William M. Wismer Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Bill is a lawyer born on a fruit farm in the Niagara District of the Province of Ontario. His Pennsylvania Dutch ancestors came to Canada two hundred years ago from Pennsylvania where the old family homestead is still standing in Bedminster Township, Bucks County. He has written more than three hundred unpublished poems in poetical rhyme entitled "Old Fashioned Homespun Poems." He was a Lieutenant in the Navy and some of his poems recall his adventures at sea and his extensive travels. He can play the harmonica and is a lover of Mother nature and good humour. Bill says "Poetry, music and art are the quintessence of culture."

Beautiful Magnolia Oh beautiful Magnolia, you're blossoming again. It's early Spring and there you are like you have always been. Your glorious Spring time beauty is wondrous to behold, But it is such a little while until your blossoms fold. It only seems a day or two from when you're in full bloom That petals start to flutter down and leave me with sad gloom The reason I feel gloomy is that just once each year I see your gentle beauty, then wait another year. Upon this wondrous earth of ours are many lovely things. In spring I marveled at the sights the kind your beauty brings. Oh beautiful magnolia, you are by Heaven blessed. Spring time has many wonders but you're one of the best.

Blossoms In The Dust In Spring I see the blossoms there lying in the dust. Tis sad but it's a phase of things like iron turned to rust. We cannot change the plan of life which nature has ordained. There are unchanging happenings, immutably ingrained. When I see blossoms in the dust, I think of jaded lives Of men who've vied for fortune that never quite arrives. Most men are left disgruntled with what the fates bestow. And grimly wait for dusty death as trudging on they go. Blossoms in the dust I see - beauty so forlorn. There comes a time in people's lives when beauty seems well-worn Beauty comes and beauty goes like fame and life it's fleeting. Blossoms mingle with the dust but all is in God's keeping.

The Wind In The Willows Have you seen gentle wind in the willows? Have you heard how it softly blows? Have you watched the branches swaying where the weeping willow grows? Oh the wind in the willow is soothing when it blows so gently and soft. It is like the caress of Spring raindrops and warm sunshine from aloft. Have you ever thought about living and how lucky we are to be here? I have to believe mother nature has blessed the earth with good cheer. Oh wind that blows through the willows, please carry this message along Tell Dear Old Mother Nature, our love for Her always is strong.

All poems Copyright © 1996 William M. Wismer. All rights reserved.