Poems by Patricia Fleming

Lizzie was a gator wrestler,
bred on Louisiana's swamps.
Her daddy taught her how to hunt,
she was all the son a man could want.

She had the best aim in the parish,
a true legend in those parts.
She was known to have the sharpest eye
and the bravest, honest heart.

When hunting season rolled around
there was no doubt where she would be,
in her airboat on the fetid swamp
with her rifle on her knee.

She'd hang her putrid chicken bait
in all her favorite spots
and by nightfall she'd meander back
with the load of gators that she caught.

Yes, Lizzie was a tough ole broad
who had little time to play.
She had to make her quota
to earn her righteous pay.

She lived a rather lonely life,
a safe distance from the fray.
While her dirty nails and gritty smell
kept any suiters far away.

But then she'd sit upon her porch
in sultry evenings on the bayou
and reminisce about her Noah
who was once her love so true.

But Noah finally called it quits
and let dear, sweet Lizzie go,
when in response to his proposal
she returned a sorry, "No."

But Lizzie claimed no sad regrets.
This was the life that Lizzie chose.
It was the life that she was good at,
the only life she'd ever known.

So, from August to November
her belly was on fire
hunting down the biggest gators
in the vast and muddy mire.

She went toe to toe with all the men
who claimed to be the best.
But in the end, they all agreed
she far out-hunted all the rest.

But in secret Lizzie had her dreams.
She'd spent too much time alone
and longed to have a soul mate
to share her bayou home.

She was still a woman in her soul
and craved some virile company,
catching gators was quite thrilling
but to snare a man served other needs

Lizzie saw that days were rushing by
and she was running out of time
and her need for hunting gators
was not all that filled her mind.

So, Lizzie let her gators go
and decided to retire
and began her search for the perfect mate
to set her heart on fire.

And then it came to pass that Lizzie
stopped chasing gators everyday
But ensnared the perfect gentleman
to help her pass her days away.

So now you might see Lizzie
as the twilight settles in
not in the company of gators
but with her spry old gentleman.

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.