Let’s Poetize

As a twenty to thirty-something year-old male; I was delving into the world of poetry writing. As with most of my writing endeavors, I thought I was a genius (just like the late American poet, memoirist, and civil rights activist, Maya Angelou).

At any moment, I was sure someone famous might discover my life poetry (when showed them to someone important), and throw me into the grandiose lifestyle of the “the rich and famous” philosophical wordsmith. Here are four of my best creations for your reading enjoyment.[i]

1.     The Treasure of a Daughter [ii]

By no means am I a millionaire;

Nor will I ever be.

The few earthly goods I own

Are vanishing uncertainties.

Among the valuables I hold so dear,

That will always mean the most.

It’s the father-daughter relationship

That binds my heart,

And brings tears to my throat.

Indescribable is the love I receive

From my daughter’s hugs and kisses.

Such pride fills my heart

As my daughter achieves all her wishes.

It’s worth more to me than owning

All the sunken treasures in the sea.

And every night as I wish

My young lady into Dreamland.

My heart thanks God for her simple words,

“Daddy, stay a little while, and hold my hand.” 

2.     A New Adventure with God[iii]

Lord, as I consecrate this night to Thee.

Tonight, I must ask,” What does graduation mean to me?”

Has it been just a cap, gown, diploma, or an honor fair?

Must I now give up my childhood for adult cares?

Lord, can I fully acknowledge how my parents

helped in providing this hour?

Do I fully acknowledge your grace and power?

Lord, many questions clutter my mind.

Will I go to college? Will I soon be wed? Will I choose the military?

Lord, I now beg to thee calm my anguish and strife.

Whatever you choose, O Lord, will I readjust to this new road?

Only, You Lord, can help me carry this new load.

Will people miss me whenever I’m gone?

Will they know I’ve chose the right road and not the wrong?

Lord, help me hold back the tears, as I know I’m no longer a child,

but an adult with doubts and fears.

Now, I see my high school days climax at this place.

I must smile and now say, “goodbye” as I realize at this point of life

Will I never again show my face.

3.     Rejects on Instant Rewind[iv]

A spouse and kids aren’t life’s answer as some singles may think.

Below the surface, there’s more than just a hello and a wink.

There are couples, which look so happy in the public’s eye.

While that husband and wife may be talking about divorce,

A deceitful lie.

Some couples may appear to be doing just fine.

Life in the fast zone may cause them to slip into the suicide line.

A pleasant front may be what everyone desires.

Unresolved pain and sadness can turn marriage

Into an evil liar.

So always look beyond the image that

a married couple may be giving.

Read their reality in the way they’re truly living.

So if your dreaming about a spouse when the

Thought of marriage again crosses your mind.

Remember, “single” is not defined in the dictionary

As, “rejects on instant rewind.”

4.   Is That Any Reason?[v]

If roses are red, and your violets are blue,

Is that any reason to stop loving you?

If grass is blue, and the sky turns green,

Is that any reason to treat me mean?

If your dessert tastes like broccoli

And my steak smells like cherry pie,

Is that any reason to say, “Good-bye”?

If you turn left but I go right,

Is that any reason for us to fight?

If I dress up but you will not,

Is that any reason for me to act like our love I forgot?

If everyone thinks I’m mental but you know I’m sane,

Is that any reason to say, “We loved in vain”?

If my hair is bright red and yours is sandy brown,

Is that any reason for tears and a frown?

If I get blamed for all your wrongs,

Is that any reason our love can’t be strong?

After all my love has been said and done,

You are the one difference I find fun.

5.     To My Future Wife [vi]

This poem I write to the wife I’ve not yet seen.

Daily, I pray God will keep you healthy until we’ve met.

I can’t wait for our honeymoon night.

Because my body, is the best gift I can give my lovely wife.

How strange the emotions I have when thinking of you.

Do you spend your days and nights dreaming of me, too?

My heart doesn’t doubt you’ll be all I’ve needed.

Times will arise when you will be calm, and I’ll be wild.

And you will be the one to soothe me like a frightened child.

There will be those days we’ll both fight and disagree.

Only can a loving compromise set our spirits free.

Before closing, know that thoughts of you keep me delighted.

My joy will be complete when with you as husband I’m united.

Until the future brings about that day,

I will remain your faithful lover in every way.

Acts 17:27-29 (MSG) makes this bold statement: “…He doesn’t play hide-and-seek with us. He’s not remote; He’s near. We live and move in Him; can’t get away from Him. One of your poets said it well; ‘We’re the God-created.’

Well if we are God-created, it doesn’t make a lot of sense to think we could hire a sculptor to chisel a god out of stone for us?”

“God is in His creation, and close to every one of us. But He’s not trapped in His creation – He is [magnificent]. God is the Creator, not the creation. This means that God is sovereign, and in control (while at the same time He is close and personal). [Allow] the Creator of the universe to rule your life.”[vii]

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[i] Poetize means to write (or express) oneself in poetry.

[ii] Dedicated to my baby girl, Allena

[iii] Written for my graduation from Northside Christian School in May 1982.

[iv] Also dedicated to life before Bobbi as a single man.

[v] My summary of things in my life that confused me (or seemed contradictory to me). Love as a single man was at the top of that list.

[vi] Dedicated to my future wife, Bobbi (McFarlen) Kinker

[vii] Adapted from the Life Application Bible, King James Version, note on Acts 17:27,28

Maya Angelou