I spoke with Donna. She gave her permission to post the poem she wrote. I told her that I would share any and all comments with her, including “likes”. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. And just in case you don’t know what this post is all about, please see the re-post paragraph below from the September 17 post entitled “Much History”. Donna’s poem follows.

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Angelsportion – “Much History” – Posted September 17, 2012
There is a member of my parish who is relatively homebound and I go to visit her quite often. She is an exceptionally kind and pleasant woman who loves to talk about so many different things–her wonderful family, books, and yes–even poetry. I’ve loaned her several different volumes over the last few years–Frost, Dickinson, and others. She has enjoyed them but has claimed an inability to write her own. I believe the creativity is there.

As a Christmas gift, I wrote a poem for her and also compiled an audio CD for her of famous speeches. She thanked me profusely and then surprised me at my next visit by returning the favor–not with a CD, but a poem! She presented it to me with a humble heart, saying it was hard to write but hoped it was good and that I would enjoy it. I loved it. I’m not publishing it here because I’d need her permission, of course, and I haven’t asked her just yet. I do believe I will ask. In the meantime, not all that long ago while she was hospitalized, I took the opportunity to give her a copy of Bartlett’s Quotations, which I believe to be an intuitive volume that helps to blow wind through the garden daisies of the mind. She has read through it and seems to appreciate it.

Anyway, I hope you will enjoy the little morsel included below–which is the poem I gave to her. It is, for me, the opportunity to share with you some of the delightful fruits that emerge from being someone’s pastor and friend.

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Now, the following is the poem Donna wrote. 🙂

A short ode,
From me to thee,
To thank you for your kindness.
That you would spin me such a wonderful gift—
Gives me such a lift.

And there’s more
In store.

For you see I was just a girl when
I first heard Roosevelt’s speech on the radio.
I close my eyes and I’m there again—oh my, oh.

The voices of Churchill and Roosevelt brought tears to my eyes.
Why is this? Why should I cry?
Just sentimental I guess—
So many memories to cope with.

Now fast forward—onward, ho!

I’m actually seeing Reagan on my TV.
He’s asking Gorbechev to “Tear down that wall!”
What a call!

In Neville Chamberlain’s voice
I can hear the sadness and despair.
It moves me so much.
I think, “How unfair.”

Mother Teresa, for such a small, fragile lady
Has a strong, determined voice.
For her loving protection of our little children,
We must all rejoice.

I’m such a lucky girl that you took the time
To give me your words that rhyme,
And to collect these speeches for me.
I thank you, Pastor, eternally.