!
So today on Valentines Day, I throw this to the wind.
I am still waiting for that Special Gentlemen.

I can see him.

He will be tall, with wide shoulders and strong working arms.
And with these arms he will protect me and keep me from harm.
He will know how to laugh, crack a joke with a grin,
And know that laughter is always healthier
When you share it with a friend.
His smile will warm my spirit, and rest my wild heart.
His strength will support me,
When I feel my world coming a part.
His eyes will open the doors to my lonely heart,
Helping me seek my potential always pushing me to start.
Giving me a boost when my days are lost some where
Helping me with the essentials, holding back my fear.
I will see his soul, his spirit, within my own life.
I know I am home no matter what time day or night.
He will be gentle, but stern, loving and kind,
He will hold me at night, and well wake at nine.

99
So when my Valentine finally finds me.
I hope, I can remember, when I wanted this Dream!

Once all of the holidays make their way out of our life. The next
holiday Americans enjoy is Valentines Day. Each year the spring
begins with us looking for mates and courtship is in the air.
I find these traits enduring, beautiful, and we can share in the
meaning of finding that one person you want to grow old with. (Our
other half.) Each Valentine that passes I read this and know hope is
out there somewhere and hes on a white stallion, too!

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