“Why have you forsaken me?Eugene
I heard the bells toll up on high
and from their song I knew thereby,
a saint of God came home to stay,
and all that I could do was pray
and give my thanks to God above
for one who lived a life of love.
He served his church and family well,
whose faith and conduct did compel
our souls to rise and follow suit
that we might share his joyful fruit.
He was the youngest of them all,
but in the faith he stood so tall.
His smile could stir our hearts to sing
and turn the winter into Spring.
And on his gentle smiling face
reflected glory shown by grace,
a shining light so soft and bright
it pierced the darkness and the night.
He loved so much his lovely girls,
who are their mother’s string of pearls.
They smile his smile with shining eyes
whose beauty reaches to the skies.
Blessed with courage and with strength
and like their mom can go the length;
Our prayers are with these saints of God
and for their strength we do applaud.
The days ahead will bring new light.
They’ll come on holy wings despite
the pain and sorrow now we feel
but by God’s grace our hearts will heal.
And though there still be pain to bear,
our Lord Jesus has been there.
He will lead to pastures green,
that we may see great things unseen.
And we will know this sacred time
as a moment so sublime,
when we reflected on the man
the stoutly leader of the clan.
He is so held in high esteem
we miss you so beloved Eugene.
Thuggery
In the course of political skulduggery,
a Party resorts to treacherous thuggery,
with blatant acts of rebellious effrontery,
and accusations of political trumpery,
with little room for an expectant recovery,
please let me attempt a most salient summary,
that Party may make an unexpected discovery,
that their cause has lead to an unruly reality.
Why then did they put us through all of this drudgery?
Sweet Fifteen
Soaring on a swing so high
filled with energy and grace
she’s just so talented and spry
flowing at a fearsome pace.
Our Lily seems to do with ease
that for most would make us pause
She makes it all seem like a breeze
bringing on our loud applause.
So secure and so serene,
just to think she’s now fifteen.
And when she’s planted on the ground
her mind still soars to lofty heights.
for she just turns my head around
with smart ideas and deep insights.
Let us take a moment now
and give our praise to God above.
That sly smile and raised eyebrow.
Let’s us know she’s fire and love.
Halfway Home
I want you to know that a man with a beard
is certainly not always the man who is weird.
Our man of the hour, through thrills and some tears,
let us just say, has put on a few years.
But he ‘s not wasted his time in the least
is looking at life as one big love feast.
His life is family and friends and outreach,
with a few days off to go to the beach.
We like computers but not their connection
but this man was there at the Apple inception.
He capably connects most any peripheral,
a technical knowledge so magically visceral.
The man likes to bike but once had a wreck
he dusted himself off – right back on the trek.
A connoisseur of the stout mountain bike,
at a very early age he gave one to Mike.
One day on the trail Mike had a slight slip,
but big brother Josh was so wise and so hip.
He made the whole day an exciting adventure.
The slip was not in the least bit a quencher.
But maybe I’m getting ahead of myself.
He moved to Richmond for fortune and wealth,
though he probably came to chase a pooh bear.
And all I can say is that they make quite a pair.
They go out to search for new barbecue sites,
the Christmas season’s most tackiest lights,
the roaring festivals and rocking concerts,
before heading for home those good pie desserts.
Josh fathers those two most beautiful girls,
while staying alive in their fast artist worlds.
He keeps his heart young in the classic rock scene,
but he has other ways, if you know what I mean.
He’s getting some help from the Father above
and growing each day in his grace and his love.
So now he’s just a young quinquagenarian,
well on his way to the ancient centenarian.
Bedford
I sing a song of Bedford town
a little place of great renown.
For on one awful, dreadful day
our hopes and dreams were held in sway.
The brave young men who gave their lives
so sacred liberty survives,
are now enshrined for all to see
their lasting generosity.
Nestled down among the hills
in a place that gives one chills
The men returned to Bedford town.
with all its beautiful surround.
Having given all their best
they found a sacred place to rest
from blasting shells and flashing light
for they would not give up the fight
til evil had its gasping breath
with eyes upon its looming death.
These men did die that they might give
a chance for peace to those who live.
And do not think that they regret
lest we forget, lest we forget.
D – Day
Twas not a time to hem and haw,
we hit the beach at Omaha.
Though most of us were so afraid,
before our God we all had prayed
into your hands our souls do place
we do this for the human race.
Against the surging evil tide
we plunged ahead but many died.
No greater love could we expend
to give it all for one dear friend.
You are that one to whom we gave
our life and blood that we might save
one single life of liberty.
My prayer was now “deliver me.”
Forging ahead we did not stop
climbing up the mountain top
I reached the top by his good grace
and poked the enemy in his face.
Yes, it’s good that we look back
upon our fierce D Day attack
But we should also look ahead
so truth and justice not be shred.
there is no peace without our price
undying love and sacrifice.
Lily’s Fourteenth Birthday
Master of the silks and rings
and all those other mobile things,
a girl with such a lovely smile
sets her above the rank and file.
And even on a cloudy day
her shine does find a passageway.
The art and crafts and jewelry making
are so sublime and so breathtaking
Who is this girl with such esteem,
who on this day has turned fourteen?
Her mind exceeds her age by far?
She is our bright and shining star.
Her name means purity and love.
Our Lil is gentle as a dove,
with just a touch of whimsy wild.
An oh so bright, precocious child,
her gifts and talent have set the pace,
to move ahead with style and grace.
Lola
You know what it feels like to be someone’s pet?
It all depends on the one you have met.
Unless you’ve selected the best of the best,
a master that’s better than just all of the rest,
and followed her home to a safe dwelling place,
then you can bark at your happy home base.
You circle around in your roomy backyard,
though not forgetting you’re still standing guard
keeping it safe for your wonderful friend.
Well I saw this new guy rounding the bend.
But I could tell by his wonderful smell
that my new home was gonna be swell.
No need to worry, I’m not on the fence,
for I could tell He’d brought on the Prince.
Well they were quickly beginning to mesh,
something bout bonding and becoming one flesh.
There’s so much I liked – the park and the pool,
I thought that first step was really so cool.
And really I loved most all of my toys,
especially when they could make the right noise.
Now I have saved the best for the end
Twas something so special about my dear friend.
You look for ways to share all of the love
before you are called to your home up above.
I’m just waiting for a glorious reunion
with unlimited days of love and communion.
Love Is Abandonment
Love is complete abandonment:
I give myself to you.
and lose that old contaminant
which spawns a selfish view.
A massive disentanglement,
embracing all things new.
Love the sacred sacrament
that ever rings so true.
I must enlarge my living space
and make room for your beauty,
while placing self proper place
which is so small and snooty,
and yield to God’s amazing grace,
my solemn daily duty.
The answer for the human race
is love most absolutely.
Happy 50th Birthday
Coming home from far away,
it was a cold and snowy day
But what a joyful bright surprise
as if the sun began rise
A brand new bouncing baby girl,
would open up a brand new world.
She soon would walk before she talked
and on the hobbyhorse she rocked.
A member of a Scottish Clan,
she slipped outside and off she ran.
So sweet and nice and cheerful too,
that’s why we called her Lynnie Pooh.
Before I knew it – Towson High,
Growing so fast, I had to sigh!
Cameras, dark room, learning stick,
Just another easy trick.
Driving farm trucks to DC,
busy as a bumblebee!
Soon she was all college bound,
her studies on such solid ground
It was so hard to say goodbye,
I tried to smile but had to cry.
You’ve oh so many St. Mary’s friends,
That’s just the way a Pooh Bear tends.
Soon off to England, Oxford Town,
then touring landmarks all around.
Getting hooked on mountain bikes,
that expert classmate, uh-oh, yikes!
Back to St, Mary’s one more time,
A beautiful wedding so sublime!
Raising creative girls so smart,
their beauty flowing from the heart.
They each have brightened up our world,
just like their Mom, our precious girl.
Congrats on these girls you’ve reared
but kudos also to The Beard.
We long to drive to Richmond town,
and see our girls of such renown.
Happy Birthday our own Pooh Bear,
and thank you for your kind Pooh care.
Fifty years is not so old.
One is still young or so I’m told.
They say it makes one sweet and wise,
but oh how fast the time just flies!
A Most Happy Birthday
The moon was full and on the rise.
Twas a very pleasant surprise
when daylight dawned with brand new skies.
Such great joy around us swirls
Cause out came two delightful girls
who quickly change our ordered worlds.
What a birthday celebration,
simply beyond imagination,
to see God’s wonderful creation.
Two lovely girls to celebrate
on such a most momentous date
They are the twins – each one first-rate!
Septuagenarian Sonnet
A man exceeds his four score years and ten
with flooding memories from the distant past,
reflects upon his life and starts again,
while hoping there are lessons that will last.
He sees the ebbs and flows along the way,
the twists and turns that never should have been,
but hopes and dreams were there for each new day.
Mistakes were made, there’s no need to pretend.
He is a fallen man that is for sure.
The blood of Christ does cover all his sin.
With Jesus at his side he can endure.
God’s mercy, love, and grace do underpin.
Now this is true for ev’ry new beginner.
Have mercy on me Lord I am a sinner.
A Foodie
The comfort of some macaroni
is just the food to hit the spot,
but then that tasty rigatoni
is food I really like a lot.
It’s hard to choose just what is best
on any given day or week,
cause see I like just all the rest.
I’m going to pause and take a peek.
I’ll sneak in now and have a look.
Such rude intrusion she dismisses.
My wife is just a gourmet cook.
On every dish she never misses.
Do not come in before the time
the food is ready to be served.
Just drink this with a twist of lime
your dinner table is now reserved.
Now please allow me to explain
I am so much a full-fledged foodie.
I do not want to be a pain,
but can become a little moody.
While staring at an empty plate
with oh so much anticipation.
I do not really like to wait
when filling every expectation
Could this just be a Bryant thing?
Nah, I’m sure you feel this way.
Did I just hear the dinner bell ring?
Hey, the food is on the table, yah!
