Independence Day-Remember, Celebrate, Anticipate, Hope

Surely

Copyright P. Newman-Harris

In an effort to understand the heart of man,

One day I took pen in hand

Burdened by the condition of the human heart,

I wondered if we’d ever make a brand new start.

As question after question formed in my mind,

It was clear to me we were running out of time.

With the years slipping away,

The day seemed to be further and further away.

Listening to messages of hate

Formulate and penetrate

Considering the circumstances in a diseased world,

I found myself wondering
 If there would ever be a different world

Before I close my eyes

How much longer would the innocent suffer and die?

With the light of hope burning dim,

I found myself holding onto a chance that was slim.

Surely, there was some good to be found,

Surely, one day we would place our feet on solid ground

The seemingly impossible one day will come to be.

Surely.

Surely the insanity will end.

Hate is not the burning message in the heart of men.

I know that somewhere deep inside each one of us,

There’s a desire to love and trust.

In order for my soul to find some relief,

I have to hold onto that belief.

I have to believe

The gift of peace will one day be received

In every land where there is social unrest and discord.

Surely one day man will finally be on one accord.

Surely one day, peace will be more than just a word

In every language and every tongue, the message will be heard.

We will reverse the generational curse

That grips the universe

I know the day will soon come

If  not for us, for our daughters and sons.

The wars will end.

I don’t know when.

Surely, in this one thing we shall not fail.

One day peace will prevail.

Happy Independence Day

Poem Inspired by Michael Jackson

             The Message

             Copyright 2012 by P. Newman-Harris

I heard a message so clear

It was like God had placed his lips to my ear

Why is it so hard for us to comprehend

The messages that have burned in the heart men?

Diana said we could make the world a better place

If we reached out and touched somebody’s hand

We still did not understand.

Michael’s message in Man in the Mirror

Couldn’t have been any clearer.

You have to start with yourself

Before you can love someone else.

People all over the world

Sang “We are the World”

“We can make the world a better place just you and me.”

Still we didn’t see.

We don’t need an "a ha moment."

To understand why these messages were sent

Man has tried to succeed in every arena

He’s tried to make the air cleaner,

He’s delved the depths of the sea

Made the seemingly impossible come to be,

Soared into outer space

But he still can’t resolve the issue of race

A lack of trust

Still separates us

What good is it to have intelligence of mind

And still remain blind?

How many more years will go by before we realize

What is right before our eyes.?

As I pen these words,

I’m only repeating what I heard

These words are not mine

God simply wanted me to let you know, we’re running out of time

Remembering Michael (continued)

I always felt that Michael was a kindred spirit.  I didn't know him personally, but I knew his heart.  The words he penned are words that touched me and inspired some of the poems I have written.    I wrote this poem when he passed.  I've shared it before, but no matter how many years go by, I will always feel the same.   We "Never Can Say Goodbye" to someone like Michael.

Never Can Say Goodbye

© 2011 by P. Newman-Harris

June came much too soon

But any day would have been too soon

Any year

Would have brought tears,

Because it’s true,

No matter how hard we try

We never can say goodbye

To someone like you.

The world wasn’t prepared for this.

You will truly be missed.

You stole our heart

Right from the start

Though we hate to see you go,

The time has come to let go.

You did what you were destined to do

Your work here is through

You were the image of love on a higher plane,

I pray one day we can be the same.

You showed love to others

Every man was your brother

Even when love was not returned,

You loved.

I hope one day this lesson we can learn.

We have differences, but we are all in the world together.

We must love one another through whatever

Showing love every day we are given

While we are yet living.

When time is no more,

We can’t walk back through the door,

We can’t take the hurt away,

We can’t say what we need to say.

We can’t correct our mistakes

Or mend the heartbreaks

Michael in the years to come,

You will continue to be our number one.

We were blessed to have you in our midst

So for this,

Your selfless display of humanity,

And for a priceless legacy in song

That will live on long after you are gone

We say a heartfelt thank you.

And bid you adieu.

June came much too soon

But any day would have been too soon,

Any year

Would have brought tears,

Because it’s true,

No matter how hard we try

We never can say goodbye

To someone like you. 

 

 

Remembering Michael Jackson (8/29/58 to 6/25/09)

Father's Day Poem by Richard O. Jones, Guest Poet

Making of a Man

(In honor of Father’s Day)

by Richard O. Jones

Not every man should be a father

But every father should be a man

The natural ability to provide the seed

Does not conclude the plan

The seed fertilizes Mother Earth

Who nurtures the seed to full bloom

Then she yields a gift to the father

His descendant, the fruit of her womb

Mother Earth made him a father

Tilling his harvest makes him a man

Planting the seed was preliminary

But that did not conclude the plan

Though a mother can give sound advice

As the virtuous woman in Proverbs 31

It takes iron to sharpen iron

Motherly advice leaves a job half done

It takes a man to teach mature manly logic

When and when not to wage war

He strives to show his daughters

The Rose of Sharon that they truly are

It matters not his charm nor his stature

Because after all is said and done

Did he diligently till his harvest

Or yield his seed and run?

Not every man should be a father

But every father should be a man

Every Father's Day I begin the Father's Day tribute with this poem.

Tribute to Young Fathers

Be the Best you can Be

Young man, in order to pass the test,

You must be the best.

You have a choice.

Listen to your own voice

Let nothing get in your way

Decide you are in the race to stay

Don't be distracted by your past.

The past is the past

All your mistakes, doubts and fears

All your trying years

Can be stepping stones into today.

No, they will not go away,

But if you can learn from your failures,

You can endure.

God is a God of restoration.

He will make all things new in his time

He can make you shine.

You are a strong young man

The key to success is in your hands.

Pursue God, wisdom and knowledge earnestly,

And fervently.

Live with dignity

And God will keep all his promises to you.

He has promised you a future and a hope

Far beyond your scope.

Hold your head high

God will bless you by and by.

In these ever pressing times.

He will keep your mind.

Even during the changing tides

You will walk with pride

Be the best you can be

And you will leave a legacy of hope and victory.

Tribute to Fathers

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY


This will be, by far the most difficult post I have made thus far, because on June 5th, I buried my father.  Not to have him here to celebrate this Father's Day, is unexpected.  He was loved and will be missed by all.  My first post I dedicate to him.  I know what a treasure I had in my Dad.  When it comes to Fathers, we had the best of the best.  


Here is a letter I wrote to my father on Father's Day, 2001

A LETTER TO MY FATHER

As long as I can remember, you

have always been near.

With you around, I knew I had nothing

to fear.

In your family, you have always taken pride.

That is a joy you could never hide.

You have always worked hard at anything

you put your hands to.

You are always willing and eager to help others by

doing what you can do.

When I think back, I don't think there is anything

you have not sold; shoes and jewelry, to name a few.

Even during rough times, you saw our family through.

We always knew we could depend on you.

Family has always been your priority.

You have always believed in accountablity.

Years have not changed you in the least.

Your commitment to our family has only increased.

Your unwaivering belief that a family that prays together

stays together has seen us through stormy weather.

Daddy, you are the best father a daughter could have,

a hidden treasure found; a model of fatherhood and

a blessing to our family.

Thank you for being the example of the best person we could

want to be.

Love,

Your Daughter, Pat.