"Double Sonnet for Chaplains"
Military uniform, serving God
frigid cold, sweltering heat
in the air, sea, or pounding the sod
where people are is his beat.
"He" may be a her or a he
a sense of duty calling
whether married or single and free
young or moving toward aging
The Commander's trusted advisor
the man in the trench's friend
conflict resolver, maybe a harmonizer
giving hope in the midst of an end.
Serving our Nation and God
Chaplains, with faith they are shod.
Holding the hand of the dying
the sick, lonely have his heart's ear
the truthfully, those lying
the brave, those plagued by fear.
Maybe a clown, funny man
a cookie at times, hot coffee, cocoa
promoted or an also ran
in a system sometimes loco.
War Time, Peace Time, Anytime
the Chaplain is there, serving
a realization of a divine sublime
when people are hurting and aching.
Serving our Nation and God
Chaplains, with faith they are shod.
dc riggs © 2 July 04
"Declaration of Independence"
Pen, Ink, Parchment Paper
bold concepts
practical freedom
coming in proper time, not later.
God the Creator is honored
honoring man
the created
by them it was fathered.
Independence and Freedom
words written
bought with a price
tears, blood, and martyrdom.
Maintained by the same since
by liberty's price it is rinsed.
dc riggs © 4 July 2004
"Seize Today, Enjoy Tomorrow"
They were offered a pot of gold
no real cost
timid in spirit were they
lacking in what we call "bold."
Does the future belong in kind
to the industrialist
and the entrepreneur
because of the set of their mind?
Who has a true desire to learn
ability, to calculate the risk
the courage to take action
an inner desire: money to earn?
They on life's market won't be sold
and will be comfortable when old.
dc riggs © 5 July 04
"To Sit in the Garden Green"
I didn't ride to the mountain top
on a horse strong and sure
I didn't climb
to new heights sublime
to breathe the air, clean and pure.
I sat, upon the garden dirt I sat
but the dirt was mine
and the plants that grew
sure and tall were too
I say, and I saw that all was fine.
I pity the person who can't be still
but is always on the go
seeking the new
tossing the simple or old
for they have missed life's flow.
But for me, who is able to sit
beauty comes in droves
living things, good friends
love and laughter
these are my treasure troves.
dc riggs © 7 July 04
"Sonnet for Our Modern World"
We come from East and West
cultures, traditions
religions, tastes
each thinking theirs is the best.
We speak of love and of hope
kill with word and deed
with attitude
are we all on a type of dope?
Lacking in our modern world
is decency and love
common sense, understanding
for we live in a hectic swirl.
And God cries over humankind
This is not what He had in mind.
dc riggs © 7 July 04
"Each Day the Gift of Life"
We come, we live, we die
in a world of hurt
of sin, of poverty, of want
thus the heart does sigh.
Birth, the unasked for gift
not by our choice
but each day we choose
to be a drag, or others to lift.
We are, but we may become
whatever we choose
within our partnership with God
if within us
He has a good work begun.
Blessings be to you this day
no matter what you do
may love and laughter reign
for you, this I pray.
dc riggs © 14 July 2004
"Be A Trail Blazer"
Marco Polo's rightful due
he never got
the cynics doubted
his stories were really true.
The self-serving doubters
seek to deny others
wealth, health, happiness
pity, doom crying doubters.
Dream stealers, not enablers
they laugh at hopes
the dreams of others
they are the future's disablers.
Some seek an inheritance
others a lottery win
some, abide with less
but others go the distance.
Tomorrow belongs as always
to the brave risk takers
who plough fields
new trails the seek to blaze.
dc riggs © 14 July 2004
"It's All About Him"
When all is said and done
it isn't about money
prestige, power
or the philosphies of man
it is about God
who gives us love and fun
holds our hand
as our heart sheds tears
for despite our sin
God gave His only Son
that we might have
light, laughter
hope, dreams, eternity
a relationship with Himself
brighter than the sun
and He understands even when
we don't, can't
for it is all about Him, us
our relationships
and this makes life eternaly fun.
dc riggs © 14 July 2004
"Frustration Personified"
Frustration personified
when good ideas
hit other's mental vacuum
to be ignored
lost, soon forgotten
and what of us
will we disappear
into the sands of time
as we grow old
in bone and joint
sharp in mind
dreams
love's finest passions
persistent hope
and are ready to lead
better than before
but face
a closed door
yet we will not give in
stealth, craftiness
courage
never to surrender
and in the end
to be divinely satisfied.
dc riggs © 14 July 2004
"Take My Heart's Hand"
Tomorrow didn't come today
the planes didn't fly
should I sit
and wonder "Why?"
Germany, Italy, grandchildren
are still there, waiting
but I am here
so why am I hesitating?
There is business to do, activity
much is on my plate
an unfinished painting
I want not procrastination as a trait.
Friends to cheer, some to meet
songs to sing
laughs to enjoy, to give
loving life makes this life ring!
So come my friends, don't be shy
dump anger, each tear
take my heart's hand
let us give God and life a cheer!
dc riggs © 15 July 04
"Romance Canoe"
Across the shimmering lake
love's canoe
with his sweetheart
he did take
beneath the summer's sun
romance whispered
through the swaying trees
as she smiled
with a knowing smile
she, who is not a tease
spoke to his heart
cupid's arrow
had long ago found its mark
though his emotions
he thought were covered
with tough tree bark
it now belonged to herself
lovely as can be
sitting in the sun, to bake
not really minding
as love's canoe
slowly moved across the lake.
dc riggs © 15 July 04
"FBC Junction VBS Ends"
VBS is over in Junction today
the kids have learned
they've sang
and they were taught to pray.
The pastor was there in the fray
of swirling kids
and teachers
keeping all from disarray.
And Jesus sought His say
in each heart
for this cause He died
so He'd have a place to stay.
For each life sin He did slay
with Holy Spirit
moving as if hands
He shapes the soul as if clay.
VBS is over in Junction today
lives touched, transformed
are our future's hope
even as today becomes yesterday.
dc riggs © 16 July 2004
"When Words Ring True"
The words of a man or woman
may or may not reflect
their heart
good sounding words
may not their true intent impart.
Political rhetoric, plotting power
to obtain as they can
to wield
over others to hold sway
for they, sadly
to the call of power do yield.
Oh, for the honest person
whose words
are spoken from the soul
not politically correct
but often, are refreshing, bold.
Voice, eyes, convey the heart
as much as the words
must ring true
if they are to be believed
and this, each should seek to do.
dc riggs © 16 July 2004
"In Venice's Shadows"
In Venice's shadows stood she
love waiting
as a mist upon the waters
a foreteller?
of what might be
walking, hand in hand
moonlight in Saint Marco square
pigeons and people we flee
down the streets
a meal prepared for two
candlelight's flame
romance reflected in the eyes
twinkling as do
the stars in evening skies
cuddled together
in a gondola of love
we silent move
through watery streets
the sweetness
of a kiss
with my lovely miss
who is but
a shadow waiting
but from her I will not flee.
dc riggs 23 July 04
"Modern Folks Still Dream"
Modern folks, desire our hearts dreams
if they are free
if not
then we prefer reality not to be.
Dreams of a better life, once a hope
for those with little
antishly they grasped the dream
while grasshoppers played the fiddle.
But there are still some who dream
and though they enjoy
fun and play
they will conquer the towering Troy.
Seizing the moment, the opportunity
modern pioneers
put their plow to the soil
and grasp new lives, new careers.
Amid the blare of the popular wave
self-serving, cynical
are the brave of heart
with sound minds, not just fanciful.
So, to which group do you belong?
what dreams do you see?
will you work to make real?
then to you belongs dreams shining sea!
dc riggs © 30 July 04
"Life's Rhyme and Meter"
What is the rhyme of life
when life itself
seems to be out of tune
and dark is the moon.
Where is the meaning of life
when foul prevails
and hope outward does peter
does life lose its meter?
When all is a sweet song
we ask not, but
are not the questions the same
cannot be changed as if a name.
Oh, love and grand laughter
satisfaction of meaning
blend with tears, hurts, and fears
as onward march the years.
And our stanza's are done in time
our copyright secured
and the world reads as it has read
our life's verse, finished at death's bed.
dc riggs © 31 July 2004
"The Value of Mankind"
The value of money is not intrinsic
but based on the metal
that stands behind it
whose worth is determined
by a majority of mankind.
The value of a man is viewed
by status, money, power
religion, or race
with inherited insecurity
lashing everyone in the same bind.
But "who" begs the question "why"
and in woeful ignorant pride
a Creator is lost, ignored
fellowship and reason crushed
those claiming sight are the blind.
So peasant or king, rich or poor
tuxedo or rags, man's value
stems from his Creator not himself
on his basic "who" rather
than twisted values of mankind.
dc riggs © 31 July 2004
"Shawn's Morning After"
Was before the cock could crow
Shawn staggered in
knowing vaguely where he was
no idea of where he'd been
slipping and falling
Oh, he raised a mighty din
but breaking the silence
was just another sin
but he also broke the bottles
he had hid within
and cut, bleeding, in pain
he survey the damage
in a mirror by candlelight
and bandaged each cut
before staggering
off to his bed
"Shawn! You've been drinking!"
his wife bellowed at noon
and he looked at her
as if she were crazy as a loon
"Who me?" he replied "and why?"
but from her came no grin
"You broke night's peace you fool
upturned table and chair
and band-aided up the mirror
making it a useless tool
and to say your breath is foul
would not be truly fair!"
so ends this tale
of Shawn's night that was
and the beginning of his day of woe.
dc riggs © 31 July 2004
"Predicament of the Bard"
The Bard, inkstained fingers
finished his masterpiece
but the title
the blasted title
was simply way too long
so with a plea for help
he took his problem
without song
to Ann of Hathaway House
to seek advice
perhaps something more
and explained it all
just as earlier
he had rehearsed to a mouse
the book is grand
he proudly proclaimed
but the title
"Julius Grab the Girl Quickly
Before She Can Get Away"
is either
too much or too little
but Ann
her wisdom upon her tongue
suggested simply this
"Julius Caesar"
and history knows the rest
of him, of her
but did he have, inkstained fingers?
dc riggs © 31 July 2004
"Sunset on Water"
Sunset on the water
love on the heart
the beauty
of ones own love
drowning, depleting
the cares
of the world
when in loving arms
you safely curl
as tender lips meet in kiss
joining himself
to his lovely Miss
and overhead the skies glow
with red
blue and yellow
to make the clouds
a comfy bed
as true lovers rest
hearts entwined
as the evening sky
reflects beauty
of sunset over the waters.
dc riggs © 31 July 2004
"Love on the Rio Grande"
I met my love as the Rio Grande
made its march
to the sea
she was lovely
but I am simple man, not a dandy.
The sun caught her bold hair
her eye caught mine
captivating
but I was plain
while she was a lady so fair.
Proud I am, yet humble too
knowing myself
seeing her
oh, the great gulf
between us, what was I to do?
I worked, to dream I did dare
and made myself
only to find
that it mattered not
it was for my heart she did care.
dc riggs © 31 July 2004
