Twin Poems

This was scanned from a small notebook of my poetry:

 

Death, From a Heavenly Perspective

Another poem of my youth -- I imagined what death must seem like AFTER arriving in heaven.

Death
written 3/11-12/56

I still remember when I died,
With joyous expectation sighed
While they, not understanding, cried.
My wife was kneeling by my side
Alone; the others stood outside.

I told ner, "God is calling me
The second time. The first time He
Called me a worker here to be,
And now He calls me home. I'll see
Him there, and from sin's grasp be free.

Don't look so sad." She said, "But Dear,
Although to die I have no fear,
To live without you will be drear.
Of course you know I'll shed a tear."
I said, "Although you want me here,

God also wants me. I suppose
He has a reason, for He knows
It's better in that realm where woes
Are gone, and never blows
The storm of strife. The close

Of life on earth is nigh.
I'm going. Do not cry.
I'll see you soon. Good-bye."
And then I breathed the final sigh.
I'm waiting now for her to die.

Bubbles

Another poem of my youth --

Bubbles

"And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof; but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever." -- 1 John 2:17

Never trust a bubble,
Though it bobbles in the air,
Or drifting gently there,
Does allure.
Though it twinkles in the light
With colorful delight,
Don't be sure.
Though you very lightly grasp it,
Though you very gently clasp it
Like a dunce;
All at once,
Nothing first,
It will burst.

Christ's Love For Me

Two more poems from my youth --

Christ's Love For Me

I cannot understand why He
Could love and die for such as me;
I wasn't worthy of His love,
But yet He came from Heaven above
And took my sin and died for me.
I cannot understand why He
Could love and die for such as me.

He carried all my sin away
And now I have no sin today.
I cannot understand why He
Could love and die for such as me.

He gave me faith to live by grace,
So I could see Him face to face;
I cannot understand why He
Could love and die for such as me.

Because Christ's love motivates us, it seems natural that the next poem would be --

Something For Him

I think of what He's done for Jim,
And like to do something for Him.
In my own strength, I can't do aught,
But in His strength -- see what He's wrought!

He'll knead the clay from every wrong,
And make of me a vessel strong
And filled with service to the brim;
I'd like to do something for Him.

Poetry of my Youth

I wrote poetry from when I was seven until I was married and got a job. For reasons I don't understand, I stopped writing poetry after that. But I still have some of the poems from my youth. Here's one I wrote as a teenager:

My Salvation

When I confessed my guilt and sin --
When did I let the Savior in?
I cannot tell
When Jesus cleansed each stain and blot;
The time, that minute, I cannot
Remember well.

I know I pondered in my heart
Whe'er He should enter or depart.
Within my soul
I was disturbed; I could not rest
Until the Lord dwelt in my breast.
He's now my Goal.

Since then I've known of blessings great;
Since then He's taught me sin to hate
And Him to love.
In trial and danger, dread and fear,
I know He's close and very near
In heav'n above.

Yes, I accepted Christ as my Savior when I was seven year's old. I don't remember a date, but I remember praying with my Mom at the southwest corner of the dining-room table. In my late teen years, I doubted, reexamined, and then confirmed my relationship with God, and that relationship has grown steadily closer over the years.