STROLLING THROUGH TIME

STROLLING THROUGH TIME

Julie Peterson

Time passes,
But what is the passing of time?
At times it seems to trudge across a field,
Unsure of its footing.
At times it seems to spring around the track,
With no time to lose.
It stops
To let
Things
Rest
Where
They
Are.
Just for those simple moments of life.
And then it strolls past impatient thoughts,
Waving, and making small talk.
When time needs to speed up
It slows down.
When time needs to slow down
It speeds up.
The elaborate tapestry of life
Is woven by the time in which
It takes to perform each simple
Little deed.
And yet time,
Is taken for granted

Written by Roger's Aunt Donna's teenage granddaughter

LEFTOVER LOVE

LEFTOVER LOVE

Roger A. Davis

It may start with a familiar song
That brings back memories so strong
I cannot discern the tears
Some sadness and thankfulness for those years
Yet, regrets are in the mixture
These leftovers are an ongoing fixture

Leftover love without Peggy as my sounding board
In part, causes some discord
Yet, I direct it to the heavens above
In exchange for His first-hand love
Yes, I still sob and sigh
But I no longer want to die

Every day is a fresh start
I enjoy taking part
By word and voice, sharing my heart
And absorbing others’ biographies
“God, help me be better at this, please”
To serve with love, putting others at ease

Neil Diamond’s "Hello Again" is to blame
It reheated my love’s flame
And the tears came
Knowing I will get to speak the same
"Hello, again, my best friend
I love you with a love that will never end"

DAVIS HOMES OF CHRISTMASES PAST

DAVIS HOMES OF CHRISTMASES PAST

Roger A. Davis

This story spans the writers’ lifetime
My hope is for all of you to enjoy this rhyme
Because it will overlap our family generations
And highlight our Christmas celebrations

We will start at the Attica farm of Mama and Papa Grace
Where grandkids made popcorn and cranberry lace
Glorious meals that started with prayer said
There was always plenty, we went home well-fed

Then later, Harper became the place for our holiday meet
Their new home was a great retreat
I remember Dad breaking the egg
And then family members laughing and pulling his leg

Goddard, then Howard was next on Pop's career
The distance caused the family many a tear
A great big home with an upstairs sleeping porch
Glassed in; good for winter, not summer - it would scorch

Papa Grace's well-deserved retirement came
Moved to Lindsborg of Little Sweden fame
Once again settled in with their families nearby
Easy now to stop in and say hi

Another big home for many overnighters to stay
And, yes, once again to host Christmas Day
Just twenty miles from our folks at the Eden Prairie School
Which Dad and Pop made into a home with many a tool

In their twilight years, Mama and Papa Grace moved to Pratt
Lived where Vicki and Rick had lived at
Another special place that has had good fellowship
And over the years, an occasional holiday nap and nip

Hardtner, Fairview, and Attica - homes of our childhood
The new home in Attica that Pop and Dad built, they were good
A big picture window were Mom displayed a sad looking tree
I always thought she bought them because she felt pity

One Indian summer Christmas Day
I went out with two holstered fanner fifties to play
For holidays, we went to the Davis farm or the Cook's
And Attica is where I became an avid reader of books

To Salina on Highland Drive, we moved my junior year
I had a lot of starting-over fear
Then it was to the schoolhouse home near Marquette
Remember Mama Cook's mink stole? A bed for our German shepherd pet

Peggy's favorite time was Christmas and Colorado
Off shopping for decorations we would go
Four trees at home some years she would do
She loved giving decorations and not just a few

Rick and Vicki lived on a farm west of Marquette
Two-story, three children and Maggie the pet
I remember their dining room/pool table with holiday meal
Vicki has a talent to make food have great appeal

Then Dad and Rick, career-wise, went northeast
Once, in their country home near Netawaka, we had a Christmas feast
Then B.O.M.O. they founded in Pratt
The place to buy a travel trailer at

Davis children have had homes in other towns
Usually in places to go for their graduating gowns
Now we are spread out multi-state
Yet, it is to Pratt this day we gravitate

The past has become present this Christmas of 2008
And all the families have gathered; this is truly great
Thanks again, Vicki and Rick, for being the gracious hostess and host
May this poem wish you all a Merry Christmas and be a Happy New Year toast

COLD AND FLU BUG TIME

COLD AND FLU BUG TIME

Roger A. Davis

They say, for the cold bug
There is no curing drug
They give a flu shot
I chose, though no fear of needles, 'Not'

I’m on my 9th cold this season
And this intestinal flu is beyond reason
Not the aching muscle and upset tummy kind
No, all the action is in my behind

I found a remedy for my bunghole
Chili, crackers, cheese and sour cream casserole
It may not work for you
But it sure did stop my flu

For cold, some say Vitamin C
There is a strong lobby for whiskey
Starve a cold, feed a fever
You won’t find me doing either

For a cold, I like to moan
Better sharing your misery by phone
Too much nose blowing doesn’t relieve
If at home, just use your sleeve

Now, these verses were messy and crude
I apologize if I was rude
Gesundheit and God Bless
If you, too, are sneezing and are a mess

MY FAVORITE TEACHER

MY FAVORITE TEACHER

Roger A. Davis

She lives on the Western Plains
Educating those children’s brains
She grew up on her parents’ farm
And became a pretty schoolmarm

She is a humble person, not fancy
Her first name is Nancy
Also my nephew Jared’s wife
In their courtship and marriage, nary a strife

Nancy teaches the 4th grade this year
I wonder if all the girls think she is a dear
Though she is small, I’ll bet she can exact some fear
But also be on your side for a shed tear

Two of my family members are called 'Professor'
And they should know my love for them is no lesser
Yet, Nancy is my favorite teacher on the Martin tree
Because she is a uniting disciple of The Almighty

She teaches by example in her manner each day
Exerting control in a positive way
She is fun to be around and enters in
Being her student and/or friend is a win-win

Nancy, this is your Christmas gift rhyme
Written for you at this holiday time
May your and Jared’s love grow in His grace
Knowing in 2009, you will be reflecting His face

RURAL RUCKUS

RURAL RUCKUS

Roger A. Davis

Country living can be tough
Snow and ice storms are rough
Power went off, 6 inches of snow
No blizzard, it didn’t blow

Dallas, my Good Samaritan neighbor
4 wheeler with blade and did the labor
Cleaned the sidewalks and driveway
He never takes any pay

Nephew Adam brought me food and my mail
He’s always got my back without fail
If the power is off into the night
To a motel, I have to take flight

Reason: I use a bi-pap machine for sleep
Put it in 4 wheel drive when the snow is deep
Heat in the school is now propane
So if it is daytime, I can remain

Freezing of the rural waterline happened one time
And fixing that cost many a dime
But it took place outside under the school
To repair, a backhoe was the needed tool

Septic tank problems can also occur
And if it happens in winter, Brrrr!
Don’t dump into the sink cold grease
Your chances of troubles will increase

Yet taking each event and its possibility
I still prefer living in Eden Prairie country
They say ‘What doesn’t kill you makes you strong’
I believe in this saying, they didn’t get it wrong

THE ART OF TIPPING

THE ART OF TIPPING

Roger A. Davis

Simply said, "Attitude of Gratitude"
Those who don’t are rude
We are talking gratuities
You know, appreciation fees
It can be for service at lunch
Or for the delivery of flowers in a bunch

Wages of the server are mostly in your tip
Add 15 or 20 percent, not zip
If the service is not up to satisfaction
Use constructive criticism, not subtraction
They may be having a bad day
You’ve been there; don’t dock their pay

For some services, the tip is included in the bill
Like getting an oil fill
Or a large party meal
The tip is a done deal
Why am I bothering you with this appeal?
My concern for the servers is real

Valet, bellhops and food servers have it rough
They have to put up with all kinds of stuff
Spilled drinks, heavy luggage, impatient clientele
Please be generous; don’t make their lives hell
So, Happy New Year to my Santa’s Helpers in 2009
And may all your customers treat you fine