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

STROLLING THE SHORE

STROLLING THE SHORE

Come walk with me along the shore
Let's touch the shifting sands,
The wind in our hair, salt on our lips
Let's hold the world in our hands.

Imagine for a moment if you will
The sand under your feet
Let's wade knee deep at the edge
Where the sand and the water meet.

We will stroll and talk
And pick up shells
We will hold them up to our ears
Hear the stories the ocean tells.

Let's wander back in thought to the days
When the ships would sail from Cape May
When the women would wait with loving hearts
And hope at the start of each day.

We'll regale each other with stories
Of ships that sailed at the  morning
Of the prayers and the hopes still held fast
And the light that flashed as a warning.

We'll sit on the sand and rest a while
With hearts that are full and deep
And the memories that we are making
Will be ones we will cherish and keep.

We will listen to the water
As it swells and rises and falls,
See the seabirds lift and soar,
And hear their plaintive calls.

If I close my eyes I can see it all
The sun, the shells and the sand,
The breeze whipping up the water
And the day just as it was planned.

I'll gladly walk the shore with you
And willingly take your hand
As we both share with wonder
And the way that things are planned.

© Linda J. Vaughan
March 21st. 2012

TAKE TIME

TAKE TIME

Take time to smell the flowers

To hold a small child’s hand,

Feel the gentle breezes 

As they blow across the land.

Take time to watch the sunset

And walk upon the shore,

Feel the sand between your toes

As you have done before.

Take the time to listen

To the music of your soul,

Rest, restore and rediscover

The things that make you whole.

Take time to splash in puddles

And watch the diamond sky.

Take time to watch the river

As it flows and rushes by.

Stand beside the weeping willow

With its leaves in the water

Take time to sit and quietly talk

With your precious son or daughter.

Enjoy the time you spend 

With photographs and books,

Remembering the days gone by~

Those special loving looks. 

© Linda J. Vaughan

June 2011

Prompted by little Lilah Sophie who isn't going to have the time and whose parents want people to 

"Live Life for Lilah."

COLD MORNING AT THE BEACH

COLD MORNING AT THE BEACH

Sand blowing

Sea birds calling

Dogs running

Children skipping ~

Cold morning at the beach

People talking

Friends walking

Someone swimming

Others jogging~ 

Cold morning at the beach.

Pelicans flying past

White caps on the water

People watching

From their cars ~

Cold morning at the beach.

Old friends reminiscing

Memories of people missing

Two old mates on a bench

Remembering other days ~

Cold morning at the beach.

Lapping water

Pools and shells

Seaweed with its musty smells

Shell grit under foot ~

Cold morning at the beach.

A cargo ship on the horizon

A yacht with sails unfurled

Motor boat soon passing

Foaming water in its wake;

Cold morning at the beach.

Sunshine and shadow

Grey clouds across the sky

People walking together

And others quite alone ~

Cold morning at the beach.

Pewter coloured water

Beneath a steel grey sky

A Kiosk serving coffee

A busy place indeed ~

Cold morning at the beach..

© Linda J, Vaughan