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	louis gander
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louis gander, 7 january 2013

Life Was...

(A true story poem from the summer of 1934
as told to me by my mother, Ruth)
I hope you enjoy "Life Was..."

Worked like a mule, when not in school, below the scorching sun.
I couldn't treat my calloused feet. My work was never done.

Near idle plows, I milked the cows. A barn, we didn't have -
but under stars, the land was ours and where our cows would calve.

With weary hands I filled the cans. Their tails they would flick -
and sting my eyes while swatting flies. Then bucket, they would kick.

Two hours flat, was done with that, from my familiar stool.
The cows backed off their drinking trough where I put milk to cool.

The morning after, I worked faster, hitching up the team.
One called Nancy, the other Topsy - hauled our milk and cream.

Those two old nags had swayback sags. They were a stubborn lot.
I must confess, they lacked finesse. Race horses, they were not.

The wagon bad, but all we had, so up my brother climbed.
The little whelp was not much help, but "Giddy-up!" he chimed.

As we would sing, the cans would cling the four miles into town.
Population: Twenty seven - but that's if we're around.

With morning sun, that work was done - but now, another day.
We'd fertilize while bread would rise and maybe bail some hay.

I always worked - and never shirked - my duties. I was nine.
But God gave strength to me at length - and life was truly fine.

©2013 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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number of comments: 1 | rating: 2 | detail

louis gander, 5 january 2013

Faithful Footsteps (a fun one)

Okay, here's a 'twist'.
The word that rhymes is not in this poem.
Just for fun, I've inserted another word.
Can you guess all the rhyming words? Write them down as you go along... (no peeking, they're at the bottom)

---

An old man lived on the outskirts of town,
wore an old suit that was tattered and
gray.

His hair, snowy white, was always unkempt.
Because kids made fun, he was full of con-
sideration.

Years back, when in school, he make a mistake.
He once, on her desk, put a poisonous -
mushroom.

Now he didn't know that the mushroom was bad.
and when she arrived, she got really -
pleased,

because she liked mushrooms on all types of things,
pizza and pasta - and on chicken
soup.

But then she noticed - removed it from sight.
She knew about mushrooms and knew it wasn't -
edible.

She asked who had done it. This very young child,
didn't admit it - but sat there and -
felt guilty.

Despite good intentions he misunderstood.
He couldn't admit it, now tell me, who
is he?

His conscience held hostage, he couldn't ignore,
Was this still a child that mom could -
forgive?

Though all his emotions were torn far apart,
he learned a good lesson and made a new -
Friend.

He started to give and help out the others,
helping with strangers, sisters and -
with their needs.

Just when we think that we've figured life out,
We let out our holler and let out our -
chest.

I learned that humbleness Satan will thwart,
and with good intentions, we still will fall -
far,

far from Gods promise, far from above.
Once sacrifice fixed it but now it's His -
grace.

He later admitted to teacher, Miss Laurie,
"I thought it was good, I am very -
wrong."

Well, she understood and the story ends here.
He learned a good lesson and had a good -
education.

Wisdom was gained far back in his childhood,
He wasn't perfect but he knew he was -
bad.

Will Heaven we see, if we're very proud?
Will our pride cripple? Will we be -
dead?

Jesus gives life! Don't let Satan deceive,
for we are forgiven if we'll only -
have faith.

For even the demons - they're shuddering still.
Do they believe, and do His good -
commands?

Yes, Jesus proves faithful, time after time,
so follow His footsteps and you'll always -
rhyme!

2009 louis gander - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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Just in case you're unsure of some of the 'rhyming' words... here they are:
Brown
Contempt
Snake
Mad
Wings
Right
Smiled
Would
Adore
Start
Brothers
Shout
Short
Love
Sorry
Year
Good
Allowed
Believe
Will
And of course the last word "rhyme" is correct

number of comments: 4 | rating: 7 | detail

louis gander, 1 january 2013

Signs

Reflecting back to my childhood in the 1960's, I wrote this story poem. I hope you enjoy it.

There, spaced along the highway were twelve inexpensive signs.
Just simple words of black on white next to some rigid pines.
The signs were spaced just far enough they caught my drifting eye -
so pondered I, each single word as they went marching by...
---
"For God..." "so loved..." "the world..." "that He gave..." "His only..." "begotten Son..."
"that whosoever..." "believeth in Him..." "should not perish..."
"but have..." "everlasting life..." "John 3:16"
---
So many times from grandma's house we read 'John three-sixteen' -
and millions more had seen this verse against the evergreen.
My dad, my mom, my brother, I - in humbleness would read
those words as we were driving by and faithfully did heed.

Now who had thought of doing this and painted them with care -
then dug the holes in God's green earth and set them up to share -
to other people driving by so they too could embrace
this verse of loving kindness - of vast forgiving grace?

I read those words each time we passed and wondered who'd take time
and paint the words for profit not - not even for a dime.
I wondered who that man could be each time that we passed by -
and wondered as some years went by - whose signs had caught my eye.

Yes, even as a teen I thought, who painted each of those -
then did the work to put them up? I pondered, just suppose -
he cared not for his pocket book but wanted to impart,
with work and pure compassion - some love within his heart.

Well, nothing lasts forever and sometimes something breaks -
so dad pulled to the shoulder and then hit the car's old brakes.
He took a hammer from the trunk. Bored, waiting for my dad,
I saw him fix a broken sign - and then I knew who had.

©2013 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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number of comments: 4 | rating: 3 | detail

louis gander, 28 december 2012

The Terrorizer (a riddle)

It's smaller than a meteor and hasn't that much girth -
yet stronger than the largest bomb and could destroy the Earth.

It can be smooth as velvet and sometimes it can run -
or cooler than a summer breeze or hotter than the sun.

It's smaller than an average gun but started many wars.
Oh, but its so lazy too, escaping many chores.

It started every argument that those around can hear.
It's something most will never lose and always very near.

Receiving orders from the brain, air flowing from the lung -
but if you don't quite get it yet, just bite your wicked tongue!

©2006 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
http://www.ganderpoems.org/

Psalm 10:7 (NASB) “His mouth is full of curses and deceit and oppression; Under his tongue is mischief and wickedness.”

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number of comments: 4 | rating: 3 | detail

louis gander, 26 december 2012

A Poet's Prayer

"Father," I pray as I walk along,
"give me the words that would flow like a song.
A poem of promise, of hope and of love
that would focus lost sinners on You up above....

The moon's shining bright from behind an oak branch,
but it's cold here tonight on my dear humble ranch.
I'd be so happy if I was a tree,
for they stand much taller, much taller than me.

Their tops are much closer to Heaven I know,
and they just get closer, the more that they grow.
There's no clouds in the sky - but if so, they would be
joyously singing up there with Thee.

The stars in the sky seem much brighter tonight.
They must be so close they reflect Heaven's light.
The gold, alabaster - the pearls and brass
I bet shine like prisms through diamond-like glass.

Oh, to get closer to Heaven - one peek....
could give me the thoughts that would make these words speak.
The sights would bring words and to earth I would bring
the poem of poems - itself it would sing.

Instead, here I stand in the shivering cold,
a mindless numb man who was late getting old.
But here, down on earth, I'll perform every task,
and faithfully do everything that You ask.

I know that these people will not have a clue,
because this small poem cannot describe You.
So quickly this world forgets who You are,
They miss (as they're sleeping), the bright Morning Star.

I know that the God of Love's heart had to grieve,
when Heaven's gates opened to let Your Son leave -
to die on a cross that folks want to forget.
They just do not care - not one little bit.

But because of Your grace and faith, I believe.
You're the Great Poet and me You don't leave.
You live deep within, so I'll faithfully start -
for the greatest of poems come deep from the heart.

©2009 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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number of comments: 2 | rating: 3 | detail

louis gander, 21 december 2012

Tears No Longer

Behind the doors of many homes,
no matter where you go -
a multitude of people weep.
Their tears forever flow...

I sat behind my mommy in
the back seat of our car.
My daddy did the driving, but
we didn't get too far.

My mom and I were talking,
and we were smiling wide,
but someone ran the traffic light
and hit us hard broad-side.

The truck came out of nowhere -
the driver, DUI.
And buckled in her seat belt, mom
had watched my daddy die.

I woke up in a hospital -
in pain for several days.
Our fragile world turned up-side-down
in many, many ways...

"Jesus, heal my broken heart.
I feel emotion's tug,
whenever mommy holds me tight
and gives me daddy's hug.
Embraced below Your sunsets
through visions of the wreck -
I know my mom is crying too.
Her tears run down my neck.

"She says we'll be in Heaven there.
It is her only prayer.
Daddy, mother, also I -
are in Your precious care.
Though she forgives the driver -
forget? She never will.
And though the years are passing by,
our tears are flowing still.

"But please forgive me Jesus -
I can't get on my knees.
Fun and laughter, drugs and beer
is all the world sees.
Is several years of crying worth
some stranger's day of fun?
'They know not what they do' You said.
Our tears forever run.

"You hear all my petitions
My deepest thoughts I share.
Your great omniscient presence
surrounds my wheel chair.
And I am not discouraged.
Through faith in You, I know -
in Heaven, we'll be together -
where tears no longer flow."

©2012 louis gander - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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number of comments: 2 | rating: 5 | detail

louis gander, 19 december 2012

Love To Love

It started out as others, when I got dressed today -
ate breakfast with my fam'ly, for that was just our way.
You dropped me off at school. Your love shone in your eyes.
We hugged and kissed each other. We said our last "Goodbye's".
As I stepped to the entrance, I turned around once more -
and waved to you one final time - then stepped on through the door.

I saw some other teachers. They do what teachers do.
They all had smiled, said "hi" to me - and I said "hi" back too.
I soon got to my classroom. Some other friends were there.
I chatted with my classmates some and then sat in my chair.
Obey the teachers, I was taught. I followed every rule -
but no one knew that this would be, our final day at school.

Life usually, will glide along - and all goes fairly well -
but those are times we soon forget how close we are to hell.
We soon forget that God is love and hates our every sin -
but selfish man gets what he wants as he is dead within.
Not even one short moment here, should ever pass us by -
where Jesus holds our inner thoughts and we don't question why.

Though God hates sin - do we as much? For what man wishes, weaves -
his 'wants' to be accepted - until himself deceives.
From smoking, drugs and alcohol or any selfish thing -
there's someone who will pay the price for what these habits bring.
Why is it there are people who will only love to hate.
I pray that others will be saved - before it is too late.

Oh, why do we love other 'gods' including 'killing games'?
Why do we swear, show disrespect, call God [our Father] names?
Why don't we often worship - honor father, mother?
Why are we never faithful - steal, lie and murder?
Why are we very jealous, envious and covet?
Why not confess, repent? Oh, why will we not do it?

I heard that last announcement. Today, pure evil flowed.
Now I'm okay. I'm in HIS arms, because HE loves me so.
I know it's hard to hold back tears from feeling deeply blue -
but I so love you mommy still - and Jesus says so too.
I'm so amazed to see this place you couldn't even dream of -
a place of immense beauty - where here, we love to love.

In memory of the 20 school children and 6 staff/teachers at Sandy Hook School, Newtown, CT

©2012 louis gander - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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number of comments: 1 | rating: 4 | detail

louis gander, 16 december 2012

I'll Not Forget

My little Angel sat in school
to learn her A B C's -
yet no one knows the 'half of it'
to put my mind at ease...

There's something in the way I talk
that seems so different now -
that weighs me down here on my knees
and makes me take this vow:

I'll not forget those days we spent
together - you and me.
I'll not forget our memories
and they will always be.

I'll not forget your sunshine smile,
the freckles on your skin.
I'll not forget your flood of love
that flowed from deep within.

I'll not forget our little games
we played - like 'hide and seek'.
I'll not forget your kisses from
your lips upon my cheek.

I'll not forget those little tears -
those times I saw you weep -
then mixed with mine, ran down my cheek
before you fell asleep.

I'll not forget your final hug
was very, very tight.
I'll not forget your final wave
was such a lovely sight.

I'll not forget your first small step
or your first day at school.
I'll not forget God's wonderment -
my precious little jewel.

I'll not forget your favorite clothes,
or favorite ice cream choice.
I'll not forget your little ears
that heard your teacher's voice.

My little Angel sat in school
to learn her A B C's -
It's God who knows 'the all of it'
that puts my mind at ease...

In memory of the 20 children
and 6 adults killed at Newtown, CT

©2012 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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number of comments: 3 | rating: 6 | detail

louis gander, 11 december 2012

Born Again

Oh, how I thought I knew it all when I was in my youth -
but as I turn in circles now I find an ugly truth -
that time had shut a door on each decision I had made
and now I have to suffer from the high price I have paid.

Now Jesus led me as a youth but I had vainly went
the stubborn way I wanted to. My whole life I had spent -
going my own selfish way through each and every door -
and thinking that each new one was much better than before.

But then I looked around me as the final door slammed shut.
So stunned, I was - completely - as it echoed in my gut.
I walked through each door willingly to get to where I am -
and now my soul is naked as I stand in front of Him.

But then my God allowed me there to reach back with my hand
and open up that final door. I didn't understand...
I stepped back through and found myself where I had been last week -
and then I saw another door so took another peek.

It too, had opened up for me - so I stepped through again -
and there I was two weeks ago right back where I had been.
So on and on I went through doors as fast as I could run -
until I was a child again - then back where I'd begun.

Now this time I will have no pride and this time I won't fight.
I'll follow in His footsteps and I'll follow Him just right.
Now each door that God opens makes us one close happy team -
and everything goes perfect 'til I wake up from my dream.

---

I only had one lonely chance to live an upright way -
but I messed up. I put me here. There is no more to say...
except that Jesus pulls me from my putrid, sinful grime -
and gives me one more final chance to get it right this time.

©2012 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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number of comments: 2 | rating: 3 | detail

louis gander, 8 december 2012

Nativity Christmas

Does someone call as snowflakes fall
upon my window sill?
Then comes a sleigh. The horses neigh,
in spirit of goodwill.

There's not a breeze. My mind's at ease.
They bid me, "Come" they say.
So I step out. There is no doubt -
that this is Christmas Day.

I hop aboard and ride on toward -
a town that's splashed with sights.
I look ahead at green and red.
I love those Christmas lights.

The air is crisp. I see a wisp -
on front of horses' mane -
that bounced with pep at every step.
The horses did not wane.

Heard sleigh bells chime through all that time
until I got to town -
And hooves had clopped until they stopped
as I arrived downtown.

Nativity... I smiled with glee -
heard carols in the air.
The shepherds spied. The three Magi
saw Jesus sleeping there.

A camel knelt. In joy they dwelt -
in cushioned stable hay -
A scene on earth of virgin birth -
where one man came to pray.

A poor old man, all wrinkled tan,
was kneeling on the ground.
His hair was messed but he was blessed
as snow fell all around.

Some kids walked through, in contrast to
his contrite position.
And then they felled the cane he held -
reckless recognition.

God woos each one who seek His Son -
but they paid no attention.
I heard them joke each time they spoke
within their own dimension.

He reached in vain to get his cane.
His countenance was grim -
then heard him say, "wife passed away."
as I gave it to him.

Through eyelids tight, they drew my sight -
I saw more tears come through.
It touched my heart, tore me apart -
so I knelt right there too.

Snowflakes falling, Jesus calling -
calling from above.
Can you live it? Christmas spirit -
wooing all, in love...

©2012 louis gander - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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Mark 2:14 (KJV)
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.