A Party Broke Out (Pentecost)

A Party Broke Out

By Larry Linville

I went to church and a party broke out.

The still soft breezes began to shout.

We had been gathering as Jesus said

but our shaken faith was nearly dead.

Some doubted but he had always been right

so we met from morning until late night.

Worship is hardly a word you would use.

It was more like we were just filling pews.

Waiting is such a hard thing we must do,

but it pays off if you see it through.

Suddenly some strange things started to move

and in amazement we started to groove.

The sound of big wind storms entered the room

and began blowing out all the dark gloom.

It was like we felt a big load lifting

and our attitude soon was shifting.

Then something like flames from a big fire

filled our hearts and began to inspire

us to do things we still cannot understand

but our excitement began to expand.

Celebration I’ve never seen before

lifted us up as we danced ‘round the floor.

If we had balloons and streamers and such

we would have added a colorful touch.

Instead, God used all the words we expressed

and foreigners heard and were very impressed

and listened as Simon Peter explained

and even if long nobody complained.

When you gather on Pentecost I pray

a party breaks out and blows you away

and gives your faith a big affirmation

as you declare your own confirmation.

During your life as you follow your God

may you be free from the worldly façade

and party with love where ever you go

letting God’s spirited love freely blow.

© 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.

Rumors of My Death

Rumors of My Death

By Larry Linville

They said they heard I had died.

Someday that will be true,

but don’t get rid of me yet

‘ause I have more living to do.

When Major Burns’ obit appeared,

people clipped it and gave to me.

The headlines truly had my name

but I’m not that actor you see.

So like Mark Twain’s rumors of death

had been so exaggerated,

since we both come from the same state

perhaps we could be related.

So I’ll get back to my living

if that isn’t really too bold

and try to keep busy each day

and become very, very old.

© 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.

The Empty Nest

The Empty Nest
By Larry Linville

Wonder what mother bird sings
when her babies try their wings?
Do the tears fall from each eye
as the babes decide to fly?
Does she lose a lot of rest
when she sees that empty nest?

Will her sad heart start to rise
when she sees how each one flies?
Will she watch in pride next spring
when she hears them fly and sing?
Will she know she’s passed the test
when that last bird leaves the nest?

Unless a storm comes that way
the nest will all summer stay
to remind her she’s done well
and can rest for quite a spell.
She’ll adjust, take up the slack
knowing one day they’ll be back.

Wonder if the birds have heard
Jesus said God sees each bird?
If they have they know God’s love
is for all, not just the dove.
If they know they’d say to you
that same God also loves you.

So let’s pray that God has blest
every lonely empty nest
and to those nests that hurt most
may he send a heavenly host
to make sad days just a few
and help each see a life that’s new.

© 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.

I Will Not Cry

I have put in poetry the lines I wrote in prose earlier this morning.



I Will Not Cry
By Larry Linville
I will not cry (sniff) oops I just did
I’m trying so hard to hold it in.

Going to a happy event
as a very proud grandparent.

Going with anticipation
of granddaughter’s graduation.

I will cry because I am sad
but I am also very glad.

I cry because I’m happy too
for all the things she will do.

They say men aren’t supposed to cry
but that is just a great big lie.

© 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.

Emotional Days

Poems must wait. My oldest granddaughter is graduating from high school. That's our top priority now. We will attend her last high school concert tonight. It's bound to be an emotional time.

We'll stay so we can attend a graduation party on Saturday and her graduation on Sunday. It's hard to believe this time has come. It seems like just a couple of years since she was born. My feelings are mixed. I am sad to see her grown up but I'm excited for her opportunities which are ahead of her.

When I was her age, I had finished studying for my license to preach and was excited to be appointed to serve my first churches and begin my college career. I know she is at that point. She will graduate and then take off the next day for basic training with the Army and she will return from basic just in time to practice with the KU marching band. She is as excited to become a band director as I was to become a preacher.

So, allow me a few tears of my mixed emotions -- but mostly tears of pride and joy. Perhaps these few days ahead will inspire many poems.

One Hour A Week

One Hour A Week
By Larry Linville

Up in the morning at five
to take a two hour drive
for surgery of a member
on a cold day in December.
When surgery at last was through
grabbed a burger and fries at two.
Hurried back to his town
trying to hold back a frown
and entered the meeting at eight
only thirty minutes late
for a meeting just under way
though they paused to ask him to pray.
It drug on for over two hours
before he got to the showers
a man who smiled like a geek
said, “It nice you work one hour a week.”
Later he slept in his chair
with a stack of books piled there
which he’ll try to read tomorrow
and overcome his deep sorrow
for missing his child’s first ball game
for which he shouldered the blame.
At the child’s room he stopped to peek
remembering his one hour a week.
He awoke to hear his wife say,
“another one hour a week day.”

© 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.

An Ugly Toupee

My computer has been down and I celebrate by sharing a poem I wrote about men who wear terrible toupees.


An Ugly Toupee
By Larry Linville

I saw a guy the other day
whose hair I thought would blow away.
His wig seemed to be falling down
which made him look just like a clown.

Like him, I have lost all my hair
but I don’t pretend it’s still there
and seeing someone with a wig
makes me think of a pampered pig.

A pig that’s been soaked in a tub
and bathed then given a big rub.
With a ribbon tied on its neck
making it really look like heck

No combing hair over for me
or transplants that cost a great fee.
I am really quite at home
with my smooth and shiny dome.

© 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.