The Most Beautiful Flower

The most beautiful creation on earth is a flower. 

Some stately and tall, some dainty and small.

They capture my fancy for hour upon hour.

But the iris is most beautiful of all.

The iris blooms early in the cool of the Spring.

Its companions are peonies and poppies and such.

Their soft fragrance lifts the heart, melodies to sing.

Soft as fine silk and like satin to touch.

                                             Their breath but a whisper, they fade all too soon.

Their countenance flutters and waves in the breeze.

They pose tall and elegant in yellows and blues.

God gave them a presence to calm and to please.

I cherish the roses, the daisies and phlox,

The pansies and marigolds aligned on my cart.

I adore the strong succulents that thrive in the rocks.

And the lilies come closest to stealing my heart.

But, how I love the iris over all of the rest!

It reigns in my garden, overshadowing the whole.

Yes, it's only the iris that stands to the test

Of pleasing my senses and soothing my soul.

Whatever Happened to Yesterday?

Wasn't it just yesterday that my child took his first steps?

His grandmother stood just inches away from him

When I slowly removed his fingers from my hand.

And his world changed forever, and the moment was so grand!

Wasn't it just yesterday when the nurse entered my room,

And blasting from the blanket was this shocking red hair!

I recognized my father in the countenance of my child,

And smiled with acceptance of his temper, fierce and wild.

Wasn't it just yesterday they leaned over me and proclaimed

The birth of a beautiful daughter. I sobbed with joyful tears.

She was the one who kept me grounded and led me to the Lord.

She gave me peace of mind that I sought, but could never afford.

Whatever happened to yesterday? Where has the time all gone?

Wasn't it here a moment ago? Now it's nowhere to be found.

Now yesterday lingers in memories and lives within my tears.

I've found that it can be yesterday in the reminiscence of the years.

What If?

What if I left the house today and got hit by a car?
What if I play it safe and stay home? Who'll pay my rent?
What if I love that man and he doesn't love me?
What if I love anyway and enjoy the time spent?
What if I let go of my child's hand and he falls on his face?
What if I grasp him so tightly he never grows?
What if I climb that mountain and die in an avalanche?
What if I do something awesome and no one knows?
What if I write that book and no one reads it?
What if I don't tell the memories my grandchildren want to hear?
What if I clean my house today and no one visits?
What if I leave it a mess because I think no one cares?
What if I speak to that woman and she turns away from me?
What if I keep to myself and I have no friends?
What if I laugh and no one laughs with me?
What if I don't join the group? What message will it send?
What if I study hard and still fail the test?
What if I don't study and just get a passing grade?
What if I act like it doesn't matter?
What if I just forget all the promises I made?
What if I choose to be friendly and happy?
What if I choose to love every disagreeable human?
What if I laugh and gather all my loved ones around me?
What if I revel in and choose to enjoy the  friendship of every man?
What if I treat people as if each one matters to me?
What if I remember to obey and delight in God's Word?
What if I choose to make a difference in the world, no matter what?
What if I make people glad I stopped being so absurd?

It's All In A Word

I love to explore it! Imagination gets stirred

When I dwell on the prospect of an exciting new word.

As my heart's beating faster, poetic juices are spurred.

Productivity is altered, household chores are deferred.

I've no time for the usual. My computer is preferred.

The sound of its humming can be overheard.

The time spent reflecting can be quite absurd.

Ah! Such is the life of a genuine word nerd.

If you listen quite closely the sounds can be heard

Over flutters and chirping of the tiniest bird.

It's the ooing and aahing of thoughts undeterred,

And the pronunciations that never get slurred.

And late in the evening when the eyes are so blurred

They will wish that the images that they incurred

Did not appear fuzzy, or fraggled or furred.

A word that is written must never be whirred.

And so,  my obsession with quips that I've heard,

And all this rejoicing of each little word

Are taking their toll on the brain that it stirred.

And such is the life of a certified word nerd.

Party Animals

                                              "The Third-term Panic" by Thomas Nast, published 

                                                                            in 1874 by Harper's Weekly, on a      

                                                                 possible third term by President Ulysses S. Grant.

                                                           HARPER'S WEEKLY 

I pondered one day, just who started this mess

Of two party animals that cause us such stress.

This all needs explaining about these great goons.

It's the Dems. and the Reps. and their animal cartoons.

The donkey was first for a staunch democrat.

It was given to him who had thrown in his hat

For the campaign for president in 1828.

Andrew Jackson's his name. President was his fate.

It seems that a famous cartoonist named Nast

Then used the poor donkey to settle and cast

This animal firmly in a democrat cartoon.

And there it was set for those democrat baboons.

Thomas Nast was the same guy in 1874

Who used the cartoon as he had once before.

A jackass chasing animals that lived in a zoo.

But the elephant stood still to represent you-know-who.

The republican vote took the elephant as theirs

And decided that Nast had finally answered their prayers.

Harpers Weekly was the paper that started it all.

And now every paper has answered the call.

The Reps. and the Dems. for once got things their way.

And the symbols are enduring to this very day.





                                            

My Laundry Quandry

I opened the door to the laundry room
And decided to face my eminent doom.
I don't have to look, cause I know there's a ton.
Today is the day to get the laundry done!

I started to sort the whites from the reds,

And soon I had clothes towering over my head.

Then the pile toppled my way, so I started to run.

Oh, I've just GOT to get this laundry done!

And, wouldn't you know it? I heard the phone ring!

Hallelujah! It's about time someone called on that thing!

It's the hubby. Wants to know why his shorts he has none.

Would I PLEASE try to get today's laundry done?

"I know. I've been busy running errands and such.

No! I don't think that I have been shopping too much!
Yes. I'll get to it now. You can count on me, Hon."
Now I've REALLY got to get today's laundry done.

But, there's groceries to buy, and I've got this new book.
I've got supper to make, and I have nothing to cook.
Just then Cindy stopped by. Let's go have us some fun!
Yes. Tomorrow's a good day to get my laundry done.

BEWARE THE VILLIAN

He lurks in the shadows hidden by a cloth.

His moves are furtive and careful as a sloth.

He makes no sound to betray his trance.

He's careful and he's quick with every glance.

As a thief he knows his way around.

He must succeed, so he'll stand his ground.

If the mistress of the house gets wise,

She'll be on to his deceit and lies.

So he feasts his eye upon the prey.

A chicken leg lay on a tray.

And just as he's about to leap,

The mistress rises to her feet.

A vigil under the table is over.

It's Milkbone only tonight for Rover.