Life as an artist does not stop because you retired. Life is still inspired and inspiring many people into the 3rd age.
Messiah Village has some inspired artists that love to write poetry. Five of our residents recently had their poems featured in the 50plus Senior News. We have decided to also post them here for your reading pleasure!
Counting the Days
Erla Stump
Today I look out upon the beautiful snow,
But I know that in a few days it will go.
And the ground will be a dreary brown,
But that gives me no reason to frown!
I know that in days that I can easily number,
The earth around me will no longer slumber,
But will again bring me the beautiful flowers of spring,
And I will have the many birds who daily sing.
April
John McGrath
It is the month of April
When the sap begins to rise
And sunshine chases showers
Across the warming skies.
Daffodils nod golden heads
As the gentle breezes blow;
Tomorrow may be standing
Their feet hidden by some snow.
The land is filled with birdsong.
Tiny leaves begin to show.
Grass is green, the air smells sweet
And the whole world seems aglow.
I fear there are some people
That April fails to please;
The air is filled with pollen
Which makes them cough and sneeze.
Attitude of Gratitude
Leigh P. Hoffman
It’s my attitude you say,
It’s my gratitude I say,
It woke me up one early morn,
While outside it was still and dark,
I felt the gratefulness in my mind
That gave me a celebration of a lark.
It made me feel grateful,
For everything in sight.
All day long my gratitude was a delight,
My attitude was adjusted to make all things right.
Nothing was too big, nothing too small,
The gratefulness of everything
Encompasses one and all,
My heart opened to a grateful beginning,
It made me feel I was winning.
I could see a new path on which to walk,
One step at a time, I would do fine,
My attitude of gratitude
Would give me a new menu on which to dine.
The Sun’s Journey
Ira Sollenberger
We see the sun rise over the eastern sky as it pushes back the dark shades of night.
With the dark cloud removed it reveals a beautiful sight.
The hills and valleys, the forests and plains, fields and the gardens all come into view
Then we take it all in and enjoy the beautiful hue.
As the sun rises high in the sky, its light and warmth awaken the sleeping to a new day of beginnings.
It’s a day of new experiences, of toil and sweat, of failures and successes, of losses and winnings
As the sun sets in the west, we admire its beautiful colors in the sky and the clouds and we give thanks to God for this day of grace and his blessings.
Muddy Dog
Cynthia Morrow
In she came with muddy feet covered with goo.
Her feathered tail was saturated with gloppy, brown mud too.
When she slipped and slid on the newly waxed floor,
I knew her belly was covered with much more.
Her big, borwn eyes were bright.
She didn’t know she was such a sight.
She’d had so much fun out in the yard,
I couldn’t scold her very hard.
She really was impossible-
Thank goodness-she was washable.
Which poem did you enjoy? Do you often read poetry? Do you write poetry? We’d love to hear your comments!
