Passed Quietly, the Waters By 4-12-17

The river stones were gathered 'round.

Their speeches and their words profound.

They thought they were the best on earth -

had much more value, much more worth.

Passed quietly, the waters by.

Most stones just laughed and wondered why...

The rugged stones had bragged aloud

below a soft and puffy cloud,

"We're mean and tough and really cool.

We are the best but you're a fool."

Passed quietly, the waters by.

Most stones just laughed and wondered why...

"Huge trees?  No match for guys like us!

You cannot answer nor discuss.

Our claims of greatness can't be beat.

This is our club - the great elite."

Passed quietly, the waters by.

Most stones just laughed and wondered why...

A tiger laid on rocky ledge

and peered below to river's edge.

The river stones looked way up there.

They were not scared.  They didn't care.

Passed quietly, the waters by.

Most stones just laughed and wondered why...

They laughed at the moon and at the sun.
They laughed until the day was done.
They laughed at all that they could see.
They even laughed at you and me.

Passed quietly, the waters by.

Most stones just laughed and wondered why...

One year they gasped and looked around.

The change in them was quite profound.

The years brought change that none could soothe.

Those stones were now, not rough, but smooth.

Passed quietly, the waters by.

Most stones just laughed and wondered why...

Most hadn't known just what took place.

Not many learned of God's good grace.

That it was His undying love

that showered down from up above,

that brought the rainbow and the rain,

that flowed downstream to ease the pain

of each and ev'ry hard, rough stone

so they might learn and might atone.

Passed quietly, the waters by.

Most stones just laughed and wondered why...

©2017 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

-------

Give Us Barabbas! 4-7-17

What caught the attention of that obtuse crowd?

What made them determined?  What made them so loud?

"Give us Barabbas!"  Can you tell me why

the people had int'rest in that evil guy?

Was he more exciting and spectacular?
Was he their big hero - strong, muscular?

Could he break big log chains right off of his wrists?

And did he boast laughing- then shake both his fists?

Was his voice like thunder with tongue hard as steel?

Oh, was the crowd taken and how did they feel?

Was it because Jesus stood motionless there?

Was it because Jesus did not have a prayer?

Was Jesus too loving t'ward innocent youth,

Was Jesus judgmental in speaking the truth?

Was Jesus too caring with his healing hands -

or was it because He had much greater plans?

There's no rhyme or reason, so often it seems.
It boggles the mind to such endless extremes.

So why did the crowd have Barabbas set free?

And why was it Jesus who died... and not me?

©2017 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

-------

Forgiveness Undeserved 3-31-17

I don't deserve forgiveness and

I don't deserve His love.

I don't deserve His blessings that

He showers from above.

My greatest deeds have missed His mark.

My works were just my will.

My life appears so very dark.

Guilt haunts me even still.

Except for Jesus on the cross,

except for loving grace,

except forgiveness undeserved -

a hope?  No, not a trace.

©2017 louis gander - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

-------

My Beautiful Friend 3-20-17

Oh, why do you tease me, my beautiful friend?

Oh, why do you keep me 'at bay'?

I try and I try to get closer to you,

but you keep on moving away!

I cannot get closer, the more that I walk.

You keep a safe distance from me.

But please do not think that I'm someone to fear.

Just trust me that I'll keep you free.

The colors you wear seem to weaken my knees.
Your beauty I do not deserve.
Your brilliance continues to draw me to you,
so why do you throw me this curve?

Yes, God had created a beautiful 'you'.
You light up my life like the sky.
He keeps all His infinite promises too,
but don't ask me - I don't know why.

I can't get around and I can't get beneath -

yet you are beyond grandiose.

I know no one ever has touched you before,

and I can't begin to get close.

Although I can't touch you or hear what you say,

maybe apart, we aren't far..

And though you don't let me get closer to you,

a beautiful rainbow you are!

©2017 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

----

As I Wandered 3-11-17

No, it was not a fairy tale.

I happened on a bloody trail

where groove in dirt had pushed aside the stone.

I walked awhile, then I could tell

by scattered stones that someone fell

while other prints had proved him not alone.

As I wandered,
I wondered.

The sky was dark because of clouds.

but from a distance, I saw crowds.

The screaming that I heard brought me a chill.

Continued I, to walk a spell,

and then I saw it, saw it well -

three silhouetted crosses on the hill.

As I wandered,
I wondered.

Upon the crosses were three men.

I heard loud screams again, again.

I closer got- as this all seemed so odd...

The one between the other two

had uttered prayer- and then I knew

that He indeed was the true Son of God.

As I wandered,
I wondered.

He screamed to Father, breathed His last.

The earth had quaked with such a blast.
For words, I was completely at a loss.

Because my sin had put Him there,

I knew that this just wasn't fair.

It should have been me nailed to the cross.

As I wandered,
I wondered.

Yes, from a manger, virgin womb

and to a planned, but borrowed tomb,

assigned, were guards, each minute of the day.

Subdued and saddened, few had spoke -

but then I heard that Christ awoke -

and I had seen the stone was rolled away!

As I wandered,
I wondered.

An angel of the Lord I saw.

My jaw had dropped.  I stood in awe

and knew that I was standing deep in sin.

So I gave Jesus everything -

for He arose and now I sing!

Through precious grace, He's coming back again!

I wonder,
but don't wander any more.

©2017 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

----

He Showers Me 2-25-17

Jamestown Flood Aftermath 1889

A promise is forever

but words so quickly fade.

They echo once or twice but then

are lost under the shade -

of long abandoned good intents

from where I've long since strayed.

Oh, how can I live sincere life

when failed I, this exam?

Oh, how can I live honest life

when it is but a sham?

And how can promise now be kept

with water over dam?

Embarrassed I, now drop my head

ashamed to show my face.

And guilty I, cry out in vain
that I am in this place.

But then, what does my Savior do?

He showers me with grace!

©2017 louis gander - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

-------

A Lonely Poem 2-3-17

THERE ARE so many others that can start a loud stampede

of people running after them so that they all can read

the script of rhymes that fascinate their scrutinizing minds

to entertain emotions - emotions of all kinds.

But I am just a lonely poem buried here inside

a dusty book unsuited and unable to provide

a morsel of excitement to those readers I can't see.

They're browsing here, undoubtedly, on either side of me.

My words are like a dried up rose with bent and broken stem -

and that's why I'm a lonely poem, unlike the rest of them.

It's dark inside this dusty book.  Forever, I will stay -

yet wonder, will I ever see the sunny light of day?

Rejected, I'm compelled to cry, but that I can't condone,

because my ink would surely run and I'd still be alone.

So tears I hold.  I'm saddened so- and oh, I'd love to shout.

But I'll be stuck here up until this book I'm in's thrown out.

I prayed that you would find my words because God answers prayers.

He knows my good intentions and I know He always cares.

So when my prayers are answered and you read my story rhymes,

I pray that we can just be friends and have some good ol' times.

And though you will not see me smile, please know that I'll be glad.

and pray one day we'll find these times the best we've ever had.

But if, by chance, another poem's your fav'rite one instead,

I pray my words go with you when again I go unread.

©2017 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

-------

Lonely 1-21-17

Except for chirping bird or two

it's quiet in the park.

I hear my feet move through the grass

and soon it will be dark.

The air is calm and quiet here

and everything seems tame,

but world has turned me up-side-down

and nothing is the same.

Elusive is the rainbow's end.

My feet are much too slow.

And lost forever are the smiles

of friends so long ago.

My hands can't catch what finds my nose,
and empty they are still.

They cannot catch the fragrance of
an outdoor charcoal grille.

I cannot grasp the beautiful,
the clouds, so cottony.
And children who play much too loud
but such a sight to see.

My fingers cannot seem to touch
the treasures in my mind.
It seems they're much too feeble now
to touch what once had rhymed.

My arms are weak and cannot wrap

around the ocean's roar,

and lost are thoughtful special hugs.

My children are no more.

My legs can't seem to carry me.
My body's on the brink.
But my mind's like the sharpest tack -
and I can surely think.

Now if you'd listen for a bit,

I'd love so much to share,
but loneliness shares memory
of which you're unaware.

Because you like to socialize,

you laugh your days away -

and that way you don't have to live

a single lonely day.

I wonder if you only care

about your happenings -

the drama you create each day

and other petty things.

Forgive me for my selfishness,

I should have thought things through.

I'm sorry that I speak of that

instead of only you.

Except for chirping bird or two

it's lonely in the park.

I hear my feet move through the grass

and soon it will be dark.

©2017 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

-------

Ball Of Fuzz 1-1-17

I stared in vain through window pane

as I was on my own.
And lonely I, would sometimes cry
as I sat here alone.

The wind was wild and snow had piled
up high on window sill.
Yet I was warm despite the storm,
despite infrequent chill.

My eyes in blur, saw something stir.

I raced outside to see.

It was a sight.  I held it tight

and said, "You're safe with me."

So cold she was.  I know because

she shivered for an hour.

Sad eyes were blue and hungry too.

She drank, though milk was sour.

Then trusting she, laid down on me -

curled tightly in my lap.

So soft her fur and quiet purr.

She took a prolonged nap.

As seasons came, she was the same -
so tame, so loving, swell.
And so it was, I know because
my mem-ry serves me well.

She was a friend right to the end
and trusting as could be.

Though snow had blown, the sun once shone

on ball of fuzz and me.

I stare in vain through window pane.

Again, I'm on my own.
And lonely I, will sometimes cry
as I sit here alone.

©2017 louis gander - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

-------

Giving Is Joy 12-10-16

Putting on hat.  Yanking on boots.

Pulling on gloves.  Basket of fruits.

Opening door.  Holding on tight.

Wind hits my face.  Everything's white..

Weather is bad.  Comforts forgo.

Making my way.  Footprints in snow.

Taking short steps.  Carefully now.

Slipped on some ice.  I'm not sure how.

Old narrow road.  Old man like me.

Walking along.  Something to see.

Tall leafless trees.  Stretching above.

Creator's art.  Painted with love.

Deep heavy snow.  Bushes weighed down.

Bright colored lights.  Almost sundown.

Cold seizes breath.  Fingers are numb.

Now getting close.  Music has come.

Christmas music.  Melodies sweet.

Memory's peace.  Always complete.

Up a few steps.  Knock on the door.

Greeted with smile.  Warm wooden floor.

Welcomed inside.  Rosy red face.

'O Holy Night'.  Snug fireplace.

More Christmas songs.  Humble abode.

Gift of fresh fruit.  Nothing is owed.

Kindness is sweet.  "Thank you's" are said.

Then back at home.  Ready for bed.

Said I, a prayer.  "Making new friend.

Giving is joy.  True dividend."

©2016 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

-------