Colors of the World

Colors of the World

The natives are restless
the drums are starting to beat--
they're trying to convey a message
in this burning, sweltering heat.

Rich red earth
is the hunting ground
where these noble warriors dwell;
could the plains and reservations speak
think of the stories they would tell.

In old, Negro spirituals
they make their wishes known--
all they desire is to be free
and have a place to call their own.

Politeness is their key to success,
as well as hard determination;
Rice is their main export
upon which they wholly lean as a nation.

Then there's the great U-S- of A-
the land "flowing with milk and honey"
as much as other nations believe,
we're NOT all made of money!

God blesses each and every man
according to his own needs,
but it really depends a lot
on whether he can write or read!

written May 19, 1992 (age 17)

I wrote this poem, which starts out dramatic and ends a bit tongue-in-cheek, while "working" hard at the music store. Thought it was kinda fun to share. Please do not share or reprint without permission.

Poem

For those of you who could not read the small writing on the daddy/daughter digital collage I created, here it is written down:

She walks with you
and talks with you
and looks at you with love.
She's your girlie, your "short stuff,"
she's a gift from up above.
Someday...she'll stand beside another
she'll make a vow and say "I do."
But she'll always be your baby
and always stand by you.

Emerging poem and digital collage

When I first saw this photo, I was dismayed that my autofocus zeroed in on the flowers instead of Hannah. But the more I thought about it, the more I liked the idea of how, when we are in the background, God is in the foreground. And what may seem like a mistake at first can turn into something beautiful, both in a photo and in our lives.

Hannah is growing into such a lovely young woman and I'm so proud of her. She tries to stand for what is right and chooses sweet friends, not pushovers, or wishy-washy fairweather friends. But ones who listen to their parents (most of the time!) and love God. I couldn't be more proud.