"Dreary to Cheery"
In the blinking of an eye
lives and history
can change
though future perceptions
be clear and defined
joyful hope can become teary.
An accident, an illness, stupidity
running rampant
blinding, crippling, death
agony and grief
threaten to suffocate joy
yet God's love remains adamant.
Jesus entered Jerusalem one day
His popularity high
a radical shift measured in days
betrayed, arrested,
cruelly beaten, shamed, crucified
it still brings tears to our heart's eye.
Yet with resurrection all did change
all future history
forgiveness, love, peace, joy
came forth as never before
applied even in our darkest moments
giving us a reason to be cheery.
dc riggs 7 April 04
"Stains of Blood Bring Hope"
Good Friday stains of blood
shame, and defeat
echo across
centuries of war and strife
yet mankind
corks listening ears
with a hard boiled heart
for fear of the blood
that will make them clean
loving and nice
tearing them from the fun
of sin and vice
Yet in our darkest hour
the light of hope
Resurrection morning came
in the midst
of the believers tears and pain
pointing to new life
possible, waiting, waiting
for the uncorked ear
to let the marriage begin
of Holy God
and sin racked man
made by Himself the Innocent
with a heart of love
on a Cross, stained with His blood.
dc riggs 10 April 04
"Stopping to Smell A Flower"
I stopped one day by a flower
its fragrance to smell
I wondered about others passing by
did they know it well?
I thought of searching for love
a heart's question true
but some like to pull the petals
leaving no petals, not even a few.
She loves me, she loves me not
the haphazard count goes
it would make sense
just to count your own toes.
I thought of picking the flower
to take to my princess
for a smile from her
would my heart truly bless.
But to the flower, death comes
with idle picker's claw
would it make my love care
or help her heart to thaw?
My love's heart is mine
no need to thaw, or to bribe
her thoughts of me
strong as the evening tide.
To the flower I will bring her
to sit, to smell, to enjoy
a lovely outing
for a special girl and this boy.
dc riggs 10 April 04
"I Remember"
I remember the moment
the mountain
the woman I held dear
I remember the tall trees
her scent
gentle words in my ear
I remember the soft breeze
refreshing
as I held her hand
together we had no fear
I remember the moon's rise
high up in the sky
her kiss of goodnight
for good-bye would bring a tear
I remember, I remember
cherished thought
of a time close together
just me and the she I hold so dear.
dc riggs 10 April 04
"Why the Stone Was Rolled Away"
Why was the stone rolled away?
to let Jesus out?
could He who conquered death
be hemmed in by a stone?
No! We shout!
it was to let the disciples in
their weakness
is much kin to ours
as our lack of faith leads us
to pits of bleakness
though we often have the words
to properly say
they lack meaning
due to our own lack of faith
insufficient for the day
but to those who know Him
there is heart's power
the words spoken
have a divine sort of ring
and their life, is a strong tower
so let us know Him truly
as Savior and friend
for His love is true
God's Only Son
the conquer in the end
for He rolled even death away.
dc riggs 10 April 04
"In Spring"
The rippling stream
ran shallow
by my love's feet
while
in my heart
love ran very deep.
Upon the field sunlight
danced
to Spring's beat
as to
my lips
a smile did slowly creep.
Oh, the joy of Springtime
when life blooms
new life may waddle or creep
to break
winter's death grip
life into the earth to seep.
Love unlike the stream
often does run
very deep
and amid the flowers
of Spring
inviting and oh so sweet.
dc riggs 14 April 04
"A Mother's Love"
There is something about
a mother's love
when the bike falls
the toy breaks
as a child's heart
to mother swiftly calls.
Who can doubt the truth
of a mother's love
dirty diapers, midnight chills
hurt feelings
bedtime blues, battle of wills.
How well I remember
mother's love
sweet little Texas lady
good cook, wonderful teacher
role model
honest, loving God, never shady.
Little boys remember
mother's love
little girls follow her example
or they certainly should
for this world needs it
as a steady diet, not a sample.
dc riggs 19 April 04
"Dawn Crests the Horizon"
Dawn's sun crests the far horizon
with brightness
intense
God's light
to a world of darkness
Oh My!
what a beautiful sight.
Rocks and trees, nighttime hazards
become illuminated
for all
to plainly see
to wondrously admire
How Beautiful!
the single leaf on the tree.
Sunset, sunrise, times of peace
calling to man, woman
and child
a cycle of living
that cannot be denied
Special Gifts!
should we not also be giving?
Go now my friend, go in hope
for adventure awaits
high callings
to bless
for you have been blessed
Love! Laugh!
life itself demands no less.
dc riggs 30 April 04
"Rainier"
Rainier
great mountain of grandeur
threatening, assuring
majestic
the evidence of forces
unseen, but real
rock and ice
rising above forest green
dominating
yet also alluring
calling those
who would dare climb her
captivating
the imagination
of others who from a distance
behold her beauty
different perhaps for each
she is still majestic
this great mountain
called simply
Rainier.
dc riggs 1 May 04
"Texas Bluebonnet"
Texas Bluebonnet
growing proud and straight
as a child should grow
blooming
in the proper season
as does one
who grows straight and tall
the flower comes
in the springtime of life
to bring beauty
on a lovely spring day
or even when
the heat brings strife
to man and beast
the soothing bluebonnet color
brings thoughts of peace
a hearty flower
for a wild and woolly land
like the Texas child
born to become
a National treasure you see
for our future
however bright it might be
depends on these
just as a Texas Spring
depends so much
on the Texas Bluebonnet.
dc riggs 3 May 04
"Mother's Love Endures"
Mother
more than a memory
yet that too
of love and trust
still alive with me
though now at an age
when my body
does rust
yet I do recall
her tender touch
when I was ill or hurt
and her support
when I struggled with life
played my sport
suffered the ups and downs
of childhood strife
the playful life
enjoyed the teenage years
of smiles and frowns
hopes, dreams
worries and even fears
and though a rather big adult
I finally came to be
my short little mommy
still loved me
and from heaven's shore
loves me still
her love eternally true
more than a mere memory
she is still my mother.
dc riggs 8 May 04
