What Is It? (Riddle) 6-3-17

Tell me.  What is it?

It doesn't weigh a thing.

You cannot find it in the sky.

It doesn't have a wing.

It has no legs.  It has no hands.

It doesn't have a brain.

But sometimes it just rips you up

and drives you most insane!

Tell me.  What is it?

It doesn't weigh a thing.

You cannot find it in the sea.

It has no mouth to sing.

It has no ears.  It has no eyes.

And please don't ask me why

it sometimes makes you teary-eyed

and makes you want to cry.

Tell me.  What is it?

It doesn't weigh a thing.

You cannot find it over land

but oh, what it can bring -

contentment, joy and happiness,

excitement unsurpassed.

And when it comes from God on high,

we know we have been blessed!

Tell me. What is it?

It's something int'resting.

It makes me want to shout for joy

and makes me want to sing!

It doesn't take.  It always gives -

like sunshine's warmth on chilly day

when kindness bring's the flower's bloom -

which makes LOVE's big and bright bouquet!

©2017 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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Rainbow-colored Dreams 5-20-17

I chase my rainbow-colored dreams.

They are so grandiose it seems -

until the brilliance goes awry

and colors of the rainbow die.

When I was younger I was told

that I'd be better off when old -

if I would always persevere -

not give up and never fear.

So worked, I did, both day and night.

I gave it all - my fiercest fight.

For over forty years 'til now

the sweat poured off my heavy brow.

The fam'ly loss was inhumane.

The millions lost was bankers' gain.

"Success" was sketched out vividly -

but yet this nightmare came to me.

First Timothy, six and ten,
is proven true again, again.
If love of money's in the heart,

then love for God is torn apart.

Until the brilliance goes awry

and colors of the rainbow die,

I chase my rainbow-colored dreams.
They are so grandiose it seems...

©2017 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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This Mother's Day 5-13-17

Mere words are insufficient.

Mere words cannot express -

the many tossed emotions

of pain to happiness.

I long to see your face again -

though we are far apart.

I long to hold your hand again

and give you all my heart.

At first I held my feelings back

for which I can't explain.

So now emotions come alive

as with a hurricane!

For I am here and you are there.

There's no where I can turn.

There are no hugs and kisses past

that point of no return.

Oh, how I pray that I could make

my failures up to you.

Yet lost through winds of futile hope,

there's nothing I can do.

Mere time deceives the lazy heart

and says, "It's not a crime -

to wait until the rain has stopped,

then take your good ol' time."

So time has slipped away from me.

So many things it stole.

The greatest?  Not expressing love...

That sorrow rips my soul.

All Heaven knows my mom is there -

so friends, do not delay.

Give any lonely mom you find,

your love this Mother's Day.

©2017 louis gander - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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Rose-petal Mother 4-22-17

The morning dew settles

like tears on rose petals.

They cry out for time to return -

and beckon lost seasons

of God-given reasons

as sad notes on my guitar yearn.

You're queen of the givers.

It brings to me shivers

that I was so selfishly made.

Your name defines 'humble'

as my words now crumble

on flowers that I now invade.

Your hands were like Heaven,

unselfishly given,

beyond just the people you knew -

from city to country,

from wealthy to hungry -

and all of the rest of us too.

As butterflies flutter,

I still try to utter

some truth of your beautiful love.

But now, it is just us -

and words don't bring justice

as sunlight spills down from above.

Those simple deflections

of sunlight's reflections

now glimmer like diamonds at play -

in memories briefly

that I see routinely

as if they were just yesterday.

I am not deserving

of all I'm observing

in memories coming to mind -

surrounded by perfume

with roses in full bloom

recalling that you were most kind.

I'll always remember

that freezing December

when I erred and brought you to tears.

When you found me straying,

for me, you were praying -

and over the many long years.

Some mothers are brand new,

but none can compare to

my rose-petal mother, that's true.

While laughter was looming,

our smiles were blooming.

There's none other better than you.

I do so adore you -

shall always continue.

I'd never trade you for another.

Up deep from the earth-plow,

what words can I sing now?

I love you, my rose-petal mother.

Alive still, your caring,

through rose petal sharing.

So many, I can't see them all.

Afloat on the breezes,

each rose petal eases

the pain of the weak as they fall.

Your petals continue

to live on without you.

They float around ever so free.

Like soft downy feather,

I don't wonder whether

some petals will fall upon me.

It's not at all easy

to sing thoughts so deeply

when sung with my dusty guitar.

I find I've distorted

all good you're recorded.

My rose-petal mother, you are.

And it's not by my choice

I miss hearing your voice,

so moistness now covers my eyes.

With fingers still strumming

I hear myself humming

while words get choked up in my cries.

With eyes very blurry

I'm now in no hurry

to vacate this most sacred place.

I can't be more lonely.

I wish I could only

receive one more loving embrace.

I love you so deeply

that when I am sleepy

see rose petals filling the sky.

My rose-petal mother,

my rose-petal mother,

I'll see you in Heaven...  Bye bye.

©2017 louis gander - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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Mister Dirt 4-17-17

At times abused

but always used -

so does he disapprove?

I should have known

he's left alone.

Himself, he cannot move.

He cannot walk.

He cannot talk.

It seems he is entrapped.

No working ear,

he cannot hear.

Could he be handicapped?

One might deduce

he's of no use

and futile is his time.

And I can tell

he cannot smell.

So poor, he has no dime.

Is he distressed?

Is he depressed?

His life seems very grim.

His name is 'Dirt'.

Should he not hurt

when we're ignoring him?

We pull his weeds

and plant some seeds -

then use the garden hose.

And with a flood

he turns to mud

as everybody knows.

When rain has poured,

we thank the Lord,

that food has filled our room -
then thank the sun

for what its done

when flowers are full bloom.

But how we hide

the dirt outside -

though we don't think we're mean.

Who understands

when washing hands

that we judge Dirt unclean?

We think we know

but wrath will show

when we are judged by God.

Who thanks that soil

for all its toil

when manicured our sod?

No one will thank

the Dirt's low rank.

We entertain with fun!

But Dirt, who cares

with your affairs

and work that you have done?

Can we not sit

and think a bit

of someone we have hurt?

Don't build a wall.

Please thank them all -

including Mister Dirt.

Apologize.

It's always wise

for we've all wronged someone.

Let's live in peace.

Let judgment cease

for God's work isn't done.

©2017 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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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/

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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/

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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/

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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/

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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/

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