index

Reveille, retreat, taps

bugle notes

demanding to be heard

calling soldiers

airmen, sailors, marines

to work, cease work

to sleep

to attack, to halt

to honor those now dead

sharp or hollow

soft, sometimes almost holy

stirring, commanding

the bugle notes

from reveille through taps.

dc riggs © 13 November 2009

I was that a snowflake that fell

upon my weathered cheek?

seems as if I've seen

this cycle before

the green blooms of spring

the lazy days of summer

late fall, autumn's end

soon ice will form in the creek

and winter's tale we will tell.

In the beginning God created man

after day, night, birds, bees

all were made by Him

and He said "It is good"

and it was

Creation of each season

to follow the other in turn

man lives, enjoys, beauty sees

sharing joy with she who is woman.

Day follows night, night follows day

man, woman, walk hand in hand

we may perspire, freeze

the season of the now is ours

to enjoy, to celebrate

for soon the season will pass

then the months, years

such is life in all of earth's land

given by Himself to whom we pray.

dc riggs © 13 November 2009

I sought the Lord

early at the break of day

for it is He

who scatters night away

I sought the Lord

and asked Him to hold

your very own hand

as you walk

through the valleys

of this land

the Valley of Death

sorrow, depression, grief

anger, disappointment

and the list

seems endless at times

but His hand is steady

His love ever pure

and in Him

is for all our ills

the eternal and lasting cure.

dc riggs 20 November 2009

Daddy when I'm thirty or so

can I have a Nook?

it will work when on business

I'm on the go.

Mom, when I get to be twenty-one

can I have a Nook?

you gave two for wedding presents

for him and her, what fun!

Maybe I can have one at sixteen

cutting my textbook load

enabling me to read

at home or on the grass so green.

The Nook is fabulous and neat

books are my friends

it's technology correct

hands down, it can't be beat.

My dear child, you are but three

there is a Nook

some where in your future

so for now let the subject be.

dc riggs © 25 November 2009

"Joel"

Joel arrived in this world

as a tiny baby

for that's how babies come

he cooed and smiled

dirtied his diapers

not a child to be glum

brought baby's joys to many

playtime, school, fun

the passing of the years

always growing, becoming

youthful years

filled with joy, fears, tears

then to this young man

came his Nation call

he answered

and Sgt Joel W Lewis

proudly served

giving his life for us

freedom for future generations

we ask that our God of love

share this with him

"Joel you were loved

are still loved

the cup of loved filled to the brim

our grateful Nation salutes you

for to duty's call you were true".

We gather in the cold of morning

with solemn intent

wreaths on our heroes graves

to be laying

some in mourning

many others

with appreciation

for duty done

with wreaths we are saying

to our Nation's call

you answered

we have not forgotten

what you've done

you faced fears, we shed tears

future generations stand tall

because

your legacy lives on

Freedom's dream

into tomorrow's great beyond.

I wandered in the cold of night

my heart was heavy

from life's losses and lacks

woe was me

from my pain could I ever be free?

Then I found, stumbling as I do

a nativity set in disrepair

the animals were a bit chipped

a wise man was missing

the world this place was dismissing.

The baby Jesus was missing His legs

the figures, some up, some down

randomly pointing

as if searching around

Joseph was nose first on the ground.

One by one, I set them aright

facing the crib

straw now covered Jesus' missing legs

God didn't bring a heavenly light

all remained dark, dreary, not bright.

But in my heart there was a change

peace, joy, a long lost laugh

my woe gave way to hope

I found that place, not by chance

Him divine, was leading me in my dance.