Friday December 4 2015  A DAY TOO SHORT

Yesterday was a long day, today is too short of a day.  I will not be able to write much tonight but wanted to let everyone know that I am alive and well.  I have family members that read this blog to keep up with what is going on here in Wisconsin so I just wanted to make certain they know that nothing is amiss.

I will not be able to have computer time tonight due to other commitments.  I would like to make a comment however.  My sister informed me that some of my information in my blog last night was incorrect.  My little sister was four years old the Christmas I remembered and I was ten years old.  All else is as it was.  When I went back and looked at dates relating to that event she is correct.  It has already been corrected but just wanted those of you who read it before the correction were not informed correctly.  Please be sure and refresh your computer or phones before reading any blogs.  I often publish them so as not to lose them and then a few hours later my husband helps me proofread them.  Sometimes they are read in that interim and have mistakes.

Since I must get ready for our event I will be publishing a poem written at an earlier date.  I shall check my hard drive to find something I like.

Perhaps tomorrow I will be able to live it slower and have time to expound on something that is close to my heart.

 

Below are three poems.  The first a Christmas present written in 1985.  Yes, I go back even farther than that in my poetry writing.  The next two poems are the definition of one word.  I left the title off so you would not know the word.  See if you can figure out what word the poem is defining.  Let me know if you think you figured it out.  The definition leans toward the spiritual definition of the word. 

 

Your Precious Present

By Kathleen Martens

1985

 

Christmas time, laughter and fun…

Hustle and bustle all on the run.

Cards to address letters to write.

Candy to make crowds to fight.

Cookies to bake parties to prepare.

Planning ahead to show others you care.

 

Packages to wrap, ornaments to make,

Decorations to do, cakes to bake.

Boxes to unpack, tinsel unfold,

Heat bills to pay to stop the cold.

Parties to give, games to contrive

And all the while just trying to survive.

 

Trees to buy and fix to stand,

Lights to untangle and try to command.

Bulbs that break cause nothing to light,

Must be downed, more limbs to fight.

Ladders that wobble as we hang things so

Causing light heads and vertigo.

 

Dusty boxes from rafters, broken memories found,

Some have survived for this year’s round.

Lines to wait in patient or not,

Everywhere crowds, that is our lot.

Last minutes gifts an absolute must,

Things that will eventually spoil or rust.

 

Stockings to press so beautifully displayed.

Everything bright, nothing is frayed.

All is done with utmost care,

Everything right so others can stare.

 Nails to pound around the eves,

Sidewalks to sweep to rid the leaves.

Lights on roof are ever so pretty

But the bill is quite gritty.

 

More ingredients to by, special trips to store,

More lines to fight, the silent war.

More candy to make, parties to attend

And cards we receive from whom we did not send.

And all those names that we dismissed

Put back on the interminable list.

 

As Christmas approaches we heave a big 

Just wanting the time to go quickly by.

Not pausing once the “NOW” to reflect,

Nor stopping once our motives inspect.

Always looking ahead wanting to borrow

The joys you know will be there tomorrow.

 

But the days long awaited, those cherished events

Wrapped with such fuss, no enjoyment is sent.

Living to make memories at future to ponder

Finds the joy is missing and tis little wonder.

When we only look forward or back at the past

The “NOW” never lived, life goes too fast.

 

But there is a gift that’s ours for the taking.

No one can bestow it and it’s always in making.

No matter what we do or how hard we try,

It’s a gift that is given, not one we buy.

It can be used every day and cause hustle to cease,

Can cause time to slow and seemingly freeze.

 

For that gift that is given is not one of the past,

Nor one of the future, but given to last.

It is a gift we must learn to use every day,

Makes the enjoyment of life an experience to stay.

When all else is rushing, your gift will be pleasant,

And that gift is realizing your “PRECIOUS PRESENT”.

 

So…when you’ve letters to write, cards to send,

Candy to make or lists to mend,

Whether you’re wrapping a package or lighting the fire

 Preparing the house or time to retire,

Standing in line or fighting the cold,

Remember your gift that never grows old.

And when parties are here and crowds to contend,

Just remember the “PRESENT” is your precious friend.

 

POEM NUMBER ONE

Kathleen Martens

July 29, 2011

 

To be alert

Stand in watch

Aware of surrounding

Go up a notch.

 

Ceaseless wonders

All about

Observe God’s glory

With a shout.

 

With open eyes

See details

Everyday new

Never fails.

 

Receive the world

With receptive eyes

God’s intricate majesty

Before you lies.

 

 

POEM NUMBER TWO

By Kathleen Martens

August 7, 2011

 

Internally envision

Conjure up

Dreamlike decisions

Make believe pup.

 

Born in thought

Illusive belief

Reality fraught

Ethereal relief.

 

Fanciful notions

Picture in mind

Heart in motion

Freedom to find.

 

Ideal to create

Fictitious or true

Visually elate

Whimsical and new.

 

God bless you and may you have a wonderful evening.