Flashing Lights - Christmas Poem 2012

FLASHING LIGHTS!

Behold as Christmas morning breaks,

The silence of the night;

We see the proof of what was done...

In the glow of flashing lights.



The Officer who stood his watch,

In spite of winter's white.

He bravely stopped a burglary...

In the glow of flashing lights.



The Fireman puts out the flames,

Of the fire orange and bright.

Thankful he had saved a life...

In the glow of flashing lights.



Working oh so fervantly,

To beat the patients plight.

The Paramedics saved a life...

In the glow of flashing lights.



The Jailer locked the outer doors,

The inmates tucked in tight.

Who knows how many more will see...

The glow of flashing lights.



The Hospitals are staffed tonight,

The Nurses dressed in white.

Taking care of those brought in...

In the glow of flashing lights.



The Records Clerks and LE techs

Keep the stats and info right.

For all the convicts who were caught...

In the glow of flashing lights.



It all begins in Dungeon walls.

Locked up and out of sight.

Where nine one one calls all begin...

As little flashing lights.



Then Dispatchers will take the calls,

Determine need and site.

Then send out help to those in need...

With a glow of flashing lights.



So thanks to all this Christmas Eve,

Who work to do what's right.

You make the world a safer place...

With your bright and flashing lights!      


Merry Christmas 2012! 

Poem by Clint Gardner

The Little Girl I Once Knew

I guess the time has finally come.

The child is no more.

And soon the daughter that we raised...

Will waltz right out our door!

Our daughter with the chocolate face

Is now going out on dates.

And though it is a fact of life...

It's something Daddy hates.

Dad doesn't want to hear the news,

How Gracie got a kiss.

The days of Daddy being King...

Twill soon be sorely missed.

The little girl who loped down halls

Pretending she was horse;

Once sat around and played with dolls...

But now she's changed her course!

Soon she'll register to vote.

Drive to college every day.

Poor Dad can only sit and watch...

While his daughter drifts away!

But just so everyone is clear

She will be greatly missed.

The reasons why – I'm proud to say...

Are too numerous to list!

And though I wish her all the best.

Inside I' m sad and glad.

I'm glad she gets to start her life...

But sad for poor old Dad.

'Cause daughters love to gain their freedom,

But Dads just miss and worry.

So 'bout his daughter's leaving home...

This Dad is in no hurry.

'Cause Dad will cherish all the times

She offered him a hug.

And the good old times they often shared...

Will on his heart strings tug.

Forgive me if I act upset,

And seem a little blue.

But I've lost the sweetest thing in life...

“The Little Girl that I Once Knew”!

Clint Gardner 2012

BUD

The oldest of the Coulson clan
Born to James and Flo.
'Twas Kansas where it all began...
Where Scott would learn and grow.

Soon he had a little sister
They named her Eva Mae.
From Holton to Topeka High...

They lived and worked and played.

Norma was Scott's youngest sister
Boy could that girl sing!
Her birth the final piece to form...
The Coulson Family ring.

Scott then joined the military
A Sailor in the Navy.
A ships mate on a Battleship...
He sailed the stormy sea.

He served his Country strong and proud
In the midst of blood and war.
Surviving what was infamy...
That day at Pearl Harbor.

Earlene became his life long love
They raised two kids together;
Then grand kids came and life was fine...
Like Cali's sunny weather.

Love, and war, and auto-parts
Was the life of Scotty Coulson.
A beloved Husband, Brother, Dad...
And example for his Son.

It all began so long ago,
29th of late November.
The life he lived – a loyal one...
It's one we'll long remember.

The Coulson men who made us proud
Like James and Clint and Scott.
They'll always be remembered well...
By the one's -- who've not forgot.

We'll not forget the love he shared
Nor his service to his Country.
For the memories of the man called Bud...
Live on in Coulson history!

Scott Coulson Sr 1918-2012

Happy Anniversary Rose

Today will mark a special day:


The day I married Rose.

What better day to post a bit...

Of my romantic prose.



Tis true that twelve long years ago

I said the words “I do”.

And should I have the chance again...

Those vows --would I renew!



For Rose has brought me happiness

And joy within my heart.

I pray our love will never spend...

A moment far apart.



The Judge said I could kiss the bride:

You can love her all your life.

That day began a lifelong love...

With Rose, my precious wife!



To run my hand across her skin

Still thrills my heart today.

Just as it did so long ago...

At the alter where we prayed.



I pledged to her undying love

“From this point ever hence”.

Then said I'd be her faithful love...

And have been ever since.



And though the times were sometimes tough

We stayed through thick and thin.

And we promise now – no matter what...

That we'd do it all again.



Love you Honey



Clint Gardner 2012

In Memory

Kami Simmonds


Cancer took a life today

She was way too young to die

She leaves behind two grieving girls

It makes me want to cry

A loving husband held her hand

He was with her all the way

There was no doubt for all who watched

It was his saddest day

A perfect match the day they met

Love lasted through the years

It isn't fair that such a love

Has ended now in tears

The children now must look ahead

Their family incomplete

Look forward to a future time

When Mom again they'll meet

In Heaven she will wait for them

Watch over them with love

She wants for them to know that she's...

At peace with God above.

And to her loving husband now

A thank-you she extends

For he has proven -- without doubt

His love will never end.

For now, know that she rests in peace

Now free of all her pain

She's waiting for that glorious day

When they'll all meet again.

Devoted wife and loving Mom

Twas a joy to be a part...

Of our life with you and now you'll live

Forever in our hearts.

 

 

 

 

 

 

In memory of Kami Simmonds who passed away at her home October 2nd, 2012; while her husband tenderly held her hand.

 

 

Clint Gardner 2012

Older Posts are comforting too

Why? by Doctor Jack Hyles

Always has been one of my favorite's...and seems appropriate now

I was in Mansfield. Ohio, sitting on a platform about to speak. The Pastor of the church where I was speaking leaned over and whispered to me that there was a certain lady in the back whose husband had cancer. He asked me to pray for her and for him. After the service, several people came by to express their burdens and heartaches and divulge the loads they carried. I went to my room and thought of the many people in my own church who carry similar loads. My mind settled on one particular one who just a few days before had looked through tears toward me to ask, "Why, Pastor, why?" These meditations caused me to sit in my motel room one Labor Day afternoon and pen the following lines:

I have sat beside a tiny crib,
And watched a baby die,
As parents slowly turned toward me,
To ask, "Oh, Pastor, why?"

I have held the youthful husband's head,
And felt death's heave and sigh.
A widow looked through tears and said,
"Dear Pastor, tell me why?"

I have seen a gold-star mother weep,
And hold a picture nigh
Her lonely breast, and softly ask,
"Why? Pastor, why, oh, why?"

I have walked away from babyland,
Where still-born babies lie.
A mother stretches empty arms,
And asks me, "Pastor, why?"

I have watched my drunken Father leave
Our home, and say "good-bye,"
While looking into Mother's face
I asked, "Please tell me why?"

I have heard the white-tipped tapping cane,
Which leads a blinded eye.
And then a darkened, lonely voice
Cries, Preacher, show me why."

I have caught a fiancee's burning tears,
And heard her lonely cry.
She held an unused wedding gown,
And shouted, "Pastor, why?"

I have heard the cancer patient say,
" 'Tis gain for me to die;"
Then look into his daughter's face,
And mutely whisper, "Why?"

I have seen a father take his life,
A widow stands nearby;
As little children say, "Dear Mom,
The Preacher'll tell us why."

I've seen my mother stand beside
Two tiny graves and cry.
And though she's never let me know,
I knew she wondered, "Why?"

I've heard an orphan faintly say,
Who gazed into the sky,
"Tho Mom and Dad have gone away,
My Preacher will know why."

I tiptoed to my Father's throne,
So timid and so shy,
To say, "Dear God, some of Your own
Are wanting to know why."

I heard him say so tenderly,
"Their eyes I'll gladly dry,
Tho they must look through faith today,
Tomorrow they'll know why."

"If now they find the reasons that
Their hopes have gone awry,
In Heaven, they will miss the joy
Of hearing Me tell why."

And so I've found it pleases Him
When I can testify,
"I'll trust my God to do what's best,
And wait to find out why."

BESIDE HER ALL THE WAY

A tragic event a friend of mine is enduring.  Too sad for words, but I tried to write a poem anyway.  My sympathy to the Simmonds family.

 

The doctor said she wouldn't see

The leaves fall from the trees.

That cancer soon would take its toll...

Before this winter's freeze,

How does one prepare himself

For a battle he can't win?

And how does someone face the loss...

Of a love that's always been?

In the stillness of their long shared bed

He tossed and turned and wept.

Beside him laid his one true love...

Where she has always slept.

He listens as she gently breathes

The oxygen of life.

And wonders how he'll carry on...

Without his precious wife.

He laid there in the dark a while

Afraid to close his eyes

For fear if he should fall asleep...

That his love would say good-bye!

Yet he cannot stay awake forever

He knows life soon will end.

And he wonders if the day will come...

When his heart might one day mend?


He fears that he'll not have the strength,

When the final hour is near.

To softly whisper in her ear...

Those final words she'll hear:
 

“Goodbye my Love, I'll miss you always,

Now we'll never be apart.

For the memory of you and me...

Is locked within my heart.”

Clint Gardner 2012

Future's Fate

Election days are quite important

Our future's now at stake.

But after several months of this...

My head begins to ache!

It's “I hate this, and that's a lie”

“It's time for someone new.”

It's said that neither candidate...

Has even got a clue!

I'm sick of all this squabbling

This rhetoric must cease.

I long for just a little bit...

Of electoral peace!

The Facebook pages come alive

With postings for the eye.

And later we will all find out...

That most were just a lie!

Republicans and Democrats

All fishing for your votes.

While Elephant and Donkey art...

Turns voters into goats!

They've turned a process made to give

The country it's best choice.

Into a three ring circus act...

Where everyone has voice.

I think I'll wait and listen for

The candidates debate.

To then decide what vote I'll cast...

To determine future's fate.

 

 

 

It won't be based on Tweet or Post

 

Or a catchy TV ad.

 

To base my future on a rant...

 

Would actually... be quite sad.

 

 

 

 

I'll do what I percieve is best

 

For the red and white and blue.

 

I'll disregard the poppycock...

 

America.....What say you?

 

 

 

A non-political poem by Clinton Gardner 2012

Jagger Does Facebook

 

I must admit I was perplexed

Last night while surfing Facebook,

Cuz the spotted face before me eyes

Caused me to take a relook!

I couldn't help but wonder then,

How such a thing could be?

So I leaned in for a closer peek...

To verify you  see!

And there he was, tongue hanging out,

Long snout as clear as day.

His friend request in front of me...

There was little I could say.

I quietly accepted it,

There's no way of course I wouldn't.

Though something deep inside of me...

Thought -- perhaps maybe I shouldn't.

Could Jagger somehow really be...

A dog with computer savvy?

The visual inside my head...

Seemed twisted and uncanny!

I immediately tried to clear...

My mind of the sight within it.

Of Jagger mounted on a chair...

Encrypting data tidbits.

But the images inside my head:

Just wouldn't seem to shake!

My newest Facebook friend it seems...

Is somewhat of a fake!

He usually sits and lays around,

But now he sits and types??

There has to be a mastermind...

Behind this Facebook hype!

A puppet master sits above

This masquerade no doubt!

I wonder who the first 'twill be...

To root this mystery out?

Though Jagger be a clever dog,

This has to be a joke!

'Cause I don't want to be the one...

That Jagger first will Poke!

Imagine the embarrassment...

To challenge him in Scrabble;

Then lose to him decisively,

In a wordy K9 battle!

And just suppose he makes a post,

With a photo...near a hydrant,

Sharing what is on his mind...

Though hardly post compliant!

What would you all be thinking then?

When Jagger hikes his leg?

Perhaps the world's ready NOT

For a K9 spouting megs!

So I'll leave you to contemplate

This jump to cyberspace!

Be glad his breath will not transmit...

While staring at his face!!

And if his nose...gets really close...

To the screen...well, just beware:

He may just start to sniff you out...

Much closer than you'll care!

And just when you're in need of help,

You'll desperately plead and weep.

Instead of help – you'll only find...

That Jagger's fast asleep.

2012

Donna Rae

Remembering all the soldiers who have served in the Armed Forces. Thank you for your sacrifices. As a young boy I remember my Mother visiting the gravesite of her Mother and Father every Memorial Day. She never missed a year when she was living near enough to make the trip. So today I wanted to take a moment to remember all my family and friends who are no longer with us:

Eva Gardner
Don Gardner
Art Gardner
Vondell Gardner
James Coulson
Florence Coulson
Clinton Coulson
Matt Gardner
Lisa Gardner
Toby Snow
Joni Snow
Lola Arthur
Niema Deines
James Hartman
Jerry Joki

And my older sister I never knew:

DONNA RAE


I never got to meet my older sister Donna Rae. She died of pneumonia when she was 2 months old. I was thinking about all the memories we might have made had she lived to be an adult. So I wrote a little poem about it.

Together Mom and Dad gave birth
To children numbering six.
Seems... I was second from the last
In our Gardner family mix.

After me came sister Beth,
The baby of the lot.
The oldest being brother Jim,
First son my Father got.

After Jim came Carole Kay,
My second oldest kin.
Then out in Colorado came
The sister we call Lynn.

So that makes five I listed here
The kids of Eva Mae;
But there’s one more I never knew…
Her name was Donna Rae.

Her birthday came in February
Of nineteen fifty-four.
But two months after life began…
Poor Donna was no more.

I never got to see her face,
Or feel her baby skin.
But I know Mom has got the chance…
To see her once again.

I wonder how it might have been
If she still lived today.
And all the memories we’d have made…
With our sister Donna Rae.

But history cannot now be changed
There is no past review.
So dreams are all I’ll ever have…
Of the Sis I Never Knew.

Donna Rae Gardner 1954-1954

O WICKED COOKIE!

O Wicked Cookie
I despise thee with Great desire
I long for your sweetness
In my dreams thou shalt retire!

Silently, secretly, you speak my name
Tho you're locked beyond the door
From your secluded resting place
You entreat me: “Come eat more!”

For this plague that is upon me
I blame the Maiden Scouts
For their beauty I cannot resist
Of this…there is no doubt.

Oh to taste the sweet Samoa’s
To crunch the Do-si-doe
I hear them calling to me now
I’m sure my heart will go.

Their plenty screams: 'that I resist'
The treats for just a while
I mustn’t yield to the call
Of Savannah’s entreating Smile!

I hide them far beyond my sight
Avoiding sweet temptation
But soon I’m standing at the door
Starved…with desperation.

I beg for Thin Mint satisfaction
The crunch that so DeLites
I Tag-a-Long…a pathetic slave
In search of wafer bites!

A Shortbread cookie leads to twelve
Twelve cookies I’ve consumed
The diet I was striving for…
So quickly met its doom.

So...to you Maidens making coin
I Shout-Out…Thanks-a-Lot!
And have no fear for yonder cookies…
For in my house…twill not rot!

Clint Gardner 2012

January 8,2012

He gave his life to Law Enforcement,
Keeping criminals at bay.
A man of great integrity...
Our brother died today.

A guide who loved to fish and hunt,
To the moose he'd point the way.
A mighty man to all he knew...
A hunter died today.

A faithful friend to all he knew,
By your side through calm or fray.
An honest and a trusting man...
Our friend has died today.

A deputy in uniform,
It was justice he portrayed.
A man of strength and servitude...
A Sheriff died today.

Working hard to help the kids,
Get them headed the right way.
A resource officer for many years...
A Detective died today.

In the summer he was in the hills,
On the dirtbike he would stay.
He kept the country safe for all...
Foothill One has died today.

A loving hubby to the end,
A gentleman all the way.
A broken heart he leaves behind...
A husband died today.

A loving Father to his son,
An example all his days.
Forever missed by those he loved...
A father died today.

The Sheriff's Office cried today,
Our soldier's gone away.
Ada Forty-one-zero-seven...
A Deputy died today.

We will miss the man we knew,
'Twas too soon to go away!
Our brother,may you rest in peace...
Jim Femrite died today.

January 8, 2012
In memory of Jim Femrite. Written by Clint Gardner