Albert Maier

Nashville, Tennessee

I was born on a steamboat at Guntersville, AL. and schooled in Milwaukee and Pewaukee, WI. On Jan.3, 1938, I began work at Third National Bank, Nashville, TN. On Jan.18,1942, I married Elvie Marie Blanton. On Oct.15,1942, I was drafted. I served as finance office cashier for Tenth Air Service Group at Nottingham and Welford Park, England then Aerodrome de Bretigny, Paris, France. At bank advanced to Audit officer before retirement Dec. 31,1975. My poetry has won the President's Award, Iliad Press-Golden Poet Awards World Of Poetry Press and Editor's Choice Awards from The National Library of Poetry, Owings Mills, MD. Now in my twentieth year, I have furnished 4265 greeting cards to sick church members with original verses. I have published one poetry book titled "Friendly Concern".

DEAD OF WINTER

Harvest taken, gardens turned
Stalks and litter have been burned
Killing weeds and germs for next season.
Gone the colorful landscape
From frost no leaves did escape
Tree's bare branches look like skeleton
Cold rains that bluster and blow
Often bringing freeze and snow
Icing electric wires overhead.
Slippery walks, bogged down traffic
Heat escaping from the attic;
Some of us insulated ahead.
Bursting pipes in the basement
Cold drafts around the casement
Brought me dripping sinus and headache.
But we shall all muddle through
Awaiting spring - skies of blue
Daffodils and tulips coming awake.

WILL ANYTHING LIVE ON?

As I push onward
Along the pathway of life
I sometimes wonder
How we'll end this world wide strife.
I shall work till
The last milestone in my road
Will anything we've done live on?
The slope is downward
It seems to lengthen my stride
The years pass quickly
As pushed by a windswept tide.
Time won't stand still
For last minute correction
That something I've done lives on.
Oh years were full
As my jobs I followed through
Time and again help
Was given by friends true blue
My world was great
Gave me a taste of its best
Grateful mem'ries will live on.

YOU CAN MAKE IT TODAY

You can make it today
Don't dwell on yesterday's sorrow
You can make it today
Dismiss troubles that fell your way
Wipe clean the slate - do not borrow
needless pressure from tomorrow
You can make it today.


STORM


A damp west wind blows through the trees
Sudden darkness brings on a gloom
Harsh thunder echoes in the breeze
Lightning flashes brighten the room
And heavy rain crushes the bloom
Of fresh flowers in my garden.
Mother Nature's at her worst again.