THE CHILDREN OF THE WORLD

Let's love the children of the world

And hold them in our arms

Let's cherish them and let them feel

We are captured by their charms.

A peaceful world for them I hope,

And days when swinging is fun,

A comfortable bed and safe place

For them when day is done.

Parents love and Family care

A home that's filled with love,

A cherished safe and special place

Blessed by Heaven above.

Calm voices and sweet music

A special tender touch,

Let's let them feel that they are loved

Oh so very much.

Children have no voice 

And cannot ask to be born,

Let us examine our hearts

As we face another dawn.

Let's be a nurse when they are sick,

A teacher when they're learning,

Let's provide them with shelter

And the things that they are yearning.

Let's teach them very special things

The things to say and do,

To blow kisses to each other

To say that "I love you."

Let's read them bedtime stories

And the wonder of the skies,

And hope that we can see the magic

In their smiles and in their eyes.

Let's make them fairy cakes,

And hold their little hands,

This should be happening

In homes in all the lands.

Let's protect them as they travel

And hold their hands really tight

Let's sing away the things that scare them

In the darkness of the night.

They are such a special gift

Given to us in trust,

We must give them of our best

Yes - indeed we must.'

Let them splash in puddles

And feel the wind in their hair

Let them squash the sand between their toes,

Please tell them that you care.

Those little fingers and tiny feet,

The sunshine of their smile,

Remember they are children

For such a little while.

Hold them very close 

Provide a pure sweet place,

Remember that we are blessed

By their presence and their grace,

Let's love the children of the world

And hold them in our arms

Let's cherish them and let them feel

We are captured by their charms.

© Linda J. Vaughan

September 2007

"Let them laugh, let them giggle, let them sleep in the middle.

Just let them be little."

THE FRONT PORCH

THE FRONT PORCH

An empty chair at sundown

On a hot and steamy day,

I see you in my memory

Watching children play.

A front porch with flowers,

A gentle summer breeze.

I recall your gentle singing

On evenings such as these.

I can hear the children laughing

And see them climbing trees,

I can smell the perfumed flowers

I remember those skinned knees.

I visualise the sunset glow

And see the shades of an orange sky,

I visit again The Front Porch

As summer days drift by.

I hear the gentle rocking

Of the Front Porch chair~

Summer days that last forever

And always you were there.

I hear the drone of insects

And the birds nesting in the trees

I see again the Front Porch

What memories are these!

© Linda J. Vaughan

DAYS GONE BY

DAYS GONE BY

I was thinking of days gone by

When little boys climbed trees,

Tore their pants, filled their pockets,

And often skinned their knees.

How they were the Kings in a Castle

With dragons to chase and slay,

And how they’d fish in ponds

And collect frogs every day.

A rope swing over the river

When days were long and warm,

Coming home for dinner,

To a place that was safe and warm,

Little girls in dress up clothes

With flowers in their hair,

Discussing their dolls and problems,

And rocking their “babies” with care.

Fairy Queens and Princesses

With fairy wings and wands,

Looking at their reflections

In cool still garden ponds.

Making perfume from rose petals,

And baking lots of mud pies,

Coming home at end of day

With the light of sleep in their eyes.

The world has changed for everyone

And parents find it hard

To let their children play outside

In the safety of their back yard.

Love the children of the world

Encourage them to grow,

To live and learn in safety

To be the best we know.

Store away the memories

Of childhood trust and love,

Keep them close in heart and thought

And bless them with your love.

© Linda J. Vaughan

I'D LOVE TO LIVE IN A PEACEFUL WORLD

I’D LOVE TO LIVE IN A PEACEFUL WORLD

I’d love to live in a peaceful world,

Where love and care abound,

Where there is trust and compassion

The whole wide world around.

I’d love to live in a peaceful world

When children could run and play,

Where the fields were filled with flowers,

Not land mines every day.

I’d love to live in a peaceful world

Where no one took drugs,

Where we could safely walk the streets,

And have no fear of thugs.

I’d love to live in a peaceful world

Where people loved and cared,

Where children slept so peacefully

And Mothers were not scared.

I’d love to live in a peaceful world

Where Fathers did not go to war,

Where no-one was ever hungry

And calm waters washed our shore.

These are my wishes and my hopes

For our tired and sorry world,

May we all very soon see

Freedom’s peaceful flag unfurled.

© Linda J. Vaughan

LONGING

LONGING

There is a longing in my heart

To go back to the days of old

To feel the warmth of summer dreams

Before the days turned cold.

I long to hear the laughter

When days were calm and bright,

When little children filled my days

And I tucked them in at night.

Those days were very busy

And it seems like only yesterday

But in truth the years have flown

And they are on their way.

My shopping list was different

And there were always story books

I long for the winter kitchen days

When they became the cooks.

There is a longing in my heart

To watch their lives unfold,

Their hearts I’ll always carry

Although their hands I no longer hold.

I long to see the days on earth

When peace is known by all,

When friends reach out to each other,

And hold them lest they fall.

There is a longing in my heart

For equality in life

For all children to live happily

Without the toil and strife.

Bless the children of the world,

And may they live in peace

There is a longing in my heart

For joys that will not cease.

© Linda J. Vaughan

LOVE THE CHILDREN OF THE WORLD

LOVE THE CHILDREN OF THE WORLD

I was thinking of days gone by

When little boys climbed trees,

Tore their pants, filled their pockets,

And often skinned their knees.

How they were the Kings in castles

With dragons to chase and slay,

And how they’d fish in ponds

And collect frogs every day.

A rope swing over the river

When days were long and warm,

Coming home for dinner,

To a place that was safe and warm,

Little girls in dress up clothes

With flowers in their hair,

Discussing their dolls and problems,

And rocking their “babies” with care.

Fairy Queens and Princesses

With fairy wings and wands,

Looking at their reflections

In cool still garden ponds.

Making perfume from rose petals,

And baking lots of mud pies,

Coming home at end of day

With the light of sleep in their eyes.

The world has changed for everyone

And parents find it hard

To let their children play outside

In the safety of their back yard.

Love the children of the world

Encourage them to grow,

To live and learn in safety

To be the best we know.

Store away the memories

Of childhood trust and love,

Keep them close in heart and thought

And bless them with your love.

© Linda J. Vaughan

AUTUMN CALLING

AUTUMN CALLING

The seasons now are changing

And autumn calls my name,

She wears her red gold gown

And I recall her fame.

I trace again in memory

The changing of the years

When summer turned to autumn

And left some cold and icy fears.

The leaves are changing on the trees

And my life is changing too

So many things are different ~

But I remember you.

I remember all the friendship

The love, the trust and care.

The dark and gloomy times for me

When always you were there.

I remember all the anxious times

When you helped me face my fears,

The days and nights you cared enough

To wipe away my tears.

The wind is cool and days grow short

An empty home where laughter dwelt

Quieter times and passing seasons

In a house where love was felt.

I’ve watched them grow and leave the nest

To fly and soar above,

I gave them roots to anchor them

But mostly I gave them love.

I gave them wings and see them flying

And living their lives well.

I hope they know how proud I am ~

I hope that they can tell.

So as Autumn calls my name once more

I cherish this special season

It brings a mellow wistfulness

It gives my heart a reason.

© Linda J. Vaughan

3rd. April 2006

FAITH TO BELIEVE

FAITH TO BELIEVE

I want to believe in babies

And the joy that they bring.

I want to believe in families

And a heart that can sing.

I want to believe in children

With an inquiring mind,

I want to believe in laughter

And all the joys you can find.

I want to believe in friendship

And souls that meet and touch.

I want to believe in dewdrops

Moonbeams, rainbows and such.

I want to believe in love,

Candles and romance.

I want to believe that people

Still give love a chance.

I want to believe in kindness

And the care for one another,

I want to believe in compassion

And caring for my brother.

I want to believe in tenderness

And a special gentle touch

I want to believe that if we try

We can change things very much.

In these days when the world is troubled

And peace is hard to find,

Lord give me the faith to believe

That people still are kind.

Give me a faith and gentleness

And a trust throughout my day

To know that my faith will sustain me

And that you will lead the way.

© Linda J. Vaughan

RAINBOW CHILDREN

RAINBOW CHILDREN

Little children in bright colours

Painting rainbows on a wall

Hearts and minds filled with dreams

The most special days of all.

Little hearts filled with hope,

Smiles upon their faces,

Painting pictures of their lives

Dreaming of dresse and laces.

Little children wearing sunshine

In their clothing and in their hair,

Dreaming of a happy future

Totally unaware.

Please protect the children

Keep them safe from harm.

Let them sleep in safety

Cuddled up snug and warm.

© Linda J. Vaughan

April 2009

I AM THE VOICE OF A WOMAN

i AM THE VOICE OF A WOMAN

I am the voice of a woman

With a very caring heart,

The troubles in this world

Are tearing me apart.

I want to stand up and be counted

To storm and never cease

Until the world for our children

Becomes a place of peace.,

Alone my voice is quiet

And my tears fall on hard ground,

But if we join together 

Then strength in numbers is found.

We can challenge the Politician,

The Professor and the Police,

We can join hands around the world

And we can pray for peace.

We can fight for freedom,

For justice for our brother,

By taking some action

We can care for one another.

We can try to change the laws

So that our hearts can rest,

We shall stand tall and strong

If we are put to the test.

Let’s hope that by linking hands

In love around the world,

Freedom’s sweet flag

Will one day be unfurled.

© Linda J. Vaughan

May 2011

The Pages of Avalon

A COLD SUNDAY MORNING

MUSING ON A COLD SUNDAY MORNING.

The steel grey sky and icy wind

Have crept into my day,

A winter Sunday morning

Has slowly come my way.

The wind is strong and cold

As it blows around my face.

The silver beads of raindrops

Making patterns just like lace.

The trees are stark and winter bare

Of leaves and greenery.

Picturesque and very beautiful

This wintery scenery.

Children dressed all warmly

With hats and gloves and coats.

A deserted lonely boating lake ~

No small and bobbing boats.

The playground swings are still

Apart from the wind that blows,

And under this cold earth

The graceful daffodil grows.

The ducks are on the river

The gulls fly up above ,

A couple walking hand in hand ~

So very much in love.

An inside day for lots of folk

By fireside and with book,

Special music to listen to

And something nice to cook.

There are so many things I like

About this time of year

Warm thoughts and memories

Of those I hold so dear.

Those who are so busy 

With ventures new and exciting

A new job and new study

Lectures and some writing.

So on this winter Sunday

I take the time apart

To carry you all safely

In my warm and loving heart.

© Linda J. Vaughan

2011

THE CHILDREN OF MY HEART

I wrote this today in celebration of Mother's Day 

THE CHILDREN OF MY HEART

It is Sunday morning and the sun is up

I welcome the joy that it brings,

The beauty of the sunrise and clouds

Oh how my heart sings.

It's Mothers day in Australia

A time to celebrate

Rushing round and cooking

Not wanting to be late.

The days for me are different

And everything is changed,

Life moves on and I find 

So many things rearranged.

No children in my kitchen 

Making tea and toast

It is these little things

That I miss the very most.

They have left the family home

And have kitchens of their own,

Their lives are very busy 

Now that they have grown.

I miss so very much of their lives

As I have watched them grow,

I watch them soar and make mistakes

And I know I must let them go.

I gave them roots to anchor them

And wings that they could fly,

I watch them as they journey 

And wish for a clear blue sky.

As the years have passed 

My children have flown the nest

And still I wish for them

Nothing but the best.

I try to be gracious in aging

And accept the care they bring

I find it difficult to be the cared for

When caring would make me sing.

I stand in awe as I watch them

Responsible in jobs and life,

And always they have brought joy

And stayed out of trouble and strife.

To the children that I bore

I offer these words from my heart,

You are no longer my babies

As you were at the very start.

You no longer need me to cook, iron and clean

You can drive yourselves around,

But in my heart you will always stay

Where love and joy will abound.

You will always be my babies  ~

I remember the times of your birth

Your coming into my world

Brought the greatest joy on earth.

© Linda J. Vaughan

Mother's Day 2011 - May 8th. 2011