Her Old Rocker 11-29-13

I quietly sat in her rocker -

a squeaky and rickety chair.

With paint almost gone, it had weathered -

but no, I did not even care.

The folks in the yard were all browsing.

The yard sale was going quite well.

As people were searching through items,

a man came and asked if I'd sell.

He asked if I'd sell her old rocker.

He asked me what I'd sell it for.

He gave a most generous offer -

then said he could pay a bit more.

I answered, "Her chair's not for sale.

My grandmother used it a lot.

She held me as we both rocked gently

right here in this very same spot.

I turned back the years to my childhood -

It seemed it was just yesterday.

Through planting and summer and harvest,

she whispered in music this way,

"I love you just like Jesus loves you.

I'll hold you as long as I live.

And if you have faith in me darling,

I promise to always forgive."

The man smiled sincerely and stated,

"I can't afford one quite like that.

Your rocker there surely is priceless."

He left with a tip of his hat.

I smiled yet my eyes became watered -

as visions of grandma came back.

She sat in this very same rocker -

when she had her last heart attack.

In Heaven she has a new rocker -

without all the paint worn away.

She holds a young child without mother

and whispers the very same way...

"She loves you just like Jesus loves you.

Regretting her choice, she'd relive.

But pray that she's trusting the Father -

He's faithful and sure to forgive."

I quietly sat in her rocker -

a squeaky and rickety chair.

With paint almost gone, it had weathered -

but no, I did not even care.

2013 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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I LOVE AMERICA! 11-26-13

I don't love America because of its free economy.

I don't love America because of its strong military.

I don't love America because of its great inventions.

I don't love America because we can worship freely.

I don't love America because I can get my free stuff.

I don't love America because we care for one another.

I don't love America because I can make a ton of money.

I don't love America because my political party is in power.

I don't love America because we protect our interests around the world.

I don't love America because over a million innocent babies are killed each year
& I don't love America because we've replaced them with illegals jumping our borders.

No, I LOVE AMERICA because "WE, THE PEOPLE" can be a

God fearing, people helping,

infant holding, child rearing,

moral raising, disabled curing,

humble praying, Bible reading,

Jesus trusting, history teaching,

fact checking, truth telling,

pastor preaching, gospel breathing,

hard working, earth-moving,

family loving, elderly caring,

honest speaking, respect keeping,

humble swearing, fair sentencing,

environment respecting, heaven searching,

government limiting, bureaucrat checking,

conservative spending, tax repealing,

federal limiting, priority budgeting,

rights protecting, liberty voting,

forward focusing, Constitution defending,

veteran supporting, enemy defeating,

flag waving, freedom fighting,

always standing, never caving,

sometimes talking, always walking,

ever seeking, promise keeping,

UNITED PEOPLE once again.

(if we, but will fight for it).

From black to white,

from deaf to dumb,

E PLURIBUS UNUM.

©2013 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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Bounce Back Up! 11-25-13

Why do the people swiftly pass?

Do they not know they trample grass?

Pray tell me, is life ever fair

and really, does creation care?

Beneath the hidden sun at noon,

beneath the silent crescent moon,

beneath the dark and cloudy sky,

beneath it all, do we know why?

Beneath the laws and rampant crimes,

beneath the troubles of these times,

beneath the blizzards of all sins,

beneath the toil, God's work begins.

As with the sparrow in God's hand,

the truth of love will always stand.

And blessed with our Creator's touch,

our torment will not matter much.

Beneath the snow, beneath the sod,

beneath all things- we must trust God.

For God raised up His faithful One -

so don't forget His only Son.

Our prayers see answers all around

as snow starts melting from the ground.

In spring when ice is melted off,

the faithful stand to silence scoff.

One answer proves (though very small),

that God can save right through it all.

So should they stop and pause to pass

they'll find this single blade of grass.

For God created, God has made -

and faithful I, as single blade.

Forgive, I shall, their rushing on -

and bounce back up when trod upon.

2013 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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Taste God's Love Again! 11-13-13

Tall trees are swaying to and fro.

The stiffness of the breeze is such

that I can feel the frigid wind.

I try, but cannot see its touch.

My nose is nudged by autumn's breeze,

but what is really meant -

by fragrances that breezes send?

I try, but cannot see its scent.

There's rustling from some fallen leaves

that swirl around the ground.

They seem to try to speak to me.

I try, but cannot see their sound.

I savor flavor on my tongue,

that it not go to waste -

yet stomach yearns for sustenance.

I try, but cannot see its taste.

The feel or scent or sound or taste -

our eyes won't comprehend.

We, only by our eyes, believe.

On senses, we depend.

Accumulate, we do, so much.

We see the things we've stored.

We search all our possessions through.

We try, but cannot find the Lord.

If hands can't hold the truth of life,

if lungs can't breathe the thrill,

if ears can't hear His still small voice -

then taste our death, we will.

The purest blood may fill the vein

and freshest air, the lung -

but blind and dead we'll ever be -

if we but taste with tongue!

IF we touch only physical.

IF follow we, our nose.

IF hear we, only mortal words

we'll taste but earthly woes.

But feel, if we, the spiritual,

and peace can fill our lungs,

and truth can teach our selfish ears,

great joy can voice our tongues!

So feel it now - the Master's touch -

and breathe His blessings in -

and hear the music of God's grace -

and taste God's love again!

©2013 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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Jeremiah 5:21 (NASB)

21 21 

‘Now hear this, O foolish and senseless people,

Who have eyes but do not see;

Who have ears but do not hear.

Tears Of Joy 11-5-13

I'd worked and sacrificed and slaved with neverending toil -

and planted many seeds of doubt in rich, organic soil.

The cultivated soil that I, had worked down deep within,

was fertilized with years of pain that nourished all my sin.

Then when the ground that I had worked had watered all my seeds -

astonishing, the lesson learned - that I had planted weeds.

Depressed, I was and feeling low.  This isn't what I'd planned.

Oh, why was I so tired of life?  I didn't understand.

I dug them up, the big and small - those sins that tore me up -

and then confessed them to my Lord - who overflowed my cup.

So now when weeds of doubt arise, my God and I destroy -

and He replants my seeds to life, while I cry tears of joy.

©2013 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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Above My Bloody Fist 10-11-13

The waves would make, across the lake,

their way to other side.

I had a task, so I had asked

if I could hitch a ride.

"We are not fools.  We follow rules.

Just find a boat to rent."

So "No." they said, which turned me red,

in deep embarrassment.

The breezes blew.  I knew them too -

but could I fly away?

I know I'm old and not so bold -

and much too shy to say,

"Please do not fail to let me sail

up where the seabirds soar.

We'll get along.  I won't be long..."

then tried so, all the more.

In all the earth, have I no worth?

I wondered, "Was it true?"

I saw leaves dance and viewed my chance.

They seemed to beckon too...

But then they yelled, "Hey, duck your head -

for we are passing by!"

My eyes got red.  I bowed my head -

as tear came to my eye.

The places vast, the faces masked.

The people know me not.

And now today, I'm in their way -

Memories - all I've got.

To do what's right we had to fight.

There was no other way.

The heroes I had fought beside

had met their Lord that day.

With muddy gun, it was no fun -

not like a hand-held game.

The bombs were real and I could feel

the pain that always came.

There was a time when 'will' was mine

and I had much more hope.

It was a chore to take the shore

and scramble muddy slope.

The bullets flew, the booming grew -

when planted with a twist -

but colors loomed when wind resumed,

above my bloody fist.

Oh, how we fought!  The wounds we caught

as blood mixed with our sweat -

but showed the world when it unfurled,

the flag that we had set.

Though day has dawned, my friends are gone.

The waves march 'cross the lake.

Though friend or foe, no man can know

the liberties they take.

For if they knew what we went through

(where they were never sent) -

they'd not uproot, but would salute

our sacred monument.

2013 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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Bridge, The 10-6-13

A hungry crow soars high above where wicked winds doth blow

to see if there will be some scraps of tasty food below.

Our train is flying down the tracks.  On 'hope' and 'change', we go.

The bridge between the mountain's out, (but no one's in-the-know).

We're asked, while on our merry way, to pay what others owe -

in premiums.  Obamacare, it's good for 'so and so'.

Will we be forced to pay for it?  Will they take all our dough?

And soon extinct - 'good healthcare' gone - a thing of long ago.

The engineer had parts delayed, attempting to forego

a sure disaster for his friends, while doctors are in woe.

They scatter from their practices as lines for healthcare show.

We ask, "Oh, please negotiate" -but engineer screams, "No!

"Just shut down everything we have, from seas to rivers' flow,

from monuments for veterans to where sequoias grow!

Then shut down everything we do - except still stomp the toes

of all who disagree with me and hosts of their talk shows!"

Exemptions paid off union shops but no, not "plumber Joe" -

who rides with all us passengers and sees that starving crow -

which soars the highest mountain tops - peers canyon floor below.

As train is flying down the tracks, what halts a big ego?

2013 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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Where's the incentive to be responsible- if it's acceptable to be irresponsible?

Where's the incentive to save money- if others are required to pay our bills?

Where's the incentive to love others- if it's all about loving ourselves?

Where's the incentive to help others- if it's just all about us?

A soul, once dead, is not always lost -

but a Nation, once lost, is forever dead.

Ask Rome.

Soft Crosses 9-27-13

I'm under the leaves of tall coconut trees,

(on trunks that are warped in a curve).

They rustle up high in the oft windy sky.

Enjoying the shade, I observe...

...the Heavens above that are filled so with love

and grace only God can bestow -

from free virgin birth for the people on earth.

I ask, "Have I failed Him so?"

Am I like the leaves that everyone sees,

that wave to and fro in the wind,

drawing attention as if I'm important?

Could that, my dear friends, be a sin?

His sheep, under wool, must be fully faithful -

not warped as the coconut trees.

How is it fitting if I am still sitting -

not helping the poor "least of these"?

How disconcerted am I that Christ suffered?

I hold my small cross close to me.

Genteel, I'm living, but what am I giving?

Are soft crosses not meant to be?

Oh, should I be stunned if my cross isn't cushioned?

I'm carefree- and comforts I seek!

Is love, au contraire, to this cross that I bear

as others are hungry and weak?

Our God sits above and He fills us with love.

We're blessed with His soft, gentle breeze -

on tropical islands with soft, idle hands,

enjoying a lifetime of ease.

I'm under the leaves of tall coconut trees,

(on trunks that are warped in a curve).

They rustle up high in the oft windy sky.

Enjoying the shade, I observe...

2013 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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Matthew 6:24 (KJV)

"No man can serve two masters:

for either he will hate the one, and love the other;

or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other.

Ye cannot serve God and mammon."

Grandpa's Wisdom 9-24-13

Homer 1896-1991

Before the jets, before the planes,

before the cars and traffic lanes,

before genetics changed our corn,

before the IRS was even born,

before CD's and movie stars,

before the rover got to mars -

was born a man, a little tot,

who endured much, but learned a lot.

His life saw many swinging doors

including two hard world wars.

Depression great.  Its pain would gnaw -

and many other things he saw.

I knew him well and we were close.

At times he'd offer me a dose -

of wisdom gained along his way.

I'd listen close to what he'd say.

The years passed by as he grew old

but many truths he had foretold -

respect would lack, expensive gas...

It seems it all has came to pass.

Now, it's not hard to peer beyond

a lack of faithful family bond -

where babies know their father not -

and debt would bury quite a lot.

Where morals lack, great pain will be

and little things called bankruptcy -

yet we can wipe our whole slate clean

and make it so it's never seen.

But when amiss at what we're taught,

when our responsibilities are naught,

when we're in need of steak or ham

we'll ask for more from Uncle Sam.

It seems we do not want to pay
for all the things we have today -
nor want to ever pay, when due,
the moral debt we're going through.

But unlike others 'on the lamb’,

my grandpa was a faithful man -

who read his Bible inside-out

and knew what life was all about.

Oh, one day man will find it out,

(make no mistake and have no doubt),

after kings have misbehaved,

after money buys their slaves,

after parents kill and die,

after homeless babies cry,

after we've lived life our way -

and after death on judgement day.

©2013 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

(if you enjoyed this poem, you may enjoy reading more about 'Homer' here):
http://www.ganderpoems.org/2009/05/homer-5-16-09.html

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Revelation 21:8 (KJV)

8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers,

and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars,

shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone:

which is the second death.

Morning Light 9-15-13

From ancient times, the church bells chimed

to open up our eyes,

with predawn light from Heaven's might,

to bold and brighter skies.

Above the crops and mountain tops

and score of evergreen -

this fleeting night sees hints of light -

though sun is not yet seen.

On baby blue an amber hue

now glows on fringe of clouds.

So few will glean this wondrous scene

throughout earth's massive crowds.

And here, in flaw, I stand in awe

as I stretch high my hands!

I want to touch - I do, so much -

but life has such demands.

I need some clothes, yet glad for those

who need be highly viewed -

and scarcely live that I might give

so others have some food.

My insides ache, for goodness sake,

for those who have to cope.

Oh, there's no gain from earthly pain

for those who have no hope.

I never knew what I could do -

for I am just a man.

But it's not strange that God can change

the heart that He began.

So now today, I see a ray

as clouds bright edges glisten.

A still, small voice is still the choice

if only we would listen.

Through fervent tears, beyond my years,

I see the birds are singing.

I harmonize now ears and eyes

as church bells keep on ringing.

From ancient times, the church bells chimed

to bold and brighter skies.

Now morning light from Heaven's might,

has opened up my eyes...

©2013 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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