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Anyone growing up in the Los Angeles area in the 70's and possibly earlier may remember reading poetry by this wonderful man! I remember reading his poetry every week in the "Gardena Valley News" and I absolutely loved it. I once even had a small booklet with his poetry in it that my mother had given me, but it was misplaced many years ago. Below are the only two poems I have at this time that were written by Ben Burroughs. I hope you enjoy them as much as I do!
POEM #ONE
Words of love from you, my darling...
tender kisses soft and true...
these are things that I remember...
when I think of wondrous you...
faith that never had an ending...
laughter when my heart did ache...
newborn hope, undying courage...
this you gave me for my sake...
truth that shone in all its glory...
from the lovelight in your eyes...
these are things that I remember...
when loneliness terrifies...
hands that held my tired being...
yes, as now they hold my heart...
even though you are not with me...
and our paths are far apart...
happy days and joyful evenings...
walks beneath the midnight blue...
these are things that I remember...
when I think of wondrous you.
POEM #TWO
The rolling hills, the silver streams...
and fields of new-mown hay...
in splendor stretched before my eyes...
and held my heart at bay...
I marveled at the gorgeous sight...
the handicraft of God...
designed with rivulets and springs...
and molded from the sod...
enhanced by skies that formed a frame...
of gold and softest blue...
no picture could compare with this...
great sight that graced my view...
and I gave silent thanks to God...
who let my eyes behold...
the wonders of this world I know...
the things that I enfold.
POEM #THREE
Unceasing as the stars that shine...
unfailing as the dawn...
my love for you will never end...
but will go on and on...
enduring as the ocean waves...
that beat upon the shore...
as sure as there's the sun and moon...
I'll love you evermore...
because I want your tenderness...
I need your loving smile...
you make my life a joyful thing...
for you are so worthwhile...
undying as the heaven's blue...
eternal as a prayer...
my love for you will always be...
through stormy skies or fair...
and if you feel the same as I...
our bond of love won't sever...
for like all things that God condones...
it will go on forever.
POEM # FOUR
I hear a clear voice calling...
it echoes in my heart...
and from the din of others...
it sets itself apart...
not crafty elocution...
the kind which others speak...
but a great voice with a message...
that common people seek.
POEM # FIVE
All life is washed with heaven...
for raindrops come from there...
to cleanse the world of wickedness...
and purify the air...
so you will always find me...
that is when time allows...
out walking in the raindrops...
for they my soul arouse.
POEM # SIX (Thank you Justin)
THIS is KINDNESS
"Kindness is a ray of faith...
that lights a darkened way...
a helping hand when things go wrong ...
and skies above are gray...
a sincere word of tenderness ...
from one heart to another ...
meant to show your fellow man...
you are indeed his brother ...
Kindness is a loving smile ...
a soft and friendly touch ...
a host of other little things ...
which count so very much ...
Kindness is a gentle answer ...
to an urgent call ...
a compassion put in action...
however great or small ...
a pot of gold, a worn-out coat, a little crust of bread ...
each one's the same when they give peace ...
or rest a weary head. ...
a gift of hope to those in need ...
which God above will bless ...
a flower that will never die.. .
to me this is Kindness. "
POEM # SEVEN (Thank you Joette)
" I write this with the deepest wish
that's followed by a prayer.
That all you shut-ins in our land
keep faith and don’t despair.
And that no matter what may come
you'll try at least to smile.
For after all a stream of tears
will never be in style.
I know it's hard when all your skies
are dark and you are blue.
But I can only say that faith
can bring you smiling through.
So place your faith in God above,
and you may wake to find
that all your hopes and wishes too
were not just in your mind. "
POEM # EIGHT (Thank you Kathy)
BEN BURROUGHS: "MEMORIES"
When someone you hold dear... departs and you are
blue...and your engulfed by floods of tears...here's what
you ought to do...Think of the very happy times God let
you call your own...and do not think of how it is... Now
that you are alone... for after all is said and done... what
good are endless tears...when memories can dry your
eyes... with thoughts of happy years... you cannot gain,
you'll only loose...
by wearing sorrows veil... so lift your
eyes and force a smile... and you will never fail... you
must except what God decrees...and that is why I say... let
memories of happy times...drive all your blues away.
POEM # NINE (Thank you Kathe)
When your heart hangs heavy
With a never-ending pain
When you feel the world’s against you
And your skies are filled with rain
Turn your eyes toward the heaven
Give a silent thanks to God
For all the blessings that you have
However hard you plod.
Or when your friends forsake you
And each thing you do goes wrong
Face it with a prayer or two
Try smiling, sing a song.
For the time you’ve got for happiness
Is very short, you know
And before you turn around
It’s almost time to go
So don’t spend your time in crying
However hard the ways
Just be thankful for the things you’ve got
Sing a song and smile—it pays.
POEM # TEN (Thank you Sharon)
"BELIEVE"
There are those who always follow
others who are prone to lead
each does something for the other
each fulfills a certain need
there are those who practice evil
others who do naught but good
stamping out the weeds of hatred
stimulating brotherhood
we are part of God's great pattern
all are subject to His will
what He does is for a reason
He creates and He can kill
we must trust the mighty Master
as we face our daily test
though it's difficult to fathom
everything is for the best
so it is and always well be
those who laught and those who grieve
if we are to find contentment
come what may we must believe
(Copyright 1976)
