Anyone who wishes to add a poem to this page can
contact me at jmadkins@montana.com

How do I love thee?  Let me count the ways. I love theee to the depth and breadth and height My soul can reach, when feeling out of sight For the ends of Being and ideal Grace. I love thee to the level of the day's Most quiet need, by sun and candlelight. I love thee freely, as men strive for Right. I love thee purely, as they turn from Praise. I love thee with the passion put to use In my old griefs, and in my childhood's faith. I love thee with a love I seem to lose With my lost saints, -- I love thee with the breath, The smiles, the tears of all my life!  And, if God choose, I shall but love thee better after death. by Elizabeth Barrett Browning  Submitted by Bob Kimmel

Bright Spirit Shine on, bright spirit you who gave us birth who nurtured and embraced us with wisdom, joy and mirth. Shine through the darkness of our sorrowing days with echoes of your laughter and memories of your ways. Shine on, bright spirit light our way along and brace our faltering footsteps when we are less than strong. Shine out to others through our hearts and hands to ease another’s heartache or loosen sorrow’s bands. Shine on, bright spirit ever in our hearts ‘til we are reunited and never have to part. Copyright © August 1996 NLS         Submitted by Carol Collins

All of you go outside tonight or go to the window and look for the new  brite star in the sky  JIM W. ********** I did, and I saw it, it was smiling, and saying  "Hi there Rainbow... I am Honey Bee... up here in the sky... flying so high...  On my way to Heaven... to be with God and the Angels up there...  Smile... I don't hurt anymore... Now I know what my Life was for."...  God bless Brenda. She was the brightest Star of all...  Sheila S.

When Tomorrow Starts Without Me When tomorrow starts without me, and I'm not there to see;  If the sun should rise and find your eyes, all filled with tears for me;  I wish so much you wouldn't cry, the way you did today, while thinking of the many things, we didn't get to say. I know how much you love me, as much as I love you, and each time you think of me, I know you'll miss me too; But when tomorrow starts without me, please try to understand, that an angel came and called my name, and took me by the hand, and said my place was ready, in heaven far above, and that I'd have to leave behind, all those I dearly love. But as I turned to walk away, a tear fell from my eye, for all life, I'd always thought, I didn't want to die. I had so much to live for, so much yet to do, it seemed almost impossible, that I was leaving you. I thought of all the yesterdays, the good ones and the bad, I thought of all the love we shared, and all the fun we had. If I could relive yesterday, just even for awhile, I'd say goodbye and kiss you and maybe see you smile. But then I fully realized, that this could never be, for emptiness and memories, would take the place of me. And when I thought of worldly things, I might miss come tomorrow, I thought of you, and when I did, my heart was filled with sorrow.  But when I walked through heaven's gates, I felt so much at home.  When God looked down and smiled at me, from His great golden throne, He said, "This is eternity, and all I've promised you". Today for life on earth is past, but here it starts anew. I promise no tomorrow, but today will always last, and since each day's the same day, there's no longing for the past. But you have been so faithful, so trusting, so true. Though there were times you did some things, ou knew you shouldn't do.  But you have been forgiven and now at last you're free. So won't you take my hand and share my life with me? So when tomorrow starts without me, don't think we're far apart, for everytime you think of me, I'm right here, in your heart. I am Gils wife and caregiver, Joyce Crowell Original Poem by Joe Casal A VIETNAM VETERAN

MY FRIEND AND CONFIDANT by Steven Lowdermilk You are half the world away, And my today is your tomorrow. I have never seen your face, Nor heard words from your lips. I do not know your sounds of laughter, Or the softness of your sigh. I have not a clue as to who you are, Or the customs for which you live. I do know that you are kind and sweet, You are a thoughtful and caring soul. You think of others before yourself, ALL others, young and old. These things I know about you, Even though we have never met. I have learned this by coming home Each day and finding you here. You are not here in body and soul, But as a lighted rectangle. You come to me every day as A message on my screen, A message that I can rely on To cheer me up and make my day. Through a keyboard we share Our ups and downs. I have opened my inner self to you, And you have to me as well. We have traded secrets and laughs, As well as sorrows and pain. I have never met you, but feel as if I have known you most of my life. To most this might sound silly, But I assure them, it is not. Even though we have never met, I feel a bond between us. A bond that should have taken years to build, Yet was built in a month or two. A bond that lifelong friends should have, Although most never do. A bond that I am glad to share with you... My Friend And Confidant. -Poem by Steven Lowdermilk ~Thanks so much for being a good friend~ Submitted by sharon

HER JOURNEY'S JUST BEGUN Don't think of her as gone away-    her journey's just begun life holds somany facets-    this earth is only one. Just think of her as resting    from the sorrows and the tears in a place of warmth and comfort    where there are no days and years Think how she must be wishing     that we could know today how nothing but our sadnes     can really pass away And think of her as living     in the hearts of those she touched for nothng loved is ever lost     and she was loved so much Good night sweet Brenda Jackie in Littlerock, Ca.

This passage is from "The Prophet" by Kahlil Gibran...         For what is it to die but to stand naked in the wind and to melt into the sun?         And what is it to cease breathing, but to free the breath from its         restless tides, that it may rise and expand and seek God unencumbered?         Only when you drink from the river of silence shall you indeed sing.         And when you have reached the mountain top, then you shall begin         to climb. And when the earth shall claim your limbs, then shall you truly dance.                  Submitted by  Ruth Ann

Around the corner I have a friend
     In this great city that has no end,
     Yet the days go by and weeks rush on,
     And before I know it, a year is gone

     And I never see my old friend's face,
Around the corner I have a friend
     For life is a swift and terrible race,
     He knows I like him just as well,
     As in the days when I rang his bell,
     And he rang mine.

     If, we were younger then,
    And now we are busy, tired men.
    Tired of playing a foolish game,
     Tired of trying to make a name.
 

     "Tomorrow" I say "I will call on Jim"
     "Just to show that I'm thinking of him."
     But tomorrow comes and tomorrow goes, And
     distance between us grows and grows.

     Around the corner!- yet miles away,
     "Here's a telegram sir-"
    "Jim died today."
    And that's what we get and deserve in the end.
     Around the corner, a vanished friend.

     If you love someone, tell them.
     Remember always to say what you mean.
     Never be afraid to express yourself.
     Take this opportunity to tell someone
     what they mean to you.

    Seize the day and have no regrets.
     Most importantly, stay close to your
     friends and family, for they have helped
    make you the person that you are today
     and are what it's all about anyway.

    Pass this along to your friends.
   Let it make a difference in your day and
     theirs.  The difference between.
     expressing love and having regrets
     is that the regrets may stay around
    forever.

Submitted by AC Permenter

God looked around his garden
And he found and empty place,
He then looked down upon this earth
And saw your tired face.
He put his arms around you
And lifted you to rest.
God's garden must be beautiful
He always takes the best.
He knew that you were suffering,
He knew you were in pain,
He knew that you would never
Get well on earth again.
 He saw the road was getting rough,
And the hills are hard to climb,
So He closed your weary eyelids,
And whispered "Peace be thine".
It broke our hearts to lose you
But you didn't go alone,
For part of us went with you
The day God called you home.

Submitted by Gary Leach

ANGELS

Angels, angels, angels they are really everywhere.
Angels, angels, angels helping people with angel care.
Angels become humans to say sorry to the ones who cried.
Once they have apologized, then they can say good-bye.

Angels, angels, angels doing good deeds here and there.
Angels, angels, angels have all the time they need.
Angels are good cookers, they make magic bread,
that will help the children in the hospital get better,
yes indeed.

Angels, angels, angels watch over you as a guard.
Angels, angels, angels when they see you are in trouble,
they come down to Earth fast as a shooting star.

Angels, angels, angels they look after you every day.
Angels, angels, angels they'll wipe your tears away.

Copyright 1997, Sonja Smith. All rights reserved

Submitted by Jim Watson


I see the countless Christmas trees around the world below
    With tiny lights, like Heaven's stars, reflecting on the snow
 The sight is so spectacular, please wipe away the tear
  For I am spending Christmas with Jesus Christ this year.
 

 I hear the many Christmas songs that people hold so dear
But the sounds of music can't compare with the Christmas choir up here.
 
 I have no words to tell you, the joy their voices bring,
 For it is beyond description, to hear the angels sing.
 I know how much you miss me, I see the pain inside your heart
 But I am not so far away, We really aren't apart.
 So be happy for me, dear ones, You know I hold you dear.
 And be glad I'm spending Christmas with Jesus Christ this year.
 
I sent you each a special gift, from my heavenly home above.
 I sent you each a memory of my undying love.
 After all, love is a gift more precious than pure gold.
 It was always most important in the stories Jesus told.
 Please love and keep each other, as my Father said to do.
 For I can't count the blessing or love he has for each of you.
So have a Merry Christmas and wipe away that tear
Remember, I am spending Christmas with Jesus Christ this year.

Submitted by Wilma Helmert

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