A Smile Will Do

I can't believe the lengths to which

you go to get some flowers.

It's not necessary 'cause

your smile alone has wond'rous powers.

-

There was no need to break your leg

just to get attention

you didn't have to suffer because,

if I just might mention,

-

your smile is like a rainbow

which spans the clear, blue sky

or like a dip of ice cream

on a piece of pumpkin pie.

-

You have a loving nature

and a strong sense of fair play

which causes all who know you

to treasure each new day,

-

in which we are greatly honored

to fall beneath your spell

as we strive for ways to please you

by doing all things well.

-

So, honey, please be careful,

relax, let your bones heal.

And we'll still get you flowers

'cause our love for you is real.

Ode To King

I wrote this poem as a contest entry to Stephen King. The contest was to write a poem including as many titles of his books as you could. I won first prize. The titles of the books are in caps.

Ode To King

-

CHRISTINE and

DELORES CLAIBORNE

took THE LONG WALK

down THE GREEN MILE,

in OVERDRIVE;

to THE DARK TOWER,

taking THE STAND

against CARRIE,

THE GIRL WHO LOVED TOM GORDON.

Suffering from INSOMNIA,

MISERY, RAGE and DESPERATION

they entered THE WASTE LANDS,

meeting THE GUNSLINGER

and the REGULATORS doing

ROADWORK.

They secreted their

NEEDFUL THINGS;

in the BAG OF BONES,

as they met

THE RUNNING MAN,

taking THE BODY

of CUJO to

SALEM'S LOT.

Hell On Earth 1994

My eyes were drawn to the west where the sun

was slowly slipping past the mountain range.

The sight that was unfolding was one of such

grotesque beauty I could not help but stare.

The black smoke hung heavily above the last remnants

of the sun, giving the impression that Hell was sitting

at the edge of the world.

The river that had just hours before been running so blue

and clear, now ran deep red as if it were the blood

from all of nature that had died in the fire.

As darkness finally arrived, towers of flames could

be seen shooting into the darkness, dancing like demonic

monsters as they devoured all of nature that stood in their path.

The sound that accompanied them on their destructive

journey was like the roar from crazed beings, joyful

in their creation of chaos and obliteration.

Then came the silence.

A silence so profound my heart cried,

for nothing had been left to carry on the world.

Faith B. Godbey

Wildfire 1994

It

crept

insidiously

over the mountain

and down into the valley

consuming everything in its path,

trees, underbrush, homes,

wildlife and habitat . . . old growth timber . . .

the home of the endangered Spotted owl . . . . . . . . .

Chipmunks,

Squirrels, tiny birds, woodpeckers . . .

Every creature that calls the forest home . . .

Brown bears, black bears, elk, deer, cougar . . . .

Displaced.

Lakes and rivers steamed . . .

Streams and rivulets boiled . . . . fish died . . . . .

Waterfowl fled with singed wings . . . . In its wake,

blackened, smokey, barren remains . . . Devastation . . . Oh woe!

But . . .

Pine cones, opened . . .

by heat . . . spew forth seeds . . .

germinating . . .growing . . . until . . . one day . . .

before us stands, once again, a mighty forest

of pine trees . . . completing the wondrous cycle . . .Of life . . .

And death . . . And rebirth . . . All in God's time . . . And His Will . . .

Praise

God, all

Creatures

Here below!

Country KYSN

Whenever I get bored and
I feel like nappin'
I turn on country music
and it starts my toes to tappin'.
-
Doug and Brian and Eric
are all three really funny
and you can always find them
where it's ninety-eight and sunny.
-
So when to country music
you want to take listen,
dial ninety-eight point seven
for a little country KYSN.

Ode to Florence (Henderson) and Willie (Nelson)

Giving of yourself to others with no thought of recompense
shows us you are human and filled with selflessness.
Posing for a picture and signing autographs,
listening to small talk and sharing a few laughs,
with those who admire you and see you as a star
is tiring and stressful, and proves you really are.
When you take the time to smile and say hello,
it costs you very little and causes hearts to glow.
If you write a little note to encourage a young fan,
saying they can do it, you're confident they can.
You have the power to inspire or demoralize
by just a look, a touch, a smile from within your eyes.
God up in His Heaven will notice your kind deeds.
He'll pour out His Blessings, and will fulfill your needs.

Integrity

Some might call him a bad boy,
but he's always been my pet.
He may have his problems,
but what you see is what you get.
-
He never made pretenses
that he was better than he was,
he'd come right out and tell you
that these are things he does.
-
He never made excuses for
the things that he had done,
and, I guess, if he hurt anybody,
he was the only one.
-
I can't say I approve of
the kind of life he leads,
but I've known more respected men
whose integrity he exceeds.
-