Zane Blythe Dalton

Abilene, TX, USA

When Zane was in high school, he was published in SONGS OF YOUTH, the National Anthology of high school poetry, and YOUNG AMERICA SINGS, the annual Anthology of Texas High School poetry. He is now retired from the oil industry, and enjoys fishing, camping, the outdoors, writing, and traveling. Through the years, he wrote as a hobby for a personal release for expressing his feelings and ideas. After retirement, he began writing more frequently, and is published in several National Library of Poetry books. He is a graduate of Texas Tech University, and is a veteran of the Korean War, having served two tours in the U.S. Air Force.

Wading The Creek

Have you ever felt the sand and mud between your toes,
And watched the spring water pour into the creek as it glows?
The crawfish, tadpoles, minnows, and baby turtles vie for position,
And strive dutifully to complete their mission

This adventure is extra special when you are only eleven.
The hours pass fast; you forget that you must be home by seven.
The glass Kerr jar is full with the day's treasure,
And the canteen's drinking water has gotten too small to measure.

As you ride your bike home, some things come to mind:
The smooth, flint rocks, and even a real goldfish I did find.
The smell of wild flowers, and the pinch of the crawfish.
What a day it has been; what more could I wish.

SEARCH FOR SERENITY

True serenity and peace of mind --
They say it is possible to find.
But, can it really be felt;
With this peace will I ever have dwelt?

A few times it seems-
And this may be in dreams -
That for a short time,
My daily life is sublime.

Have I made my peace with God?
At last, with His beliefs have I trod?
Have I cleaned up my side of the street,
And promised Him not to lie and cheat?

I'm getting close, I believe,
It is something I can conceive.
If each day is lived as He willed,
Maybe this vision can be fulfilled.

Wyoming Winter

A blue norther is blowing through;
Pantry is full, and fireplace too.
Cattle and hay are snug in the barn;
Granddad is telling a whale of a yarn.

The mail has not yet come, nor will it today.
But cards and catalogs will be O.K.
The sun will follow in a day or two,
with many more chores for all to do.

Divided Among All Men

The snow or the rain or the sunshine free
Is divided among all men --
The rich, the poor the white, the black --
Nature cheats no man.

The grass grows green in Eastside town
And, too, in the prominent West;
These are the things that wealth cannot buy--
Or thieves break through and steal.