Delmar Pepper Olympia, Washington

Del has a wonderful wife and five children. He worked for The Boeing Company in Seattle for over 20 years as an Electrical Engineer. A stroke in 1981 caused his early retirement. Del started writing poetry after retirement, primarily about his family, and his love of nature and the outdoors. Del has written a 45 page book of children's poems and stories, which he hopes to publish in 1997. Del uses the pen name "Del Pepper." One of Del's poems will be published in the 1996 Anthology of Poetry by The National Library of Poetry. "Poetry is a Beautician of Words."

The Tree Branches with their bark and leaves, Are natures dressing for her trees Trees, ever obedient to natures call Continue their work in spite of all I can't imagine life without a tree If they were gone, so would some of me. Look closely at the trees by you, Whether large or small or maybe new. Let's share a prayer that we may see The gift God has given us in the tree. Remember the tree in all its beauty, Asks little, save a chance to do its duty.

Nemesis Cattails, willow brush and slew grass, Stand as sentries to those who pass. A silent obstacle, without dimension. "Marshland", what is my intention? Gun loaded and trusting to my luck, I went forward looking for a duck What to do if a duck should fly? Helpless me, the brush is in my eye. A noise and movement at my feet, I come alive with a backward leap. There on the ground walking in my way, A moving blob I saw as brown and grey. I raised my gun and fired straight ahead. The threat is over...the beast is dead. A beautiful beaver, my lifeless prey. A useless killing, what can I say? Why did I shoot...impulse or instinct?, I don't know...and it causes me to think. A senseless act caused a life to end. A nemesis for life I can't amend.

Gone Fishin' I've finished life's chores assigned to me, So put me on a boat headed out to sea. Please send along my fishing pole For I've been invited to the fishin' hole. Where every day is a day to fish, To fill your heart with every wish. Don't worry, or feel sad for me, I'm fishin' with the Master of the sea. We will miss each other for awhile, But you will come and bring your smile. That won't be long you will see, Till we're together you and me. To all of those that think of me, Be happy as I go out to sea. If others wonder why I'm missin' Just tell 'em I've gone fishin'

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All poems Copyright © 1996 Delmar Pepper. All rights reserved.