Robert Tannahill 

Franklin, Illinois, USA 

Robert has been writing poetry for many years. He is a retired Mobil Plastic Quality Control Inspector. He is an active member of the Franklin United Methodist Church and the American Legion. Antiques and collectibles are his hobby. Robert has had his poetry published in local newspapers, The National Library of Poetry, and has published one collection of poetry. He is currently writing commentary articles for several local papers and has a "Lantern Hill" Anthology of short stories, which he plans on publishing in the future. "Writing poetry helps me to stay alert and tuned in to nature and mankind. My wife, Ann, of fifty years has been an inspiration for my poetry, as has my son, David, and family and my daughter, Ruth Ann, and family. I have four granddaughters and one great-granddaughter." Great Grandson Justin Robert Gill born June 1, 1999.  He is the first boy in my family in fifty years.

If I Could Be

Were that I could be a mountain
made to last eternities,
Standing there in God's splendor,
live forever and always be.
Were that I could be an ocean,
tides moving shore to shore,
caressing God's creatures in my bosom
a home for them forever more.
Were that I could be Redwood tree
growing high into the sky,
looking down on Earth's great beauty
watching generations go by.
Were that I could be an eagle
on the cliffs, in open skies,
know pure freedom for my lifetime
and sing God's praises with my cries.
Since these creations I will never be,
I truly praise God for making me.

. 

I have my little hug-a bug, a friend no one can see,
And everywhere I go, it comes along with me.
Its home is in my pockets, a front one or a back,
Sometimes I can't find it, it's a needle in a haystack.
I throw it to my family but only for a loan,
And they always throw it back when I go to my home.
I love my little hug-a bug, my childhood friend "you see",
It can't live with anyone else 'cause its a part of me.

I dream, do you?
It's the natural thing to do.
Dreams have not limits, there's wrongs and rights,
You can live a lifetime in the short hours of the nights.
Dreams of love, hate, and fear,
Some are vague and some are clear.
We dream of reaching for the stars,
We dream the future from where we are.
Good dreams do come true,
And they are custom made for me and you

Some people like me,
Some people love me,
Some people hate me,
And as you can see,
I have best two out of three,
And that's good enough for me.

(Our Veterans)
An Observation and Thought

We once were many and now we are few.
As strands of our graying heads thin and fall to the ground,
So passes the veterans, "our comrades."
Home to their appointed destiny.
Falling from our freedom's ranks to the dust of mother earth's loving embrace.
They pass with a fervent prayer that this worlds's freedoms will live on through all eternity,
Forever stay in place

--May God Bless All Veterans--

A person with whom one is in love,
That love two sweethearts share.
A deep and tender feeling of devotion, comfort, and care.
A someone to take and to give,
Someone to share a lifetime with.
Someone who will be there to lift you up when you are down.
A sweetheart's love has no bounds,
Sweethearts make the world go round.
And we thank our God above,
For the gift of our sweetheart's love.

Life would be lonely without them.
Where would we be without our friends?
They enrich our lives beyond measure.
And are far more valued than gold or treasure.
They are confidants one on one.
Always there to urge us on.
With a lifetime of bonding until we're gone.

Planning a vacation for weeks and now the time has arrived.
Have you thought of every need so you can survive?
Last minute packing is a hustle and bustle.
And getting the extras in takes lots of muscle.
Vacations are a getaway from all but isn't this the truth?
Most everything you have or need is going along with you,
And no matter how hard one tries, you'll forget a thing or two.