Roy A. Payne

Excelsior Springs, MO, USA

I retired from the U.S. Post Office as Assistant Postmaster and am a veteran of World War II. Active in my church, I have one daughter and three granddaughters. My wife of 61 years passed away in 1997. I've had many poems published by The National Library of Poetry. Two times I've won a semi-finalist award at the conventions of The International Society of Poets. I just published my own hardback book of 385 poems entitled "Rainbow In Your Tear," from which these poems are taken. Life has too many sorrows. We must search for beauty to console us.

Smiles

So many say they loved her;
They say she always had a smile.
No matter that she felt bad,
she was kindly all the while.
Slowly she has been failing;
Much too often she felt bad.
But, she was this lovely lady
who hid the illnesses she had.
So when, at last, she slipped away
The love she leaves—a glowing ember
Those smiles and acts of friendship,
This is what we'll long remember.

Thoughts To Ponder

If I could write a perfect poem,
I must paint a picture in your mind.
It might be with thoughts of home
or of some funny Valentine.

If I should choose to mention flowers,
Which tender blossom will you see?
I might write for hours and hours,
just to tell you how the flag flies free.

Some words of love may stir your heart.
Will it bring some face to view?
There are times that tear drops start,
As thoughts of love will sometimes do.

Some storms still bring the rainbow,
With God's promises of peace.
So summer showers and sunset glow
Are wonders that will never cease.

So please ponder on these things,
As you read these words that rhyme.
I have tried to bring you something—
But will it stand the test of time?

Good Old Days

There was once a little girl of three;
she would sit upon her Grandpa's knee.
They'd have a snack and drink some juice
While he read to her from Mother Goose.

Humpty Dumpty and Little Bo Peep—
"Why was the hill Jack climbed so steep?"
Three Little Pigs and Red Riding Hood—
Was that the same wolf? He was no good!"
On and on in make believe.
A few made her laugh and for some she grieved.
Then she'd make up some of her own
Now, she has her own dog to feed a bone.

Maybe the thing that was most funny—
Her Teddy Bear ran away with the Easter Bunny.