Poems by Ralph Quinonez

As I sit here and wonder how things would have turned out,
Not to have been part of your life was there ever a doubt.
I would see you again, just didn't know when.
A long time has passed, wondering how you have been.
Just to see your face one last time is something I never would have thought,
You have been on my mind all this time, something that I had always and never forgot.
The lessons that I learned from you, made each day more pleasant,
Your teachings of everyday life were such a warm and needed present.
I leave you now knowing you are safe in his arms,
No more pain or suffering, away from all harm.
Rest with the angels, until we all will see you once more.
We love and have missed you, things we will always adore.
Watch over us now, for one day it will come.
When we are laughing and talking and having oh so much fun.
We miss you mom, but we are glad that you made it home.
We wouldn't have wanted it any other way even if it meant for us to be alone.

You never promised us a perfect life, but only a perfect love.
We seek you in prayer and look for you as you are,
Our everlasting savior, a bright and shining star.
Sometimes we are out there lost, seeking your acceptance,
But we know that your will for us will never be rejections.
Because I believe what the Lord has done for us completely,
His word is our life and his life is ours so sweetly.
We may struggle to make it each and every day,
But he put it in our hearts, and he shows us the way.
Our faith grows as our lives get more involved,
One small voice to guide us with issues you will solve.
Forgive us when we fall, and pick us up to start again.
We love you oh so much; you are such a dear and caring friend.
One day we will see our loved ones who have gone before your face.
The thought of us before you, just that warm and tender embrace.
Give us peace and comfort, for things we don't understand.
Show us a serving heart, mold it into your master plan.
We live for only you, and your kingdom will prevail,
For our faith and love for you will help us to excel.
Bless our family and grant us serenity,
Because of you we now own our own identity.
Our faith, love and need is so everlasting within,
Shows how your love for us will never, never end.
Bless the less fortunate, and open their eyes to see your smile.
Give them the path to walk with you; you will make it all worthwhile.
Your love, your touch is the ultimate, until the very end,
Something we can actually never really comprehend.
Stay close to us, as you always are there when we are in need.
Bless us and our loved ones in your time, God speed.
The Lord never promised us that our life would be easily lived.
What he did promise was that his love for us would be easy conceived.
AMEN


In the quiet of my sorrow,

When the night feels oh so long,

You are standing right beside me,

And Your presence makes me strong.

Every tear I thought was hidden,

Every fear I tried to hide,

You were holding me so gently,

Never once you left my side.

When the thunder rolls around me,

And the shadows drown the light,

You reach out to calm my chaos,

You are hope through out the night.

For the cross has split the darkness,

And Your mercy never ends,
Every sinner seeking refuge,

Finds a Father, finds a friend.
No one searching is denied,

No one broken cast aside.

Every whisper of Forgive me,

Heaven hears and Heaven cries.

You restore the lost and weary,

Lift the fallen, make them new.

Every road of grace and mercy

Leads my wandering heart to You.
Oh, Your grace will carry me,

Through the storm and through the sea.

You are faithful ever near,

Whispering, My child, please come here.

With the love You gave me that day,

When Your Son took sin away.
I will trust You and I'll hold on,

Your grace will guide me to be strong.

I put on my gear to go for a bike ride,
Helmet light on, water bottle by my side.
The morning sun is soft and low,
Casting light on the road below.
I look along side the quiet bike lane,
The ride will take me to a place that will clear my mind and brain.
All the chickens scatter as I pass them by,
Their feathers flutter underneath the morning sky.

A dog starts barking as I pass the porch he's on,
Then settles down as I ride past his lawn.   
I leave the neighborhood so far behind,

And trade paved streets for peace of mind.
Deer running thorough the pastures grass,

Lifting their heads as I quietly pass.

Their gentle eyes watch me without fear,

As if they know I mean no harm from here.

Their slow steady hay is chewing time,

Feels like a quiet, sacred, heavenly rhyme.
The fresh air brushes across my face,

Cool and clean in its wide embrace.

It fills my lungs, both deep and wide,

As gratitude rises all from inside.

The country side stretches far and free,

A living place you would want to see.
All the beautiful things God has placed in my sight,

Makes the ride more enjoyable as I see the light.
In every field and sky above,

I see His quiet hand of love.
Riding through this open land,

Feeling the breeze across my hand.

I understand in moments like these,

Life's greatest gifts are simple and free.
And as I turn back around to go back home,

No longer feeling so quite alone.
I carry peace within my chest,

From riding the country roads I feel so blessed.