MEMORIAL DAY 2011 (c) By Polly Guerin

It seems fitting that rain
Should fall on this Memorial Day

The pain and sorry will never go away


Like the tears of parents each millennium drop
Represents a brave departed hero, it never stops

Rain pours buckets with thunderous applause
Acknowledging the ultimate sacrifice for the cause

Lighting strikes, lights up the sky till we cry
Those brave young heroes why did they die?

Nothing hurts loved ones more than recalling
The dreadful foreign places where they were falling

They dreamed of making their mark in first place
Time ran out in battle, they did not win the race

With hearts crying out this loss of a family’s pride
Their broken hearts, their sorry they cannot hide

Once the celebration, parades and ceremonies cease
Don’t forget the loved ones who brought us peace

Devoted husband, loving son and brother, a patriot
We honor the brave Americans, don’t think we forgot

You gave heroically your tomorrows for our today
Nay never forgotten for you our Heroes we pray

With grateful hearts we celebrate your life
The world made a better place by your sacrifice.

CANDLE WISDOM (c) By Polly Guerin

Life’s trials and tribulations like a burning candle

Brings us joys and heartache we can handle

It flickers when the foul wind blows

Ushering the unexpected, who knows

Despite the vicissitudes of life

Keep the candle lit despite the strife

Darkness fades in its glowing flame

Sunshine beams and dispels the rain

Its colorful flame lights up courage

Accept the challenge don't begrudge

Instead of sitting stagnant on a shelf

It’s a chance to reinvent yourself

Rejuvenate flare up with new found hope

Life gives us marvelous mysterious scope

So keep the flame of life ever bright

Say your prayers and say “good night!”

A MOTHER WAITS (c) By Polly Guerin

Sleeping Woman by Tamara deLempika


How can a mother forgive a broken heart?


There’s so much hurt it’s hard to start

Waiting, waiting, her daughter/son never called


They picked up the phone but were stalled

A phone call would have brightened her day
So many disappointments she dared not say

All that is left are tokens in a keepsake box
Mementos she treasured are there locked


She recalls the joy of their angelic faces
But they’ve moved on there’s no traces

Alone in the silence a mother dreams
Recalling the child in that halcyon scene.

A BASKETFUL OF LOVE (c) By Polly Guerin

'The Convalescent' c 1875 James Tissot

A visit to a Convalescent…

Bring with you a party basket full of Love

Fill it up with prayers from above

Include teacups and saucers for two

Candy kisses, chocolate, gourmet cookies, too

A book, magazines to while away the hours

Something spiritual to give them powers

Note cards and stamps easy to mail

Writing one’s memoire never fails

Promotes good healthy vibes and rejoice

The convalescent may talk it is their choice

Listen, let wholesome words light their way

Your comforting visit brightens their day

An hour or two spent in a tea time chat

Hastens recovery and that is a fact!

INTO THE SILENCE (c) By Polly Guerin

OUR LADY OF SILENCE >> Into the stillness of my thoughts

Where reveries arise and sought

To remember with surprise

How each memory kept us alive

Tis' time now to release them; forget

The disappointments that were met

Everything old must pass away

Start afresh, start a new way

And focus on the positive phase

Of those joyful halcyon days

Honor the memory that renews

A healing space within brews

Into the deeper silence find peace

Widen your vision and release

Your thoughts with re-found hope

All’s well you’ve got strength to cope

Set aside all thoughts of discontent

An enriched life was meant

Create a new space filled with love

Embrace the silent gift from above.

CONDOLENCES and REMEMBERANCE (c) By Polly guerin

Lean upon my shoulder dear one, draw near.... I will stroke your bonnie hair, wipe away the fear... Let soft tears fall upon my cheek I embrace your sorrow so meek... I will kiss your furrowed forehead so dear Your story will fall softly on my ear... Of days long spent and gone Lift up your heart hear the joyous song... Remembering is a treasured gift Keep sacred the memories don’t drift... Cross out sorrow from your heart Tomorrow’s new beginning is the start... So clear your weary, sorrowful eyes Let anguish go with a deep sigh... Release sadness and say goodbye From these reveries we cannot hide... But put them in a keepsake box There they are forever cherished and locked.

PICK UP THE PHONE (c) By Polly Guerin

Where have the laughter, the hidden smiles gone

The voice of communication now forlorn?

No ringing caller comes to chat
Or even discuss a personal spat

I can just hear by the tone of one’s voice

What troubles preclude their choice

To spill out details, an unhappy time spent
Or share the joys of life’s celebrated event

A caller can bring even on an overcast day
Something an impersonal email cannot convey

Keeping touch by email lacks emotion
There’s no vocal inflection or commotion

Abbreviated words on a printed page
Lack the wisdom of a spoken sage

As people choose to shortcut to email
The living element of communicating does fail

To connect humanity from the heart
So think before you email, before you start

Take a minute and pick up the land phone
So someone out there will know they are not alone.