Irises, The 6-10-14

I look out of my window.

I'm not at all sure why.

The breezes make some flowers dance.

The movement draws my eye.

So beautiful, the flowers.

Succeeded, mom's green thumb.

I'm pulled back now to life's bright light,

this dark world kept me from.

She aided God's tremendous works

right here where I can see -

the white and purple miracles

that stand triumphantly.

And how the irises have bloomed

without mom being there!

For she had worked so diligent -

the ground, with loving care.

My mem'ry sketches her at work

still pulling ev'ry weed -

and then she watered carefully,

to fill their ev'ry need.

The beauty of the bloom today

was not an easy chore -

and not her efforts from last week,

but work from years before.

The bright and vivid iris bloom

is still alive today.

Mom drew God's great creation out...

before she passed away.

No, she's not here to see them now -

these stately iris flowers -

but she taught me that faithfulness

will bloom creation's powers...

©2014 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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A Dried & Fragile Flower 5-24-14

A dried and fragile flower, I -

hold close to broken heart

that cries in fervent, heavy tears

so Godly peace would start.

It's from my mama's funeral.

Yes, dried, completely dead -

and though it's fragile, I hold close

...to what she always said.

---

"So many people want to bloom

and live life their own way -

While stems are often hidden, they

support the whole bouquet.

"Beware of pride's deception!

That's what the Bible warns

in Obadiah One, verse three.

Be careful with those thorns.

"Not one small single flower blooms

without the narrow stem -

so treat folks how you'd like to be -

be treated back by them.

"Affect the different colored rose -

and do not them, reject.

Remember, a good Christian has

deep love and great respect."

Now everybody loved my mom -

'cause she loved everyone.

Though poor, was always giving more -

as if she'd just begun.

And mom was very patient too.

For years she went without.

Yet joy was heard in all her prayers.

With that, there was no doubt.

Her words were like this flower here.

And I had always tried -

to comprehend her fragile words

she left before she died.

---

A dried and fragile flower, I -

hold close to broken heart

that cries in fervent, heavy tears

so Godly peace would start.

It's from my mama's funeral.

Yes, dried, completely dead -

and though it's fragile, I hold close

...to what she always said.

©2014 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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Obadiah 1:3 (NASB)

"The arrogance of your heart has deceived you,

You who live in the clefts of the rock,

In the loftiness of your dwelling place,

Who say in your heart, 'Who will bring me down to earth?'"

And That Is Why 5-20-14

Children sleep.

Moms cry.

Moms lie awake nights.

That is why.

Children hunger.

Moms cry.

Moms work several chores.

That is why.

Children question.

Moms cry.

Moms know their child's thoughts.

That is why.

Children argue.

Moms cry.

Moms have softer hearts.

That is why.

Children tempted.

Moms cry.

Moms love their children.

That is why.

Children in sin.

Moms cry.

Moms have more wisdom.

That is why.

Children troubled.

Moms cry

pleading with Jesus.

That is why.

Children busy.

Moms cry.

Moms miss them so much.

That is why.

Children absent.

Moms cry

alone in the 'home'.

That is why.
---

And that is why

God's love can touch.

He sent His Son

who suffered much.

We're children, all -

sinners, mankind.

Confess, repent -

then seek to find.

Moms and children
hug and cry.
Jesus saves
and that is why.

©2014 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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Amanda 5-16-14

(based on a true story)

The daughter? About eight or nine -
but very able, was.
Amanda helped her parents out
in stable there because -

the bank had threatened all they had,
demanding every cent.
The housing crisis lingered on.
The stress was great torment.

Now she could make some extra cash
and help them out 'a ton'.
Yes, she could help her daddy out -
while chores were being done...

She took a chalkboard she thought large
and took a piece of chalk.
She headed down the driving way, just
a quarter-mile walk.

She tried to write her letters large
enough so all could see -
in hopes that many drivers there
could see her humble plea.

(actual sign)

"PET SITTING AND

HORSE BOARDING

AVAILABLE."

The cars drove by, but no one stopped.
It made her feel sad.
She wanted so, to do her part -
but it turned out all bad.

As she had started up the drive
long tears ran down her cheeks -
but she had kept on trying for
those many, many weeks.

She once was very happy but
the stress had seized the fun.
Day after day, she cleaned the stalls
until her chores were done.

The day had come they had to pack.
She woke before the dawn.
The barn was void of any life
with animals now gone.

The kittens, puppies, bunnies were
so very soft to touch -
and with them, horses, llamas too -
she missed them all so much.

The bank had made its billions while
Amanda made her bed.
She knelt with tightly folded hands -
and this is what she said:

"Dear Jesus, love my daddy please.
He worked so very hard.
And he could fix most anything,
around our little yard.
He sacrificed for forty years
and helped so many folk -
but then the stress had worn him out -
depressed, no savings, broke.

I thought my tears were all used up,
had dried and gone away -
but more and more still follow them,
on each horrific day.
Oh Jesus, if Your love is great,
please take dad by the hand -
and lead him by still waters there
into Your 'promise land'.

And mama- she still works so hard.
Lord, what are we to do?
Her tears are in abundance too -
but dollars, very few.
There is no garden here to work.
There is no barn and chores.
There is no future I can see
and no more open doors."
---
Do you see hungry children?
Do you see 'signs of chalk'?
Are you concerned, speak up enough -
and do you 'walk your talk'?

For God sees inside all our hearts,
He knows who loves the Lord.
You bet He knows how much we give -
or rather, if we hoard.

©2014 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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In Case You Just Forgot 5-10-14

Oh, come what may, let mothers say

what's good and what is not.

Though skies are gray, it's child's play.

Are you still just a tot?

Don't be that way, it's quite okay

to give her all you've got.

Hugs can't betray.  Simply obey.

your mom wears polka-dot.

Now don't delay nor let it weigh -

or life is all for naught.

Without essay, just jot away.

You needn't write a lot.

Then find the ray in bright bouquet,

Has heart not one soft spot?

And finally pray.  It's Mother's Day,

(in case you just forgot).

©2014 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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Pile Of Leaves 5-6-14

Our knowledge grew but wisdom knew

a massive pile of leaves.

Wind kicked them high.  We watched them fly

on God's stiff autumn breeze.

Without a care they danced up there.

If each one was a letter,

they'd flock like birds creating words

while God put them together.

If words were formed would hearts be warmed

or ruin all our plans?

Are we so smart we'd fall apart

and then make our demands?

Oh, have not we, humility

and other Godly traits?

Please give us peace as burdens cease -

for patience always waits.

Not one's shoving.  Leaves are loving.

They begin this phrase.

"Your disbelief in every leaf

cannot give God the praise!"
Yes, it'd be weird if words appeared

and we'd not have to guess.

But notice there, a simple prayer

that goes something like this:

"Savior Jesus, please don't give us

everything we want.

This world brings so many things -

those things we only flaunt.

So we'll be true to only You

and have no other 'gods'.

Then You may ease our temper please,

so we won't be at odds."

If we can't learn and can't discern,

restrain us then in fetters.

Please underline, bold font is fine -

and then enlarge the letters.

Our knowledge grows - but wisdom knows

a massive pile of leaves.

Wind kicks them high.  We watch them fly

on God's stiff autumn breeze.

©2014 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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Abundant Life! 4-19-14

Oh, how the evil people came.

They tore me from my roots.

Now I was dead and destitute

and offered no good fruit.

I could not cope and gave up hope

that I could ever be

a twig, so insignificant,

upon God's mighty tree.

My pain, excruciating, vast -

my burdens, so intense.

Their legal laws weren't moral and

their logic made no sense.

They burned me out and bested me.

They said, "Now go away."

Exhausted, they, my energy

I needed for the day.

My prayers seemed ever hollow

and repetitious too.

I asked God for some wisdom,

then asked Him, "Where are You?"

I asked God for some answers.

I asked, "Where are You now?

Oh, why did You not answer me?

Why this, did You allow?"

Confused, I was, and angered.

I screamed, "This is not fair!"

Depressed, I was, and out of hope,

Did God no longer care?

My glass was very empty,

while theirs was very full.

Now how can God revive the dead?

It seems impossible.

But God gives life abundantly

forgiving everyone -

who does confess through faithfulness,

as grace shines through His Son.

My faith was null and buried.

They killed it with a knife.

Man may destroy, but God creates,

then gives abundant LIFE!

©2014 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

-------

John 10:10 (NASB)

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy;

I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.

1 Peter 1:7 (KJV) 

That the trial of your faith,

being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, 

though it be tried with fire,

might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:

In the Know 4-15-14

When we can't cope and we've no hope to face another day,

because desires of the liars have the legal say.

When money speaks, lawyers' techniques will find the crooked way -

to bend the rules with legal tools demanding us to pay.

When we can't flee and we can't see a silver lining's ray,

'cause the cancer of the answer requires us to pay.

There's no support for truth in court.  It's in such disarray.

With judges bought, the crooks aren't caught.  It's now their evil way.

I'd like to live more positive with poems optimistic,

but I'm the fool they've treated cruel and they all make me sick.

Their lobbyists just can't resist to bribe them flush with dough.

The rest of us don't make a fuss.  We work, yet owe and owe.

God's in control of every soul and hell they'll surely see.

Do not think twice, take my advice and come along with me.

Starting today I'm on my way to take back Washington.

Begin again.  This time we'll win.  We've only just begun.

There's Huckabee, Trey Gowdy - and don't forget Rand Paul.

Ben Carson, Sarah Palin - and of course there's Bobby Jindal.

There's many more we can vote for, who haven't sold their soul -

to those elite who like to cheat and have no self-control.

'Goliath' fights but we have rights that only come from God.

Now 'in the know', our numbers grow- as we hold sovereign sod.

If it's a war they're asking for, then let's pick up the stick.

And get on board to our reward- protecting our Republic.

©2014 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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By the Bushel 3-30-14

Two weeks and a day since mom passed away.

Tomorrow will be yet another.

Tears run down my cheeks each time someone speaks

and mentions my dear ol' mother.

For many long years she shed many tears

for the lost and the lame and the weak.

And sitting beside, I would see them in stride

zig-zag down her long wrinkled cheek.

I can't change the facts and cannot relax

understanding that life must go on.

As long as I'm living, I must be forgiving

and add to what mom built upon.

Before laid to rest, my mom did her best.

She loved God with all of her heart.

And right now she's givin' her love there in Heaven.

What time should the rest of us start?

To save someone's soul was her greatest goal.

The joy on her face would abound.

She wasn't contented until friends repented

and peace everlasting was found.

My mom, she was special.  She filled by the bushel,

such love, her incessant desire.

Though it overflowed, her love never slowed

as she piled it higher and higher.

©2014 louis gander - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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Perfect Mom, The 3-16-14

In remembrance of my mom...

Ruth 1925 - 2014

Escorted by the rising tide that I no longer see,

I don't look back to shores again I know will never be.

The garden gate has opened up and I am ushered to

the freshest, fragrant flowers with the deepest velvet hue.

The vibrant colors beckon me as I think back with ease,

recalling garden flowers there ...but nothing such as these.

Has Eden's garden multiplied a million trillion times?

The choir voices carry on as I hear echoed chimes.

No wheelchair or blindness now.  No pain cuts through my face.

I take my lively buoyant steps on paths that prove His grace.

I feel just like a child again.  I jump and skip and hop

as landscapes go forever here with beauty that's non-stop.

The vivid 'reds' are deeper and the 'yellows' brighter still.

The roses, and the daffodils and other flowers fill -

the contours of the garden knolls with colored trees of fall.

The sunshine brightens everything ...and now I see it all.

I glide now ever closer to an everlasting brook

meandering the lily pads that my attention took.

Every scene and every sight is pleasingly outstanding.

The peace that overtakes me now still passes understanding.

The sweetened fragrance envelopes me in this special place -

and all of Heav'n around me here reflects His shining face.

I hear His soft familiar voice that whispers loving care,

"There's nothing here to worry you- and nothing more to bear."

©2014 louis gander - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

(note:  Ruth was recovering from a successful heart surgery when her medications ended up wrong.  This setback and others that made her gain weight- along with a tumor they found on her backbone- put her in a wheelchair.  A nerve in her jaw had given her great intermittent pain for decades, her hearing was bad or non-existent in one ear and her eyes had faded to near blindness.  Cancer was then discovered throughout her body.  However, though nearly blind, she continued to knit 'flips' for children to throw and gave them out as fast as she made them until her final days.
Ruth Gander 1925-2014)

-------

My mom had told me once that this was her favorite song...

I Come To The Garden Alone

I come to the garden alone 

While the dew is still on the roses 

And the voice I hear falling on my ear 

The Son of God discloses. 

Refrain: 

And He walks with me, and He talks with me, 

And He tells me I am His own; 

And the joy we share as we tarry there, 

None other has ever known. 

He speaks and the sound of His voice, 

Is so sweet the birds hush their singing, 

And the melody that He gave to me 

Within my heart is ringing. 

Refrain: 

And He walks with me, and He talks with me, 

And He tells me I am His own; 

And the joy we share as we tarry there, 

None other has ever known. 

I'd stay in the garden with Him 

Though the night around me be falling, 

But He bids me go; through the voice of woe 

His voice to me is calling. 

Refrain: 

And He walks with me, and He talks with me, 

And He tells me I am His own; 

And the joy we share as we tarry there, 

None other has ever known.

Memory Wrinkles 2-26-14

Whene'er I view God's mighty trees,

small sparrows, tiny birds,

my wrinkles bring back mem'ries that

are hard to put in words.

I sit close by my window sill

with crinkled memories.

I look out as I reminisce.

Some drop me to my knees.

Yes, those I'd just as soon forget

but pleased I am with most,

Each wrinkle is a mem'ry though.

With some, I love to boast.

Now here's a very special one,

when wedding dress was worn,

and this, another perfect one,

the day my child was born.

The time my child was married off,

a sight you'd have to see,

the birth of my granddaughter too,

the day she walked to me.

This wrinkle here had really hurt -

and it is yet 'unspoken'.

It caused me many, many tears -

my heart so sadly broken.

Oh, how can people hurt so much?

It is the worst of crimes.

And down on knees I prayed and prayed

so many, many times.

It seemed that I was so alone

those many, many years.

I wept and grieved all by myself

in all my lonely tears.

Yes, time and time again I prayed.

I said life wasn't fair.

I didn't think God heard my voice.

I wasn't sure He cared.

One day with Bible in my lap,

I started reading when,

a verse had stuck; was thirty-one

in Matthew, chapter ten.

Oh, I have mem'ry wrinkles, sure,

from small to deepest one,

but every day brings greater joy -

when shines, God's morning sun.

Whene'er I view God's mighty trees,

small sparrows, tiny birds,

my wrinkles bring back mem'ries that

are hard to put in words.

©2014 louis gander - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

-------

Matthew 10:31 (KJV)

"Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows."

The Mighty Ship 2-20-14

A brand new car, a hand-held game
or other things we chose,
a TV set, a picture frame
or nice designer clothes,

possessions each- and all the toys,

with every single day,

will rot or rust as earth destroys -

and simply waste away.

Of great importance, though, the chore

to grow the love of 'greed'.
Yes, bigger- better- greater- more,
so water, we, our needs.

---
(now to the spiritual...)
---

No sea or ocean under moon

to put a ship afloat -

and twilight comes much, much too soon

to build a mighty boat.

While aimlessly, the world roams,

surprised, I hear the Lord,

"The mighty ship is sailing home.

It's time to get aboard."
So swiftly, on my journey, go

here on this mighty ship -

and left behind, all those I know.

I sail my final trip.
Securely, though, on ship thereof,

upon the mighty sea,

I find myself in arms of love -
and earth has ceased to be.
---
(and back to the physical...)
---

It's all 'the rage' so hey, come on!
Be noticed!  That's our goal!
With make-up and great outfit on,
who cares about the soul?

Contoured, the fields of corn and hay,

the winds bring season's fall.
A few have learned the real way -
are humbled through it all.

The sun has lost its grip to west

and darkness now draws nigh.

Are we prepared to be His guest?

Are we prepared to die?

©2014 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

-------

My father was told that it was midnight and time to go to sleep,

moments later (before passing away), my father responded

with his last words- that he had to get on the boat first.

Let's all get on the ship.  We're heading home.

---

Matthew 6:16-24 (NASB)

16 “Whenever you fast, do not put on a gloomy face as the hypocrites do, for they neglect their appearance so that they will be noticed by men when they are fasting. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full. 17 But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face 18 so that your fasting will not be noticed by men, but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.

19 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; 21 for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

22 “The eye is the lamp of the body; so then if your eye is clear, your whole body will be full of light. 23 But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light that is in you is darkness, how great is the darkness!

24 “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth.

---

God calls all parents, daughters, sons

from every earthly nation.

Get aboard, you weary ones,

don't worship mere creation.

Winks and Smiles 2-16-14

Depressed I was, at all my plight, in God's creation bright.

Confused and then intrigued I was, before I saw the light.

The rainbow winked at mustard seed, the mustard seed at tree.

The tree winked at the lily then, and lily at the bee.

The bee winked at the honey and the honey at the sun -

and then the sunshine winked at me, the sad and lonely one.

Asked I, "What's all this winking- this winking all about?"

And that's when God's creation welled and started then to shout,

"We're free!  We're free, to do all that we can!

And we've no need to shed the tears of lost and sinful man!"

I asked them, how in unison, their spirits could be raised -

and questioned the beginnings of such kind and winking ways...

The bee said that the honey glowed and smiled at everyone.

The lily said the honey bee had smiled when he was done.

The lily smiled at the tree, the tree at mustard seed.

The mustard seed smiled at the warmth that did its gracious deed.

Said rainbow then, "I swear to you, the sun had smiled like this."

And that's when God's own sunshine had, embraced me in its kiss.

©2014 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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Poetry 2-14-14

I sometimes think, "Why waste the ink on many lines of rhyme?

And is it right to sit and write just wasting precious time?

This exercise is just a guise if few come here to read.

A dream it was and all because I wanted to succeed.

I know I ought, but thoughts are naught.  I'm running out of steam.

I'm having fits of knowing it's a nightmare, not a dream.

So 'what's the use?'  That's my excuse to set aside my pen.

With water cup, I'll hang it up and never write again."

I must admit that I'm unfit to write another day!

Vast thoughts were stored for you dear Lord yet I've no words to say!

But plant the seed...?  I must indeed, then watch as letters flow -

out into phrasing so amazing that all readers know -

these poems shine 'cause they're not mine!  It's God who writes each poem!

He guides my pen, again, again until the soul can know Him!

I used to think, "Why waste the ink on poetry and such?"

But if the goal's to save the soul, it matters very much.

©2014 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

-------

For He Deserves 2-10-14

I drew attention to myself

and never thought it odd -

until I heard the compliments

that should have been for God.

So I have changed my attitude

and changed my wicked ways -

that I might focus on my God -

for He deserves all praise!

©2014 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

-------

I'd Gladly Trade 2-9-14

I run around to get things done.  It often makes me sad.

I'd gladly trade these times today for those my grandma¹ had.

The world is changing rapidly and keep up, I cannot.

I have so many gadgets now I don't know all I've got.

---

Yes, I would listen to her words and all she had to say.

Enjoyed, we did, our daily chores each moment of the day.

Now after reading verses in my brand new Testament,

she asked if I had finished chores.  I knew just what she meant.

Yes, all the chores- not some of them.  I didn't need a list.

It was a job to milk ol' 'Horns'² and not the easiest.

I'd throw the feed to chickens as they scampered on their legs.

I'd move the mother hens aside and gather their warm eggs.

Ingredients, my grandma took, that she had 'round about.

She mixed them all together in odd ways she figured out.

That rich aroma stole my nose with all her baking done -

and to this day I don't know how she always beat the sun.

She made an extra pumpkin pie just for the neighbor folk.

I listened most intently to my grandma when she spoke.

The days were hot and work was hard while sweat would soak our clothes

but never were there better days than when I think of those.

Before her home³ was torn down I had memorized them all -

each of Ten Commandments that hung squarely on her wall.

The great depression took its toll and she had lost to banks -

but she took time to pray each day to give our Savior thanks.

---

The world is changing rapidly. I don't know what to say,

but this I know- I cried and cried the day she passed away.

I run around to get things done.  It often makes me sad

and gladly trade these times today for those my grandma had.

©2014 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

-------

¹ Grandma Ida 1896 to 1990.

http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~terrybell/mcdermott/descendants.htm

² 'Horns' was really named 'Horney' and was the meanest of all the cows on the small farms my grandparents Homer and Ida owned (but she was still milked nonetheless).

³ Grandma's farm house had stood at North Clayton, WI. 

50 acres
Clayton, WI

43° 23.542', -90° 43.685'

200 acres

15044-15452 Vance Rd

Gays Mills, WI 54631

43° 21.017', -90° 47.780'

Until God Says 2-6-14

Oh, once upon a time there was a disciplined young lad

who didn't have the things that all the other children had.

So they would joke and laugh at him.  They really were quite bad.

Now they would taunt and tease and shove, or trip him in the hall.

The boys would always choose him last when they had played kickball

and what they really thought of him was way below them all.

Oh, how he'd try to please them though.  He'd try and try and try.

Their cruelty had followed him but he did not know why.

So many times he'd find a quiet, private place to cry.

Appreciated, he was not - nor would they, him, acknowledge.

With parents poor, he went to work and gained a little knowledge.

For over forty years he worked.  He never went to college.

And then he lost his whole life's work with cozened lawyers' pens.

And then he lost his business too, his family and his friends.

And then he lost his home and health and couldn't make amends.

Although life was depressing and- nobody seemed to care,

he prayed and prayed and prayed some more escaping this despair.

And then he did some writing- just a poem here and there.

He writes to help the "least of these" and sometimes just for fun.

He'll write and write and write some more until God says he's done.

And that, my friends, is why he writes.  He even wrote this one.

©2014 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

-------

Morning Sky!, The 2-1-14

My sleepy eyes were no disguise

for soul in such despair.

There's no defense.  It made no sense

and midnight didn't care.

The days flew past, they didn't last

and darkness made me frown.

Sin filled my mind and I was blind.

Vast blackness weighed me down.

My futile ways brought wasted days

and I began to cry.

So sad because my story was -

and I began to die...

---

Awake, I shook!  The morning took

me largely by surprise.

I felt great shame, repentance came

and grace drew me to rise.

Yes, Jesus lives and He forgives!

He makes my spirit whole!

And all the while, you'll see my smile

from such a sunlit soul!

And it awakes as Jesus takes

my burdens by and by.

The brilliant love of God above

now lights the morning sky!

©2014 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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2 Corinthians 5:17 (NASB)

Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature;

the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.

Two Bananas & a Hot Dog 1-29-14

(A true story poem that took place Jan. 28, 2014 in southern Wisconsin)

With temp-er'-ture near zero and although it was the norm,

my fingers were so icy cold.  I shivered to stay warm.

I stopped at a convenience store to warm my frigid feet.

I browsed a couple aisles there to find what I might eat.

With hunger pains excessive and some water in a cup,

a hot dog looked delicious and it sure would warm me up.

I didn't have much money, so I had to budget some.

I bought two ripe bananas, then I added up the sum.

With hot dog and bananas now to cure my hunger pangs,

I waited patiently in line near where the candy hangs.

I'd wait until I got back home to eat and warm my toes -

but made a quick decision then to say some quick hellos.

Well, Tom is in his seventies.  His mom's one hundred one.

So I decided I would chat with Clara and her son.

I drove up to their farm house but, I had an afterthought -

that my warm hotdog would get cold- so grabbed what I had bought.

I hurried up to their front door, with my lunch safe in hand,

I knew right then, this isn't right- they wouldn't understand.

I started having second thoughts as feet slid on the ice.

I cannot eat while visiting.  Now that's not very nice!

But I was just a little late.  Tom opened up the door.

Too late to take my dinner back.  I stepped in on their floor.

Said I, then without thinking- "Hey, I brought you two a treat.

For each, a ripe banana..." as Tom offered me a seat.

I sat at kitchen table and said, "Here's your hot dog Tom."

And then the 'kidder' that I am, said "How you doing 'mom'?"

I really didn't need to ask.  She looked just fine to me.

So spry and energetic too- as far as I could see.

They lived alone together there and got along quite well.

And we had quite a lengthy chat before we said farewell.

The moral of the story is "Don't be a stingy beast"

for Tom and Clara are the best ...and I had quite the feast!

©2014 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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There are two types of people in this world- those who love others and those who love themselves.

Tom and Clara are definitely in the first category.  Tom has helped myself and others numerous times refusing to be paid and Clara is the best cook ever!  Clara recently turned 101, does not look or act it- and no one can ever top her delicious apple pies that she serves with her warm, genuine smile.  Happy Birthday Clara!

Hanging By A Thread 1-23-14

Can I not find a single leaf
that hangs upon a twig -
on hidden tree with millions more
within this valley, big?

Can I not find a single bird
that's nestled with the rest -
way deep inside a big ol' world,
protected in its nest?

Can I not find my Comforter
who's there when e're I fall -
who Jesus sent to bring me peace -
if I would only call?

Can I not find a Savior who
had walked around with men -
who was my perfect sacrifice,
so perfect without sin?

Can I not find the God of all -
Creator of all things -
and have my heartstrings failed to break
when one small girl sings?

Can I not find my purpose now
outside my selfish door -
that 'great commission' filled with love
that God has called me for?

Can I not seek beyond my wants,
beyond my worldly place -
beyond the tip of my long nose -
beyond my pretty face?

Can I not find one tiny soul
who begs and cries for aid -
who's needing someone just like me -
yet I have only prayed...?

Can I not help one tiny child
who's hanging by a thread -
in such a place of hopelessness,
with many others dead?

©2014 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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Matthew 25:40 (NASB)

The King will answer and say to them,

‘Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine,

even the least of them, you did it to Me.’