Laura V. Jansen

Battle Creek, MI

Writing is my great love. I step forward in confidence, faith and hope, heading toward tomorrow and staying focused on learning. I grow and become all that I am created to be. I am blessed with many talents and much ability. It behooves me to use each. I participated in the Ms. Michigan Sr. Pageant three times and was one of twelve women, from across the state, chosen to compete in the 1995 finals. I danced across the stage and fulfilled a life long dream. I've had poems, articles and short stories published in magazines and the local newspaper.

Heaven's Bells

Received chimes for Christmas
On the front porch they hang.
The wind is riding high today
The chimes clang and bang.

Musical sound of angels
Ringing loud and clear---
I have a peaceful feeling
Know the day is drawing near.

When Jesus will split the clouds
And come to claim His own.
He'll usher in a new dawn
As He leads us gently home.

Home to spend eternity
With the Father and the Son
And I am oh so thankful
I'm among His chosen ones.

Roses and Thorns

I travel life's highway
with acute awareness.
Happiness and Joy accompany me.
Mountain top experiences
add special dimensions
in the form of perfect roses--
sweetly perfumed -exhibiting
exquisite, velvet petals.
A small child gives hugs
and kisses freely.
A long awaited telephone call
brings good news or
a letter expressing love
and concern arrives.
But--
Thorns grow profusely there---
alongside the roses.
Hateful words--
failure to forgive--
clinging to bitterness and turning one's back
allows the gap to widen
instead of building bridges
of understanding.

Thorns prick and cause pain.
I determine to torch them
so the roses can thrive.