My mother in law, Betty Barnett loved poetry. I have a wonderful, old poetry book with her name written in the front that she must have given her daughter Lita. My wife  Lita re-intoduced me to enjoying poetry which I frequently read. I have any number of poetry books, but last night I was reading the book that beloged to Betty. Inside were some poems in her hand writing. This is one of them. Whether she wrote it or not I have no idea, but it amused me.

UNTITLED

The teacher asked each student to give their name and tell what he or she wanted to be when the grew up.

First student

My name is Dan

when I grow up I want to be a man
I want to go to Japan
if I can, and I think I can

Second Student

My name is Sadie
when I grow up I want to be a Lady
I want to have a baby
if I can, and I think I can.

Third Student

my name is Sam
when I grow up I want to be a man
I don't want to go to Japan
I want to help Sadie with her plan
if I can, and I think I can

Here are few poems that I particularly enjoyed from the book. I hope you find them as enjoyable asI did when I read them.

WALK SLOWLY

if you should go before me, dear, walks slowly
down ways of death, well worn and wide,
for I would want to overtake you quickly
in seeking the  journeys ending by your side.

I would be so forlorn not to descry you
down some shining high road when I came;
walk slowly, dear, and often look behind you
and pause to hear if someone calls your name.

Adelaide Love

LOVE

I love you,
not only for what you are,
but for what I am
when I am with you.

I love you,
not only for what
you have made of yourself,
but for what
you are making me.

I love you
for the part of me
that you bring out;

I love you
for putting your hand
into my heart
in passing over
all the foolish, weak things
that you can't help
dimly seen there,
and for drawing out
into the light
all the beautiful belongings
that no one else had looked
quite far enough to find.

I love you because you
are helping me to make
of the lumber of my life
not a tavern
but a temple;
out of the works
you make every day
not a reproach
but a song.

I love you
because you have done
more than any creed
could have done.

To make me good,
and more than any faith
could have done
to make me happy.

You have done it
without a touch,
without a sign.
You have done it
by being yourself.
Perhaps that is what
being a friend means,
after all

Roy Croft

ALWAYS FINISH

If a task is once begun,
never leave it till it's done.
Be it great or be it  small,
do it well or not at all.

  Unknown

 

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