Poetry
A collection of original poems — faith, family, seasons, and memory. All rights reserved. May not be reproduced by any means.
A mother's hands are a symbol of tender care and gentle love A pat on the head when things go wrong To put things back where they belong To prepare a meal that dad really likes To fix a lunch when they go on hikes To patch the holes in the kiddies jeans To live within the family means They're used to comb the children's hair And when she bows in humble prayer To ask God to protect her little ones When they are out at play and having fun A mother's hands grow wrinkled and old But the love is still there, it's never cold Time sifts away like grains of sand Still there's the love of a mother's hand
Barbara Von Baltzer
↑ ContentsThe green leaves have now turned to gold Autumn's here, and in full swing Each day we view God's handy work While wonder what each day will bring All shades of red, yellow, green, and gold Dance in the Indian summer light When soon the bristling breezes blow Each leaves takes off in special flight Tumbling to and fro they fall To land in patterns on the ground The children rush with rakes in hand Each tries to build the highest mound The happy shouts, the games they play As they tumble through their pile of leaves Brings back memories bright and gay
Barbara Von Baltzer
↑ ContentsMany years ago, as a child I often asked, why? And the questions were oft answered With a "maybe", or by and by I often wondered why parents Had so little to say Most times, it was "just be good," Or "please go out and play" They were hard years, Yes, I realize that now Much sickness and sorrow And I don't see just how There were ever enough hours In a day to do The things that my parents did The work they put through There was no such thing as T.V. Time for radio was slim No freezer for storage Canning food by a dim Kerosene light that would flicker Oft times out of oil We had a scrub board for the clothes Mom would put them to boil In an old copper boiler On a wood stove at that In water that had to be carried From a well on the flat Weekly shopping was unheard of For in money they were poor But we never went hungry There was always room for one more If only we could realize How much we'd been blessed Before one or both parents Had been laid to rest
Barbara Von Baltzer
↑ ContentsOf all the hospitals in the area Claremont General gets my vote They've carted me, first to one, then the other In my bathrobe, or my coat No matter how good the service is The time goes by so slow Each day has the same old meaning Which test? We never know This day is sure to be different No it won't be so hard to bear What's that I hear in the hallway? Oh! No, it's Irene and that old wheelchair You've guessed it right the first time That chair just fits my butt So off I go in my "Model A" Which test? Just blood? Or what? Maybe they've got the names mixed up Maybe they just don't see Brother I found out, at the end of the trip That trip was made for me
Barbara Von Baltzer
↑ ContentsThis note is a farewell And also a thank you To friends who have been faithful The whole year through I've worked hard and tried To be a good president And I have happy memories For the time I've spent The gift and the party Was a wonderful surprise And mother's of twins There's a tear in my eyes For I'll miss you much But I pray this next year Bring the Mother's of Twins Club Much joy and much cheer
Barbara Von Baltzer
↑ ContentsWe've always shared much joy through the years Together through sorrow, we've shared tears Regardless of any rumors we've heard We never exchanged an unkind word From her there's always a kind and happy word She shares with her friends, and expects no reward That's true friendship and it's straight from the heart With friends like that you don't have to be apart Of the heartache and sorrow there's so much of today If only more friends were that happy and gay Now our way of life she's sharing too That true friendship, I tell you, yes, friendship clear through
Barbara Von Baltzer
↑ ContentsWe went to church that Sunday In our small New England town It was a New Apostolic service The first for miles around Friends, neighbors, and relatives Came from far and near To hear God's word and fellowship To us this day was dear We found guidance, strength, and peace We wanted and we need We didn't know at this time How great was Satan's greed Oh! Yes he was soon to haunt us Our test was soon to start He tried to take our baby One so dear to our hearts I picked her up in the stairway So tiny broken and still The prince of the world had done his work Could all of this be God's will? The doctors didn't hold much hope For little Wendy Sue Our rector was called, true prayers were said This was all that we could do The love of God came shining down Our baby was spared to us A miracle happened! God made her well He staved off Satan's lust In just two days from that sad day She came back home to stay We thank God for his great love And will follow Him always God's love is so great for everyone This we can surely tell To think He chose our baby For this great miracle
Barbara Von Baltzer
↑ ContentsI have a story about a dear old lady I would really like to tell To everyone she was Grandma Baltzer They all knew her very well I knew her for she was my mother-in-law But that, you'd never even guessed To her we were all her children All alike she wanted us blessed She went to church and searched the scriptures Just as often as she could She moved away, and oh! We missed her Just as we all knew we would But then, she met a friend who took her To church in Schenectady She found peace and found contentment No more searching, why should we? Lay everything else aside she told us And come to God while there's still time He'll come, you know, you won't be ready This should be your church and mine We listened but we did not heed her Grandma now has gone to rest Our lives were empty without God's blessings Sometimes I wonder, if we tried our best Grandma's gone but she left us What she really wanted to The New Apostolic faith, that's her religion Her religion, now ours too We'll sell our home and move on down there As fast as God will let us go This is our faith, it's our religion Now we realize, now we know
Barbara Von Baltzer
↑ ContentsListen closely little ones I'd like to say to you Your ever watchful friend is near When trouble bothers you When you're at play, remember He loves you very much If things go wrong, don't argue And bad words, please don't touch Just ask the Lord to help you And try your best always Then instead of trouble You'll have happy days
Barbara Von Baltzer
↑ ContentsHave faith in God, don't ever doubt There is a God, no one's without He gave his Son, so that we might live Worldly people, what have you to give Have faith in God Have faith in God, when trouble is near Put your trust in the Lord, your cross to bear Is not as great, as was the Son of God Have faith in God Have faith in God, and you can bet He'll show the way, if you'll only let Him in your hearts, don't hesitate Christ is coming, we must not wait Have faith in God Have faith in God, don't walk alone His guiding hand, will help us home Don't let the Lord, have died in vain To us God's love, should be so plain Have faith in God Have faith in God, when things go right Sing praise to Him, for showing you light With Him first in our hearts, we can't go wrong Forget worldly power, and come along Have faith in God
Barbara Von Baltzer
↑ ContentsThere is a different kind of heartache Like when we lose the one we love There is the heartache of our loving God Looking down from heaven above There is a heartache of a child It hurts down oh so deep It sometimes bothers him at night So he can hardly sleep His little world is upside down He puts up a hardened shield He strikes out here and strikes out there He does not want to yield Don't mistake this for belligerence That's not the case I'm sure It's to cover up the hurt down deep inside So this he can endure I wish that there was some way With my arms and yes, my heart That I could absorb some of the hurt That keeps you folks apart
Barbara Von Baltzer
↑ Contents"Let's ask Dad" was the voice I heard They were out in the yard with a baby bird What kind is it? We would like to know Will it always look like this? How big will it grow? Let's ask Dad "Let's ask Dad" how they learn to fly What keeps them up so high in the sky? And when it rains so hard How do they stay dry? Let's ask Dad "Let's ask Dad" how do they build their nest Do they use a pillow when they lay down to rest Does their mommy tuck them in at night? And comfort them when they wake in fright? Let's ask Dad "Let's ask Dad" for I'm sure he'd know What makes all of these things grow And what makes the sun and the stars so bright And the moon that shines so big every night Let's ask Dad
Barbara Von Baltzer
↑ ContentsAt times the way seems mighty rough As we travel down life's road The way seems so much nicer When each one shares the load Each one has his cross to bear And each one time for fun Each one should count his blessings Yes, count them one by one And when we reach life's crossroads And don't know where to go Just turn to God and ask Him With this, our faith will grow Our prayers are always answered Sometimes "yes" and sometimes "no" Just have faith in God, He knows best He'll show the way to go Don't walk alone, don't try it There is no need for this Put your faith in God, all the way Or true happiness, you'll miss
Barbara Von Baltzer
↑ ContentsA mother's son she holds so dear Cares for and loves him, year by year And teaches him right things to do To be a child of God through and through He no more is a playful pup He's become a man, yes, he's grown up His belief and faith are still the same A wife and seven children share his name His love for God is stronger now It's to God's will that he must bow He receives the word that he must go Away from mom, who loves him so She's sad, but of one fact she is sure With God's love so great, she can endure The lonely hours, of night and day Of her son and family who will move away She's done her work well without complain Sometime God's will we can't explain God bless her so for the great treasure For a mother's love you cannot measure
Barbara Von Baltzer
↑ ContentsI have a Savior, kind and good He's my companion, day by day And often times, when things go wrong He's always there, to show the way In Him you'll find peace and rest When trouble haunts you, day by day His way of life is always blessed And so, dear friend, I'd like to say My Savior, that has seen me through His watchful eye is always there This Savior is your Savior too When you bow, in humble prayer
Barbara Von Baltzer
↑ ContentsDear God up in heaven, protect those we love Send angels to watch over them from above May their journey be blessed and their joys heaven sent Be joined with their loved ones, and find contentment We pray as they journey over many a mile For the love and the peace, that they radiate Maybe their absence and emptiness, and with love, we'll wait And pray that soon, they'll be back to stay We'll pray that soon, while they're away Dear God up in heaven, grant us this plea Bring them home safely, for you and for me Many hours away from family To do God's work with prayer From our Shepherd still love comes forth With tenderness and care He's listened with love to everyone When each had tales of woe And when in need given advice When we're bothered by friend or foe We would like this opportunity To send him thanks today Our special prayers go out to God Soon bring him back to stay
Barbara Von Baltzer
↑ ContentsA little child was made to choose Whose love he'd keep, whose love he'd lose This made his little heart so sad For he loved mom and he loved dad His little mind could not see how Why he should choose, oh! No not now So in his prayers he prayed that night Please God let me do this right I can't leave mom, for she needs me I'm her little man, that you can see And dad, I can't leave him just now Without him, I'd never learn how To do the things I've seen him do Like fixing things to look like new I love them both so very dear Please dear God make them hear No, I can't choose, so they'll have to But I wish they'd talk this over first with you You'd set them straight, and make them see I need them both to be with me
Barbara Von Baltzer
↑ ContentsOur gray Chevy wagon A gift given with love Was a prayer quickly answered From heaven above It's tuned up with friendship It's "greased" well with prayer It runs perfect on blessings It has love for a "spare" Given in time of sorrow From a warm hearted soul Who, in her time of need, thought of others Yes, that's love pure as gold…
Barbara Von Baltzer
↑ ContentsOur God is good He lends a helping hand When things go wrong And we can't understand Don't think our cross Is ours alone to bear Just bend your knee In honest humble prayer Pour out your heart Where God alone can hear This ever watchful friend Is always near In times past with us Satan's had his fun When we think he's through We find he's just begun We've found that Satan Just doesn't rest at all With us he's tried So hard to make us fall He works on those who Are dearest to your heart Oh! Yes my friend That Satan sure is smart But we have made A firm and honest stand For with God's help He'll not get the upper hand For when you choose The straight and narrow way And live for God In faith day after day
Barbara Von Baltzer
↑ ContentsOur God is loving To save us from sin He gave us Jesus And invited us in His love has extended Over many many years He's watched over us always And shed many tears He gave us a bonus That was heaven sent One whom we all love Our beloved Apostle Fendt Who prays for us daily Seen us through many tears And guided and loved us Throughout all our fears He's calling the lost ones To that heavenly goal Each day when he prays Not to lose even one soul So brothers and sisters let's hasten Do not give up trying Let's follow our Apostle When he climbs Mt. Zion
Barbara Von Baltzer
↑ ContentsWe have a shepherd, sent by God He tends his flock with love A kind and understanding heart That's blessed from heaven above At times the sheep seem to scatter And go their merry way His love and faith soon bring them back His prayers guard them day by day When in God's love he sends a word That admonishes us with care Hurt feelings sometimes guilt crop up That leaves a heart so bare For Satan's greed he looks For this if all could only see The word is meant for everyone For you and also me Many hours away from family To do God's work with prayer But from our shepherd still love comes forth With tenderness and care He's listened with love to everyone When each had tales of woe And when in need given advice When we're bothered by friend or foe We would like to take this opportunity To send him thanks today Our special prayers go out to God Soon bring him back to stay
Barbara Von Baltzer
↑ ContentsToday while I sat thinking Back to the days when I was a kid Thinking of then as my kids do now Of the fun and the things we did We used to live on an old big farm Back on an old dirt road Wonder now, how my folks did then Shoulder such a heavy load My dad worked hard all day long And gosh, my mom did too The days weren't nearly long enough For the things they had to do Dad worked the farm, and tended stock Mom cooked, "took in" washings too And caring for seven "mischief makers" Isn't that enough to do? But wait we still had picnics And trips to the old swimming place In the winter, sliding parties With snow blowing in our face We had some fun I'll tell you Mom, dad, the kids and me Now I have six kids and a husband Yes, my own big family And when they get into mischief Mom gets in a word or two "I remember back when you were young Some of the things you'd do" I'd better stop and count the blessings Yes, count them one by one When the cash is slim and the going rough I just think of my dad and mom God saw them through, why shouldn't He me? Aren't I from the "same rugged stuff"? I'll have fun with the kids while there's fun to be had Like the folks, for me that's enough
Barbara Von Baltzer
↑ ContentsAt Senior Congress Park where friends and neighbors dwell It has a friendly atmosphere as anyone can tell There are card games and bingo and there's a pool room too Movies shown on Wednesday nights and many other things to do The dining room is open weekdays, there's arts and crafts to do A library for your convenience, a laundry and beauty shop too Each apartment is sunny and cheerful — who could ask for anything more We also have a shuttle bus that meets us outside the door Most of us have some health problems So remember what you learned in school Be considerate of your neighbors, and remember the "Golden Rule" We must each and every one of us of our neighbors, thoughtful be Be very careful very late at night to turn down stereo or T.V. Don't worry if you hear footsteps That's expected where people live Just be thankful when everything's O.K. And a friendly smile to give If there's time on your hands you're needed, give a lonesome soul a call The thing to really worry about is when there is no sound at all
Barbara Von Baltzer
↑ ContentsThe old man of the mountain looks majestically He's master of all he surveys, Of Mt. Chocorua, and the valley below The special place of bygone days Your childhood dreams of many years past And those that you shared with us Of your youth that was spent in Conway To climb your mountain or bust. Now Dad, when we look at that mountain The one with the old man's face We realize now, it's your profile All the years we were with you were grace. Oh Spirit of Mt. Chocorua We'll see you again in the fall When the leaves turn to autumn colors And the mountain winds give their familiar call.
Barbara Von Baltzer
↑ ContentsSpring is in the air And it seems to be A warm invitation Sent to you and me. The air is filled with song Of many birds in their flight And the spring peepers peeping In the still of the night. Each day brings new promise With the warm rays of sun Brings new life to the daffodil To join in on the fun. They've been sleeping all winter Neath a blanket of snow, Nod their yellow heads brightly When the warm breezes blow. Yes, the promise of springtime Is a wonderful surprise. When God's handiwork unfolds Before our very eyes. So we must count our blessings From God up above Cause the promise of springtime Is a gift of love.
Barbara Von Baltzer
↑ ContentsCongratulations — you've reached your "Sub Senior" years You've counted your blessings You've shed many tears When the children are small It's just a chocolate bar, Brace yourself, Bruce It will be the keys to the car There's lots of preparing That has to be done In your sub senior years Just think of the fun The days go by quickly When you're "over the hill" That nickel and dime stuff Just don't pay the bill The years 40 thru 50 With more aches and more pain You'll move more freely If you stay out of the rain It's hard to remember And hard trying to stand You're out of breath getting ready Or hold a book in lame hands But don't worry Bruce It won't last that long Soon you'll be a senior And singing a new song
Barbara Von Baltzer
↑ ContentsThese summer colds sure get you down And your face wrinkles in a frown When you have what's called, "post-nasal-drip" You sure have caught yourself a "pip" You cough and sneeze, and the nose gets blowed Your eyes water up like a weeping toad The food you eat, all tastes like meal This cold you got, sure is for real It's aspirin, juices and plenty of rest Which you don't get, but you try your best So you put on Vicks like a greased up pig And back for more Kleenex you dig I guess it has to run its course It doesn't get better, but it gets worse They don't say how long its course will be But I've had enough and if you ask me I'll take my coffee any day Without a Kleenex in the way I hope a remedy, they'll soon find Will ease this stuffed-up state of mind
Barbara Von Baltzer
↑ ContentsThe seniors of the 20th century Have oh! So much to give They have accumulated many skills It's a different way they live Years ago, most had to work Till the day God called them home Now they live in beautiful senior centers And have plenty of time to roam There's chartered tours to all points Whether north, south, east or west Opportunities are limited And most all try their best In some towns, there's "Rent a Grandma" And there's old Grandpa too They would love to share their knowledge And ideas, exchange a few Just because we're in senior homes Doesn't mean we've given up No sir, not us, but it gives us time To raise that coffee cup And "toast" for many years to come And many more things to do There's plenty of places we haven't been And we'll find them, me and you Remember retirement is not a handicap It just slows you down, that's true It's onward march for seniors For the old red, white and blue Many work in public offices Look at our President The accomplishments are many Most of the time well spent Some have done beautiful paintings Or maybe a hospital volunteer Many work at arts and crafts Or care for a neighbor near So when the younger generation Gets tired, I hope they know To catch up to the 20th century seniors They have a long way yet to go
Barbara Von Baltzer
↑ ContentsWhen I was a child All the stars in the sky Were the ones God had put there Way up ever so high Now many years past Man has tampered with God Tried to make himself master Of the earth Jesus trod Started wars and corruption Death and sin ran amuck With his drinking and gambling Depending on "Lady Luck" He don't know what he's doing Oh! Why can't he just see God made heaven and earth peaceful For you and me Life could be so nice If he'd do 'about face' And try to make God proud He'd made human race But thank God there's a promise For the children of God Yes, we know whose the master Who's the maker of earth's sod But we all must take care Satan's work is never done We must live for God's promise Till faith's battle is won
Barbara Von Baltzer
↑ ContentsDid you ever get up in the morning And feel you should have stayed in bed? The paycheck don't stretch at the end of the week, And you never seem to get ahead. Well, if that's all that's bothering you You're a lucky "son of a gun", 'Cause retirement's just ahead of you, And believe me, it's not all fun. You don't know what's in store for you, It's a good thing you can't see ahead, 'Cause your back gets weak, and muscles sore, It's the golden age we dread. Does all this sound familiar? Do you get a twinge or two? If you don't write things down, do you soon forget And sometime feel down and blue? Yep! You bet your boots I've guessed it, I've seen it coming fast — Don't worry, keep your chin up This age too will pass. You'd better check your options, If in senior homes you're taking part Every day there's an organ concert, It's oh my liver, kidneys, or heart. Live life to the fullest, Enjoy it as long as you live And don't complain about aches and pains, Think of the alternative.
Barbara Von Baltzer — 3/26/2001
↑ ContentsI'd like to show our special thanks For the kindness and the love That was shown to us, on the little campsite And the guidance from up above And when we were bothered by Satan's work We knew where we could find A reassuring humble prayer And also find peace of mind
Barbara Von Baltzer
↑ ContentsWe've known many a happy song Since we've met our friends at the Poke-A-Long There's joy that follows wherever they go Until you met them, you'll never know Just how much life can really mean This way of life has turned a dream Into reality, now we're apart We send much love from happy hearts For this summer has brought many happy days We've learned life holds much better ways To the Bentley's, our hearts go out in song For the days we shared at the Poke-A-Long
Barbara Von Baltzer
↑ ContentsSpring is in the air And it seems to be A warm invitation Sent to you and to me The air is filled with song Of many birds in their flight And the spring peepers peeping In the still of the night Each day brings new promises With the warm rays of sun Brings new life to the daffodil To join in the fun They've been sleeping all winter Neath a blanket of snow Nod their yellow heads lightly When the warm breezes blow Yes! The promise of springtime Is a wonderful surprise When its beauty unfolds Before our very eyes So we must count our blessings From our God up above 'Cause the promise of springtime Is a gift, given with love
Barbara Von Baltzer
↑ ContentsI know some twins of who I am fond One is brunette, and one of them blond There is mischief in their eyes and it shines through But they have quieter moments too They radiate love in their own special way And they're noisy as can be when they're at play When their mommy tucks them in at night It's please get me some water or turn on the light They soon go to sleep in their own little bed After lots of love and their prayers are said You wonder where all the noise went Mommy's so tired and her energy's spent Then soon morning comes and they wake with a start Their "Good morning Mommy" gladdens your heart It's out of bed early every morning too Cause the world's full of magic and most of it's new
Barbara Von Baltzer
↑ ContentsI know a warm and loving spot That home is called "The Weitkunat's" Where we've spent many a happy day Through love, they've helped to show the way To their faith that's good and right To God's own path who shows you light With faithful hearts this is the way It's through His Son that you must pray Many have searched but not yet found To earthly ways, that they are bound I hope that soon they'll find the need To live and believe the Apostle's Creed It's through this way and this way alone Our Heavenly Father will help us home That's why I have this loving thought For our family, yes, "The Weitkunat's" New brothers and sisters of faith we From here throughout eternity Until the day the Lord will come To take His faithful family home
Barbara Von Baltzer
↑ ContentsThis world of sin and darkness And trouble everywhere I know that soon the Lord will come For this we ask in prayer Our God has promised to faithful souls His Son will come again To take His bride back home with Him Of this He's made it plain No matter how we try sometimes There's Satan to interfere Even though the way gets rough Our God is always near Our prayers are always answered With a yes and sometimes no But our God knows what's right for us So we'll expect the word and though It might not be just as we thought The answer ought to be We know the word is right for us For you and also me If first we pray to God above Then ask our shepherd near And carry through the word that's said We have nothing left to fear Oh! God, please make us worthy And let our hearts be right So we may accept the word Please send Thy Son tonight Don't leave us in this world of sin Our hearts yearn to be with Thee And the heavenly light, shining down from above Please God, grant us this plea
Barbara Von Baltzer
↑ ContentsTo Priest Bauer and family Our love and prayers go If only there were some way That I could let you know How very thankful I have been Through trouble, and through tears I know I would unburden My doubts, and yes my fears We thank you for your prayers and love That you have sent to us We've learned through prayers This way of life, we all must Live a clean and decent life As God would want us to And to our children, be a good example For the things that they should do And so, this Sunday, thank God for this Another prayer turns real We'll meet our dear Apostle, and Our family will be sealed
Barbara Von Baltzer
↑ ContentsThere is a priest kind and good Our shepherd's right hand man He tends the flock both day and night And works hard for God's plan He gets along on little sleep He's forever on the go How he works this many hours This I'll never know It seems whenever our shepherd's gone His phone rings day and night Often many hours go past Before his bed's in sight Just when he thinks how soft it is And settles down to sleep An emergency shows, a car stops And the phone starts in to beep Before you know the day is gone And sleep will have to wait He hurries off, another night of work Before he is too late He's not one to complain, I know To us, this man's a gem His family means so much to us Each and everyone of them There is love and closeness in their home They're always glad to share And often times I bow my head And thank my God in prayer For this, my second family I pray to God above To keep them safely, day by day And shower them with love
Barbara Von Baltzer
↑ ContentsPray, trust then obey the word that God has given you You'll find that there's no other way Unless you really follow through We pray to God to help us find The pathway for His "way of life" To give us strength, and peace of mind To help us in our time of strife God listens and tries to calm all fear By giving us a timely word We know that He is always near If we live with Him in one accord So listen each and everyone To what God has to say to you And when our earthly task is done You'll find His word is always true
Barbara Von Baltzer
↑ ContentsUncle Potty's got a birthday Said Heidi ho! one day Old age is creeping up on him He's getting old and grey The old porch is still a leakin' The barn's a fallin' down But all Potty keeps a thinkin' of Is coffee golden brown Potty's back is still a creakin' And he's feelin' mighty low As hard as he's a workin' He still ain't got no dough The finance man is after him For that one durn payment you see He don't even have the strength he wants For all of his "no T.V." But Potty's going to make it though He'll come through I guess He'll pay his bills and he'll work hard And get out of this gol darn mess He keeps right on a thinkin' He'll have the strength to straighten up Some day he can get his "no T.V." And raise his coffee cup
Barbara Von Baltzer
↑ ContentsWelcome to Claremont, Our dear Bishop Fendt There are souls for adoption To the faith heaven sent Now please dear Bishop pray that these souls Will live up to their heavenly goal It's our wish to be A child of a King We've seen the love and contentment That this will bring We welcome you into Our homes and our hearts And pray from this faith We never will part
Barbara Von Baltzer
↑ ContentsThe fragrance of the evergreen, And candles all aglow, Christmas season is here once more With softly falling snow The houses now are brightly lit, With red, blue yellow, and green, You wonder just how many know What Christmas really means. The birth of the Christ child Was born upon this day, In the little town of Bethlehem In a manger where he lay He was born to do the will Of his father up above, To show the people here on earth How deeply was his love Now in your celebration, Of the season we all share Don't forget to thank our God In an honest, humble prayer
Barbara Von Baltzer
↑ ContentsMany years ago, as a child I often asked why? And the questions often answered With a "maybe", or by and by I often wondered why parents Had so little to say Most times, it was "just be good" Or please go out and play They were hard years Yes, I realize that now Much sickness and sorrow And I don't see just how There were enough hours In a day to do The things that my parents did The work they put through There were no such thing as T.V. Time for radio was slim No freezer for storage Canning food by a dim Kerosene light that would flicker Often times out of oil We had a scrub board for the clothes Mom would put them to boil In an old copper boiler On a wood stove at that time In water that had to be carried From a well on the flat Weekly shopping was unheard of For in money they were poor But we never went hungry There was always room for one more If only we could realize How much we'd been blessed Before one or both parents Were laid to rest
Barbara Von Baltzer
↑ ContentsI've hunted high, and hunted low Where they are, I do not know I'll keep on hunting, and you can bet Somewhere I'll find my cigarettes Someone misplaced them, and you can see Just how nervous it makes me I hope someday that I can quit Wow! I've found them, now it's lit It doesn't taste near as good As I really thought it would It's a nasty habit and some fine day I'll throw those cigarettes away I don't know why I started these Money just don't grow on trees Without them you're much better off And you have no nasty cigarette cough…
Barbara Von Baltzer
↑ ContentsThe summer leaves have turned to gold And autumn's here, in full swing Before the fireside, stories are told Of winter's days, and what it will bring Some say the length of golden rod Will tell the depth of the snow to come Which way it sways, or how it nods. Then, there's also stories from, The furry caterpillar, brown and black To tell how long winter will be The width of brown stripe in its back I've looked many times but it's never told me The snow will soon come sifting down As Jack Frost paints his wintry scenes It'll blanket white our little town Then we'll know what winter means
Barbara Von Baltzer
↑ ContentsOur lives now seem much more complete Since we've moved into our house on Winter Street We've worked so hard to try to find The things we need most, are they left behind? We've straightened and cleaned most of the bedrooms It looks much more cheerful, we've lifted the gloom In our living and dining room, we've found the floor When we're through the kitchen, our backs will be sore 'Cause the boxes we have there, still are piled high The things that were ruined, makes you want to cry But don't worry, I'll make it, and it won't take long Because God's on my side and I can't go wrong Next week you won't know this is the same place I'll answer the door with a smile on my face And welcome you into a well arranged home With joy overflowing, won't you come in and share some?
Barbara Von Baltzer
↑ ContentsIt seems like yesterday when the still of the night Was broken by a baby's cry To comfort them when they wake in fright Only yesterday Was it yesterday when tiny feet Sent you chasing Now yesterday's gone and in its place A lonely, tired and wrinkled face Remembering all the promises made Look at an old and wrinkled hand Time sifts away like the grains of sand Still there's the love of a mother's hand
Barbara Von Baltzer
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