Poems by Laura Sanders

Tell me,
what do you think, when you look into the sad, pleading eyes,
of those who go hungry and cold?
What do you think, when you look at the man shuffling about in the street,
limping, tired and old...?
Carrying a bottle of booze, grimy , worn coat, holes in his socks, and
his shoes.

What do you think , when you look into the big eyes, of the African kids,
pot-bellied, desperate for any food?
What do you think, when you see an abandoned dog, tied up,
by the side of the road?
Or a donkey crippled with overgrown hooves, can't walk, let alone carry
any load?

What do you think of those orphaned, alone, wishing they had family?
We are so lucky, we have friends, and family, someone to look after
you and me.
Just think of the hungry and abandoned in this world, as the time goes ticking by...
These are the things that we should care about, or we may as well, just sit
down and cry...!

Such horror faced by the allied troops,
Such bravery in the face of the foe.
Witnessing young lives, mown down by gunfire,
Such terror, thank God, we will never know....

For the liberation of Europe was won
but at a price to men, from all sides.
American ,French ,Canadian ,English .
Red bloodied land, crimson red tides.

I am humbled when I think of the sacrifices
Men made, the sixth June 1944 is now history.
Heroes fighting for their country,
To free us from the Nazi tyranny.

In Normandy the graveyards are bursting
White headstones , display lives cut down by war
Today we must always be grateful,
We must remember them, for evermore.

"Let this never happen again !" the survivors say
Tears and sadness wells, in their faded eyes.
As they think of their fallen comrades
Who died on the beaches,  in the sea and skies.

A single red Poppy is all I wear to commemorate the dead.
A single red Poppy is all I wear, it's clothed in scarlet red.
Curled up at both ends, torn by Remembrance day,
but without it how would I show, I cared about the sacrifice, they made.

Swathes of Poppies today, are found in Flander's lands,
where bodies once bled in the mud - it's hard to understand!
Why men must brutally fight one another, in order to win a war?
Countless lives lost to a cause, just to settle a score.

But just what were those men really  fighting for?
For freedom and peace to reign, across our lands once more.
So that simple, red Poppy is important, for us to wear.
We can all show our support for soldiers today- show we all do care!

Let me go, release me like a flying kite.
Let me go, let me fade, like day turns to night.
Watch me sink, like the deep orange setting sun.
For 'twas a sunset of dreams I once provided for everyone.

Let me go, the person I used to be,
For I'm no longer her; I've changed to a new me,
Someone who is forgetful and confused with time and place.
Soon I will not recognize you, may not even know your face.

Let me go, remember the good times we used to share.
Just hold my hand and show me that you care.
As we venture onwards, my love to you I send.
Our love will keep us going, as I near the final bend.

I would be enthralled at the stories the ocean could tell,
about explorers and adventurers that traversed its swell,
of the lives lost in shipwrecks and of pirate tales of old,
and legends passed down through generations, told.

The ocean is mysterious, enchanting us all,
and contains many strange creatures both large and small,
a vast body of water, we challenge with our might,
sail our boats across, battle it by day and by night.

It changes character, furious brooding one minute,
next it is calm and serene, then we can overcome and win it!
But when I see its rolling, crashing waves,
I am glad I am on terra firma, as it's stability I crave!

They sacrificed their lives, entered the gates of hell,
Onward they stumbled, while all around them fell,
War weary, ragged, faces dirt encrusted, black.
Impatient for the whistle, ready for attack.

In their hearts burned everlasting hope,
Carrying love letters and handwritten notes,
Tiny mementos and gifts tucked into pockets,
As shells blasted like exploding rockets!

They died as all good soldiers die,
Hoping for a better world for you and I,
Wanting to set the world free,
But many would shudder if they could see

The selfish world we live in today.
Would they be pleased with its uncaring ways?
Because "for our today, they gave their tomorrow,"
So let us be grateful, not wallow in sorrow.

Let us make their sacrifice worthwhile,
And help each other with willingness and a smile,
For at our darkest hour, our country they did save,
With their lives, which they so bravely gave....

Big, pink fluffy hearts could not convey
what you mean to me this Valentine's Day.
A card with fancy words saying, "I love you so,"
could not capture my thoughts, but I think you know
today just how much you mean to me,
without balloons, fluffy teddies, sentimentality,
or a fancy meal cooked with sparkling wine,
to say that you are "really mine!"

Instead, I'll gently kiss your lips,
hold your face, caress your fingertips.
Then you will know how much I really care,
that my life with you, I gladly share.
The joys, hopes, dreams will fade away,
but we'll be together, as we make our way
down through life's pathways, hand in hand,
with our precious love that is truly grand.

I gaze at you with welling tears.
We have been husband and wife for over fifty years!