Happy 4th of July: Patriot Dreams

Patriot Dreams

©2015 Susan Noyes Anderson

I grew up in the golden years

when WWII was finally past.

A grateful country shed her fears

as fighting men came home at last.

We stood united, bold and brave,

inspired by freedoms we could name,

allied with nations we helped save,

and fair to those we overcame.

We worked together for one goal

Americans held fervently:

a union that was strong and whole,

a nation that was proud and free.

The means were often in dispute,

but one great end was crystal clear:

to crown with good and brotherhood

a land we all chose to revere.

We took a little, gave a little,

compromised to get things done.

Sometimes we met right in the middle

to ensure the country won.

Hard work was valued and rewarded;

independence was the prize.

Industry was praised, not thwarted.

All our hopes were on the rise.

Flags were flown and pledges spoken.

Songs of freedom filled the air.

Patriot dreams were still unbroken.

Faith waxed stronger than despair.

Values laid a sure foundation.

Cynicism held its tongue.

Firm resolve, not resignation,

was the gift we gave our young.

A land of dreamers? Yes, indeed.

Idealists? Sure, we aimed high.

Believing that we could succeed,

the limit was our starry sky.

But hope gave way to animus.

When did our vision lose its reach?

The answer lies in each of us.

Our children practice what we preach.

The love of country starts at home.

It’s learned upon a parent’s knee.

No patriot is born alone.

Beginnings frame our destiny.

Who trades belief for bitterness?

This nation thrives when men are true.

Commitment is not hit or miss.

The dream is ours. We'll see it through.

Walk tall on Independence Day.

Our liberty was bravely earned.

The path is clear. Let no one say

too many bridges have been burned.

Our land remains our land, and free.

Problems abound, but we are strong.

In order to claim victory,

we must believe. We must belong.

Respect and honor differences,

then focus on the things we share.

Negotiation is the key.

We get it right when we fight fair.

Fairness requires an open mind,
a listening ear, a lack of guile.



Why not leave enmity behind
 to serve our nation with a smile?

And as the fireworks light the stars,

give thanks to those who went before.

Their legacy, uniquely ours,

demands the best in us…and more.

Be brave; be loyal, and be true.

Ring bells; sing anthems; blow a horn.

Embrace this land of ours and prove

that patriot dreams can still be born.


HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY!
Long may she wave.

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The Crybaby

The Crybaby

©2015 Susan Noyes Anderson

Oh how loudly, oh how clearly

we can hear you blow your top.

Baby boy, we love you dearly,

but the screaming has to stop!

If you're going to wake up grouchy,

maybe you should stay asleep.

Your shrieks make our ears feel ouchy.

Can't you pitch them low and deep?

Must you be so doggone noisy?

Please oh please give it a rest.

Try to be a bit more joysy

when we pluck you from your nest.

You depend on us completely,

so you'd better treat us right.

If you must cry, do it sweetly,

or we may go out on strike!

∞§∞

Can you believe I'm writing about the happy little guy on the right?
I think it's safe to say that he wears his emotions on his sleeve, glad or sad.
(Of course, he and his little sister also happen to be the cutest babies ever!)

I'm sure you agree. =)

Faith Lost

Faith Lost

©2015 Susan Noyes Anderson

Faith lost is like a promise broken

somewhere in the night.

Unanswered pleas in words unspoken

push away the light.

Soft shadows fall into the soul,

then deepen as they take control

of golden rays and hopeful dreams

till nothing shines and little gleams.

Resist the seeping of the dawn;

believe the moon, the star.

Look up until all doubts are gone.

Remember whose you are.

On Grace and Gravity: A Message from Mary

On Grace and Gravity: A Message from Mary

©2015 Susan Noyes Anderson

believe me, I adapt

carry me with you

then and now I bring

some substance

to the ins and outs

of living

this throwing-me-away

no longer needing

is a ruse

won't stop the bleeding

(je m'excuse)

is self defeating

the air is getting thin

all up in here

count down, lift off

fly free

but do remember

space can leave a void

and gravity is grounding

woos the oxygen

beware out there

the molecules are few

and far between

the grace unseen

so wear your helmet

like a rosary

breathe in, reach out

and keep me

keep The Baby, maybe

even keep the bath

it's holy water

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Life Train-ing

The tone may seem a bit ominous, but this poem is mostly a reflection upon our inability to control circumstances in life. Of course, we still need to participate fully, learning and growing as we adjust to situations not of our choosing. Faith is key. As Rick Warren said, "Life…is a journey of discovery. There are moments on mountain tops and moments in deep valleys of despair. Transformation is a process." (Still, those train rides can be pretty scary when you don't know where they're going!)

Life Train-ing

©2015 Susan Noyes Anderson

A new train chugging round the bend.

I wish I knew where it would end.

So much momentum, smoke and steel,

unstoppable from stack to wheel.

High in the air, it hugs the rail,

accompanied by high-pitched wail

to destination still unknown.

The captive pilgrim rides alone.

When I was young, I could pretend

that every train would count as friend.

But now I parse each sway and clack.

I've been on trains that jump the track

or stay the course disaster chooses.

Minus faith, the rider loses.

All aboard! It's time to ride.

The trains keep coming. Step inside.

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Wonderful Women

My cute mom with one of my sisters 

When it comes right down to it, a lot of us would say our moms are pretty great. Mine, however, is in a class by herself. (I may be a bit prejudiced on this point.) Tomorrow she will be 88 years old, and my siblings (including the one pictured above) and I will be spending the weekend with her to celebrate. Needless to say, we are all looking forward to the occasion!

As you can see, Mom looks terrific. I wish she felt equally terrific physically, but as you can see, she chooses to go through life with a smile on her face….enjoying her family and friends and living in the moment. She has had a year of great struggles and great blessings, but I'm sure she would say the blessings have won the battle for her heart. You see, in the past year she has become the proud great grandmother of three sets of twins. That's right, THREE sets! Can you imagine?? I don't think she ever did, not in her wildest dreams, but that doesn't stop her from being the proudest "GG" ever…and certainly the best!

The darling two-month-old twins contributed by my daughter are pictured below:

 Melina

Alcide

I'd show you the other two sets of twins as well, but their grandma (another of my sisters) doesn't like having family photos on the internet, so you will just have to imagine how cute they are (two boys, and a boy and a girl). Our family has been richly blessed this year.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MOM. 

Sure do love you.

=)

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Easter: The Spring of Hope

Easter: The Spring of Hope

c2015 Susan Noyes Anderson

Come, celebrate the joys of spring,

bright days of reawakening,

when spirits rise from winter long

to soar on wings of sweet birdsong.

The season is awash in light--

blue skies enhanced by clouds of white

and colors flung across rich earth

to flood the world with signs of birth.

As daffodils wake from their rest,

a feathered mother builds her nest.

The ebb of life renews again

from sunlit field to wooded glen.

What better time to set our hearts

on gifts and blessings God imparts--

the greatest of them Jesus Christ,

who saved us with His sacrifice.

May every thought be turned to Him

in whom our hope need never dim;

and may His swift, surpassing peace

grant every wayward soul release.

HAPPY EASTER!