Robert T. Sanderson

Mouhen, Alabama, USA

Robert, and his wife, Bertha, have a son, Dwight, Calhoun, Ga..Robert is a retired minister of the UN Methodist Church, holding degrees from Florence State Teacher College; Athens College (Math.); and Candler School of Theology, Emory, Ga.. Poems by Mr. Sanderson have appeared in various local newspapers, and in each Annual Anthology Publication of The National Library of Poetry since 1992. Two of his poems have made him a second place winner in the competitions. Mr. Sanderson feels that any real accomplishment that has come his way, is related to his call and response to the Christian ministry.

Subsurfaced Modes Of Life

As ocean tides come in, subside,
They leave strange "artifacts" on shore;
But their submerged creators hide
Their best on the oceanic floor.
The surfaced life of mighty oaks
Are cradled first in acorn nest;
Emtombed in embryonic yolks,
Before their best is manifest.
And when he, divine, to men came down,
They saw a small town village son.
This made his mission seem a sham,
But submerge, he must, to man undone.
Yes, we're concerned with surfaced fares,
And pride ourselves with mortal groom;
And little know we're regal heirs,
Offsprings of one immortal womb.
Our works are wrought in shallow art,
Because deep down, and yes, within,
Our life-style's not the same in heart,
And subsurfaced life, God did intend.

The Great Art Theft

Some dear, dear friends ask us to come
To have a cookout -- relished with fun --
And see old Autumns's grand display
'Long the Tennessee's back-water-way.
From cliffs above those tinted lakes,
Saw mallard hens and courting drakes
Swim at the edge of paradise--
Transfigured there, right before our eyes.
And beyond the lakes, 'neath western sun,
More Autumn exhibitions hung,
Depicting color, and design,
Out-ranking efforts of mankind.
Then at sunset on the Tennessee
We stood at awe, and we gazed with glee
At paintings worth "ten-thousand grand",
As night walked off with them in hand.