Poems by Patricia Fleming

I've heard words that
left me breathless,
like a punch right in my gut.

And been through times
that seemed so hopeless
I've contemplated giving up.

I've seen that mournful look
of disappointment
that made me want to disappear.

And felt a touch,
so cold and rough,
I cringed in sudden fear.

I've had times I've failed
so miserably
that I despised myself.

And wasted too much time
pointing the finger
and blaming everybody else.

I've discovered
lies so blatant
I felt brutally betrayed.

And I've had hurts
that cut so deeply
that I've never been the same.

I've harbored anger
raw and livid
that made me lose control.

And I've committed sins
so mean and cruel
that I was sure I'd lost my soul.

But.......

I've felt love
unfeigned and perfect,
it was like heaven here on earth.

And I've felt
needed and admired
and convinced of my own worth.

I've been held
with such affection
that I've felt completely safe.

I've seen that look
of ardent pride
and all my failures were erased.

I have expressed soft words
of tender caring
that made my heart unfurl.

And had moments
of amazement
at good people in this world.

I've known happiness
of such intensity
that I felt like I could fly.

And given smiles
filled with so much joy,
that joy was multiplied.

I've seen countless dreams
come true
against a million odds.

And seen the beauty
every single day
of our grand and gracious God.

Life has an endless, sacred balance
composed of
constant lows and highs.

I've seen the best
and worst of times
and through it all I have survived.

I've had a life of meaning
through which
I've struggled and I've thrived.

I've had a life
that's left me breathless
and made me grateful I'm alive.

The sun rose in her radiance
Above fields of green and gold.
She embraced Him with her subtle warmth
As in the morning glow, He strolled.

He was always there to greet her
With His overflowing heart
And from the moment He created her
They had never been apart.

She smiled at Him brightly
And then proceeded with her work.
She must awaken all the Heavens
And those still asleep on earth.

But something seemed to catch God's eye
There among the marigolds
And then He lifted in His loving arms
An orange, furry little soul.

God so loved His precious pets
With their loyal, loving hearts
And He knew the sadness deeply felt
When it was time for them to part.

But then she saw God's smile fade,
So she opened up her worried ears
And she could hear this little fella
Shedding little kitty tears.

He was telling God the story
Of his sad, heartbroken Mom
Who couldn't seem to move ahead
And accept that he was gone.

Sunny was this kitty's name
And his concern was crystal clear.
His desperate need to help his Mom
Was sweet and so sincere.

Well God in His compassion
Kissed Sunny's head and held him tight.
He said I think I have a way
To make everything all right!

We will send another kitty
Who feels unwanted and alone
And has no one to love him
And no home to call his own.

And when your Mommy meets him
She'll feel that love that you had shared
And somehow deep inside her heart
She'll know for sure that you're still there

She'll know you always want the best for her
To be loved and to love once again.
And she'll finally know the love you shared
Will Never, Ever end.

Well Sunny licked God's soft, warm cheek
And bounded off with all his friends.
His heart just overflowed with joy
Knowing his Mom would be happy again.

A single flash of a camera
And a moment frozen in time
Can never truly tell the tale
Of that child left behind.

She's that face in all those pictures.
She's someone I used to know.
She's that timid, loving child
From a million years ago.

She had an open smile
And a twinkle in her eye,
With a sadness and a reticence
She tried her best to hide.

She was an old soul with an innocence,
A fierce and fragile little girl,
Who already looked so out of place
In this predatory world.

The way she hugged her body
Betrayed her uncertainty and fears
And behind that penetrating stare
Was a knowing well beyond her years.

I can look upon her image now
And know the depth of all her pain
And face the heartache that is hidden there
And choose not to look away.

I am privy to her secrets
And the hardships she's survived.
I can feel her sensitivity
And her bewilderment with life.

She lingers here inside of me
And will until the end of time
And all her hurt and sorrow
Is also all of mine.

I will prove to her I love her
And will try to make things right
By protecting and defending her
For the first time in her life.