"I want to thank all those who come from around the world and read the poetry that God has inspired me with to make the world a more pleasant and peaceful place. This site shall always be totally free for everyone with no tracking, pop-up ads & videos or other distractions." ~louis gander

November 17, 2019

Persevere 11-17-19


As the hurricanes and typhoons twirled,
I wish I could preach to the entire world.
...but I can't.

And standing so firm, like a giant red cedar,
I wish I could be a nation's great leader.
...but I can't.

Or be as appealing as double feature,
I wish I could be a big TV preacher.
...but I can't.

If I had two wishes, or even one choice,
I wish I could sing with a heavenly voice.
...but I can't.

If I could know Jesus, I mean really know Him,
I think I could write a masterful poem.
...but I can't.

I tell you the truth- that I am sincere,
but seems I can't make myself perfectly clear.
I sit here alone with but one lonely tear,
yet God says, go forth, you must persevere.

©2019 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

-------

November 9, 2019

Twilight Colors Beckon Me 11-9-19


"The sun is setting.  It's to be.
The twilight colors beckon me.
Was life complete?  Did I obey
my precious Lord, His will, His way?"

I've fallen short.  I've fallen far
from Heaven's heights to things that are.
The Judge is waiting for me now
as sweat escapes my weary brow.

I've eaten time.  Now it's my fate.
What can I change with empty plate?
There must be something I can do.
Is there no grace for me and you?

Can I "un-drink" the milk now soured?
Can I "un-eat" what I've devoured?
Can I go back to live His way,
some ninety years?  No, not one day.

But futile death?  Say it's not so!
Yes, Christ arose from here below!
Forgiven from this life I leave!
Eternal life- for I believe!

It doesn't change my sadness though.
Regret, I do, as tempest blow.
You youngsters have a life of time.
Please do God's Will and make it rhyme.

Please read your Bible, read it true.
Don't be like me, but be like you.
Don't store up treasures on your shelf
for one day you will say yourself,

"The sun is setting.  It's to be.
The twilight colors beckon me.
Was life complete?  Did I obey
my precious Lord, His will, His way?"

©2019 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

-------

October 11, 2019

Of Sweet Joy 10-11-19


I traveled to see my mama today.
She needed to hear what I had to say.
But when I arrived, she was in deep prayer.
I had some good news I wanted to share.

My mama could talk the ears off the corn,
the ears off a rabbit since she was half-born.
And sometimes when I was trying to speak,
she'd cut me right off- for nearly a week.

But this time she had sad tears in her eyes.
Because of me I could only surmise.
I asked of her tears.  How bad could it be?
Then she shook her head.  It was about me.

I hurt my dear mom.  I hurt her a lot.
I wasn't a Christian and humble, was not.
The time had gone by, but now with good news,
I'm here for my mama to pay my last dues.

"I'm... sorry I... hurt... you for... so many years"
I said, as I stumbled with words through my tears.
But I have found Jesus.  My life turned around.
I bought my own Bible and it is profound!

Still tears held my mama.  She said not a word.
A small tiny sparrow was all that we heard.
Through tears, she then spoke, "I prayed for you boy -
and yes, I have tears, but now tears of sweet joy."

So together we cried.  So happy were we.
My eyes were a blur and I hardly could see.
But I felt much better when I saw her smile.
We conversed together for quite a long while.

©2019 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

-------

September 19, 2019

Live In Remembrance 9-19-19


So many just plan for tomorrow.
So many just live for today.
Yet I long to live in remembrance
to yesterday's mem'ries this way...

My father, in garage, would be working.
My mother, in kitchen, would bake.
Then I would take turns being with them,
and tried not to make a mistake.
I'd hold the light steady for father
while he reached down under the hood.
The cookie dough mom had me stirring,
from finger to tongue was so good.

They'd take me to church ev'ry Sunday.
I learned all the Bible had taught.
I learned that my soul needed saving
a soul that was already bought.
And Jesus had blessed me so dearly
with parents I didn't deserve.
I learned of their love and devotion
a love that I'd often observe.

Though father did not show emotion
and hugging was not ever done,
He would, at times, play some horseshoes
and never had I ever won.
Now one night while watching home movies,
I saw a lone tear on his eye.
I knew his emotions ran deeper
and in him was greater supply.

My mother was very kind-hearted.
She loved everyone that she met.
And when someone hurt her unfairly,
I never had seen her upset.
Yes, everyone loved my dear mother
and that's how a dear flower grows.
She passed away still helping children
and buried, the finest of rose.

My memories fade with the sunset,
as emptiness sets in again.
My life seems so terribly barren
as loneliness grips me within.
But some things I'll not be forgetting:
two faces that I'll always see,
two lives that I'll always remember,
two parents who loved thankless me.

So many just plan for tomorrow.
So many just live for today.
Yet I long to live in remembrance
to yesterday's mem'ries this way...

©2019 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
http://www.ganderpoems.org/

-------

August 10, 2019

Redneck Love 8-10-19


There in my driveway, we were stuck
when she jumped out of my old truck.
The rain had stopped but mud was deep.
I warned it wasn't wise to leap.

But yet she tried to get away.
Regret, she did, that awful day.
Escape, she tried.  It wasn't wise.
In mud was covered, toes to eyes!

Above the muffler noise and smoke,
I yelled out loud, "The handle's broke!"
Reach in the window. Be on guard -
then grab that handle, yank it hard!

What she had done just wasn't right.
When she got in, she looked a sight!
Still splattered full with greasy crud
she wiped her eyes, hands full of mud.

I threw a coat under a tire
a pair of heels, a purse and wire.
When revved, I did, to its extreme,
the muffler drowned her ev'ry scream.

She wouldn't push, so we got out.
I wished she wouldn't scream and shout.
Those heels just didn't match her suits
and she looked good in army boots.

Along our driveway next to broom,
from toilet tank, saw tulips bloom.
She plucked one quick when we trudged past.
I knew right then our love would last.

I also knew she'd like our shack
and showed our outhouse there in back.
I kept the freezer on the porch
and fried my eggs with my old torch.

The roof still leaks and I had plans
but fish were in the frying pans.
She dug for worms. She was a gem.
I brushed my teeth, all six of them.

I'm not so big, four hundred pounds.
She liked our home, all seven hounds.
"Now truck needs gas so here's a buck.
I'm glad we've met, it's your good luck.

"I need to weld a broken part."
then said, "Be patient, have a heart.
Go find my leather welding glove.
It sure is nice to be in love!

"All will be fine. You cannot leave.
You can't escape. Don't be naive.
A shotgun wedding is in store
for me and you. They've locked the door.

"My pop's the justice of the peace,
the preacher too, and the police.
Jus' take your time and think it through,
ignore the gun, then say, "I do"."
---
Now God does not force us like this.
He offers grace, not promised bliss.
So pray to God.  He has your back.
He proves His love that others lack.

It's such a blessing to be free
to serve Him always faithfully.
So don't hitch rides with sinful man,
but follow God, His will and plan.

©2019 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
http://www.ganderpoems.org/

-------

July 12, 2019

Through Eternal Years 7-12-19


Our tears come in mass
when our loved ones pass.
Oh, why do our hearts sink so low?
Can we not accept
on ship they have stepped?
So sad, why are we, when they go?

Please don't shed your tears
on day ship appears
because death is destined to be.
Our lives are so short.
It'll soon be in port
for you, your dear spouse, or for me.

For young or for old
no ticket is sold.
It doesn't cost even a dime.
Once you get on board
you will see your Lord.
and judgement is final this time.

It moves us in haste
conveying to place
where Christians together will be.
On that distant shore
we'll love even more
than did on this side of the sea.

Tethered together,
never to sever,
we'll have much more love to employ.
Through eternal years
come many more tears,
but they will be tears of sweet joy.

And they'll create seas
much greater than these,
with beauty we can't comprehend.
That shore we will see
and love there will be
with Jesus, our Savior and Friend.

©2019 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

-------