Poems for Dad

By

Ed Welch

Ed Welch © 2009

1

TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION .........................................................................................................................................3 THE PAIL......................................................................................................................................................4 FRIENDSHIP ................................................................................................................................................9 TRAIN OF FEAR........................................................................................................................................10 SHIPS PASSING IN THE DAY.................................................................................................................11 DEEP LIKE A RIVER................................................................................................................................12 KING'S CANYON IN THE SPRING........................................................................................................13 THE SUBMARINE .....................................................................................................................................15 REDWOOD GROVE..................................................................................................................................16 CHIEF SUNG AH TA HA..........................................................................................................................17 REFLECTIONS ON CLOUDS..................................................................................................................18 THE GREEN EVENT.................................................................................................................................19 HORIZON....................................................................................................................................................20 OFTEN TRIALS .........................................................................................................................................21 PORPOISE...................................................................................................................................................22 ROSE............................................................................................................................................................23 MAN'S DAYS ..............................................................................................................................................24 ROSES IN HER TOES ...............................................................................................................................25 DON'T STARE............................................................................................................................................26 REFLECTIONS ON FALL........................................................................................................................27 GLISTENING IN THE SUNLIGHT.........................................................................................................28 WILDERNESS ............................................................................................................................................29 COLD WEATHER WARM HEARTS......................................................................................................30 TREASURE TROVE ..................................................................................................................................31 COFFEE.......................................................................................................................................................34 REFLECTIONS ON SPRING ...................................................................................................................35 THE MILLENNIUM, TOMORROW'S FRONTIER..............................................................................36 FAMILY, FRIENDS, AND FARMS..........................................................................................................37 THE TEACHER..........................................................................................................................................38 BLUE SKY AND CLOUDS AT NIGHT...................................................................................................39 THE CAMP FIRE .......................................................................................................................................40 MOTHER-IN-LAW ....................................................................................................................................41 DAD ..............................................................................................................................................................42 HEART SURGERY ....................................................................................................................................43

Ed Welch © 2009 2

INTRODUCTION "Poems for Dad" is for my Dad who carried his pail well.

Poetry is an expression that comes out of the soul to be received by the soul of others. It comes out of experience, observations, and from inspiration. Its purpose many times is to minister to the poet. Sometimes it ministers to others.

Ed Welch © 2009 3

THE PAIL By

My dad (Edward G. Welch) was helping with chores around the Turner Ranch in Arcata, California. He was slopping hogs and filling the water barrel on the porch for the ranch hands; he had an attitude problem (he was about eleven years old). Rosemary Cornwall, his grand-mother, was cooking at the time, as she often did. She sat him down in the kitchen. My dad told me what he remembered. I put the story into poetic form, some details may be inaccurate (e.g. it is not clear that her mother died on the trail to California). Rosemary Cornwall stressed the importance of doing things right and taking care concerning attitude and approach to life and work. She stressed the effect we have on others by what we do now. This story had tremendous effect on my dad; he told me that he had a pail assigned to him while in the Navy and he took great pride with it. Her story reminded him about the importance of doing things right, with the right attitude, and the importance of what we do now has a great effect on the future.

Feed the chickens, slop the hogs, water on the stoop, what do they want next? "Eddy come and sit down, this glass of milk will drown your thirst. Eddy have some cake to satisfy your taste."

Into the farmhouse, angry Eddy did stomp. Into the smell of cake, bread, and pies, angry Eddy with all pomp did stomp.

Ed Welch © 2009 4

Milk after cake, or was it, cake after milk, or was it, anyway . . . Angry Eddy soothed by delicious enfolding aromas, Eddy at last soothed settled in to listening. "Eddy." She said with slow unstoppable resolve, with gentle ponderable truth her story evolved. "I was about your age, about eleven, when from my heaven, by wagon my family began to travel. 'California' dad said to mom, 'in Eureka we will discover it, mom.' Torn from friends, I was in a fit, angry I went, my wrath I did vent. Fetch the water, feed the ox, a pox, I thought.

Ed Welch © 2009 5

Day by day, night by night, baked by sun, frozen by moon light, we did wend. Lost in dust, drenched in storm, lost on a trail full of bones, I did atone. Wolves, Indians, and bears, fear was everywhere. Water so precious, so rare, mom's fever raged as a fire. Water did cool the fire, but her pool of reserve ebbed, until in bed her soul ascended. Water no where, mouths blister, oxen stumble, men fumble. Heat, dirt, dust, sand, so much land, so little water.

Ed Welch © 2009 6

Each pail of water was life's starter, was life's sustainer, was life's cleanser. Each drop lost was life lost. Oh, the difficulty, the travail, traveling, to no avail, as in some jail! She cried, 'Mom, what would have been if I had tried?' Eddy, what does the pail mean to the men at the porch rail? Eddy, what does the pail mean to the hogs in their jail? Take care how you carry the pail, the drops you ferry are precious." Seven cycles of seasons spent, in completion of time, Eddy to the Navy went. Grandma said to Eddy, before he left Eureka, "Eddy, your pail is full carry it well, do not spill.

Ed Welch © 2009 7

Freely you receive, freely give

Ed Welch © 2009 8

FRIENDSHIP Two friends on a dark and dreary day paused on their way, passing the time away.

Suspended in time, two ships afloat on a sea sublime, joined by the sea of time.

The sun overhead warm and full bathing the sea and ships, full of goods destined for other shores, Together with sails down, in the elixir of friendship they drown. Memories of distant shores were used to shore. Two friends on a dark and dreary day, paused on their way, warmed in the sun of remembered fun.

Ed Welch © 2009 9

TRAIN OF FEAR I climb into the train of fear that travels the tracks of despair that go to nowhere. Clickity clack, what was that? Who? Who? Who will take me off this train of fear? Who? Who? Who will take me off these tracks of despair? Pull the cord. Pull the cord. Pull the cord that binds me to Christ. Jesus stop this train, take me off these tracks. On Christ the Solid Rock I land. In the peace of Jesus Christ I make my stand.

Ed Welch © 2009 10

SHIPS PASSING IN THE DAY A bright and cheerful day, two ships pause on their way, with cargoes destined for distant shores, two ships suspended in time. Both captains shared: "Twas a dark and dreary night the waves of adversity tossed us, causing a fright. Alone we fought those waves, yet we lost both life boats." Said the captain of one. "Twas a dark and dreary night the waves of adversity tossed us, causing a fright. Alone we fought those waves, yet we lost both sails." Said the captain of the second. "Four sails I have, two to you I give." "Four life boats I have, two to you I give." Tied to the common sea, with cargoes destined for distant shores, the same waves of adversity they shared. Their good fortune, they shared. How alone are two ships that pass in the night.

Ed Welch © 2009 11

DEEP LIKE A RIVER It flows as a deep river from the throne, as a deep eternal pool, running deep as eternity through our lives. It sparkles and shimmers in the light from His presence, as water over river rocks. A spray raises a rainbow, over the falls, the river falling loudly, joyously. It flows on, providing life, and more abundant life. The rocks are our sins, the sparkles are the beauty of God's cover. The falls are the gulf of our separation. Living waters show forth the greatness, power, love, and joy of God's grace. Life grows where the Divine water flows. Lord, send forth Your water, keep us in the channel of Your grace.

Ed Welch © 2009 12

KING'S CANYON IN THE SPRING From the top, the King's Canyon floor showed a sky blue ribbon, also a rushing was heard. Little did we realize, at the river's side, the overpowering vibration. Cool droplets danced around us teasing, wanting us to join in their joy. "Isn't this great and beautiful?" We yelled. "I can barely hear you", we yelled back. Snow and rain suspended in an alpine meadow, "for eons of time", they thought. With joyous energy, singing the praise of their release, each drop raced downward.

Ed Welch © 2009 13

Each torrent and drop joined to clamor all the louder. We looked at each other in silence, seeing, feeling, hearing. With regret, we left. Today the memory of that time and place we give to you "I can barely hear you", we yell back.

Ed Welch © 2009 14

THE SUBMARINE

To Submariners

One hundred and twenty men, the number of the apostle times ten, descend into the sea joined by a band of black steel. Silently conducting their duty each did report. Each depended on the others support. Silently, alone, searching shores, God alone knows who and where they are.

Ed Welch © 2009 15

REDWOOD GROVE Reddish brown felt pushing to the sky; Green lace covering a brown carpet; Shafts of white smoke at angle broke to illuminate a green lace floor; Calming rush of water over stone; Life's aroma enveloping this grove; Stirring my soul to whisper, "My God! It is good to worship in Your cathedral!"

Ed Welch © 2009 16

CHIEF SUNG AH TA HA Years have passed and many times I remember sitting near camp fire embers, Chief Sung Ah Ta Ha, over a hundred years. The Sioux had adopted their chief, the white eyes thought he was a thief. Tales and memories were the only things he stole to give future generations, precious jewels hidden deep in his heart. Twice he had seen Chief Geronimo in bonds, all Indians were bound, I felt his deep sadness. Years and a way of life died, but memories live in the heart, yesterdays that come alive in part, memories of clear skies, warm sun, buffalo on the plains, and traveling to other hunting grounds. Even more, I remember a wise, warm, and true friend

Ed Welch © 2009 17

REFLECTIONS ON CLOUDS Clouds moving stately in whimsical shapes, white and gray on blue at noon day, yellow, purple, pink, and gold at beginning and end of day passing so stately on their way. A strange sight, storm clouds at sea raining as hard as can be, watching in the sun on gentle swells, at peace, this strange sight, clouds as in a fight, pounding the sea, storming as hard as can be.

Ed Welch © 2009 18

THE GREEN EVENT To the crew aboard the Gudgeon and To events that are hard to explain Eerie, black, no up, no down, no horizon, on surface, from Subic to Pacific Guam, the screws did pound. Black waves washed luminous flecks on deck, a luminous green cloud was suspended there, in limbo. We headed toward this green cloud surrounded by black velvet. The green was cool, full of micro specs of green light over us. Left some where in space and time, the screws pounded and churned, in the black behind our back, as homeward we turned, to familiar shapes, to horizon, to down, to up.

Ed Welch © 2009 19

HORIZON At sea all was black as can be No horizon as far as the eye could see Flecks of light washed the deck and a trail of flecks lit our wake A luminous white cloud with flecks of white dancing around, like a plow through dark rich earth, our ship pushed Streaming behind a winding luminous chain on the black velvet of night

Ed Welch © 2009 20

OFTEN TRIALS Often trials come like a flock of birds round about, loudly chirping, taking our attention off the path. Its not that they don't come, but where we are walking and with Whom. Its a good time to share with Jesus our concerns and entrusts our concerns into His care.

Ed Welch © 2009 21

PORPOISE With purpose Between Marcus and Midway There was A school Of porpoise Kids At recess Turned My frown Upside-down

Ed Welch © 2009 22

ROSE Earth's smell Gnarled trunk Supporting an emerald path Protected with brown spears Mysterious gift Wrapped in emerald leaves Sun's fingers Unwrapping this gift Revealing its treasure Colors of sunset and Fragrance spreading Layered colored clouds In circle form Fragrance of love Born from above

Ed Welch © 2009 23

MAN'S DAYS Man's days are few, they are points in eternity. He frets and is in a stew, wondering is there any certainty. Some think life's a parade and some think its a magazine. He feels he has to meet the grade and should be treated to a limousine. Life seems like a mist, but there is a twist. Life signifies something, its not just some fling. We must try our best because this is a test. Our allegiance is the clue, it determines where we spend eternity.

Ed Welch © 2009 24

ROSES IN HER TOES With roses in her toes and roses in her nose, she makes a sight wherever she goes.

Ed Welch © 2009 25

DON'T STARE Our sister stood poised on a chair. Our mom taught us not to stare. So when the bear ate the chair, we didn't stare, we got out of there.

Ed Welch © 2009 26

REFLECTIONS ON FALL Delicate veins of smoke, sporting, leaves of copper, bronze, garnet, gold, and ruby, reveal an impenetrable woods. Copper, bronze, garnet, gold, and ruby leaves floating, drifting, dancing, and tumbling in a lively breeze, create a colorful rag. Delicate veins of smoke revealing nests, against a gray and blue sky, of colorful creatures that fly and are long gone. And, yet there remain emeralds, standing against a gray and blue sky, that yield to God's mantle of righteousness.

Ed Welch © 2009 27

GLISTENING IN THE SUNLIGHT After a freezing - windy night of rain, sleet, and snow I awoke to a field of snow with earthen colored trees covered with crystals of light glistening in the sunlight brown, reddish brown, and golden branches and twigs wrapped in silver set against a blue topaz sky glistening in the sunlight

Ed Welch © 2009 28

WILDERNESS Heat by day cold by night thirst hunger water in the rock honey on the comb stumbling forward to new ground circling clinging reality mystery a maze amazed learning discerning observing testing trial peril from self-strength to God’s strength

Ed Welch © 2009 29

COLD WEATHER WARM HEARTS New England in winter is cold yet There are many with a warm hearth and a warm heart Conversations of family and friends Bring a tropical breeze to gray skies Even the ice and snow Glow with warmth From warm hearths and warm hearts

Ed Welch © 2009 30

TREASURE TROVE Up a hill of stones behind a large rusty hinged gate that grates Flecks of rust litter the ground a sign of man’s fate An invisible path covered with dead autumn leaves beginning to rot Covered with dew A very dark hue Against a gray sky rises a building falling due to gravity Windows of darkness What nest lurks there Doors for giants mournfully open echoing footsteps as a horse in a starless night in a covered bridge Clocking receding into infinity A maze of dark portraits staring straight ahead at each other some at me Who can they be

Ed Welch © 2009 31

heaviness dread I want to hide in bed press ahead past darkened doors Ah, a light on the floor from under an intricately carved door A gleaming brass handle The golden key is in its silver lock Is this the treasure room The door opens quietly A warm musty smell A dragon breathing fire No Its a large comfortable chair and a fire in its fire place A mahogany table sturdy but very old moving with fighting dragons and flying firebirds dancing on its sides

Ed Welch © 2009 32

An ancient book on the table with old cracked black leather with an intricate embossed golden design With ease the book opens What an ancient treasure Its aged pages yellowed Fading ink revealing “In the beginning was the Word . . . “ KJV along with many other golden mysteries

Ed Welch © 2009 33

COFFEE First cup of coffee in the morning the container really doesn’t matter but plainer seems better No cream no sugar strong Colombian coffee Freshly brewed hot and aromatic A fresh Danish crispy golden brown with apricot and cheese First prayer in the morning is important the more direct seems better Fresh sincere straight from the heart A reading from the Bible meditated upon prayerfully and lovingly applied Have a great morning a great day and a greater hereafter

Ed Welch © 2009 34

REFLECTIONS ON SPRING This morning was spring Birds have returned their songs of joy can be heard Trees of gray support green, red, or purple lace Grass carpeting now is vibrant green sporting yellow dandelions of spring Blue-gray slate rock walls still stand colored with lichen of green, orange, and some red Blue warm topaz sky with golden wispy clouds with a fresh breeze from the seas Laughing daffodils with bright yellow frills And a sunset of gold bathing this place causing me to appreciate Your grace

Ed Welch © 2009 35

THE MILLENNIUM, TOMORROW'S FRONTIER

To tomorrow’s frontiersmen

The past year is gone. A new millennium is about to dawn. Lessons that have been learned Provide a platform during tomorrow's term. Greater than lessons learned Is God's presence that we have not earned. Thus, we are prepared For tomorrow's frontier

Ed Welch © 2009 36

FAMILY, FRIENDS, AND FARMS

To Pennsylvania family and friends

At one AM cows are milked. The sun rises to begin a hot summer day. Silage corn, sweet corn, alfalfa hay, and farms are nestled in a large valley of gentle Pennsylvania hills. Air is full of the smell of dark rich earth, success, and life. Barn is cleaned; calves and cows are fed, cows are milked; silage is stored; everything is inspected and evaluated; and friends bring a few pies and a cake over. Yet, the Mr. and Mrs. have time to help family and friends. A picnic is proposed and accepted with a drive to the neighbors. Hot dogs and hamburgers are sizzling on the grill and kids are running around. Dinner is served: hot dogs, hamburgers, homemade catsup, chips, chili, potato salad, sweet corn, and ripe seedless watermelon. Later ice cream, pies, and cake are served. The sun sets slowly. Fireflies dance a jig and spiders do a slow ballet under large trees. The summer heat turns comfortably cool while conversation of family and friends send a gentle breeze over darkened green fields

Ed Welch © 2009 37

THE TEACHER

For teachers and mentors

I am seeing those who look a little like me

a long time ago.

They seek to find a way.

I had needed someone to show me where to walk day by day.

How will they find the way today?

Am I willing to share?

There are more questions than I can bear.

I decided to draw near and to share the why,

the how, the when,

and the where.

Understanding responded to wisdom.

Life's fire flowed within my entire being.

Ed Welch © 2009 38

BLUE SKY AND CLOUDS AT NIGHT

To: Red tide, blue phosphorescence, and my wife Red tide happens sometimes in San Diego. Its reddish brown in the Pacific surf along Torrey Pines Beach during the day. However, during the dark night we see the red tide glowing sky blue when under pressure. Blue sky resting at the top of the black wave and frothing clouds and blue sky when the wave breaks. The dark sand glow sky blue as we step together on the beach. The black sand glows sky blue when I write, “I love you.”

Ed Welch © 2009 39

THE CAMP FIRE

For Jeanette, my wife

It was dark and cold all about when a fire caught my attention and held my desire. I came into the circle of your life. Your light and colors change, you hold my gaze. I love your beauty and dancing grace. Your light gives me the ability to look into the darkness of the night to make things right. Your dancing beauty holds my gaze. You give me warmth and light in the middle of the night. You warm my heart and soul. I keep coming back to the comfort and warmth of your embrace.

Ed Welch © 2009 40

MOTHER-IN-LAW

To Pinky, my mother-in-law At six my mother passed away. She was buried on a cold drizzling day. Yet, the future held consolation, sun, and light. Through my wife, my love, I met Pinky. Pinky was at a distance, the mother of my wife. As life flowed on, my mother-in-law drew closer. Through her being there, support, humor, and listening my shell evaporated. Pinky also became a mother to me.

Ed Welch © 2009 41

DAD

To my Dad

This giant had a hold of my hand. His hand engulfed mine. He taught me discipline and truth. When I was around him, I was relaxed and glad. By his side, he taught me to work hard And “to do now the best I know how”. He introduced me to God. When I was married and had my own son and daughter, Dad and I became friends and co-workers for the Lord. Even more, we became brothers as sons of God, our Dad. Recently Dad took the little hand of my dad.

Ed Welch © 2009 42

HEART SURGERY

To my wife Jeanette

Last month my wife had heart surgery. We were brought even closer.

In the weeks following her surgery, I had a different type of surgery.

Before her surgery, I would be upset about getting her something she asked for. I thought she can get up and get it herself; after all, I get what I want.

However, I would get up and get what she wanted out of my love for her.

In the last few weeks, I noticed a weight change.

An attitude was removed.

Now I have this peace and joy doing what she wants and meeting her needs.

It's a huge weight off my chest.

Ed Welch © 2009 43