Gladys M. Garske

Wimauma, Florida

I was born a country girl, on a grape farm in Erie County, PA. It was Depression days. Gladys May Ploss, one of a large family; an easy going child, loving God, and finding joy in all that "He" has made. I went to school in the old time one room school houses, where I enjoyed Reading History and Geography. I loved English, where I found my first love poetry. I remember learning one poem and reciting it and the first lines were, "Great Wide Beautiful, Wonderful World". My education was complete with the eighth grade When the war broke out, I left school, to help my mother. After the war, I married a sailor, Edward W. Garske, from Erie, PA. We had three children, Bonnie, James and Kathleen, our joys. Today we have 6 grandchildren: five boys, one girl and one great grandson. We live in Florida and during the summer visit our country home up north. I have won numerous awards and certificates for many of my poems. I am thankful for the gift of poetry that has given me pleasure and being able to share it with others.

The Staff of Life

This morning as the sun shone bright
I felt a sudden joy within
This was a day for making,
The staff of life

I could already see it in the tins,
But dreams don't come true,
All by themselves

As I learned, when I was ten,
When after all the toil and baking,
I took the first bite,
A crust of golden bread,
With melted butter, flowing
It was a food for kings and queens.

A memory of long ago,
Learning as I watched a loving mother,
Make the weekly bread
A dozen loaves and pies and cake,
Often on the table spread.

He Leaves His Mark

He leaves his mark where ever, he goes,
Just like a brand, the special touch,
Of a carpenters hand.

He leaves his mark as he saws and pounds
With a map in his mind,
And the love he has found.

His creations in wood are a marvel to see
And when each piece is done,
He marks them in his own special way,
And puts his talents on display.

"God" gives each a gift, to work and create
The carpenter builds from pictures,
He sees in his mind, and with,
The drawing board of his heart,
When his job is done,
He leaves his mark fresh and new.

No one can claim his fame,
He's known far and wide,
A working man who toils each day,
Steadily building and pounding away,
The house goes up, the fireplace is made,
From dawn till dark,
A special man leaves his special mark.

Dedicated to My Husband.