Some of Life's Kettle Corn

by Della Metcalf

He kept on singing right on cue,

  “‘Let me hear you whisper that you love me too

  Keep the love light glowing in your eyes so blue

  Let me call you sweetheart I’m in love with you’”

  My parents said we had to go

  We moved to places high and low

  At the car I heard the prayer

  Of Grandpa and Grandma Sinclair

  Innocent I did not know

  How it hurt for them to see us go

  I did not see them ever again

  They were sweethearts to the end

  Love is Water is Man

  Let me be clear

  My frigid and hard heart rages

  My misty eyes trickle

  Steamy angry beads of sweat sit upon me

  Rain falls upon my heart

  The mother of life saturates

  She cleans and heals as she soaks in

  My heart is no longer muddy and heavy

  Love’s conduit flows in

  To the lowest places water flows

  It disperses and gently rises again

  I feel calm redemption

  My eyes are dry

  Rage is drowned out

  Clouds are reborn in the sky,

  Ever ready to quench the thirsty iniquities of mankind

  Green Eyed Monster

  Green eyed monster looks at you and thinks about himself

  Green eyed monster sees your worth but puts you on a shelf

  Green eyed monster glares at you; he won’t look at the “us”

  No teamwork here

  You must stay clear

  He’ll toss you un’ the bus

  Green eyed monster looms and waits for you to make an err

  Green eyed monster watch you fall and smirk ’cause he don’t care

  Green eyed monster wants to hurt, destroy what you have made

  Your pretty castle in the sand, he kicks it in the shade

  Cling to God and all His love to get you through these times

  Stay true to form

  And brave this storm

  When you can see these signs

  Remember that you’re not alone the angels ever near

  To keep the green eyed monster back

  And catch your every tear

  A Friend

  Be fearless and be bold

  Help another when they’re old

  If you care then you will see

  True meaning of life’s empathy

  Be that person who

  Is not a lie but true

  Stay gentle open kind

  A friend is what you’ll find

  Being a Nurse

  Nursing school was finished then, but I was just a kid

  I tried to take good care of you

  I really truly did

  As I grew, there ensued more knowledge in my mind

  I added to the mix in me, the friend, the care, the kind

  I hope you got back on your feet

  I hope you got to heal

  I hope I squelched the scary part

  So fears you wouldn’t feel

  It is my job, my given place

  To be there just for you

  So you can go on well with grace

  Bless all with what you do!

  Loving Friend

  You might think this life is but a journey

  And your time is coming to an end

  Yet you fear still holding on to traveling

  I will be there, to be your loving friend

  As you try to hold on to those memories

  While the sun is slowly going down

  I know you care, so deeply for your loved ones

  You’ll find new life, the folks before you found

  You can rest your heart, know God is near you

  He will send His angels to your side

  You will leave this world of which you’ve traveled

  Returning home, as oceans are the tide

  Underwater Angel

  I held the hand of a woman as we walked out of the sea. She was newly dead and confused but I was not. I was her guide. We walked along the sandy bottom. We looked up at huge waves with hues of light beaming through the green and deep blue waters. I somehow reassured her while clinging tightly to her hand. We said nothing. She wondered how we breathed and how we could see. She had recently drowned but I was there for her. On the shore we tirelessly emerged into the light of eternal day. There were sparkles of shimmering lights amidst indescribably beautiful rainbows of color. Total pure love surrounded her. Reunion with her family was overwhelming as tears of joy gently returned to the sea. I will be there for you too, should you need to walk out of the sea.

  Johnny Cash Goes to Jamaica

  The “Man in Black”

  Drank some Jack

  A few nights in a jail

  Fame made him rough

  Celebrity stuff

  Unopened piles of mail

  “These cities, they will break ya!”

  Said a voice, “Go. Don’t look back.”

  So he traveled to Jamaica

  (Flag of yellow green and black)

  There seemed no thing in common

  Of the singer and the sand

  Johnny foreign to the Brahman

  And the people of the land

  Good thoughts did fill his mind

  Wisdom in his newfound tune

  His music soft and kind

  Some love songs for his June

  He listened to the voice that said

  “This life is not for you

  Go to a peaceful place instead

  And get to know Me too”

  Christmas Eve at the Hospital

  The charge nurse yells down the hospital corridor to me, “Della, you’re getting one from the ER. Williams..Room 234.. Stroke.. DNR.. ER calling report!”

  After hearing report, I realize the DNR indicates he would be in the ICU otherwise. He is likely to die, “circling the drain, outta here.” Mr. Williams is atop a gurney being pushed by transport to room 234. He is lifted to the bed. He’s a thin black man who’d given a complete meaningful sermon this Sunday morning. Today is Christmas Eve. He’s had a blood vessel “blow” in the brain and cannot talk. I ask the polite family to help me determine this man’s medical history.

  The family reports that the ninety-three year old man was walking this morning. They say he was happy today. They tell me he wore a spiffy suite as he delivered his spirit filled message to his congregation (I envision the people singing Amazing Grace around noon). Mr. Williams has a relaxed affect. He opens his eyes now and listens. There is a gleam in his eyes as he makes effort to smile when he understands his current situation. His face reflects happy anticipation.

  His eyes close, his breathing slows; his hands are being held by tearful loved ones near. He gently passes on. I thank God for the privilege and opportunity to witness a child return home. Mr. Williams teaches us to be ready, therefore fearless and glad to pass on to glory.

  Great is Time

  Time is like God’s spirit dove

  Something that we lose track of

  Uncontrollable as earth’s creation

  Time is friend and your frustration

  Light years planets spin above

  You can’t buy it, just like love

  Time is all about perception

  Fast or slow in self deception

  Be “in the moment” take your time

  Think you don’t have it? -“moral crime”

  Share and give it, again like love

  Can’t be contained as skies above

  Older folks you’d think they’d learn

  Los
e track of time, they can’t discern

  “What time is it? What is the day?”

  Heaven measures another way

  They’re closer to the place they’ll be

  Where time becomes eternity

  Empty Nest

  A day in the springtime month of May, I destroyed the beginnings of a nest the local birds were building, mostly because of the mess they made on the handrail of my balcony. The two birds immediately began rebuilding. I tore the twigs and mud down a second time. Nonetheless, within a week a bird’s nest was complete, firmly nestled in the corner raft of the balcony’s overhang. I gave up trying to eliminate it.

  About a month later, I heard the calls of baby birds. They would scream tiny screechy yells every time I would slide the glass door open. I loved to sit on the balcony, watch the clouds and clear my mind. I watched the parent birds come and go with food for the baby bird’s open mouths. There were four babies. Sometime later there were only three babies and I wondered how that affected their family. The parent birds consistently arrived to feed. I found myself cleaning up the poo and regurgitated slop they all produced. I enjoyed them. I even made a video of the babies’ skinny necks and triangular beaks popping up and yelling. Nearly two months had passed. I realized they’d soon be ready to fly.

  It was late July. I stepped through the sliding glass door and found the parent birds standing in the nest alone. They were still and quiet. Father bird covered the mother whose face was tucked in his wing. I realized their life was not unlike my own. I felt shame remembering that my earlier behavior had created even more struggles for them. My children had gone their way, and I too had an empty nest.

  I Hear the Rain

  My ears are perked because I hear

  The rain that falls above my pier

  So gently dropping from the sky

  No wind to sway where raindrops lie

  I strain in pleasure wondering who

  Can hear the rain drops like I do

  They slow and stop their present rate

  As if while driving hit the brake

  Soon the sun emerges through

  The drops of rain they become few

  Another time the rain will fall

  Quenching Mother Nature’s call

  His Word

  “Your word is a lamp to my feet.” Imagine walking in unfamiliar land before sunrise. You need a flashlight. You need “a lamp to your feet.” Psalms reiterates in the same verse, “a light for my path.” Look again at “Your word.” This simply implies advice. His wisdom relates to which way you should go. In the essence of analogy, do you take a left, a right or do you keep going in the same direction? Take time to be still and ask for the advice. You may not even know what you’re doing exactly but you are making this awkward effort to listen to God.

  The angels probably giggle like we do when we watch babies take first steps. Eventually those babies run! So get started trying to listen, we don’t need to be the one doing all the talking when we need a lamp to see where we are going. You will get the nudge, the thoughts will enter your mind, follow them. Read what you are led to read or talk to who you now think you need to. He’s the best consultant you’ll ever have! “The path to anywhere begins with the first step!” Light it up!

  Happy Writer

  I am a happy writer

  So much I have to say

  Like the poem about a spider

  You are reading here today

  I sit down and I grab my pad

  My pen is in my hand

  I write about the dreams I had

  Or sometimes take a stand

  I hope my inspiration

  Be introduced to you

  To give you inclination

  To be a writer too!

  The Path

  The path before me I see. I travel this path by experiencing the valleys of woe and hilltops of joys. I remember the now unchangeable terrain behind me. This path leads me to a mountain. There is no way around it. As I get closer it begins to block away the sun; it is so massive. At times I slip and stumble as I rise to thinner air. I plan but still I make mistakes because I’ve never climbed a mountain. Perseverance becomes clear. Tears, faith and prayer are my companions. As I reach the top of the mountain, I behold a smooth and sunlit slope. I continue along the path taking the lessons of the mountain with me. Up ahead I see a bend preceding complete uncertainty but I feel confident. Now I am prepared.

  Philosophical Thinker

  Philosophy is quite possibly the most defined word in the universe yet its meaning is not fully understood. This is the essence of philosophy. “Is the glass half full or half empty?” This is a common analogy to pessimism verses optimism.

  Philosophy is responsible for the advancements in science, astrology, math and physics to name a few. Philosophy has formulated complete cultural behaviors in all regions of the planet.

  Philosophy is as individual as we humans are. People are frequently entranced in a philosophic conversation for hours in which banter and debate roll on based on one idea.

  All the great minds have engaged in the study of philosophy. Philosophy is the mother of all thinking. It is our search for wisdom. It is the basis of all theologies.

  Philosophy sounds like God. Why should it not be? It is a part of who God is. There is no subject, situation or tangible thing that is not affected by philosophy. Do not be afraid to step out of the box!

  Checking Out

  The old man didn’t feel so good

  He went to Dr. (thought he should)

  Driving, This is worse than gout!

  Not sure what all this pain’s about

  Parked the car he pushed the door

  In seconds he was on the floor

  The old man really freaked them out

  Checking in when he checked out

  No one could say “goodbye” to him

  Cause he checked out when he checked in

  My Utopia

  Not having any awkward vibes

  Accepting there are varied lives

  Forgiving all who insult me

  Understanding they don’t see

  Talking to inspiring souls

  Attaining all my unmet goals

  Never feeling like I’m tired

  Meeting people I’ve admired

  Rejoining with my peeps who die

  Realizing death’s a lie

  Watching blazing sunlight’s gleam

  And colors that I have not seen

  Reassured that all is well

  For me no darkened place called hell

  Resting in the arms of Him

  Who “lets me slide” of all my sin

  Rewinding life so better be

  The next time I can clearly see

  Knowing I am not alone

  His Spirit with me where I roam

  To My Readers

  Good people, I thank you for trying something new. Thank you for opening yourselves up to a new author who stimulates interest in what life is all about. I know there was something in this collection that you could feel deeply. You’re welcome. You also know how much someone else needs to hear a piece of it. Please share it. I feel that God, whomever he /she is to you meant for you to hold this book or read it on line, to nourish your soul. I hope you consider my writes food, like antioxidants or something. Thank you for opening your soul to life more abundant.

 

 

 
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