Grandmother's Poems

It is one thing to know your Grandmother and spend time with her as she is today but it is completely another to read something she wrote 70 years ago.  All of my grandparents passed away before my 19th birthday, with three of them passing by the time I was 6 years old.  I have been fortunate to have some of my Grandmother's poetry sent to me and I think it's beautiful... and therefore I would like to share it.  I think poetry is like a window to the person's heart and soul.  I think this has helped me to really get to know her and I feel a whole new connection to her!

FRIENDSHIP 

Friendship is a silver star

Whose beauty lives

Forever—

Sending forth a loyal gleam

To all who live, and love

And dream.

  

Friendship is a crimson rose

Which flourished in the morn

And continuously grows

Since the day love was born.

 

Laughter is its fragrant petals

Permeating the atmosphere;

Personality’s charm, its radiant hue

Creating a hearty cheer.

 

Loyalty is its slender stem

Which holds it straight and tall;

Faith is the verdant, tender leaf;

And love, the root, the all.

 

Martha Virginia Clarke

South Miami, Florida 1934

MYSTERY 

I’ve never been abroad

I’ve never crossed the sea

But certain am I of its lure—

Adventure beacons me!

 

I’ve often thought on life

I’ve never found its key—

But conscious am I of a wealth

Of hidden mystery---

 

Martha Virginia Clarke

South Miami, Florida 1933

REVELATION 

I looked unto heaven tonight

With a prayer in my heart,

But a mass of white

Moon-drenched clouds

Obstructed the view.

 

Then suddenly there came a wind

Which dashed them all apart

Leaving a circle of clear blue

In whose center appeared a star

That cast its beacon light

Of hope into my heart..

 

Martha Virginia Clarke

South Miami, Florida 1933

MEMORIES

 

Those we love remain with us

For love itself lives on,

And cherished memories never fade

Because a loved one’s gone!

 

Those we love can never be

More than a thought apart

For as long as there is memory

They’ll live on in our heart!

Martha Virginia Clarke

WELLS

 

 

There are wells from which we may draw

A continuous supply

Of clear, pure water with which to quinch

Our physical thirst.

 

There are intellectual wells from which

We may receive

Stimulating thoughts, aspirations,

And high ideals.

 

There is a great spiritual well from which,

Should we partake,

Will satisfy the deepest longing of our soul,

For we then know God.

 

Martha Virginia Clarke

South Miami, Florida  Summer, 1933

NIGHT

 

Night is a duchess

Robed in black velvet;

Glittering stars

are crystal jewels

adorning her hair,

And the moon—a touch

In her hand—

Lights her way.

Martha Virginia Clarke