SURVIVAL SKILLS FOR FATHERS

Here are some survival skills
I recommend---use them or not;
Work to keep your eyes wide open
---and your mouth, mostly shut.

Follow your heart where it leads you
Be true and faithful to those you love;
---Tell the whole truth no matter what
Spend time daily praying to God above.

Treasure your own fatherly sense of humor
Love God and Country with all your heart;
These aren't all a Dad's Survival Skills--
---But a great place for us to start!
2010 by Douglas Raymond Rose
Member Academy of American Poets

AMERICA ON PARADE

Babe Ruth---Abraham Lincoln
Thomas Jefferson----Willie Mays
----This is America on Parade.
George Washington---Betsy Ross
The Roosevelts and Kennedys
---This is America on Parade
Billy Graham---Martin Luther King
Bob Hope,Johnny Carson,Lucille Ball
------This is America on Parade.
Army--Navy--Air Force--Marines
Firemen---Policemen---Politicians
-----This is America on Parade.
Football---Baseball---Soccer
Hockey---Basketball--Volleyball
-----This is America on Parade.
Truck Drivers, Doctors and Nurses
Plumbers, Builders and Teachers too
This is our great America on Parade
God Bless the Red-White-and Blue.
2010 by Douglas Raymond Rose,
Member Academy of American Poets
Grand Prairie, Texas

SHRINE OF HOME

There's a sacred institution
The star of this important poem;
A place welcoming you with open arms
---It's called the Shrine of Home.

The Home is the first Family Altar
Where God could have fellowship sweet
Where personal prayers are offered
And with the Family, God can meet.

It's a place of warmth and welcome
Offering a special healing balm;
The model God himself instituted first
---It's called the Shrine of Home.
2010 by Douglas Raymond Rose
Grand Prairie, Texas
Member Academy of American Poets

MEMORIES OF MOTHER

A Mother's heart is a child's classroom
A Mother's warm eyes---his soul;
A Mother's sweet lips can kiss away
-----All picky problems and woes.
A Mom can heal all hurts
Between our friends and brothers;
Mother is a holy 'Healing" word
Thank you God for marvelous Mothers.
2010 by Douglas Raymond Rose
Member Academy of American Poets

A MOTHER'S ARMS

Through the years as we all grow,
Our mother's arms we come to know.
When first we're born these arms enfold us
At other times they simply hold us.
They are there when first we fall----
To pick us up while we are small;
To push us while we ride a swing;
To receive the little gifts we bring.
Sometimes they wipe away our tears,
While other times they quell our fears.
That feeling of their warm embrace
Oft puts a smile upon your face.
Sometimes it is their strength we see
When lifting us to mend a knee----
Sometimes their subtle softness shows
As they brush our cheek while we doze.
Always there to assist or aid us,
Countless things they've cooked and made us;
Tiring not of providing care---
Assuring us that they're always there.
Our mother's arms they will defend us
From all those who would offend us.
In her arms we may find peace---
And sorrow's sting they will release.
The mem'ry of these features all
With fond remembrance we recall.
'Til that blessed touch we knew
Shall one day hence be ours anew.
2010
By Guest Author Timothy Wheeler
Grand Prairie Warmack Library Assistant

ODE TO TEXAS STADIUM

There's a small spot of Dallas Cowboy history
That's nestled in between the freeways wide;
A place where fathers and sons have gathered
That special sports 'Bonding Place" to hide.
-----Although it's true that it's in ruins
We still possess the most important part
It's now located in another special place
----Right down here---within our hearts.
2010 by DRR

EASTER DANCE

The sun comes a-dancing
On awesome Easter Morn
It dances up the milky-way
The tomb is empty, my soul's reborn.
The sun comes a-dancing
Early on Easter Morn
Butterflies and birds and bees
All know the tomb is now torn.
The Sun comes a-dancing
On awesome Easter Morn
Inside my soul is dancing with it
Because it is divinely now reborn.
2010 by DRR
Member Academy of American Poets