Don Richards Heath, Ohio

Don Richards has been writing poetry for 49 years. He works as a custodian for Newark City schools. He has a high school education. Don has four sons and one daughter. He teaches a poetry class for Licking County Aging Program for 6 hours a week, and has been doing this for 3 years. He's associated with Hospice of Licking County, Newark DARE programs, and the Special Olympics. Don does many poetry presentations at churches, schools, nursing homes, businesses, and social gatherings. He's been published by The National Library of Poetry, International Society of Poets (of which he is a Lifetime Member), State of Ohio Dept. of Mental Health, Ohio Highway Patrol, Licking County Sheriff's Dept., Special Olympics, Hospice, American Legion, Licking Co. Aging Program, news letters and local newspapers.

The Resurrection The grave lies empty, no victory Except for a rumpled shroud There was no glory to behold Nor trophy to be proud For He who was laid to rest Has risen from the dead The grave that could bear as witness Now claims the emptiness instead For the day was numbered three And the blood that had not yet dried Was all that remained in the darkened tomb Of the man they had crucified Crucifixion was his destiny A price he had to pay Resurrection was his promise That lives in all of us today.

All I Can Be Let me be all I can be Give me only what I earn Let me have a chance in life A chance in which to learn A chance to learn what I can do What ever it may be Without regard to handicaps Or personality Let me speak if I can speak Or listen if I can hear Let me walk if I can walk And face they challenges as they appear Let me have my chance in life To be treated equally So I can find who I am And be all that I can be.

All poems Copyright © 1996 Don Richards. All rights reserved.