We Can Never Know

One of my friends recently asked me to write a poem about the tornadoes that hit our lovely Southern States earlier this year.  This is the poem I wrote.  I will post it here on my home page where it will stay for awhile before I move it over to the Poetry tab.

My heart goes out to all those affected by this devastation.

We Can Never Know

by DM Yates

dedicated to those who suffered storm’s wrath

We can never know ahead

what is meant for us each day.

Our earth, alive and moving,

she’ll show her right her way.

We live on earth for reasons;

to learn, to love, and for fun.

We’re not always the strongest,

sometimes we’re the weaker one.

A warm day not long ago,

the sun’s strong rays shone bright.

In an instant the sky changed.

Life filled with uncanny fright.

From Missouri through the states,

a dire warning rang out true.

Find safety now, heed the call.

Several strong storms will pass thru.

In these lovely Southern states,

life ambles gently along.

Residents are used to storms

when bad weather sings its songs.

Missouri, Alabama,

from southern Midwest on thru,

In our cherished southern states

stormy clouds caused rain to spew.

People just enjoying life

on walks or indoors did hear

the rushing of a freight train

that too suddenly came near.

Time was short to run and hide;

raging twisters took their toll.

Several felt earth’s piqued fury -

winds, rain, debris, lost control.

Life, loved by our God above,

so precious and surely dear,

gone in less than a second,

sweet souls taken from our sphere.

The storm wreaked devastation,

God’s Angels worked overtime.

Homes, property damaged,

people left without a dime.

Those who lived through the horror

will never these scenes forget.

Victims cut with pointed shard,

burst eardrums, blood, pain, and sweat.

What tragedy, what horror,

gory sights no one should see.

Death in hundreds, pain and tears,

the wailings of a banshee.

Sorrowed victims left to mourn

over life as once was known.

Earth now calm, the furies ceased,

land swept with grief, moans and groans.

Why should this be any-where,

is this some cruel punishment;

our spirit siblings’ sufferings

their souls in silent lament?

No, earth life is but a whirl

of the ever-changing wheel.

This was not a punishment.

Given time, all pains do heal.

Let us to our brethren bow,

and try to ease their hurt.

Give homage to the perished,

and our love and help assert.

This happened to so many -

desolation - prayers abound.

God’s Angels, sent for healing,

ask for love and help be found.

Join with our suffering siblings.

let us mend our earth again.

She planned not to kill or maim,

so let the healing begin.

Oh, God above, our Father,

help us all to heal once more.

Teach us to be one in spirit,

let Thy Love upon us pour.

From Heaven, words tried and true,

My peace and love give I to you.

LHR

Final Day for Luminous Luminary Laurels

Well, this is the last day of a weeklong awardings of Laurels.  I hope all the winners are still wearing them with pride.

Today is the most important awards, I believe.  It is the Laurel for support.  Support is key in this profession.  Any family member or close friend will tell you your writing/poetry is great.  But is it?  There's always that doubt, since those that love you don't want to hurt your feelings.

Because I was born under the sign of Cancer, I am a worrier of everything, so when someone supports me, my self-esteem in my abilities grows like Jack's Beanstalk.  Therefore I am so honored to name the top 10 people who have propelled me onwards and upwards.  Alas, but if you've already earned a Laurel, you don't get another, but you'll still get a bunch of lilacs (my favorite flower to show how much you mean to me).

These are not in any particular order, so please don't ask why you weren't listed before someone else or I'll have to take the award back.  lol

April Morone has supported me and my poetry and writing from the first day we met.  Since you already have a Laurel, I award you springs of lilacs.


This award also goes to Dora Dee who has been such a sweet supporter of my poetry too.
I also give one to Norma Beishir, William Kendall, and Beth Muscat who support me and hold me up so often as I struggle in my writing.  They also receive sprigs of lilacs in gratefulness.





Where would we be without friends and family support?  I would be nowhere.  The two who pushed me onward with 'Always' and my poetry are a friend and a cousin.

Claudia has been my friend in more than one lifetime.  She is a Virgo, so I greatly respect her opinion.  It is to Claudia and her daughter Kristen that I have dedicated my book, which is about the friendships we make here and life on the Other Side.  Something good must come from losing those we love.

My cousin Tammy is a powerhouse of support.  Daily, she kept at me to get the book done.  She praised every word I wrote.  Tammy and I had not spoken in more years than I dare to count.  We connected through the internet and have remained close since.

I give to each of them a Luminous Luminary Laurel:






Family.  Without family support, I would flounder in darkness.  When I started to write, my son, also a Virgo, guided me and believed in my ability.  When he married, I got the same support from my daughter-in-law.  When she found out I was going to get into blogging, she and my son taught me AND took care of the blogging page for me.  They knew I loved lavender and butterflies, and surprised me with this layout.  This is why I've never changed the background.  It means a lot to me.

I asked my son to read 'Always'.  He thought the book was great.  I've mentioned before, comments he's made.  How I honor his opinion!  So, to my son and daughter-in-law, I also give the Luminous Luminary Laurels.







 




Finally, I must point out the one person whose support keeps me motivated.  That person is my husband.  He's read my poems.  He's checked 'Always' for grammar and obvious errors.  He sent me a beautiful e-mail from work when I told him I had sent the manuscript to 4 agents.  He carefully and gently cautioned me about rejection, worried it would upset me, and told me I had done more than most people ever will, just by finishing the book.

When I became an online volunteer newswriter for abused pets, he framed my first story and hung it on my wall.  When I told him I will soon self publish a novel and book of poetries, and that he could then say his wife is an author and poet, he informed me he's been saying that for quite a while.

When my old laptop couldn't type one more word and dragged through documents and online, he bought me my little Hewli, with Windows 7.

My husband is an earth sign, so he's stable and well-grounded.  Me?  I soar above the clouds in a world of dreams.  I've always said, I would have never married if I hadn't have met him.  He is my line to keep me in reality on earth and grounded.

Because I am a Cancer in western Astrology and a Tiger in Chinese Astrology,  I am not easy to live with.  I'm moody, my emotions controlled by the weather and the moon; I'm a strong water sign with lots of tears; and I attack in a nano-second like only a tiger can, full claws and sharp mouth.  I am posting a pic of me with my twin brother when we were babies.  My son took one look, pointed me out and said 'there's that attitude.'  You'll know what he meant when you see the pic.  My husband just accepts me for being me.

The worst side of me, I think, is when I get involved - deeply involved - in a project.  I forget there are other people on earth as I immerse myself fully in what I'm doing.  My husband deals well with this where most spouses couldn't handle the neglect.

Therefore, I award my husband the Luminous Luminary Laurel, sprigs of lavendar, and a pin to wear proudly.  Thank you, sweetheart, for all your support.











Well, that's all awards for awhile.  I have thoroughly enjoyed this week, pointing out people who truly deserve honors.  And the best part of it all, is being able to say they are my friends.

Check out my pic below and see my 'attitude', which (trust me) I still have today.  And the one thing you absolutely don't want to say to me when I look like this, is 'smile'.  Remember, I'm half tiger.

LHR