Joan M. Watrous

Sacramento, CA, USA

I have always enjoyed poetry. Even when an older sister frightened me with Little orphan Annie; telling it as a bedtime story. I learned it from her. Later in life my younger daughter wrote a Christmas program. I thought, if she can write poetry, I wonder if I could. Ideas came to me every so often. This picture shows me with my Golden Poet Award I won in 1986.

WHAT LIFE'S ALL ABOUT

I heard a friend the other day,
"You know what life is all about?"
"It is not getting what you want,
But wanting what you have: "No doubt."

Some folk seem to have everything,
And yet are never satisfied,
Appears they never can be pleased,
No matter how hard one has tried.

If we are sad with what we have,
All we see ahead is sadness,
Let's be happy with what we have
And forever see just GLADNESS.

CHRISTMAS IN BETHLEHEM IN 1988

I read an article in the news
I feel should put the world to shame
In that little Nazarene Town,
You know; Bethlehem is its name.

The little Town of Bethlehem
Yes! place where our Savior was born.
They've chosen it to do fighting;
That City now is much War-Torn.

It started just a year ago,
On December Eight was the date;
"Christmas," says Mayor "We don't see
Any reason to celebrate."

All Celebrations are canceled:
The RECEPTION ON CHRISTMAS EVE."
Bright MANGER SQUARE "SHALL REMAIN DARK.
I'M sure many a heart shall grieve.

Even "Forty foot Christmas Tree"
Will not be lit in usual way
With strings of multi-colored lights.
What a sad price the world must play.

It often has many travelers,
Just coming there to see the sight.
This Year, few Christmas, living there
Will Celebrate MOST HOLY NIGHT.

POETRY

Did you ever think you could write a poem?
You'll never know 'til you try.
Ideas around us are constantly sailing,
O’er the Earth through the air, high in sky.

When an Idea comes to you,
pen and paper you must have on hand
To quickly jot a few words down
Or it may disappear like notes in sand,

When tide comes in to wash away
Very far out to sea.
Another idea that appears to you
Quite a long time might be.

So just pick any thing around you,
Makes no difference what time,
Put a few words together with
A little rhythm and rhyme.

You'll find as your pen moves along,
Even though you did not know it;
A few more words and few more lines,
Will convince you, you’re a Poet.