To my daughter, I wish for you
The happiest birthday that can come true
I love you dearly and always will
Like the first time I held you in my arms
It was such a thrill
I held and rocked you
You would smile so sweet
Sometimes you would frown
I loved holding you
It was hard to put you down
Today I love you so much more
Maybe because there's so much more
For me to adore.
                                        By Connie Hopkins

Tick- Tock, Tick- Tock, listen to me I'm a clock
Watch my hands do they move?
It's hard to tell they seem to dwell
Every hour that passes by as if I say, be on your way
I will tick and I will tock
That's what I do because I'm a clock.
                                       By Connie Hopkins

Twinker Bell, Twinker Bell
Doing whatever it is a Twinker Bell does
Because she's so cute and she's so sweet
She got some big O'll eyes
And her little stinky feet
                                By Lisa Ferrel      
                                         and
                                     Connie Hopkins

By her side, he was always there
What will become of his wife left here
She misses his presence that was always near
Sometimes his voice she will here
The memories of their life she will hold dear
Her family and friends will be close
But, they don't take the place of  the husband she lost
The house will seem empty, but time will soon pass
And she can be with him happy at last.
                                        By Connie Hopkins

The fire is built, it's jumping and leaping
Christmas is near, do you feel that feeling?
Stockings are hanging in different sizes
Waiting to be filled with all sorts of surprises.

Tall and green the tree stands bare
The decorations placed with love and care
They shine, and sparkle, they twinkle like new
How proud it stands and dreams with you.

Look at the gifts all wrapped so bright
Secretly placed during the night
Colors of red, green, silver, and gold
All securely fastened with ribbons and bows.

Lights that twinkle, ***** that shine
All these things for yours and mine
You laugh and cry from stories of old
As you listen carefully while they are told.

You look and you listen and hope to see
That little old man in his flying machine
Up above in the sky so high
When he makes his pass morning is nigh.

So off to bed the children go
And under the blankets, they sink so low
When morning comes they'll rise with smiles
And all the gifts they will open in a little while.

Christmas has meaning this we all know
The birth of our Lord Jesus Christ here below
Our Lord and Savior who forgives our sins
Now and forever he shall always be our King.
                                                By Connie Hopkins

Up so high, we see stars with our eyes
Like sparkling blankets that cover our skies
This way and that they shoot so fast
We strain to watch each one go past

Don't you know there are stories to be told?
Of things that happened long ago
Under the same stars, we now behold.
                                        By Connie Hopkins

The playful memories I hold in my heart
Of my dear sweet father whose death tore at our hearts
I know daddy would want me to be strong
And go through life as he did with God's song in our hearts
Daddy's faith held strong all through the years
He sang it out till it rang in our ears
I pray it sinks in and stays with me
So one day I can sit high next to him.
                                         By Connie Hopkins

By her side, he was always there
What will become of his wife left here
She misses his presence that was always near
Sometimes his voice she will here
The memories of their life she will hold dear
Her family and friends will be close
But, they don't take the place of  the husband she lost
The house will seem empty, but time will soon pass
And she can be with him happy at last.
                                        By Connie Hopkins

Dad's hand I held, his shoulders so strong
A mind of wisdom, his memories unknown
Daddy's face so familiar, his voice I can hear
He's gone from this life my father so dear
We loved him so much this figure so strong
He touched our hearts and soul with his song
The end came fast almost without pain
I know his life was not lived in vain
He left behind the children he loved
And his wife so dear he's waiting for above.
                                 By Connie Hopkins
Dedicated to
Audie Lee Hopkins

When you love someone
And they don't do right
You have to stand by them
And help them fight
Be there to listen and talk
Then be ready to put your two cents in
It might take a lot of time
But, sooner or later things will shine
It seems so hopeless this talking you do
You know in your hearts
It will be just between you two
The tide will turn and roll your way
And, there will be a brighter day.
                                    By Connie Hopkins

Here on this earth, we are now
After our birth for a little while
For we do not know how long we can stay
Already numbered are our days
Compared to before and after one's birth
The time we have is very short on the earth
Death comes eventually to every man
We can't see the future
For it is not in our hands.
                              By Connie Hopkins

The life he lived had to be admired
He was good and kind and all to be desired
We will remember his life with the utmost love
And, hope someday to meet him above
His garden once sewn by his own strong hands
Will lay empty and bare, a very lifeless land
The tractor that puttered along it rows
Now the tires won't move and the grass will grow
It's hopeless to wish for him to return
For he is gone, his bridges have burned
Only in our memory will he remain
And all this hurt I hope we can tame.
                                       By Connie Hopkins
Dedicated to
"Pete Hopkins"
"Paw Paw Hopkins"

Our family and friends have gathered
To be with each other, some with heads bowed
My tears are falling, and my pain is great
As we talk of your life, and talk of your fate

It is so hard to believe that you are gone
You were always there so caring and strong
My father, my friend I pray you can hear
How the memories of my life with you
I hold so dear.
                                     By Connie Hopkins
Dedicated to               Your Constance
"Daddy Joe"
"Paw Paw Strickland"  

You always said "You're gonna miss me when I am gone"
And, you were right I do,
More than you could have ever known.

Big brothers are special when they are like you
You could never be replaced with anyone new
Please take care of yourself
Because I am counting on you.

You are the colors in my rainbow
The points to my stars
You lift my spirits, you make me laugh
Our five-hour shone calls I will never forget.

You are an item that there are so few of Lee
Oh what a void there would be
If some morning I should wake
To find you were taken from me
I just love you so much, Lee.

Some calls were sad, and some were happy
Some were so much fun
My face would ache from laughing

It does not seem possible, it is so hard to believe
That we are the only two left of our family
So please remember for this reason
And so many others, my dear sweet brother
Take care of yourself.
                                           From your Lil Sis
                                            By Connie Hopkins

Beautiful trees that blow with the breeze
Birds up high flying in the sky
Shells on the beach always out of reach
Bees that zoom when flowers are in bloom
Stars so high they light the sky
Clouds so white and fluffy
Bushes of green with limbs so lean
Ants that go running
Cats so cunning
Soft little puppies with
Noses black as guppies
All these things we see
We know from where they come
God sends them to you and me
But for our children will they always be?                                                  
                                                       By Connie Hopkins

To me mother you're special
Understanding true and fine
You always think of others
You leave your own wants behind
I can tell you that I love you
And still, it does not express
The way I really feel
To me mom, you're the best.
                                   By Connie Hopkins

The child she's lost
She can't put a cost
It tears inside
That can't be denied
She'll come through
Because she has to
For the other little tot's
Be without her they will not.
                          By Connie Hopkins

He cries and weeps
His hurt is so deep
Stay close to love, to touch, and feel
This will help his hurt to heal.
                              By Connie Hopkins

Writing poems I love to do
Telling all my feelings just to you
To feel the feelings and think the thoughts
To give you things that can't be bought
From my heart come these lines
These are things on my mind
I hope you like them I really do
I enjoy them and I hope you do too.
                               By Connie Hopkins

You followed your own heart,
When you did you broke mine,
Now you are gone from this life,
Oh, how I prayed for you,
That you would not leave us,
Never the less, your pain was too great,
You could not stay here and wait.

When you were a little boy,
We went from house to house,
Never from home to home.
When you were growing up you,
You did not feel loved as you should,
Once you were asked to describe the meaning,
Of mother and Apple Pie,
You were 14 when you said you,
You did not believe in the mother and Apple Pie story.

On your third try, you got it just right,
You ended your life on that Labor Day of 2009,
I miss you and love you still, and forever will,
I wish I could have one more hug from you,
But, I know I never will.

                                            From your loving sister
                                            Connie L. Dement Hopkins

Crickets are singing, the trees are still
Weeping willows are weeping as evening is peeking
Water is like glass, and crystal clear
The moon is not shining for rain is near
The stars are all hiding behind darkening skies
All these things look nice though my eyes.
                                                           ­ By Connie Hopkins

There's not a room in our house that you're not in
Without saying why you know what I mean
You have made life much easier for me
It's not just the rooms that mean so much
But the love within them is from us all.
                                      By Connie Hopkins

I am not finished, I wanted to talk to you,
You were yanked away from me Unwillingly,
Wrongfully, and totally.

Where there was some there is none,
What can I do, what can I do,

This man who did this needs to die!
I want him to feel the fear he made my daddy feel,
Looking down the barrel of that gun, shot right between his eyes,
I want him to know the feeling of life draining away,

Nothing he can do or say can make that,
Awful, Empty, Sinking feeling go away.

God, please forgive me for what I feel,
I know it is evil and wrong,
Revenge is yours, Lord, this I know,
This hate I feel, please, Lord, make it go.
AMEN
                                         From your daughter
                                         Connie Hopkins

River so wide
What do you hide?
Some shoes or boots
A boat that *****.

River so wide
What do you hide?
A soul or two
Who very few knew.

River so wide
What do you hide?
Pebbles and pennies
I wonder how many

River so wide
What do you hide?
Gold and treasure
Which is your pleasure?

River so wide
What do you hide?
A story or secret?
And you plan to keep it.
                                By Connie Hopkins

Lights set so deep beneath
Colors that match the Christmas wreath
Candy canes hang so sweet
Waiting for little folks to eat
Angels glide around the tree
And spread their love over you and me
External displays of good tidings and cheer
I hope will come to you all year.
                                    By Connie Hopkins

Outside and in the thoughts are deep
Of winter nights so long and sweet
I hold my darling slightly tight
The fire is bright and hotly burning
Only you can quench my long full yearning
I remember your look and your caress
Something just tells me your  the best
Your look, your touch, your smile so dear
And that's why I want you always near
                             By Connie Hopkins

On a porch of cement and black rod iron poles
In a discarded chair from  many years ago
Quietly he ponders the life he once knew
He thinks of his children and how they grew
He dreams of a wife who is not by his side
But, in his heart, he feels her close by
His days are so long he's nothing to do
So he sits and wishes he could start life anew.
                                              By Connie Hopkins

Leaves that twist and turn each way
A breath of life they give each day
It brings joy to those who see
The signs of love you send to me.
AMEN
                    By Connie Hopkins

On our way home to mom and dad
To share the love we all have
Through the woods, all blanketed in snow
In this big red sleigh going so slow.

The ground is covered with snow so white
Stars shine above and light up the night
Trees are covered in blankets so soft
Oh, look at that snow the wind blew a loft
It sparkles and shines just like glitter.

And in the distance, you will see
A little old house set between two trees
The windows are lit up and yellow inside
Their sleigh is here their not on a ride.

The rickety old fence about to fall down
And on the front porch lies an old hound
The stars are high and twinkling above
I'll bet that old house is full of love.

Nestled in the furs so deep in the woods
I know that flickering fire sure would feel good
Cakes, candy, cookies, and pies
All these we smell as we ride by
I'll bet there's a family- like yours and mine
Behind those old walls set deep in the pines
                                                           By Connie Hopkins

For a daughter like you
There are not enough words
To express how we feel
There are not enough compliments to give you
All the sweet memories we have of you
And now here you are all grown up
With a family of your own
Later you will have all the sweet memories too
Like we do of you
                                      By Connie Hopkins

You tell me you love me
You act like you love me
Then how can you leave
Me in a hot car with no air?
                                  By Connie Hopkins

At times you cried, and I held you
At times you laughed, and I laughed with you
At times we fought, and I fought with you

When you were little, I held you
When you were bigger, I helped you
When you were older, I played with you
When you were grown, I missed you

This time your gone, and I could not go with you
This time you left, and I cried for you
This time when I think, it will be of you

Next time when you cry, God will hold you
Next time you laugh, God will laugh with you
Next time you smile, God will smile at you

Now you are gone, and I will miss you
Now you are with God, and we both love you
                                               By Connie Hopkins

That lazy old hound he lays right there
Just look at him, you need not stare
He'll bite your nose and lick your toes
That lazy old hound with the little black nose
He growls and barks with a furious fight
That lazy old hound that sleeps here at nite                      
He gets into the garbage and scatters it round
Ain't that just like that lazy little hound
His ears stick up so high and mighty
With him around, it's hard to be tidy.
                               By Connie Hopkins

Oh the memories of yesteryears
With some, you smile
And some, you cry
Memories sing you a song
And then say good-bye
It happens all the time
And that can be fine
But, you remember at your own cost
Because some memories
Sure can make you feel lost
Memories are fine
When they keep their place
Memories that don't cause your mind to race.
                                                        By Connie Hopkins

Rain, rain falling down
Oh, how soft you hit the ground
You make things grow
And smell so sweet
With luck, you will repeat
And again you will fall
To make things grow tall
With pedals of colors
And blades of green
The most beautiful sight
Ever to be seen.
                            By Connie Hopkins

To me, time is like space
Fill it and there is no waste
Children are precious
They come in time
The circle of love
They finish just fine
A golden ring seems to say
Love will be endless if you go my way.
                                By Connie Hopkins

I hear you, I see you, but can't feel you
I reach out to you and your not there
So where are you, where are you?

If I can see you why can't I touch you
I hear you, but can't understand you
The love I feel in my heart has turned to pain
The hurt stays in my heart and my father I will miss you

You won't be there when I need you
We can't talk because you're gone
I cannot call you or run to you where you are
Because where you are I am not for now allowed.
                                  By Connie Hopkins

Now I lay me down
Try never to have a frown
I look up through the trees
I can really see the breeze
Through the air I watch them fall
The colors of Winter and Fall
And thank you Lord for them all.
                                      By Connie Hopkins

When I got married
Joe picked the song
"Take The Ribbon From Your Hair"
This was our first dance
He asks the band to play it and why
The band announced it, and Joe and I danced to it
It was the father and daughter dance
He was so sweet to think of it.
                               By Connie Hopkins

From God's arms to ours
Such a precious gift
All our love for you just pours
Each day when we pray
It gives us a lift
To remember you are God's gift

No more can I rock you
For you are grown
You now make important
Decisions of your own.
                                    By Connie Hopkins

Pines to the sky so straight and tall
Sleeps a little lamb, alone by his home
Flowers planted by his mother's own hands
Still bloom and shine                                                                  
                                                                                                        
Through those tall straight pines


The house is gone, and the rocks from the
Fireplace lay crumbled beneath layers of leaves
From all the years and seasons that have
Blown through the passing of time.

Quiet and peaceful all around
Winds gently blowing and whistling
As if it were singing

Through those tall straight pines

As I walk with my husband
We talk about family and home
I wonder about Lesley and about
The loved ones he left alone as he was layed

Beneath those tall straight pines

I walked with my husband
And children down this road
Where Lesley and his family
Once also strolled.

His headstone is leaning and
Darkened with age
The inscription upon it has lost
it's depth
Still, you can read it
As did his mother when she
Wept over it

Over a century has passed
From that day and now they
Are with him in our heavenly
Fathers way.
                                             By Connie Hopkins

This man I knew as Joe
Breezed into my life 50 years ago
There were awkward times for sure
I was just 13 when he appeared
He was my third step-dad
Yet he became my father, he became my friend

This man I knew as Joe

He changed my life for the better back then
I have no pretty pictures
I have no storybook
All I have to tell you are these lines
I have taken them from my heart, memories, and mind

This man I knew as Joe

I love him, I miss him, and some sweet day
I will see his smile just as sweet as always
This man I knew as Joe.
                                             By Connie Hopkins
                                             Your Constance

A leaf against the darkened sky
Falling and twirling as it goes by
It turns, twists, clatters, and spins
Look at them all, which one will win?
                                           By Connie Hopkins

Love is fine like the taste of wine
True love is strong, sure, and will endure
Weak love though it seems steady
Will leave when you are least ready
Then you are alone to try again
So open up and let it in
Who knows this time you might win.
                                         By Connie Hopkins

Pets are different as are people
Which is in control, do you know?
They are side by side and may think as equals
The feelings they share are beyond compare
They look into each others eyes
With feelings that can't be disquised
Companionship, love and, trust for these are a must
Some may think it is silly, but really
Pets are friends till the end.
                                        By Connie Hopkins

Grain of salt
I've been aught
You have to take
That grain of salt
It tastes more bitter
Than the rest
But in the end
It's for the best.
              By Connie Hopkins

The night will fall it always does
The stars come out and shine above
The moon is there so round and fine
Above the treetops at certain times
Shadows are gone they all hide-a-way
But they will be back the very next day
Everything rests for a while
But it is not long till morning will smile.
                                   By Connie Hopkins

Rooms to fill, secrets to find
I hope you enjoy your home so fine
Love and joy it will bring
For a home in this world is a very rare thing
Once you find it don't let it go
There might not be another for all you know
Memories to make and then to recall
Of family and friends and things
You love best of all.
                                             By Connie Hopkins

To a mom and dad who can't compare
Right or wrong they come through strong
When life falls on me like a bomb
She's always there my mom
I've been good and I've been bad
I am so glad you were my dad
Through thick and thin with him, I win
With all these thoughts
I keep in mind how much
I love those parents of mine.
                                             By Connie Hopkins

A mother's love so strong, so sweet
Always there always cares
Love so tender ready to render
Mother's love I will always remember.
                                By Connie Hopkins