
MEMORIES OF MY DAD
I look back to the days when I was small
remembering how he looked, so tall.
I was his son walking at his side,
the world couldn't pass us by.
Remembering things we'd done,
how proud I am to be his son
how could he be my dad?
Nothing like other kids had!
What it all meant to me then,
his pride could be seen in me as he helped me to see
what it was like back when.
Values of another time,
he implanted in my mind.
I will always remember this.
What's important in your life
he knew was his wife and her goodnight kiss.
His thoughts of what were wrong and right
guide me now as a light
of my childhood memories.
Nothing means as much to me,
my father and his great love.
He taught me of my gift
that came from above,
and this wonderous thing -
a mother's love.
Now he's gone, it would seem far away,
but I know we will meet again someday.
Still he left some here that I hold very dear.
I pass it on to
my children that he never met
and still he's with them yet
in the things I show,
respect for family,
his love instilled in me
as I watch my children grow.
What is the most precious thing
in my mind still it rings,
when my life is done
will those here know,
did I let it show?
The love for mom,
my childhood memories,
more special now to me.
Now it's their great love,
I know it's my gift from up above,
mom and dad's love.
© James, 1998

DADDY
Who is this man I hold in my mind,
whose memories have stood the test of time?
His life was lived that I might see
what it is that I could be.
Remembering how he stood so tall,
my daddy could handle it all.
His words of love and wisdom too,
they are with me in each thing I do.
How he worked so hard to give
and see I had all I needed to live.
But this was not what was to all the rest,
a man of strength, honor and respect.
I sit with others as they each reflect
and wonder if when my times has come
will I be seen as he was, not for what I have done,
but for the way I treated them all.
Will my son see me stand as tall
so I will walk this path he cleared,
and remember each day the way I was reared?
This with my own I pass along
and hope my dad is seen in me when I am gone.
© James, 1998

DOES IT SHOW
When we think alone does anyone know?
Can it be heard, later will it show?
Our thoughts are ours held inside,
to have, to share, even to hide.
Thinking of times of joy or pain,
should we share this again 'n' again?
These things are often ours alone,
times and feelings, long time gone.
Still I wonder, when deep in thought.
Do others know all I have sought?
Can it be seen, maybe in my face,
the time I spend in that other place;
where I relive all I lived before,
the memories kept in my minds store?
All are treasures of life's great learning,
experiences to which I am daily turning.
So I wonder can it be seen where I go?
Have I learned from them, does it show?
© James, 1999
Please see co-authored version of this poem below and the lines I wrote for this poem, called "Experience" on More Of My Poetry.

DOES IT SHOW
When we think alone does anyone know?
Can it be heard, later will it show?
Our thoughts are ours held inside,
to have, to share, even to hide.
Thinking of times of joy or pain,
should we share this again 'n' again?
Are they our fears we're afraid to share?
Do we not want others going there
Sometimes sharing divides the pain,
sharing our joy we relive it again.
These things are often ours alone,
times and feelings, long time gone.
Still I wonder, when deep in thought.
Do others know all I have sought?
Can it be seen, maybe in my face,
the time I spend in that other place;
where I relive all I lived before,
the memories kept in my minds store?
All are treasures of life's great learning,
experiences to which I am daily turning.
Experience is the best teacher it's true.
Applying the past to all that is new
can help us avoid making mistakes,
help us decide which path to take.
We can march forward smarter than before,
to find what happiness may lie in store.
So I wonder can it be seen where I go?
Have I learned from them, does it show?
© James and KisSoSoftaol.com ©1999

DREAMS
light and easy or heavy and cruel
completing a thought or life they undo
often they're simply a mystery
this is how dreams come to me
sleep a welcome part of release
my subconscious brought from its leash
a place where all is often revealed
where the mind begins to be healed
there are those of fox and mist
ending with from an angel I am kissed
then the ones with a movie plot
or where remembering things I'd forgot
still it's all a part of my life
helping us all to deal with the strife
so I lay down my head easy for sleep
knowing each one is something to keep
for we know not could this be God's own way
of talking to you for the next day
© James, 1999

WE ARE THANKFUL FOR
What we are thankful for,
these days of giving and love of children,
our own health and abilities of living.
Times of laughter and those of joy,
smiles on the faces of each girl and boy.
Each breath we take and then give back,
even for the patience that we lack.
The food we share, those we love,
but mostly our glorious Father above.
© James, 1998

DADDY'S LITTLE GIRL
Smiling and laughing while she's awake.
Gladly we're working for her sake.
Tending to each need and care.
for this is God's Great Gift lying there.
As each day holds its own memories,
her every movement is "special to me."
Little hands to things unseen,
her innocence in life from this I glean.
Now crawling, exploring, smiling too,
I can't help but wonder what next will she do?
Then standing and walking each day is new.
Where has time gone, my li'l girl turned two?
Each word more clearly, the more she tries.
Memories of the first time I heard "daddy"
still make me cry.
Then time moves on to school and such,
Does my li'l girl know I love her this much?
Spelling and math is one challenge now
the whole world before her
She will conquer somehow.
Each day growing and now tall as I.
My pride grows with her as time passes by.
And from baby to young lady,
all at once she did form.
Her persistence still like
the eye of a storm.
Now the world looks on, what do they see?
A beautiful young lady, still a baby to me.
She soon shall conquer all in her world,
As I proudly exclaim, "That's Daddy's li'l girl."
© James, 1998

MY SON
this morn as I awoke
I look and see my namesake
his smile and love awaits
a word of love he never hesitates
to give as we talk of the day.
I wonder did he know the way,
have I led him to the road
where the Father and Son would have him go.
His soft eyes look at me
and there within my answers be.
That his path is his own to choose
and this time with him I must not lose
for his give to me is love,
the kind sent from God above.
It matters not what I do,
he always has a dad.
I love you.
© James, 1998

YOU WILL SEE
Something has happened as the years have gone by
when it took place I cannot picture hard as I try.
The constant in life never before noticed by me
now has come to focus primarily ...
it is something we all have and ignore,
a precious gift we know not the store.
Something we all share in unison,
a wonderful gift measured by our own sun.
Why do we continue as if
we will always have bounty
of this immeasurable gift?
We need to enjoy each glorious day
and fulfill each moment in some special way.
For the ones that we love and hold close to our heart
we will not have with us when we or they depart.
Remember at the break of each beautiful morn,
the gift you are given can easily be torn.
You know not where or when it will be,
but time will be precious to you too -
one day you will see.
© James, 1999

I BELIEVE
I believe in miracles
and dreams that will come true.
I believe in tender moments
and friendship, through and through.
I believe in stardust
and moonbeams all aglow.
I believe there's magic
and more there than we know.
I believe in reaching out
and touching from the heart.
I believe that if we touch
a gift we can impart.
I believe that if you cry
your tears are not in vain.
And when you're sad and lonely,
others know your pain.
I believe that when we laugh
a sparkle starts to shine.
And I just know that spark will spread
from more hearts than just mine.
I believe that hidden
in the quiet of the night,
there's magic moths and gypsies
a fairy and a sprite.
I believe that if you dance
the dances of your heart,
that greater happiness will find
a brand new way to start.
I believe the gifts you have
are there for you to share
And when you give then from the heart,
the whole world knows you care
I believe that if you give,
even just to one,
that gift will grow in magnitude
before the day is done.
I believe that comfort comes
from giving part of me.
And if I share with others,
there's more for all to see.
I believe that love is still
the greatest gift of all
and when it's given from the heart
then not one of us will fall.
- Author Unknown -

WHEN WE SHARE
When we share laughter,
There's twice the fun;
When we share success,
We surpass what we've done.
When we share problems,
There's half the pain;
When we share tears,
A rainbow follows rain.
When we share dreams,
They become more real;
When we share secrets,
It's our hearts we reveal.
If we share a smile,
Then our love shows;
If we share a hug,
Then our love grows.
If we share with someone
On whom we depend,
That person becomes
Family or friend.
And what draws us closer
And makes us all care,
Is not what we have,
But the things that we share.
© Jill Wolf, 1999

A TIME TO BELIEVE
To believe is to know that every day is a new beginning.
It is to trust that miracles happen,
and dreams really do come true.
To believe is to see angels dancing among the clouds,
To know the wonder of a stardust sky
and the wisdom of the man in the moon.
To believe is to know the value of a nurturing heart,
The innocence of a child's eyes
and the beauty of an aging hand,
for it is through their teachings we learn to love.
To believe is to find the strength
and courage that lies within us.
When it is time to pick up the pieces and begin again.
To believe is to know we are not alone,
That life is a gift and this is our time to cherish it.
To believe is to know that wonderful surprises
are just waiting to happen,
And all our hopes and dreams are within reach.
If only we believe.
- Author unknown -

WE CAN
We cannot hold a moonbeam in our hands,
We cannot string dew-pearls in shining strands,
Though far we reach the stars we cannot clasp,
And the glowing rainbow eludes our grasp.
But we can love and give freely from the heart,
kindness, tolerance, and joy we can impart,
And following God's ways we can possess
The Greatest of Treasures, True Happiness.
© Luvia Taylor, 1999

THESE POEMS MY NOT BE COPIED, REPRODUCED OR USED IN ANY WAY WITHOUT THE EXPRESS WRITTEN PERMISSION OF THE AUTHOR. CONTACT WITH JAMES MAY BE ESTABLISHED BY SENDING ME EMAIL AT:
KisSoSoft@aol.com

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