Lelia Elaine Graham

Laughter and lyrical; lady in making.
Eyes so delightful, and smile overtaking.
Lovely in manner, and lovingly faithful.
Infinite wisdom, intelligent, graceful.
Auspicious, ambitious, pouty and tasteful.

The only granddaughter, so funny and sweet.
She's generous and precious; she just can't be beat.
I love you, Lelia Elaine.

MY CHRISTMAS SICKNESS

Tis the season to celebrate Jesus' birth.
My friends all surround me in their seasonal mirth.
Christians are preparing all over the earth,
And I just can't get with it, for all that I'm worth.

The people are gathering, their parties to enjoy,
They expect all the trimmings and gifts to employ.
But I sit back and moan, a regular killjoy,
And pout like an ornery, misguided schoolboy.

If I meet you at the market my hand I'll extend.
If you bring up the season I'll try to pretend.
For no disrespect or bad news I intend.
I'm afraid all my bad thoughts I'll have to defend.

So I sit back and think on the Christmas aspect,
And I know that I desparately try to connect
To this ongoing notion to which I object.
It's the idea of Santa Claus! And I have no respect!

I watch as the children all dance for joy.
I see in the church the sweet-sounding choirboy.
But the Santas and their reindeer I just want to destroy!
I've an attitude problem with which I'm annoyed.

This Scrooge-like behavior I'll just have to amend.
Up from this pit of mud I must ascend.
And even the Santa's I'll try to befriend!
Oh my. Does this restoration truly have no end?

I'll sing like an angel, my flaws to correct.
They'll look at me strangely, but they'll never suspect
That I once was a grouchy old gal, and deflect
All the others who growl and show disrespect.

And once I've accomplished this drastic makeover,
I'll let the love of God in my life really take over.
And then I believe that I'll finally discover
That love that He gives me will really spillover.

So, Santas, I'm ready to meet face to face.
Between you and Jesus you'll find there's no race.
I've banished resentment; there's simply no trace.
I've been healed of this malady, and it's all by God's Grace.

Calvin Russell Graham

Commedian practicing his playful art,
Author reciting his favorite part.
Laughter delighting and giving such joy,
Vibrantly active and immaginative boy.
Ideas and intellect overflowing,
Nutty and naughty and socially outgoing.

I thrill at the sound of his playful voice.
He's everything I love, and I love him by choice.
I love you, dear sweet Calvin.

Wesley Hugh Graham

Wonderful grandson, attentive and true.
Eager to please me in all that you do.
Sensitive, kind, thoughtful, and serious,
Loving and full of hugs, makes one delirious!
Easy to talk to; gentle and serving,
Youthful and playful with jokes quite unnerving.

The oldest of three, he has captured my heart.
I loved him and cherished him right from the start.
I love you, Wesley.

The Lonely Warrior

In the eyes of a lonely warrior are despair and grief.

He longs for what was, and fears what is to come.

The pain of the moment stabs deep into his heart,

And he yearns for the peace that eludes him till he's home.

Searching through his tears he sees his companion;

Just as lonely, and feeling his own pain.

Thoughts of the moment mesh their minds together

As they each grasp for the coveted victory in vain.

Scores of wounded souls are bound and reaching,

Each soul secretly mending and re-mending it’s sore.

Pity cries out to soothe each brother,

But the pain goes on just like it did before.

The enemy silently creeps throughout the night,

Looking for its next poor victim to devour.

Seeking desparately for the weak and wounded,

Evil striving to complete it’s finest hour.

Long before the distant sun arises in the east,

A mightly Presence is waiting, watching, taking form.

Souls, be strong! The battle’s almost over!

Your Savior stretches forth His hand to calm your storm.

The eyes of the lonely warrior begin to clear

And see the Light that is coming to ease his pain.

Does our Savior tarry long? We cry out to Him for mercy,

But it seems so long. How long, Lord, will you remain?

The healing touch of victory is softly stealing.

We can hear the cheers of triumph from the crowd.

Victories from battles passed give us strength to linger,

And we know it’s here again, crying His name aloud.

Oh Victory! Your name is Jesus! You are Lord and Father.

We lift our battles up to the One Who is King.

The fears and doubts are mastered with Your presence,

And on our lips glory, honor, and praise we’ll sing.

Psalm 27:14 “I would have despaired if I had not believed that I would see the hand of the Lord in the land of the living.”

It's Been A Wonderful Life

I want to skip, I want to run.
I want to be young and have some fun.
I want to run the longest mile.
I want to travel, and do it in style.

I want to ride in air balloons.
I want to write a million tunes.
I want to laugh and paint my face.
I want to write and fill MySpace.

I want to play first base again.
I want to cheer and help to win.
I want to work long hours each day,
Have weekends with my kids, to play.

I want to be an acrobat.
To jump a rope. To swing a bat.
I want to swim and catch a fish.
To be young again; that’s all I wish.

For if I were I’d do things right.
There’d be no carousing late at night.
There’d be no sitting on my throne.
That’d be for my God, and God alone.

I’d study hard the facts to learn,
And get good grades at every turn.
I’d welcome times to spend with Mom.
I’d go back and not leave the prom.

My kids would know how much I care.
I would be kinder, and I would share.
I’d play in the leaves and slide in the snow.
I’d mark every inch when they started to grow.

But now, in the autumn, I just look behind.
My youth is all squandered; nowhere to find.
I watch as the young ones pass through their days.
I wish I could join them, but autumn just stays.

I only can watch them as now I don’t run.
I give it my best to join in their fun.
But tomorrow is winter so I must prepare.
I know that it will be lonelier there.

So, I wait for my Father and smile while I wait.
Sometimes He is slow, but He’s never late.
I must go on smiling in spite of the strife.
Because, all in all, it’s been a wonderful life.

AN OCTOBER MOON

Driving a north Georgia highway on an October night,

I played peek-a-boo with a beautiful autumn moon.

Between the trees and hills it popped out it's bright face,

Only to disappear to wait to shine out it's beautiful tune.

"I'm here!" it shouts. And then it's light is gone.

It teases and taunts, making me desperate to pause.

Where can I go? Which way must I turn to find delight?

I have no place to stop. Alone, there is no sense or cause.

 

The brilliant platter beckons through the branches of the trees.

It shows itself only for a moment, and the branches whisk it away.

I see in the opposing sky a faint hue of paler tint.

I'm losing time. I need to run. Yonder comes the day.

Oh, yesteryear! I ache to embrace the joys

Of autumn nights when I was young and in another world.

Those nights flew quickly by and I knew no fears.

Ah! Had I known the nights to come to be unfurled!

But innocence protects us from advancing signs

Of bitter nights that provide us with no gorgeous moon.

So, I'll savor this fleeting moment of a graceful gift,

And pray that the moment won't leave me too soon.

I reach my home front just in time

To witness the oncoming glow of the beautiful new day.

The crisp, damp air bites when I leave for the door.

I turn to see the moon smile, but it's gone away.

Tomorrow, I think. But the voice reminds me

That it will never be the same. It cannot be quite

The wonder of tonight's splendor revealed to me

Driving on a north Georgia highway on an October night.

Quotations

"The Man Who Thinks He Can"

IF YOU THINK YOU ARE BEATEN, YOU ARE.
IF YOU THINK YOU DARE NOT, YOU DON'T.
IF YOU LIKE TO WIN, BUT THINK YOU CAN'T, ...
IT'S ALMOST A CINCH YOU WON'T.

IF YOU THINK YOU'LL LOSE, YOU'RE LOST.
FOR OUT IN THE WORLD WE FIND
SUCCESS BEGINS WITH A FELLOW'S WILL.
IT'S ALL IN THE STATE OF MIND.

FULL MANY A RACE IS LOST
'ERE EVEN A STEP IS RUN.
AND MANY A COWARD FAILS
'ERE EVEN HIS WORK IS BEGUN.

THINK BIG AND YOUR DEEDS WILL GROW.
THINK SMALL AND YOU'LL FALL BEHIND.
THINK THAT YOU CAN, AND YOU WILL.
IT'S ALL IN THE STATE OF MIND!

IF YOU THINK YOU ARE OUTCLASSED, YOU ARE.
YOU'E GOT TO THINK HIGH TO RISE.
YOU'VE GOT TO BELIEVE IN YOURSELF
BEFORE YOU CAN WIN THE PRIZE.

LIFE'S BATTLES DON'T ALWAYS GO
TO THE STRONGER OR FASTER MAN.
SOONER OR LATER THE ONE WHO WINS
IS THE MAN WHO THINKS HE CAN.

-Walter D. Wintle

When You're Different

It starts when you're young,
but you don't always know,
though the looks make you wonder
what is happening around you
that makes you feel funny,
and you want to withdraw
to a corner just to read or
observe the large gathering
When you're different.

And, as you grow,
you enjoy making friends.
The laughter and game playing
 can seem never to end.
Then the laughter stops around
something you've said.
The stares seem confused
and lost in the thought
of what had just happened
and how to respond to the
moment of misunderstanding.
Why don't they comprehend
the views and the humor
of your entertaining mind
when you're different?

The friendships that come and go
reflect the desire to
find the kind heart that
is open to observations
not normally explored.
They call you "deep thinker",
and some walk away
from a fear of discovery
of the changes that
may come their way.
But it's all a desire to
search the deep caverns
of a life that's wide-reaching
when you're different.

BP's Got a Problem

The gulf has a big oil spill
that seems to be gushing at will.
The engineers dug it
and started to plug it,
but the oil is flowing out still.

Oh, what are we going to do?
Looks like BP will never come through.
They've dug and they've drilled
and they've cleaned up the spill.
Think the cost will come back to me and you?

Independence Day 2010

The people banded together to make their plea,
They were tired of taxes and yearned to be free.
They wrote it all down,
Thumbed their nose at the Crown,
And they won the victory for you and me.

COME AND SHOUT PRAISE

SHOUT TO THE LORD ALL YOU PEOPLE OF GOD,
COME TO HIS THRONE AND BOW DOWN.
SHOUT TO THE LORD, GIVE HIM HONOR AND PRAISE,
FILL ALL THE EARTH WITH THE SOUND.
SHOUT NEWS OF VICTORY FROM SEA TO SEA,
NEWS OF HIS GRACE AND LOVE FOR YOU AND ME.
.
COME AND SHOUT PRAISES TO GOD.
COME AND MARCH INTO HIS PRESENCE WITH SINGING.
COME AND SHOUT PRAISES TO GOD.
RAISING THE ROOF FOR THE ROCK WHO HAS SAVED US!
COME AND SHOUT PRAISES TO GOD.
COME ON YOUR KNEES TO THE GOD WHO HAS MADE US.
HE IS THE REASON WE LIVE.
　
GET OUT THE MESSAGE THAT CHRIST IS OUR KING,
HE PUT THE WORLD IN ITS PLACE.
BRING GIFTS AND CELEBRATE, HE'S EVERYTHING,
AUTHOR OF KINGDOMS AND SPACE.
GOD MADE THE HEAVENS, LET'S HEAR THE APPLAUSE,
REACH OUT TO RESCUE THE WEARY AND LOST.

COME AND SHOUT PRAISES TO GOD.
COME AND MARCH INTO HIS PRESENCE WITH SINGING.
COME AND SHOUT PRAISES TO GOD.
RAISING THE ROOF FOR THE ROCK WHO HAS SAVED US.
COME AND SHOUT PRAISES TO GOD.
COME ON YOUR KNEES TO THE GOD WHO HAS MADE US.
HE IS THE REASON WE LIVE.
HE IS THE REASON WE LIVE.
TO HIM PRAISE AND HONOR WE GIVE.

A Word From God

Sitting quietly in my room.
Speaking softly through my pen.
Writing friends with technical mail.
Visiting with a long, lost friend.
God spoke to me through one word....
Love.

Written for our small group garage sale that we had to benefit a family going through tough times. I wouldn't have saved this, but Donna said I should. I always do what Donna says:

WELCOME GARAGE SALE SHOPPERS!
WE'RE GLAD TO SEE YOUR FACE!
YOUR PURCHASES AREN'T FOR US TO KEEP,
SO LET US STATE OUR CASE.

WE KNOW SOME FOLKS WHOSE TIMES ARE ROUGH,
AND WE'LL HELP THEM IF WE CAN.
SO ALL PROCEEDS WILL GO TO THEM
TO LEND A HELPING HAND.

SO, SHOP AROUND AND HAVE SOME FUN,
DON'T LEAVE WITHOUT SAYING "HEY!"
OUR FRIENDSHIPS ARE IMPORTANT. YOU KNOW,
THIS COULD BE US SOMEDAY.

Written and Provided by Juanita Constantine Riggle via Facebook

Juanita Constantine Riggle
Ode to Shirley
There once was a limerick verse master
Who kept her fans roaring with laughter
Although she's long gone
She's still writing on
And God's laughing in the here after.

this is a song that your Grandpa Bassett taught me when we first got married. He sang it when he took a bath:

"OH me and my wife and my stub-tail dog,
went across the river on a sycamore log.
the log rolled over and my wife got wet,
but i hung to my stub-tail dog, you bet!
doo doop de doop doo doo!"

This was written for a friend, Donna Moore, whose family owned such a cat and asked me to write a poem about it; Donna asked, not the cat. s


THE CAT IN THE CUPBOARD

Early in life I knew of our guest
Who silently hid in our kitchen to rest.
Was he part of the family? Did he have our last name?
Did he know he was "It" in our family game?
We tried to include him. We tried with all might.
But he was determined to stay out of sight.
Our infamous cat in the cupboard.

Our feline stayed in his cupboard all day
And only came out when we were away.
Way back on the shelf is where he called home,
And he only came out late at night just to roam.
Then before we would wake he'd get back in once more.
And we knew every time, for he left open the door.
This reclusive old cat in the cupboard.

Oh, he was a beauty! Just glimpses we got.
He was all white, with brown and black spots.
We'd catch him at times looking affably dear,
As he cleaned and preened in front of a mirror.
But as soon as he knew his presence was known
He'd head for the corner that he called his own.
What a picturesque cat in the cupboard!

We bribed him with tuna. We bribed him with cheese.
But he was impervious to all of these.
He waited so patiently for no one about,
Then made quite a pig of himself, there's no doubt.
Stealth was his name; a tidy one, too.
For all of the food he found, we never knew.
That incorrigible cat in the cupboard.

It's amazing that he never made up a mess.
He couldn't have known that our mom would obsess
If he ever left crumbs or snippets behind.
She always was cleaning and always could find
Some messes for us to clean; yes she could!
But never our recluse. No. He never would.
Our fastidious cat in the cupboard.

Once I awoke with a bit of a fright.
Our cat was awake in the dead of the night,
Imposing his song of love to all who would hear.
The feline next door must have been quite near,
For the bellowing roars could be heard far and wide.
If I were she I would find some place to hide
From our eloquent cat in the cupboard.

One evening quite soon after all had retired
Our friend found mom's yarn; a cache he admired.
It didn't take long to awake to his shout.
Poor kitty was tied up in yarn. "MEOW! Let me out!"
It took a good bit for our mom to prevail.
When she freed him from yarn we saw only his tail.
That mischievous cat in the cupboard.

For years it went on with our illusive pet.
We knew he was there. We loved him, and yet
Our efforts to play with him never came through.
He wasn't the kind to cuddle or coo.
He wasn't our playmate, nor did we forget
He demanded his space. He demanded respect
For this reticent cat in the cupboard.

And, oh, how we miss him!
Our invincible cat in the cupboard.

Limericks when I can't sleep. aka..Outhouse Ditties

A Southern Fairy Tale


since coming south i have decided
that the only place skeeters abided
was the north, and they're big there,
they fill up like pigs there,
but the southerners all have denied it.
so i watched, both outdoors and inside,
to see if these critters i spied.
not a skeeter i'd see,
they just can't convince me.
if they're here, then the skeeters all died.

when the young man became contumacious
his mom was a bit less than gracious.
and with all said and done
and his battle not won,
his fight had not been efficacious.
(look that up in your Funk and Wagnal.)

there once was a woman acquainted
with a gal who's repute was quite tainted.
the tainted gal spoke
of the rules she had broke,
and the woman fell over and fainted.

i once had a swiss cheese face
with holes that i tried to erase.
i rubbed and i rubbed,
grabbed the soap and i scrubbed.
when i looked i was gone! not a trace.

the high temps are keeping us roasting.
in the hundreds the midwest is boasting.
the sidewalks are searing
and now i am hearing
that breakfast is currently toasting.

When being referred to as "Mom",
It's easy to smile and stay calm.
But it gets pretty shady
If you call me "old lady".
And I quickly explode, like a bomb.


there once was a happy wordsmith
who people were glad to work with.
but her hubby once muttered
as, the wordsmith, she sputtered,
"she sure ain't a breeze to live with."


while on our trip and coastal cruising,
we encountered a sight quite amusing.
didn't want to be rude,
but a camp in the nude
was one place to go i was refusing.


if it's "Be Kind To Spiders" all week,
then a way to be kind i should seek.
i could feed them each day.
or teach them to pray,
cause they won't have a prayer, so to speak. :}


when i reached down to pick up that dish
i threw the remains to the fish.
twas a spider inside,
and he tried hard to hide,
but he died, and the poor boy went "SQUISH!"


there once was a spider named Fred,
who continually stood on his head.
he bounced and he quivered
till the kitchen maid shivered.
and she smashed Fred until he was dead...
...poor fred. LOLOLOLOL

in an effort to be a good wife
i have cooked dinners most of my life.
but the years cooking for him,
even though i adore him,
are causing me kitchen stove strife.

it's time that i made a concession.
i'm sick of winter's expression.
there' been snow. there's been rain,
and it's all been a pain.
i'm considering a major depression.
but then, i remember the summer
when the weather was really a bummer!
it was HOT, and i complained,
but the Hot, it still remained.
now, i just couldn't feel much dumber.


this old girl was weird from the start,
but we all knew she had a good heart.
her manners were pleasing
even when she was teasing.
she sure was an ornery old fart.

i once spied a creature quite perky
who was nervous and looking quite jerky.
"i'm quite fond of living,
but it's nearing Thanksgiving,
when it's never quite safe for a turkey."

there once was a group of young girls
who dressed up their hair in fine curls.
the boys came around,
but each one was turned down.
cause a girl demands diamonds and pearls.

i just feel like getting drunk.
as drunk, as they say, as a skunk.
but if i were drunk,
as drunk as a skunk,
i would probably flunk as a drunk.

There once was a redheaded floosey
who woke up one day feeling woosey.
"I thought I was fine
drinking expensive wine.
Guess from now on it'll pay to be choosey."
...(bring on the musketelle)

i once met a brown cow named Rose
who had a gold ring in her nose.
"Don't bulls wear the ring,
or is this a new thing?"
"Oh, it's cool, cause it matches my clothes."

when a friend gives a subtle suggestion,
it behooves one to rule out rejection.
so i'll repeat the phrase
that the beautiful days
of October are poetic perfection.

advantages of being tall
go beyond seeing over a wall.
so wash well and groom
'fore you leave the girls' room,
cause i also see over the stall.
haha. caughtcha.

to implement savings on fuel
i obtained a disreputable mule.
when i asked for a ride
he refused with much pride,
and he challenged me there to a duel.
"How absurd!" i replied. "How imposing!
this conflict that you are proposing!
i find you quite rude,
and a lazy, crass dude,
with your ill-mannered temper disclosing."
he sat down right there on the road,
and the laughter then from his mouth flowed.
"I'm a fool now," i think
as he gave me a wink.
compliancy, he's never bestowed.
so from now on i'll stick with my car,
though gas price is outrageous by far.
no longer the fool,
i ousted the mule.
sent this rude dude right up to the stars.

i create pretty pictures with paint.
i can paint even when i feel faint.
i can paint a red rose.
i can paint your pink toes.
but Piccaso or Van Gogh i ain't.

i once owned a turtle named mertle.
and mertle was fetching and fertile.
i kept her at home
till she started to roam.
then i clothed her in a very tight girdle.

when the gals stop to powder their noses,
the boys all admire their poses.
but when daddy looks on
you'll find the boys gone
cause he demands diamonds and roses.

i'm finding when trying to sleep
it's no good to try counting sheep.
i count up to five,
then they all take a dive,
and the sheep all end up in a heap!

if you know a gal who is witty,
and on top of that, is very pretty,
you usually can bet
that she's gonna get
the most guys of all in the city.

now, when a young man is quite charming,
it can often be somewhat disarming.
the girls turn beet red
while it goes to their head.
quite frankly, i find it alarming!

the friends that i usually pick
are sharp-minded people, and quick.
but after a while
they say with a smile,
"Shirley, your mind is just sick!!!"

i know i'm suppose to be kind
to the lame and the deaf and the blind.
but those who are smart
and don't act the part
can drive me right out of my mind!!!

a big mouth is always a plus
if you can't reach the cord on the bus.
but if you get stopped
by a grumpy old cop,
you'd better not put up a fuss.

his picture was there on the paper.
he had been involve in some caper.
his first name was Ricky,
and he was quite tricky.
and he soon disappeared like a vapor.

the clock on the wall struck eleven.
the thermometer read ninety-seven.
i took a deep breath,
and it felt like death.
oh, how i wish i was in heaven.

I knew when I opened the door
I could handle the weather no more.
My plans were all shot
cause the day was too hot,
and the temps would exceed one-o-four!

While traveling back from the sea,
a sailor remarked once to me,
"While in the bahamas
I don't wear pajamas."
To which I responded, "dear me".

When going outside for a swim
my body could sure use a trim.
But that's nothing new,
and I'm telling you,
My prospects are looking quite grim.

Quite often when I'm feeling funky,
I'll do something funny or spunky.
I tried making candy
With apricot brandy,
But I ended up just getting drunky.
(bad, isn't it?)

arthritis is doing me in.
and i've taken it all on the chin.
i'd like to get better,
but due to the weather,
my chances are slimmer than thin.

when Wesley was born he was seen
as the handsomest boy ever been.
but now he's grown tall,
says the mark on the wall,
cause today our Wes-man turns thirteen!

to write words in verse is such fun.
you can write in your head on the run.
you can write in your car,
you can write in a bar,
but you'd better walk home when you're done.

there once was a daughter named Jill
who was really a regular pill.
right from the start
she thought she was smart,
but her mama can take her......at will!

when striving to live life with class,
those rumblings inside want to pass.
but here's a good tip
from one who is hip;
it might end up more than just gas. (oh oh)

when seeing a doctor it fits
that procedures are usually the pits.
and hospital stays
can go on for days,
and buddy, it sure ain't the Ritz.

if your insurance plan ain't the best,
but you think it's the best of the rest,
just hang on, dear friend,
cause you'll see in the end
Barry's plan will be hard to digest.


there once was a man named Chuck Norris,
a hero and champion for us.
but don't be alarmed if
when Chuckie is charmed
he and van Damme will break out in chorus.

this was hurriedly written by Jill Elaine Bassett Graham one day while at work.....you figure out what it means:

Shirley, Shirley, quite consquirrelly
How does your garden swim?
With silver spades, and green granades
And pretty maids, no thanks to him.

Just remember...
Out-smarting your mom isn't cool.
You may end up perched on a stool.
Cause moms have a way
Of making you pay,
And you'll end up looking the fool.

hahahahahahahahahahaha

Old geezers; they come and they go.
But usually they go pretty slow.
If you're in a hurry
There's no need to worry.
Their gas tank is just getting low.

I once had a horney-toad frog,
I fished from an old English bog.
When I got him home
He started to roam,
And ended up inside the dog.
Poor frog.

There once was a girl from Nantucket
Who put all her gum in one bucket.
The gum had been chewed
And soon became glued,
And it took her three years to unstuck it.


A liar can use a term loosely,
And a housewife can keep a house sprucely.
But to feel all is right
When you're out in the night
You should probably bring along Bruce Lee.


I once knew a gal that was squirrelly.
She giggled and acted so girlie.
I asked for her name
And she blushed with such shame.
My name, sighed the girl, is Shirley.


A girl at the park was a biggy.
She ate like a regular piggy.
She said, "I'll begin
To make myself thin."
The next thing you know, she was Twiggy!


A trumpet can really be classy,
If you like a horn shiney and brassy.
But don't play too long
To practice a song.
For soon both your eyes will be glassy.


A fine instrument is a tuba.
A great way to swim is to scuba.
A good cheese is fine
With a glass of fine wine.
And "Old Blue Eyes" sang dooby-dooby-dooba.


There was a New Yorker quite charming,
Who said something once, quite alarming.
"I can't stand the noise
When I'm out with the boys,
So I guess I'll just have to try farming."


I once knew a girl with long hair.
It grew so long people would stare.
It started to fall out
And people would call out,
But she shouted back, "I don't care!"


There once was a boy at my school
Who thought himself especially cool.
But when girls walked in
He started to grin.
Then all he could do was drool.


There once was a woman quite ruthless,
Who said things to people quite truthless.
She told a young fighter
That many were brighter.
Now ruthless just walks around toothless.