How could we forget?
Selfless giving,
Walking,
Teaching,
Never giving up.

Praying deep into the night.
Providing,
Caring,
Always being there.

Letting us learn from our mistakes.
Standing by,
Letting us fall,
Helping us back up.

Forgiving,
Holding,
Loving.

The angel was right when he said:
"He is not here."
But because of your example
You live in our hearts.

written by:  Jeffrey Wayne Larson

Too Long the Night

Too long the night of wretched sleep

That vexes e’er my soul

An longing now for stolen rest

As every hour grows old.

A canvas not replete of ink

Or paint or chalk or lead

But only more to fill the room

That seems inside my head.

The storm that rages not without

But deep within the mind

Doth catapult what once was thought

To now from only time.

It’s faith, I say, this pow’r divine

That’s given each his right

For changing things from word to flesh

in the middle of the night.

Oh sing the day, My heart is free

From burdens heavy lain

Oh blood washed sin where is your stain

The water’s washed away.

So constant now the flow to thence

That moves me onward go

I hardly miss that night’s missed rest

An anguish long ago.

COMMISSIONED

I will go.....................................
And I shall win..........................
With a promise filling my thoughts,
and my foot to the race, I begin.

Looking nary to the left,
nor yawing unto the right.
I shall never, ever waver,
I will righteously stand and fight.

Though troubles seem to press me,
and death’s breath be at my side.
My pace continues, undaunted,
the prize I won’t be denied.

Filled with holy indignation,
my course is fixed into the wind.
Fire lit eyes fused, unflinching,
I am determined unto the end.

Inept taunting by the waster,
perilous shadows at my heals.
My disposition is unwavered,
His strength in me, my God reveals.

My crown shall not be taken,
nor my seat of truth removed.
For my place is set and taken,
My invitation has been approved.

THE REVELATION

Set upon a steady gait
the form of Happenstance.
While songs of Splendor's future sing
both dream and vision dance.
Not I alone, by sun nor moon
this earthen pathway trod.
But guided gently on the way
by the loving hand of God.

Austere in splendor
twice as bright
as half a million suns.
The deeper Revelation
of this race we choose to run.
Past mind and hand
of fathom's steep
a course but once complete.
Imagination can't compare
with Truth so Dear and Sweet.

FORGOTTEN FRIEND

I pen you these words, because you well know me,
Though shadows have fallen, between us at times.
‘Oft thought of my life, as one grand rehearsal,
of rhythms and dances, of poems and rhymes.

And now as I see it, just can’t be as simple,
As fresh water lilies, ‘neath whispering pines.
Life holds to its’ self, the most tender of pages,
Time honored tablets, in withering twine.

I remember a time, of limber young footsteps,
So carefully planted, down a quiet corridor.
A limp teddy bear, past whistling curtains,
That danced in the moonbeams, stretched long ‘cross the floor.

I’d planned out a path, to a secret location,
Cloaked in whispering darkness, hid from all of life’s cares.
And there I found you, as peace fell about me,
Caught up in your presence, and wondrous airs.

A point was marked out, in careful remembrance,
‘Twixed seasons of growing, and migrating forms.
Still was solace I sot, unto this as the present,
‘midst changing perspectives and chastening storms.

Now I’ve found once again, I’ve discovered your features,
Once known oh so richly, through innocent years.
Forever I’ll stay, just this close to your knowing,
‘Tis my Jesus who’s saved me, from all of life’s fears.

ONCE

I Once saw a valley filled with golden brown wheat,
 Swaying in song to a harmonious beat.

I Once saw the sun slip coyly away,
 While rehearsing a dance on a rippling wave.

I Once heard the sound of a cloud singing low,
 While winking and flashing an Ionic show.

I Once felt the breath of the earth’s southern wind,
 Tickle my cheek as a kind-hearted friend.

I Once tasted life from a new point of view,
And returned to the child I still barely knew.

I Once smelled the savour of an old forgotten night,
 A mellow distant carnival that echoed out of sight.

I Once ….

THE DOG IS GONE

The dog is gone,
just couldn’t stay.
Was done very wrong,
so he went away.

Freedom beckoned,
he answered the call.
Door  left  broken,
no shadow did fall.

His mind was made,
no changing now.
Reasons will fade,
no cares anyhow.

Grin of release,
upon his face.
It was a peace,
he did embrace.

I saw him dance,
so full of light.
One last glance,
then out of sight.

He won’t be back,
away he was drawn.
Didn’t  even pack,
Yes, the dog is gone.

I AM THE MOON

I am the moon, I am the moon.
With the sun above my crown,
and the stars about my feet.
With no illuminance of my own,
reflecting brilliance that is complete.
I am the moon.

I am displayed, I am displayed.
Set on high for all the see,
I’m kept poised, direction locked.
Daily motions held to degree,
my own agenda always blocked.
I am displayed.

I am consumed, I am consumed.
Filled with rifts I can not play,
Used as reference, but never heard.
Griped by forces that bid me stay,
I move my course without a word.
I am consumed.

I am delayed, I am delayed.
On the edge of being free,
But not released to go my own.
Distant places I long to see,
As for me they’ll stay unknown.
       I am dismayed…….

HARKENED TO THE CALL

Wonder, what did he think?
Wonder, what did he say?
Just when he saw them coming
on that bright and sunny day.

He saw them in the field.
He saw them down the road.
He saw them running, leaping,
jumping through the wheat he’d sown.

They came from far away.
They came from ‘round the bend.
They came from places strange to say,
I scarce know how to begin!

Some had a flowing main.
Some had a curly tail.
Some had a home they carried with them,
Down a bumpy trail.

Each knew they had to come.
Each knew that they would stay.
Each followed what their instincts said,
And did not lose their way.

He watched them as they crawled.
He watched them munch and eat.
He watched them as they slithered
Under all the others feet.

So just why were they coming?
So just why were they here?
So just why were so many showing
not one sigh of fear?

It was the Lord who called them.
Was He that bid them come.
Was time for this ‘ol world to
start a fresh where it begun.

So two of them were chosen.
So two of each did hear
The soft voice of their maker,
whisper  “come” into their ear.

They climbed abroad the crate.
They climbed into their stall.
They climbed into their proper place,
prepared for one and all.

When all were in and set.
When all were in their place.
When all was said and done
and things were in there proper space.

The door was closed and sealed.
The door that let them in.
The door that would protect them from,
a world so full of sin.

But if they had not listened.
But if they had not heard.
But if they had not hardened
to their makers quiet word.

There would not be a creature.
There would not be a bug.
There would not be a puppy,
horse or kitten here to hug.

I hope we’ll all be quiet.
I hope we all can hear.
In case our Father whispers
something new will soon be near.

For when the time is ready.
For when it’s time to go.
I want to hear Him clearly.
And be one of those who know.

A DARE

Is Chucky going to do it?
Is this the crucial day?
Did anybody ask him?
Did anyone hear him say?

He said he was going through it,
and make the local news.
But some think he’s a chicken
and will timidly refuse.

I believe he’ll make it,
despite what others think.
‘Cuz I know Chucky better,
he won’t even blink.

He will get right to it,
and take the task at hand.
He’ll make it seem so simple,
and surpass what he had planned.

No one else could do it,
you could look from shore to shore.
He is the king of dare,
a courageous troubadour!

I hope that I can someday be,
as confident as Chuck.
Believing in myself enough,
and never giving up.

“To fail, does not mean you lose.”
He would always plead.
“For if you do not try, you see,
one never will succeed!”

So if you want to take a dare,
and try for something new.
Don’t be afraid, believe in you,
no matter WHAT you do.

MY PET

I have a pet,
his name is Bill.
He ignores me some,
but I love him still.

In my big house,
I let him stay.
Just so he doesn’t,
get in my way.

When its time to eat,
and I feed my face.
He’d better get back,
and give me some space.

I let him sit,
in my favourite chair.
although I admit,
those times are rare.

It never fails,
when its time for bed.
He takes a leap,
right on top my head.

But when he’s old,
and bald and fat.
I’ll still be here,
for I’m a loyal cat!