It's So Unfair 4-8-18

My mom was simply wonderful.

She had a magic touch.

And mother loved my father too.

She loved him very much.

I never heard mom say a word

when dad would spend the funds -

though mom had many stressful days

to feed her hungry sons.

Recalling often all the ways

that she conceived a meal -

concoctions never mixed before,

ingredients unreal.

One bite would be like chewing foam,

the next so leather tough -

while I and brothers sitting there

would have to eat the stuff.

But weight upon the shoulders from

abuse is very great.

I think I have much empathy

but how can I relate?

I heard the whimpering at times.

I sometimes saw the tears.

It's so unfair to have such love

and then to persevere.

So many things are left unsaid.

What more must I explain?

Have I hurt someone like my mom?

Have I caused someone pain?

Who loves me more than mom loved dad?

What else is there to know?

How many tears does Christ still shed

because He loves me so?

©2018 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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Seasons 3-25-18

DEATH is the winter of sin and shame,

of pride and blame,

of guilty name,

of danger's ice,

of bad advice,

of heavy price.

LIFE is the springtime of seeds that toss,

of logs across,

of Christ on cross,

of blooming earth,

of our rebirth,

of valued worth.

WORK is the summer of fresh, clean rain,

of sweat and pain,

of growth and grain,

of appetites,

of peaceful nights,

of what excites.

LOVE is the autumn of harvesting,

of lauded sing,

of Thanksgiving,

of Heaven's grace,

of special place
and Jesus' face.

©2018 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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With Life Anew 3-3-18

Like Eden's garden, park was still.
A perfect place right up until -
the selfish played.

The lake was smooth, as smooth as glass -

but then a breeze came rolling past -

as they all played.

A dark cloud seemed to push the breeze

that whispered firmly to the leaves -

while they had played.

Then all the grasses wiggled too

and seemed to toy with breeze that blew -

as they had played.

A couple squirrels in a tree.

First I saw two, then I found three -

and they had played.

A couple toads jumped stone to stone.
Together, they were not alone -
and they had played.

Some floating leaves rose with each wave.

First up, then down, they'd misbehave -

as they had played.

We all endured the passing wind

that we had felt while others sinned -

when they had played.

And when the winds had caught my ear,

the storms of certain wrath were near -

while they had played.

The wrath of God was imminent

but habits fixed, were like cement -

so they still played.

The storm clouds, close, were now a threat -

but not a drop had fallen yet -

so still they played.

Then suddenly, a lightning blast -

brought thunder's roar and down-burst fast! -

so wet they played.

Unfaithful ones, now surely stuck,
were washed away in mudslide's muck.
T'was overdue...

But faithful ones above the sod

had found down-pouring grace from God

...with life anew.

©2018 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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Rev. Billy Graham 2-24-18

One-half a century ago,

a day about routine,

became one quite spectacular

for boy about thirteen...

A faithful black and white TeeVee

had doors that opened wide,

inviting all to sit a'spell

and watch what was inside.

Once on, dad had to turn a knob

for vertical control.

And then the horizontal one

in that tube-filled console.

A strong determined voice was heard

by boy and everyone.

Then picture tube came into view

with all fine-tuning done.

And what he saw astonished him -

so many people there.

Packed full, a football stadium.

He saw no empty chair.

"Evangelist", dad said he was.

He was straightforward, bold -

and not ashamed to preach the Word.

A 'someone' to behold.

A well-read Bible always would

lay open in his hand.

Not like today where gadgets live

and kids don't understand.

But why did people love this man?

What caused his flock to grow?

What special thing did this man have?

At first, he didn't know.

But when the cam'ra zoomed, he saw

a tear run down his face -

while speaking of the love of God

and His amazing grace.

Embarrassed, he was not at all.

He loved those people there.

He cared about their fragile souls

A man like that is rare.

"Just As I Am" was always sung

as invitation song.

A score of people always came

with lines to alter, long.

That little boy had learned a lot

in front of that TeeVee.

He gave his life to Jesus too

and God had set him free!

Before this story poem ends

there's one more thing to know -

I still remember that young boy

so many years ago.

©2018 louis gander - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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"One day you will hear that Billy Graham has died. Don't believe it.

On that day I will be more alive than I ever will be.". -Billy Graham.