All poems contained on this page were
written by and are the property of Betty Lee

Today

Today is an extension of yesterday,
A chance to finish what's left undone.
It's also the beginning of tomorrow,
A chance to start what's not yet begun.
Today is the day that just yesterday
Was to be just another tomorrow.
Fill this day with laughter and hope
And wipe away another's sorrow.
If today you can do but one thing
Before your energy is passed,
Do a kind thing for some one else
And make a memory that will last.
circa 1976

Prayer For Loved Ones

For those who mean the most to me
May joy their companion always be.
And may life bring all they need,
Their lives to fulfill, their souls to feed.
And nourished always by Him from above
May they grow in spirit, grace and love .
circa 1975

For Father J., On Retiring

We have searched high and low for just the right card.
To tell you the truth, we looked mighty darned hard.
But no card in the stores could ever begin to say
How much happiness and joy we all wish you today.
You've worked very hard to show us to the light.
You've given us your help by day and by night.
You've seen us in good times and quite often in bad.
You've seen us rejoicing, and you've seen us be sad.
Our children you've christened, our marriage vows read.
In sickness, you've blessed us. You've prayed for our dead.
You've lifted our spirits when all seemed at a loss.
You've guided us to Jesus and helped carry our cross.
To you we are thankful for help throughout the years.
We wish you good luck and give you three cheers.
So now, as you're retiring, take a well-deserved rest.
May each day find you smiling, each hour be blessed.
circa 1976

Heartsight

What do you do when love is gone,
When that feeling has grown cold?
What do you do when day is done,
When you feel you're growing old?
What do you do when life is dull,
When the future seems so bleak?
What do you do when you hit a lull,
When your body seems too weak?
What do you do when friends aren't there,
When they have all turned on you?
What is left that'll make you care,
When you feel that life is through?
How many times will you curse the night?
How many times will you despair
Before the day you use heart-sight
And find that God is still there?
circa 1993

Christmas Cheer

At Christmas time each and every year
Folks are overflowing with joy and cheer.
They greet each soul that they meet
While out shopping or walking the street.
They smile at people that they don't know
While trudging through December's snow.
They drop coins into kettles for the needy.
They wouldn't think of being greedy.
They buy gifts for all kith and kin.
To forget the mailman would be a sin.
And they drop in, laden with good cheer
To deliver their gifts and have a beer
Or maybe a shot of brandy, or even a few,
While they sit and spin a tale or two.
They exchange ideas about this'n'that.
They even buy trinkets for the family cat.
They tell the kids about dear Santa Clause.
They donate goods to every needy cause.
They are full of love and of caring.
They are so generous and oh so sharing.
Then New Year comes in, in a manner so grand.
Then back into their ruts they all land.
They haven't time to visit their mother
Or even drop her a line. Such a bother!
They feel no pity now for the poor.
The Christmas spirit is there no more.
To get involved with those alone or in need
Would be such a strain, certainly. Indeed!
So what the neighbor lost his dear wife!
So what their brother's full of strife!
So what that poor little girl's in trouble!
So what some children must live in rubble!
So what that family is in such distress!
Is it my fault the world's a sorry mess?
So what they say. What is there that I can do?
Don't they know that I have problems too?
So what the old lady's swamped in bills?
Who cares the old man's been awfully ill?
Who cares that fellow has no employ?
Where is all that Christmas time joy?
Oh sure, they believe in Christmas cheer.
But where do they hide it throughout the year?
Do they stash it away on a closet shelf
So they can think only of "Me" and "Myself"?
Do they put it away in a chest made of wood
So they can save it? "Why it's only for good!
Oh, it's much too precious to bring out every day.
If we use it too much, it will all wear away! "
Sometimes I wonder if they are for real.
Are they too wrapped up to see or feel?
Are they deaf and blind? I really don't know.
Can't they see that hope can and will grow?
If they use it daily, sprinkled with love,
The spirit will bless them, from above.
If they give of themselves throughout the year
The world would be full of Christmas cheer.
And faces now that show souls so sad
Would be faces of hope, with smiles so glad.
And peace would reign in every heart.
There'd be no reason for wars to start.
No children would die from being ill-fed.
Every man's table would have some bread.
For everyone living upon this great Earth
There would be happiness, joy and mirth.
No one would ever have to cry in the night
Because he's so lonely or full of fright.
And discrimination would all be gone.
God's chosen people would all be one,
United, forever, hand locked into hand.
Christmas every day ! Wouldn't that be grand?
Oh, sure, they believe in Christmas cheer!
But where do they hide it throughout the year?
circa 1974
Christmas Cheer was published in a brochure sent out to parishoners
by the Church of the Messiah, Glens Falls, N.Y. sometime in the 1970's
as a plea for donations for the World Hunger project,
with my permission and blessing of course.

Someone Cared

Today I was loaded down with all sorts of trouble.
A friend came along, helped me out of the rubble.
My friend listened while I rambled on and on
And all the while did not act put-upon.
He gave encouragement, followed by a smile.
I guess I'd known the answer all the while
But my burden seemed lighter when shared
And I no longer felt alone. Someone cared.
Yes, someone cared that I was hurting inside.
Someone cared. My need had not been denied.
For today I needed to air my feeling aloud.
I had to remove my fears from their shroud.
No, my friend was not shocked by my tale.
He did not gasp out loud or turn pale.
He just sat and listened while I told
Of the thing that had turned life cold.
He listened, while I spilled out my soul.
I emptied it,like a gigantic bowl.
I put the real me right on his table,
Though I was surprised that I was able.
Most of my life I had kept to myself
And tucked the real me back on a shelf.
For it seems whenever I'd let feelings show.
Someone always stomped on them, like snow.
They walked on my heart, bruised it badly,
Flattened my spirits and laughed madly.
They frequently teased and often taunted,
But I would pretend to be undaunted.
For I had built quite a defensive front.
They'd never again see tears from "The runt".
No, I would never let them see me cry.
I'd be real tough till the day I'd die.
But a bowl has a limit, then it overflows.
A soul too has a limit, then it knows
That it has had all it can safely bear
And reaches out for help from somewhere.
So I knelt and talked to God, in prayer,
And asked Him for relief from all despair.
He understood and helped me to set free
All the pain and anguish inside of me.
I guess I'd known the answer all the while,
But a friend encouraged me with a smile
And the burden seemed lighter once shared.
I wasn't alone in trouble. Someone cared.
circa 1962

Holding On

What's the use of trying?
What is left to be said?
There's no relief in crying.
Feel like my soul is dead.
Seems like I fail every day
At everything I try to do.
Doesn't look like any way
That I can pull it through.
Every day I arise with hope,
Try to succeed, but then
Tumble down another slope,
Then fight to get up again.
Sometimes I wonder deep inside
If life is worth the trial.
Sometimes I want to run and hide
And just get lost for a while.
There is no place to go away
No one to share the pain.
Then suddenly hope's last ray
Shines down on me again.
I grasp at it one more time
Hoping for some relief.
Then I begin another climb
Holding on to one belief.
Believing that He is near,
My climb is safe and sure
For God is really here.
With Him, I shall endure.
Without his arm to guide me
Over each twisted road,
I know that I'd surely be
overcome by such a load.
But He is very near to me
And he makes my burden less
And I know He'll hear me
When I call Him in distress.
circa 1962

Love Is ......

Love is watching the snowfall together.
It's walking in the rain without a care.
Love is wanting to be his friend forever.
It's giving the other the biggest share.
Love is helping someone up, when he's down.
It's listening with your heart, not just your ears.
Love is trying make a smile out of his frown.
It's helping her get out those bottles-up tears.
Love is overlooking those few grey hairs.
It's realizing he's had a long, hard day.
Love is trying always to be just and fair.
It's helping him work as well as play.
Love is putting his needs first all the time.
It's knowing just what those needs really are.
Love is caring even if he hasn't got a dime.
It's making him feel better if he's not up to par.
Love is talking out your problems as a team.
It's putting yourself in the other's place.
Love is putting him into your every dream.
It's responding warmly to his tender embrace.
Love is letting him have some time to himself.
It's putting up with ballgames Sunday afternoon.
Love is keeping your cool when you're not yourself.
It's sitting together, looking at the full moon.
Love is forgiving the other's human failings.
It's appreciating the good you find inside.
Love is caring about him when he is ailing.
It's wanting always to be right by his side.
Love is blind to creed, to faith or to education.
It stands hard and fast, like an old oak tree.
Love is trusting each other, without reservation,
And remembering to say "We", instead of "Me".
circa 1966

Compare The Love to a Silver Spoon

Two silver spoons were bought by a young mother,
One put into service, the silver chest for the other.
One was handled by mother for many a day,
The other wrapped in tissue and stored away.
The number one spoon fed babies three.
It was washed and wiped three times daily,
Then tossed into the bin with the flatware.
It was used and abused without a care.
The babies grew older and needed it not
So the spoon wound up in the sugar pot
On the table, measuring out the sweets
That all of the family often did eat.
It's bowl was scratched; the handle grew thin;
The face on the handle worn down on the chin.
The lines were less harsh, the face so mild,
The less distinct image of a very young child.
This spoon though used and marred by time,
Continues after years to glow and shine.
After several years of being stored away,
She came across the other just today
While cleaning out cupboards. Poor fellow,
Little child on the handle is all yellow.
The rest of the spoon tarnished and green,
Though hardly a scratch upon it is seen.
It's lines are are sharp, distinct and clear.
You can even see the outlines of each ear
And the chin is bold, as bold as can be
But the surface of silver you can not see.
Under a layer of age and silver oxide,
Under the black, the real beauty doth hide.
Under this mess, that we call tarnish
Lies a beautiful shine, clear as varnish.
But chemicals can remove all of the green
So that the beauty of the silver can be seen.
She can clean the spoon and put it away.
She can save it for a very special day.
Likewise, our love we can also hide
So it appears coated with silver oxide.
We can save our feelings for special days
And show them only in very special ways
Or we can use our love daily and see
It mellow and grow, and reach maturity.
And though it may be marred by time,
The more we use it, the more it'll shine.
And if we show love where hatred has been
It will surely change the hearts of men.
If we give of ourselves in every way,
We'll wipe the tarnish of indifference away.
Though this may seem hard to conceive,
The more we give, the more we'll receive.
We can give our love to all that we know.
It won't diminish, it will only grow.
We'll never run out of love, if we share,
For our love will return from everywhere.
circa 1973

Live Today

Live today as if there were no tomorrow,
like this day might be your last.
Leave it behind you without sorrow.
Live for today, not for your past.
Think carefully before you say a word
when anger wells up in your heart.
Speak only when you want to be heard
or an argument you may start.
Watch your actions throughout the day
and remember to show your love.
For you are the keeper of all your days
and the Lord is watching from above.
Remember harsh words can be the end
of a friendship that may mean so much.
Don't forget to drop a line to a friend
with whom you've been out of touch.
Forgive someone who did an ill deed
or caused you some pain or some sorrow,
for you never know when you may need
to be forgiven, and there may be no tomorrow.
Bury the bones that were picked yesterday
and put them well out of your mind,
for this could well be your last day.
Leave only kind memories behind.
Live today with a kind thought in mind
and remember it'll soon be through.
Show your family that you are kind
and don't forget to say, "I love you."
If you remember how short the day,
how too quickly the hours go by,
if you try to live each minute today,
then you'll have no regrets when you die.
circa 1975

The poem below was originally written to be given out after my departure, so that friends and family would know what I would like them to do for me, but I decided to include it here so they'll know now, just in case Kathy or Tom forget where I filed the original and the ready to print brochure layout.

My Last Request

To all of those here with me today
There is something I'd like to say.
Please don't lay flowers at my feet;
I cannot smell their air so sweet.
Don't hire someone to play dirges drear;
Just play the songs I love to hear.
Don't cry for me, because I'm dead;
Give Tom a hug for me instead.
He's the one who'll feel the pain,
Because I'm not coming home again.
I've moved on in time and space.
Theologians say it's a better place.
Scientists say I am not destroyed;
My energy's just been redeployed.
The power that once was part of me
Could be inside of a maple tree
Or perhaps I'm a hoot owl on high
Watching the night life going by.
So when you light a lamp tonight,
Look real close; I may be the light.
I'll not say goodbye, so long or adieu,
For dear folks, I'm here with you.
As long as you live, I am not dead
For I'll always be here in your head.
I am glad for those who have cared,
The ones with whom love was shared.
I was no saint nor entirely bad;
I did the best with what I had.
I've made mistakes, as humans do.
But as I see it, so have you.
If you hurt me, you must know,
You were forgiven long ago.
If I hurt you with word or deed,
Your forgiveness I beg, I plead.
So if you have a stupid grudge,
Remember God's the final judge.
And remember also, if you can,
There only was ONE perfect man.
Remember as you leave here today
That Tom's the one for whom to pray,
For he's the one whose aching heart
Will need your support as I depart,
And don't forget my last request,
Hug poor Tom; he's still the best.
Help him through his time of strife.
He was my love, my friend, my life.
circa 1975

Just In Case
A poem written in 1998 for HOLAS sister Jody Griffis
Dedicated to all my family and friends with love.

Sunshine in The Valley
Another poem written May 7, 1998

Love is Like a Butterfly
A new poem written June 29, 1998

Please sign my dreambook, so that I know you were here.

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Missy Blue midi thanks to Tommy Williams 111

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Background made from an owl graphic sent to me by
a House Of Love And Support sister-friend, Pammie B.

copyright 1997-2005 by Betty Lee, Glens Falls, NY