Poems by Alora M. Knight

A friend of mine once asked me
Just how could I believe
In someone I never saw,
Nor spoken words received.

I thought, perhaps, I should explain
Just why I have no doubt
That it was God's creativeness
That brought this world about.

I only have to look around
To know that He is there.
I see and feel and hear Him.
That's why I'm so aware.

I see Him in the raindrops
That nourish trees and flowers.
I see Him in the rainbows
That sometimes follow showers.

I see Him in a mother's love
When looking at her child.
So thankful that this miracle
Is pure and undefiled.

I see Him in the wrinkled face
That's seen so many years,
Knowing it was faith in Him
That overcame all fears.

I hear Him when a meadowlark
Trills out its joyful song.
I hear Him when the thunder
Comes forth so loud and strong.

I see the beauty of Him
In the butterflies on wing.
The feathers of the peacock
Are the colors He can bring.

I feel Him when a playful breeze
Blows gently through my hair.
When the sun shines warmly on my face,
I know that He is there.

His strength shows in the mountains
And the ever pounding seas.
A kitten's purred affection
Shows how gentle love can be.

It's true I have no pictures
To hang upon my wall.
I do not need a portrait,
His presence to recall.

For those who wish to listen,
It is played throughout the land.
The symphony of life itself,
Directed by His hand.

Just between you and me, Lord, I'd like to say
It's not always easy to follow Your way.
I understand what you mean by the Golden Rule--
To create a good life, there is no better tool.

Still, what if you've been taught to look down on others?
Do we want to believe that we are all sisters and brothers?
It's hard not to resent the neighbor next door
Who does so little work, yet has so much more.

There are so many tragedies that happen worldwide.
It brings much unhappiness - that can't be denied.
I sit here complaining when I know it is true
That all of those troubles were not caused by you.

Yes, it just seems to me, if I remember it right,
You did give instructions that could shed lots of light
On the way life could be if Your rules were obeyed.
What a wonderful world it could be if all prayed.

I'm glad of the chance to discuss this with You.
I'll try not to forget what I know I should do.
You gave me free will, so it's now plain to see
I will need Your help often, just between You and me.

Many are the joys in life.
I'm blessed with quite a few.
Still, most of all I'm grateful
To have a daughter just like you.

I remember well when you were born,
The joy that filled my heart.
When I first held you in my arms,
I loved you from the start.

It was always such a pleasure
To see your precious life unfold.
Learning new things every day
Brought happiness untold.

The child in you, I still can see.
A glimmer here and there.
The smile when you anticipate,
A tugging at your hair.

Though no one knows the future,
What each one has in store,
I know whatever happens
I couldn't love you more.

So on this special day of yours,
Know the love that's there for you.
Not just today, but every day,
Will last a lifetime through.

I see the sadness in your eyes,
The times that you are knowing
What's happening to your wondrous mind,
The symptoms you are showing.

It was so hard to recognize
When they started coming through.
The little things that changed you
From the person that I knew.

The doctor's confirmation
Was so hard to accept,
To know that little could be done,
That there's no cure as of yet.

Forgive me, dear, if sometimes
I give in to my frustrations.
It's just so overwhelming,
This change in our relations.

Now I'm the one to be on guard,
To keep you safe from harm,
Protecting you the best I can
And not showing my alarm.

I hope you still can understand
How much you mean to me.
Though you curse me or forget me,
I'll accept what has to be.

For I will still remember
The joys that we once shared.
You showed me in so many ways
How very much you cared.

I pray to God to give me strength
To do what must be done,
To trust that in the future
This battle will be won.

Looking out my window
In October's golden light,
I see a beauty unsurpassed,
A truly lovely sight.

Leaves are saying soft good-byes
As they come floating down
To make a nature's carpet
Of yellow, red, and brown.

Mountain tops, now turned to white,
Forewarn of winter chills,
While trees, like golden rivers,
Wind their way up through the hills.

Throughout our world's creation
You will ever find it thus,
Kaleidoscopes of color,
In God's hand, the artist's brush.

We all come warmly from the womb,
Unprinted pages to be filled.
Brought forth upon the stage of life
On which our character starts to build.

Day by day and step by step,
We begin to fit into a mold,
Created by our way of life,
Accepting stories we've been told.

Every culture forms its shackles,
Binding those that live within.
Boundaries set by age-old rules
Is where prejudice will begin.

Few are those who will accept
The differences of all mankind.
The uniqueness making each one special
Is not the quest most seek to find.

It sometimes seems no one remembers
That God is the Father of us all.
We are equal in His sight,
From the mighty to the small.

The Golden Age will never come,
Nor will there be a lasting peace
Until love replaces hatred.
Then all differences will cease.