For the Heart

There are many poems, short essays, quotations, and other writings that lifts our spirit and warms the heart. We all have favorites we like to read and enjoy by sharing them with others. This is the place to do just that.

You may E-mail your favorites to me by clicking here:
Web Host John or you may enter them on the Message Board.

You may also submit Internet web site links of your favorite poems and essays to the Message Board. They will be added here for the delight of all.

Just click on one. It's for the spirit:

-- Web Host John

Keep Swimming
Author Unknown

Two frogs fell into a deep cream bowl.
One was an optimistic soul.
But the other took the gloomy view.
"We'll drown," he lamented without much ado,
and with a last despairing cry,
he flung up his legs and said "Goodbye."

Quote the other frog with a steadfast grin,
"I can't get out but I won't give in,
I'll just swim around till my strength is spent,
then I'll die the more content."
Bravely he swam to work his scheme,
and his struggles began to churn the cream.

The more he swam, his legs a flutter,
the more the cream turned into butter.
On top of the butter at last he stopped,
and out of the bowl he gaily hopped.

What is the moral? It's easily found...
If you can't hop out, keep swimming around!

Click to Listen on MammaRocks.com

DO NOT STAND AT MY
GRAVE AND WEEP

Do not stand at my grave and weep,
I am not there, I do not sleep.

I am a thousand winds that blow.
I am the diamond glint on snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain.
I am the gentle autumn rain.

When you wake in the morning hush,
I am the swift, uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circling flight.
I am the soft starlight at night.

Do not stand at my grave and weep.
I am not there, I do not sleep.
Do not stand at my grave and cry.
I am not there, I did not die!

Do not stand at my grave and weep.
I am not there, I do not sleep.

I am the song that will never end.
I am the love of family and friend.
I am the child who has come to rest
In the arms of the Father
who knows him best.

When you see the sunset fair,
I am the scented evening air.
I am the joy of a task well done.
I am the glow of the setting sun.

Do not stand at my grave and weep.
I am not there, I do not sleep.
Do not stand at my grave and cry.
I am not there, I did not die!
~ Author Unknown ~

The Rose Still Grows Beyond the Wall

By A.L. FRINK

Near a shady wall a rose once grew,
Budded and blossomed in God's free light,
Watered and fed by the morning dew,
Shedding its sweetness day and night.

As it grew and blossomed fair and tall,
Slowly rising to loftier height,
It came to a crevice in the wall
Through which there shone a beam of light.

Onward it crept with added strength,
With never a thought of fear or pride,
It followed the light through the crevice's length
And unfolded itself on the other side.

The light, the dew, the broadening view
Were found the same as they were before;
And it lost itself in beauties new,
Breathing its fragrance more and more.

Shall claim of death cause us to grieve,
And make our courage faint and fall?
Nay! Let us faith and hope receive:
The rose still grows beyond the wall.

Scattering fragrance far and wide,
Just as it did in days of yore,
Just as it did on the other side,
Just as it will forevermore.

Our friend MAUREEN shared this poem:

A poem called
"DON’T QUIT"

When things go wrong
as they some times will,
When the road your trudging
seems all up hill,
When the funds are low
and the debt are high,
When you want to smile
but you have to sigh,
When care is pressing
you down a bit,
Rest if you must
but don’t you quit.

Success is failure
turned inside out,
The silver tint
of the clouds of doubt,
And you never can tell
how close you are,
It may be near
when it seems afar,
So stick to the fight
when your hardest hit,
It’s when things go wrong,
That you must not quit.

*I'M DRINKING FROM MY SAUCER*

I've never made a fortune
and it's probably too late now,
But I don't worry about that much
I'm happy anyhow.

And as I go along life's way
I'm reaping better than I sow,
I'm drinking from my saucer
'cause my cup has overflowed.

Haven't got a lot of riches
and sometimes the going's tough,
But I've got loving ones around me
and that makes me rich enough.

I thank God for many blessings
and the mercies God's bestowed,
I'm drinking from my saucer
'cause my cup has overflowed.

O, remember times when things went wrong,
My faith wore somewhat thin,
But all at once the dark clouds broke
and sun peeped through again.

So Lord, help me not to gripe about
the tough rows that I've hoed,
I'm drinking from my saucer
'cause my cup has overflowed.

If God gives me strength and courage
when the way grows steep and rough,
I'll not ask for other blessings
I'm already blessed enough.

And may I never be too busy
to help others bear their loads,
Then I'll keep drinking from my saucer
'cause my cup has overflowed.

-- Author Unknown

The following is a poem that seems
To express a need for us all.

The Turning Of the Road

It is my joy in life to find
At every turning of the road,
The strong arms of a friend who's kind
To help me onward with my load.
And since I have no gold to give
and love alone can make amends,
My only prayer is, While I live,
God, make me worthy of my friends!

Those who bring sunshine into the lives of others, cannot keep it from themselves.

~ James M. Barrie ~

If I could catch a rainbow
I would do it
Just for you
Its beauty
On the days
You’re feeling blue

If I could build a mountain
You could call
Your very own
A place to find serenity
A place to be alone

If I could
Take your troubles
I would toss them
In the sea

But all these things
I’m finding
Are impossible for me

I cannot build a mountain
Or catch a rainbow fair

But let me be
What I know best
A friend
That’s always there

Click here: Desiderata

Relax...sit back and enjoy
this site for a
Moment as you look at this,
listen to the music and
think of how Great God must
be to make this whole world.
And how He must look at us remember our
frailty and need for HIM.
Blessings.

Carlene

Click Here to see the
Photo of the Day from
Allen Rogers Photography

Amazing Grace

On This Day

Keep Swimming Author Unknown

Keep Swimming
Author Unknown