carmela-mel-patterson
The cover photo is a black and white of Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania / / The photo of the four is of The Funtones, a Barbershop Quartet to which I belonged in my prime. I am third from the left or second from your right. / / Retired Coronary Critical Care Registered Nurse ... late bloomer ... started college at 44, graduated with nursing degree at 47. I'm a widow, my husband died in 2012 after fifty years of marriage. I have five children, eleven grandchildren and five great grandchildren. I am blessed and have been throughout my life. / / I began writing poetry in 2003 and have been to the present. I have penned over 4500 poems ... more will come as my muse leads. / / If you read some or any of my poems I do hope you enjoy them. I like free verse, rhyme, brevity for the most part. / / Thank you for reading ... if you do. lol.
From childhood to adulthood
there are changes ... numerous
too numerous to count, to remember
yet a few are etched in the memory,
even in the subconscious
lasting a lifetime
through all the decades of my life
most are hugely positive
very little sadness is remembered
mourning over a three day old baby girl,
a miscarriage nine months to the day nine months later,
the death of my beloved husband after fifty years.
I happily remember the joy of our wedding day,
the uncomplicated births of my five living children,
funny ... I always wanted five, even before our marriage
and there are five, still living good and happy lives.
I've even met someone new
who is going through the same, too;
life can be good, as good as you expect,
hope is the key ... I prayed to God ...
He graced me with a lovely friend
one with whom I can share
and he can share as well
in this ... we are making
new memories
in time's changes
Jan 6, 2015
Jan 6, 2015 at 12:22 PM UTC
Sturdy as the mighty oak, I withstood
drought, deluge, dishevelment, deliverance
my once vibrant leaves became crisp,
shattered, scattered, veins crumbled, crumpled
all that was left ... gnarled old roughened bark
revitalized, I am now trod, that old tree,
sawed, sanded, slatted, varnished
to perfection, reflection of owner's pride,
care is given to keep me supple, strong ...
cover me not; let my beauty shine,
sparkle and please all who see me
In the vast oaken families of ancestors,
descendents, those yet to root, while
our beauty be ****** out of rich soil
to praise the God who created us
we joy in our present, treasure our past.
Nov 11, 2014
Nov 11, 2014 at 11:49 PM UTC
Love is from eternity to eternity
it encircles the lover and the loved
the warmth of its glow is unmistakable
fire of its flame unconditional, everlasting
we love because of Him ... He who first loved us
live life to the full ... as if today were the last
grasp each moment; cleave it to our breast
fill it with all that is good, right and holy
as fits the station in which we are
placed through His grace
live, love, feel the joy of clear conscience
permit ourselves to give, to receive
and rest in the peace that
is ours ... radiate it to
our brothers and
sisters each
day
because ...
love is from eternity to eternity.
© Carmela M. Patterson, All rights reserved
Nov 1, 2014
Nov 1, 2014 at 11:47 PM UTC
For Thou alone my heart sings
O Lord of Lords, King of Kings;
how can I love Thee as I ought,
Thy love I have so long sought.
When I contemplate Thy goodness to me,
I am in awe and enveloped in humility
that Thou O God from infinity
saw fit to create one like me.
My heart overflows for love of Thee
like swelling waters of the blue-green sea,
like the roaring waves splashing ashore;
it is Thee O my God whom I adore.
Permit that I may love Thee evermore.
When my earthly life comes to an end,
my sinful wounded soul wilt Thou mend?
May I one day behold Thy radiant Face
and reap the joy of inestimable grace?
How I pray this will be so, O Lord,
as to Thee alone all Praise I accord;
to be in Thy company one of these days
hearing choirs resound in Praise
to Thy Holiness and Grace
in that heavenly Place
and behold, I gaze
upon Thy most
beautiful
Face.
© Carmela M. Patterson, All rights reserved.
Nov 1, 2014
Nov 1, 2014 at 11:44 PM UTC
When I was small I loved You little
then my soul You began to whittle
thru growth my spirit oft felt brittle
I would repent ... pray for acquittal
each minute I found I loved You more
interceding was never a chore
upon my knees deep within my core
I hoped for Your celestial rapport
as I spiritually matured
my soul was safe from satan's detour
I stretched toward You who reassured
that forever with You I had procured
in my aging sage wisdom was sewn
soul was a temple for You alone
in loving You, life was a steppingstone
I took Your hand, now see Your Throne.
© Carmela M. Patterson, All rights reserved.
Nov 1, 2014
Nov 1, 2014 at 11:41 PM UTC
Suddenly the world stood still
Erupting goose bumps chill
Piloted by those who terrorize
Twin Towers they'd jeapardize
Emotions of shock, disbelief
Mourning, moaning and grief
Bombed by aircraft killing all
Extraordinary sorrow ... pall
Resultant heroes came to call
Eleviating pain where they could
Lifting to safety as they should
Everyone who could be saved
Venom's evil could not be staved
Even would we wish it to be so
Numbers trapped perished tho'
They will be forgotten not ever ...
Honored in tribute, remembered forever.
© Carmela M. Patterson, All rights reserved.
Nov 1, 2014
Nov 1, 2014 at 11:25 PM UTC
Aged arthritic gnarled yet standing stoically still
like a proud old man, Poplar provides passage
between bent legs ... an aroma of moist soil
permeates early morning's mist from eve's
rain drench ... stroll's sneaker **** splash
is no issue with appropriate apparel.
Pop ushers us onto the path, visibility dim, yet
disperses with each careful step ... sounds
of wing flap, caws, squirrel skitter, twig snaps
auburn fox, fleet of foot, flashes color in his run-by
windowless gray stone structure, doors open
bids a visit ... green garden gloves, trowel,
galvanized bucket, planting shelf indicate
recent care ... outdoor garden rose laden,
scents transcend the soul, red, yellow,
white, peach, pink hues heavenly
further on mists begin to lift as sun breaks
through dividing rain clouds ... azure sky
widens slowly to fully bright, beautiful
clear view enthralls, nature nurtures
the walk back is drier, crunch caked caper
I playfully kick it onto your sneakers
then run ... you let me run to Pop first
then you and I, hand in hand wave
goodbye to the old man.
© Carmela M. Patterson, All rights reserved.
Nov 1, 2014
Nov 1, 2014 at 11:23 PM UTC
It's a wonder the bottom of my heart
didn't fall to my feet when you called
just to say you love me ...
you are the sunshine of my life,
not a part time lover ... for once
in my life I've been given
a second chance at romance
you embody all a man should be
human, yes ... yet with ideals
that speak to my soul
my spirit flies free because you
permit me to be ... me
no demands
in kind I would not stifle you
nor ******* your own freedom
although committed to one another
we have a life apart ... enough
room to breathe, think, pray
when we are together
we cherish this time, renewed
in your blue eyes I see a mirror
of my own ... a reflection
of pure affection
our love is aging like fine wine
and if we continue to evolve,
we may have a place in the sun
because ... I think ... we won't
have to worry 'bout a thing.
You are a Wonder
Nov 1, 2014
Nov 1, 2014 at 11:19 PM UTC
Dear Friend,
When we stop looking, accept ourselves
for who and what we are, find a place within
where solitude is our friend, not loneliness,
but being alone with oneself and liking
then loving ourselves ... this is when
we are likely to radiate peace of mind.
It is here we begin to open up to others,
permit new friendships, smile often,
be ... without airs ... phoniness is seen,
be true, honest without guile all the while,
let someone love ... perhaps you'll love
in return
some unions were never meant to be
others fare fifty years ... as did mine
until death did us part
now my life has changed and it is hard
to realize no one will ever love me again
yet ... I must practice what I preached
in the beginning of this ... that I must find
peace within my heart ... and I have.
Maybe I am plainly ... too old where
you, my friend, are young, vital, viral
all you need is within you.
I have every hope
happiness in life
will be yours.
© Carmela M. Patterson, All rights reserved.
Oct 31, 2014
Oct 31, 2014 at 1:14 AM UTC
The apartment in which we lived when I was small
in Los Angeles, California when I was not at all tall
our landlady, Mrs. Appleton, would oft come to call
she and mom were friends ... I could barely crawl.
The windows were opened on lovely sunshine days
soft breezes blew white curtains in billowing sways
with fragrances of honeysuckle and rose bouquets
wafting through rooms like perfume scented sprays.
We were not rolling in money and were quite poor
yet it was nothing that mom and I couldn't endure
she managed her meager finances well to ensure
we had all our needs met, her factory job secured.
The kitchen we had was substantial small, clean
a country sink, a stove and a roller wash machine
clothes were hung in our yard on ropes of green
we watched sunsets through the open door screen.
The apartment I remember is often on my mind
my mother's sacrifice seemed sublime at the time.
© Carmela M. Patterson, All rights reserved.
Oct 31, 2014
Oct 31, 2014 at 1:11 AM UTC