Newest Poems & Writings

July 17, 2012

“How Shines Your Light” Harold B. Lee's Quote

Harold B. Lee's Quote on America

"Men may fail in this country, earthquakes may come, seas may heave beyond their bounds, there may be great drought, disaster, and hardship, but this nation, founded on principles laid down by men whom God raised up, will never fail.

This is the cradle of humanity, where life on this earth began in the Garden of Eden. This is the place of the new Jerusalem. This is the place that the Lord said is favored above all other nations in all the world. This is the place where the Savior will come to His temple. This is the favored land in all the world. Yes, I repeat, men may fail, but this nation won't fail.

I have faith in America; you and I must have faith in America, if we understand the teachings of the gospel of Jesus Christ. We are living in a day when we must pay heed to these challenges.

I plead with you not to preach pessimism. Preach that this is the greatest country in all the world. This is the favored land. This is the land of our forefathers. It is the nation that will stand despite whatever trials or crises it may yet have to pass through."

(Ye Are the Light of the World, 350-51)

“How Shines Your Light”

cji

7/18/12

Is there a glow ever bright

can all see the way ahead

are you doing all you can do

and is your word always true

are all able your paths to thread

thus how shines your light?

Each is given a candle to hold

keeping it refreshed and lighted

not under a bushel to be hid

or even a thimble not to forbid

can your light by all be sighted

bring one and all in from the cold!

July 16, 2012

“Risk Takers”

cji

7/17/12

Willing to dare to do right

going beyond the crowd

dancing into the light

renouncing death’s shroud;

Risk takers to the extreme

defying the media lies

making only truth supreme

for such our nation cries!

July 15, 2012

“A Kinder Heart’s”

cji

7/16/12

Softening of the words spoken

and lifting words of pure love

making spirits dormant awoken

allowing clearly to see far above;

Veils now thin once so hidden

Celestial Worlds to envision

more fervent I’m found bidden

a kinder heart’s new incision!

July 14, 2012

“Prayer”

cji

7/15/12

How much more fervent

found on bended knee

prayer of the Sabbath Day

communing me to thee;

Precious moments free

lingering in prayer to stay

the veil thins for me to see

with feelings observant!

“Precious Moments”

cji

7/14/12

Moments of quiet peace

surrounded by love’s joy

emotions able to release

a grandpa and his boy;

Giving the exuberance

gleeful laugher abounds

in this forever experience

wherein love surrounds!

July 13, 2012

“A Moral People”

cji

7/14/12

Lest one misunderstand

morality is as one defines

Attila the Hun had his

Hitler had another too

evil persons have one

whether right or wrong;

Yet what of the strong

Mother Teresa had one

mothers and fathers true

we’ve each hers or his

only time meaning refines

a moral people to strand!

July 12, 2012

“Eating Flowers”

cji

7/13/12

Like the bugs on the wind

going flower to flower to eat

nectar and honey sweet

each day eagerly to greet

hoping not danger to meet

children claiming still to be

while adult dirty to all see

all refusing to bath daily

expecting all life to be free

just like other’s anthophilous

buzzing and conspicuous

bordering on the ridiculous

beetles, parasites, noxious

like the bugs on the wind!

“Almost Drowning”

cji

7/10/12

(or 7/10/1976)

T’was hot and muggy outside

while the AC ran to keep us cool

the water above room temperature

waiting there for us to enter within

most of all we felt the veil thin

feeling for this sacred procedure

following Heavenly Father’s rule

therefore with the Saints to abide;

All in readiness waiting to begin

Dan’s baptism was under way

dressed in white both he and I

opening prayer and a hymn

short talk given just for him

entering the water he and I

the important words I did say

then taking Dan for his swim;

Under Dan went but not complete

once more he went but not all wet

three times the charm they say

this time looking around to see

ten seconds-twenty time did flee

how long under could Dan stay

almost drowning but Chuck was set

no more times this to thus repeat!

To the changing room to get dry

Dan looking at Chuck asking why

almost drowned me on this day

worried you wouldn’t get me up

all Chuck could say was, ‘yup’

asking if longer I could stay

not knowing to laugh or cry

Dan just released a sigh!

July 11, 2012

“Inadequate”

cji

7/12/12

Passing into the mazes

reflecting of who to be

seemingly endless depths

steep mountains and cliffs

so much to overcome alone

feelings of being inadequate

overwhelm and descend

crescendos of disharmony

confusion and contention

minds weary with abuse

deep streams of ice flow

dragging and numbing

darkness pervades all

within the feelings felt

inadequate and alone!

July 10, 2012

“Loading the Boxcars”

cji

7/11/12

The rails moved west for commerce

then traveled east in full reverse;

Boxcar after boxcar filled with cattle

then soon even worse with chattel;

The rail heads were boom and bust

with very few anyone could trust;

Whore houses and bar’s/saloons

playing viciously strange tunes;

Gunfire frequent and quite violent

no one on the line ever to repent;

The 1800’s into the 1900’s followed

more extensive and worse allowed;

Boxcars filled with humans to die

while most the world didn’t ask why;

Hatred fostered and increased often

hearts, souls wrenched not to soften;

Harder and harder justice demanded

more powerful politics commanded;

Once more the boxcars on the tracks

freedoms given away now so lax;

What was once a given to believe

is Government’s ploy to deceive;

Boxcars lined up one by one by

awaiting transferees wave goodbye;

Kidnapped while at the mall found

now in servitude to be long bound;

Loading the boxcars easy to be done

for freedom asleep the battle was won!

July 9, 2012

“Embers of the Fire”

Cji

7/10/12

Going forth two by two

teenagers to young adults

two young women

two young men

embers of the fire

seeking to bring light

into the darkness about

seeking one or a family

bring the message

eternal life and love

the Savior’s message

the Restored Gospel

the flaming fire here

in these latter-days

two by two by two

looking for the you

looking for the Savior

looking for the word

the fires flames of life

these embers go forth

seeking out you and me!