The Old Letter Jacket


By larry r Linville



It hangs on a nail in the hallway

as it has for so many years

displaying the old school colors

while it listens for old school cheers.



It was once daily apparel

the owner went nowhere without it.

But it’s been there alone forever

because these day it just doesn’t fit.



It’s colors seem to have faded

but the letter hangs there like a sign

of a teenager’s accomplishments

in sports and in music so fine.



It watches its owner each day

as he walks by without a glance.

If it could talk it would might ask

“Could I just once get a second glance?”



“Just pick me up and hold me,

and remember those good old days

when we went to games and concerts

and the junior and senior plays.”



If you have your letter jacket

It might lift your heart a bit

To take it and spend some minutes

and wear it if it happens to fit.

The Criminal On The Cross


By larry r Linville



I hung beside a special man

who was out of place between us.

I tried to be encouraging

but the other criminal could only cuss.



My heart was warmed when I heard him say

Father forgive them everyone.

Although the dark clouds gathered

it seemed like he brought out the sun.



All the evil things I had done

suddenly seemed to disappear

and for the first time I felt clean

with God’s love so very near.



Boldly I asked if I could be

allowed in his kingdom to stay.

With strong assurance he said to me

I’d be in paradise this day.



I knew I was already there

freed from all my terror and fear

and when he took his final breath

his life was gone but he was near.



He died much sooner than I did

yet his spirit surrounded me

and as my life faded away

his face was all I could see.