Poetry

By Eurdis Nail Greer

Motherhood Eurdis Nail Greer Motherhood Eurdis Nail Greer

For Jennifer & Dana

The house was empty, void of sound-

No little children running 'round.

There wasn't really much to do

But soon enough, God gave me two.

Sometimes I'd think, "I've done my part.

I do not want another start

At raising kids like others do!"

And God would point my heart toward you.

It's never hard to love your own,

Even when they're grown and gone.

God still had work for me to do

...discover love for both of you.

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Grandchildren, Motherhood Eurdis Nail Greer Grandchildren, Motherhood Eurdis Nail Greer

Echos

Graduation cap and gown,

Long lost laundry on the floor.

Special souvenirs from buddies

Fill a knapsack by the door.

Goodbye cries and friends' best wishes

Echo through an empty room

Grownup kids and happy teachers

End five years of nursery school.

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Motherhood Eurdis Nail Greer Motherhood Eurdis Nail Greer

Just for Me

I brought molasses

from the shed,

checked for eggs

just like she said;

then pushed my chair to Mama's knee,

while she made teacakes

just

for

me.

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Grandchildren Eurdis Nail Greer Grandchildren Eurdis Nail Greer

Hi-ho Silver

He whispered in the pony's ear

and calmed the nervous beast.

He slid into the saddle

with a cowboy's practiced ease.

He spurred his mount, then shouted "Whoa!",

his countenance chagrined.

He leaned his body to the side and

slipped a quarter in.

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Grandchildren Eurdis Nail Greer Grandchildren Eurdis Nail Greer

A Grandma’s Wish

I have a little grandson-(at least I think I do.)

He has the biggest, brightest eyes-

(I guess they are still blue.)

He uses big important words-

By now he knows some more.

(I know I'd like to see him

running up to my front door!)

I guess his blond hair still is straight

And needs a little trim.

I guess by now that space filled up

Where that first tooth had been.

And those long jeans that dragged the floor

Are way past ankle high-

(I wish I could pick up the phone

and talk to him awhile.)

I see him in his desk at school,

Back straight, head held high.

I see him rise to say the pledge,

That twinkle in his eye.

I see him reading, writing, studying each day,

(I also picture him at recess-first one out to play.)

I wish that I could be the one

To meet his bus each day

Give him milk and cookies

Watch him wile his time away.

(I wish my grandson lived next door

and not so far away.)

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Grandchildren Eurdis Nail Greer Grandchildren Eurdis Nail Greer

Future Stars

Some are short

Some are tall

Some you hardly see at all.

Wide-legged shorts on knobby limbs,

Long-tailed shirts for "Her and Him",

Wet cowlicks and ponytails

Decorate these boys and girls.

Anxious parents-one and all-

Come to watch their kids play ball.

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Grandchildren Eurdis Nail Greer Grandchildren Eurdis Nail Greer

T-ball

Up he stepped with manlike stride-

Shoulders back,

Eyes filled with pride.

He hardly noticed me at all..

My grandson came to play T-ball.

He gripped the bat,

His knuckles white,

Then waited for his cue to strike.

That ball flew clear to outer space

And MY grandson got on first base.

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Mother of Three

A mother I am, a mother of three.

A mother of sons I was not meant to be.

I prayed for a son "for my husband," I said.

"I'll take any kind-even hair that is red,

or no hair at all will be all right with me."

But a mother of sons I was not meant to be.

I made frilly dresses for three little girls,

Made Easter bonnets to cover their curls,

And gave up my dreams for a son finally.

A mother of sons I was not meant to be.

I made wedding dresses for three grown-up girls,

Made satin bonnets to hold wedding veils.

God answers prayers in his own way, you see,

And soon gave me grandsons, not one, but three!

A mother of sons was not meant for me.

A mother of grandsons, He meant me to be.

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Grandchildren Eurdis Nail Greer Grandchildren Eurdis Nail Greer

Before He Came

Before he came...

the pond stood still, the kittens played

on my windowsill,

the doors stayed shut, the lamps burned low,

But that was some light years ago

... before he came.

Before he came the grass grew high,

the dog just moped and so did I.

There were no fries or chocolate pie

... before he came.

Before he came the stars were small,

and sleep o'er took the whippoorwill's call.

The fireflies' light seemed dim at night

... before he came.

Before he came...

the ball stayed lost and I forgot

what candy cost.

The ping pong table lay in dust,

Horseshoes hung on nails to rust;

And I forgot what made me cuss

...before he came.

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Grandchildren Eurdis Nail Greer Grandchildren Eurdis Nail Greer

Remembering

I walked around where yesterday

the feet of children loudly played,

and traipsed through moss and violets

while fishing to their heart's content.

The grapevine's hanging quietly now-

where yesterday it felt the power

of tireless hands and Tarzan yells,

that split the heavens, for a spell.

Leftover bait,

an empty stump,

the first-aid kit for itchy bumps,

some fishing line still lying there

from yesterday's entangled hair,

discarded bandaid a hero wore,

dried up sandwich,

an apple core...

All tell the tale of yesterday

when my grandchildren came to play.

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For Nic

Another day has come and gone,

The house is quiet once more.

Morning sun reveals the smudges

Sticky hands left on the door.

Pots and pans are rearranged

Dragged from beneath a chair;

A disassembled five piece band

With wooden spoon still lying there.

Water streaks on cabinet doors

And scuff marks on the floor,

Prove a grandson helped his Granny

Do the dishes and the chores.

Even cat and dog seem lost,

No one to throw a stick

Or scream when chased around the yard

And given cold wet licks.

"Let's walk just once more in the woods"

Still ringing in my ear, and

"It's not raining very hard

And we might see the 'nuther deer!"

One more time I've read the book

he didn't even hear,

and once more tied the tennis shoes

he didn't want to wear.

Ten times ten I know I answered

all his endless "Whys?"

and one more time I cried

as little hands waved me goodbye.

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Grandchildren Eurdis Nail Greer Grandchildren Eurdis Nail Greer

Where There No Children

Who cares to clean an unused room?

Why, there's no need to lift a broom.

Last month's dust still lying there, And who's to care?

The stove's been cold a long, long time.

No need to cook for one to dine and throw leftovers out the door to pets, who beg for more.

I'd have no need to work so hard to mend that fence in my backyard for kids and dogs to roam...

Were There No Children

coming home.

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Prayers, Grandchildren Eurdis Nail Greer Prayers, Grandchildren Eurdis Nail Greer

One More Thing, Lord

It's me again, Lord Jesus,

Making one more final plea,

About that new grandbaby

Who's just about to be.

Let him be real healthy,

I beg on bended knee.

I need someone to walk the woods

and spend some time with me.

There's stories to be read to him

Before my eyesight goes;

There's logs to walk and streams to cross

and lots of rocks to throw.

Then one more thing I'd like to ask,

If You'll permit me to,

I'd like to hang around to help

Him grow to be like You.

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