A Leaf Leaves

A Leaf Leaves

By Larry Linville

They had been neighbors since spring

on a limb that held a swing.

A bunch of green leaves in a row

aware they would soon have to go.

They had gone through much together

through wind and rain and hot weather.

They had welcomed many birds

and listened to their chirpy words.

They watched children play below

and saw people come and go.

Some charcoal smoke had sifted through

and washed away by morning dew.

“Our summer’s going” one leaf said

as he was turning to bright red.

Another leaf turning yellow

shared many thoughts that were mellow.

They weren’t sure what they would face

as they neared the end with such grace.

But as their time came to an end

they produced a breathless blend.

Today when our friends move away

all the beauty we’ve shared will stay.

We take with us the fun and jokes

to share with other lovely folks.

© Copyright 2009 Larry Linville (UN: larrylinville at Writing.Com). All rights reserved.

Larry Linville has granted Writing.Com, its affiliates and syndicates non-exclusive rights to display this work.

Waiting For My Wife

Waiting For My Wife
By Larry Linville

I sit patiently in my car
my wife getting PT not very far
from my quiet perch in the parking lot
in a place next to a handicapped spot.

The chimes on an old church singing their song
loudly every quarter hour all day long.
Some days it rains and some days it is hot
and sometime I must go use the pot.

I read a little with radio on
and recline the seat at my first yawn.
I can write poems like I’m doing now
or look out the window and show a smile.

An UPS store is open across the street.
An Adams store beside it would be neat
UPS and Adam would catch your attention
and be easy for your brain’s retention.

I remember when we used to date
I’d let her out of my car and wait
as she did shopping and other such things
and I listened as the eight track sings.

I’m not saying I always wait on her
she wait for me too so that’s not a slur.
The many hours we’ve waited is not bad
it shows that our marriage is not a fad.

I hope I can wait for her for many years
sometimes with laughter and sometimes with tears
and she’ll wait for me whenever I need
because at our age there’s no need for speed.

© Copyright 2009 Larry Linville (UN: larrylinville at Writing.Com). All rights reserved.
Larry Linville has granted Writing.Com, its affiliates and syndicates non-exclusive rights to display this work.

A Long Slow Rain

A Long Slow Rain

By Larry Linville

A light shower began today

now it looks as if it will stay.

A few drops first began to fall

turning damp the old red brick wall.

First it came like ripples on a lake

and tiny pools it began to make.

Like incoming ocean tides it grew

with many drops and then just a few.

Sometimes like rolling waves it tore

then like small ones that were a boar.

Like a tempest with the wind blowing

and then soft drops almost like snowing.

It soaks the lawn and runs down the drive

the once dry grass is looking alive.

There is no ocean in the Midwest

but this thing of beauty helps me rest.

© Copyright 2009 Larry Linville (UN: larrylinville at Writing.Com). All rights reserved.

Larry Linville has granted Writing.Com, its affiliates and syndicates non-exclusive rights to display this work.

Old Limestone School

Old Limestone School

By Larry Linville

Proudly and yet lonely

stands a limestone school

on a flint hill in Kansasa

stately monument

to a day so long ago

when she was the hub of activity

for a small rural community

of hard working farmers.

She educated their children

as a gathering place

for talent shows and box suppers

and ballot boxes.

Her approach was a dusty path

where children walked

or rode their horses

with books and lunch boxes at their side.

This vanished path has been replaced

with flowers

and weeds

and prairie grass.

Because she was not made with wood

her rock walls stand tall and straight

like a tall slender deer

slowly looking all around

to check the horizon for danger.

Her pane-less windows

let in the bright sun

the spring rains

and cold winter blizzards.

The bell in the tower

poises ready to peal

a friendly call to the community

if someone pulls gently

on the strong hemp rope.

From time to timea former student

makes the long rugged trek

to behold this old friend

and recall so manypriceless memories.

© Copyright 2009 Larry Linville (UN: larrylinville at Writing.Com). All rights reserved.

Larry Linville has granted Writing.Com, its affiliates and syndicates non-exclusive rights to display this work.

My Jayhawk Granddaughter

It seems like it was a short time ago when my son marched for the first time with the Marching Band at the University of Kansas. It couldn't have been so long ago. Now my granddaughter marched for the first time last saturday. She had a great time. She also played with the pep band for the volleyball team. I am proud of her parents who marched there and I'm proud of her as well. Where has time gone?

She's the one on the left!

The Widow Who Gave Her Mite.

Haven't done a poem for a while. This one is the result of working on my sermon this week on "The Generous Are Blessed."

Luke 21:1-4

I’d gone to temple to give a gift
but I didn’t have much money.
A rich man gave a large amount
which made me feel quite funny.

How could I give my piddling sum
after his great treasure?
But when I placed it in the box
I was filled with much pleasure.

After I turned to walk away
at a distance Jesus swore
that the very small gift I gave
was really a lot more.

It was all I had in my purse
I knew not what I would do.
But I was blessed beyond compare
before that day was through.

A nice young man standing near
followed after me a while.
And when we were standing alone
he showed a great big smile.

He said his mother was deceased
and he missed her very much.
He handed me a bag of food
and gave my hand a touch.

I ate like a princess that night
and I was truly blessed
just because I traveled that day
to give God my very best.

© Copyright 2009 Larry Linville (UN: larrylinville at Writing.Com). All rights reserved.
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