Engineering Marvels

 

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Designed to carry a road or cross a ravine or river

Bridges are constructed to carry a load to deliver

 

Bridge designs range from very simple to complex

Some look very basic and daunting from the rest

 

More primitive bridges make one’s legs tremble and shake

Crossing them seems like a journey, certainly not to make

 

Scaling Everest, the world’s tallest and best known peak

Climbers use a crevasse bridge for the thrills they seek

 

Relishing a drive along many of America’s roads, without despair

Crossing a covered bridge that is unique and kept in good repair

 

More complex types are designed with beauty it seems

Trestle, arch, suspension, girder, drawbridge, and beam

 

Famous bridges are found nearly everywhere

Nearly all are built with a great amount of care

 

Sadly, a small number of bridges weaken and collapse

Due to flooding, earthquakes, or an engineering lapse

 

Pittsburgh proclaims to be the “City of Bridges” at last count

But, New York City possesses more bridges, without a doubt

 

Some bridges are named after people of notable fame

Benjamin Franklin and Andy Warhol, a couple to name

 

Other bridges are found in legends, films, and books

Golden Gate, Mackinac, and Brooklyn—take a look!

 

European designers have been busy in many places

Hamburg and Amsterdam’s bridges fill their spaces

 

Bridges comprise some of man’s grandest monuments of all

Designing impressive engineering marvels that shouldn’t fall

 

As some plan to demolish an old, downtrodden bridge

Expect others to stand and cry out, “Save Our Bridge”

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The Great River Bridge spans the Mississippi River at the Iowa-Illinois border.

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Entering Burlington, Iowa, a closer view of the Great River Bridge.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Journey to America

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Images of immigrants arriving at America’s shores

Families hope the United States offers much more

 

Huddled and crowded together on ships bound for another  land

Dreaming of moving forward and receiving an outstretched hand

 

Most Americans trace immigrants back to their family roots

Their ancestors arrived ready to energize lives with a boost

 

 

 

Singer Neil Sedaka proclaims the immigrants’ anxious arrival

“The Immigrant” sings of America waiting, without any denial

 

Coming to America is immortalized as Neil Diamond sings

“America” tells a fascinating story that only his lyrics bring

 

Both Sedaka and Diamond write beautiful and appropriate text

America can do better than people shouting, “You are not next”

 

 

 

Imagine the excitement felt upon seeing Lady Liberty

She has welcomed people to America for an eternity

 

Her torch offers a brilliant beacon of new hope and light

America extends a welcoming hand, ending their plight

 

This openhearted Lady, gifted from France, stands solemn

She invites the less fortunate to disembark in long columns

 

 

 

Emma Lazarus, an offspring of immigrants, expresses it best

Her poetic words in “The New Colossus” surely pass the test

 

Her inspiring words paint an ironic and emotional image for all

To see how a mighty Lady and America will forever stand tall

 

 

 

America’s melting pot overflows from a gentle and peaceful place

Tales from immigrants deserve to be heard without undue haste

 

Immigration has recently become a passionate, national debate

America’s history shows patience in opening its welcome gate

 

The lyrics of “The Immigrant” can be found at Neil Sedaka.

The lyrics of “America” can be found at Neil Diamond.

The verses of “The New Colossus” can be found at Emma Lazarus.

Wild Violet

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She returns annually to announce the arrival of spring

Heart-shaped flowers will bring vivid beauty that sings

 

She loves the cool and damp spring air

Shaded from the sunlight brings no cares

 

She possesses a cute and dainty look

Green fields invite a walk along a brook

 

She adores the color purple, dark is best

Sadly, others see her beauty as a pest

 

She loves to pause in gardens for relaxation

Butterflies seek her as a beautiful attraction

 

She experienced vigorous growth in her younger days

Ancient Greeks consider her a symbol of love that stays

 

She meanders now as a traveler seeking only fun

Looking out at a calm creek called Wild Violet Run

 

There really is a small stream called Wild Violet Run near Pickerington, Ohio in Violet Township, which is located in northwestern Fairfield County.

Final Lap

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Destined to command the pack around the track

The shiny and high-speed race car never slacks

Fine-tuned to outrun and outmuscle every foe

This car will sprint to the finish, never too slow

Racing for a championship with 200 grueling laps

The experienced driver is favored to win in a snap

Waiting all week for race day to finally arrive

The rest of the field wonders how to survive

Handled with precision, the favorite speeds onward

The driver’s bubbling confidence shines forward

Taking the lead from the start of the 500 mile sprint

The cool, poised driver stays ahead as others flinch

Hearing the engine competing at its maximum speed

Four, three, two laps and one more to finish the deed

Running razor-close to the edge of the wall

The driver knows the competition shall fall

Entering the final corner of today’s dominating ride

The car fuels excitement with nothing ever to hide

Anticipating the checkered flag waiting at the finish line

The driver applies a final burst of speed for the last time

 

Victory ahead . . .

 

CRASH!!!

 

Crushed into the outer wall takes away smiles

This car won’t be racing for quite a long while

Saddened by a single error and a disastrous mistake

The driver grimaces at his unfortunate luck and fate

 

Where is Hope?

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The location of Hope County can’t be found on any maps

Perhaps hope resides in our caring hearts ready to tap

 

Last year’s drought

Brings misery and dried-up hope

Optimistic farmers seed spring crops with unwavering hope

 

A nearby processing plant

Will close soon with vanishing hope

Hurting families look to God for new hope

 

A nation’s inner fiber

Torn and ripped apart with faltering hope

Martin Luther King proclaims a message of rebuilding hope

 

A man sits despaired and forlorn

Being laid off with a future that offers spiritless hope

Receiving a new job brings praise to a God of immense hope

 

A crime-ridden neighborhood

Breathes each day with an absence of hope

Community spirit and love return with true hope

 

A charred Apollo spacecraft

Dashes an American moon journey with little hope

Neil Armstrong walks on the moon with restored hope

 

A scorned and forgotten child

Feels left out at school with fading hope

A passionate teacher smiles and brings refreshing hope

 

A middle-aged woman

Receives news that her body is filled with cancer and no hope

Prayers intercede filled with cancer-free and grace-filled hope

 

A sin-filled world

Awaits a Savior with never-ending hope

God sends His Son to deliver eternally-filled hope

 

Our world contains many places

Where hearts are filled with everlasting spirit and hope

Let’s never turn-off for a second our amazing hope

 

The Bible speaks a great deal about hope.  Search for numerous examples such as from Romans 15:13:  May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Spirits Haunt the Land

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Their spirit soars across the brilliant Big Sky

Like an eagle spreading wings, ready to fly

 

Enriching man’s dreams in this last best, special place

Montana spirits continue to haunt the Treasure State

Following the sacred buffalo across the vast land

Native Americans roam the plains in small bands

Setting traps in beaver-rich streams during wintertime

Fur trappers pursue thick pelts for men’s hats very fine

Panning for gold along streams such as Alder Gulch

Miners rush to another strike on Last Chance Gulch

Building tracks for iron horses that seem to go forever

Railroads build mighty empires for men rich and clever

Pushing the unselfish Native Americans brutally aside

Their culture slowly fades away, but never their pride

Riding the cattle range from dawn until dusk

Cowboys work tirelessly in a life they trust

Toiling in an arid, unforgiving land that feels hostile

Homesteaders struggle and sometimes feel futile

Digging around the clock in copper mines deep underground

Miners work where safety is not much and accidents abound

Cutting the western forests’ tall pines down to size

Loggers harvest miles of timber as their final prize

Looking back at Montana’s past with much to relive and say

Many memories of the past fade, but a few remain today

 

Their spirit soars across the brilliant Big Sky

Like an eagle spreading wings, ready to fly

 

Montana uses two nicknames, Big Sky Country and Treasure State.  Montana became the 41st state admitted to the Union in 1889.  

Where’s My Spark?

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My ears hear the wind chimes at play

Their music brings little value to say

My mind tries to listen closely, but cannot

The emotions pile around me, tied in a knot

My melancholy spirit remains dismal and sad

The gray skies never ever make me feel glad

My heart is filled with much loneliness

The day’s outlook fills with emptiness

My emotions have been left too bare

Life’s troubles bring much to scare

My eyes only notice the bad and the ugly

The good has never made me feel snuggly

My heart aches from many past wounds

So many others’ words make me swoon

My body needs to begin moving soon

No!  Let’s linger in bed til’ afternoon

My room remains motionless and dark

Please God, help me to find my spark

Many of us have experienced infrequent bouts of depression.  Sometimes life’s challenges can overwhelm any of us.  Others deal with depression as an illness that follows him or her like a persistent shadow.  If you know of someone who battles depression on a long-term basis, you probably have a great deal of empathy for this person.

Comic Book Super Heroes

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Remembering that a few friends read comic books

For me, I seldom even considered a passing look

Seeing many Super Heroes on display

I would rather venture outside to play

Imagining now the priceless treasures to be found

If I had buried these comic books under the ground

 

Superman’s nemesis, Lex Luthor, wants to take him down

Watch out Superman!  Kryptonite always makes you frown

The Man of Steel remains a long-time favorite to many

 

Batman pursues the horde of villains in Gotham City

The Joker and Catwoman will shudder—what a pity!

His caring human side chases many sinister fools

 

Wonder Woman brings a feminine touch to the scene

But her crime fighting skills make her no villain’s queen

She’s always dressed in patriotic red, white, and blue

 

The Flash frequently searches for Professor Zoom

Hopefully he won’t make Flash run too fast, too soon

Running too fast could atomize the speeding Flash

 

Reading comic books remains popular even now

Their Super Heroes always win and take a bow

Hiding behind everyday names:  Kent, Wayne, Prince, and Allen

Identities secretly hidden and unknown so none are ever misfallen

Facing a myriad of despicable villains each time

Young minds lost in many adventures so fine

Every Super Hero battles evil to the end

Villains, all of them, to jail they will send

Have you ever collected anything?  I am curious so please send me a note.  Thanks for reading and commenting.

 

 

Nightly Sentinels

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Silent darkness arrives along the lake’s shore

Bringing beauty, but there is danger and more

 

Nightfall’s murkiness shrouding any potential peril

Hiding exposed reefs and shoals that may imperil

 

Loaded vessels silently lumber toward their destinations

Navigating through the gloom to reach their final stations

 

Danger lurking along a concealed shoreline in the empty dark

Demanding the skipper to plot a course so steady on its mark

 

A lighthouse stands alone by the shore’s breakwater

Warning of unexpected hazards so ships don’t falter

 

For years, Lake Erie’s travel routes have been patrolled

Providing warning lights and fog sirens, bright and bold

 

Numerous nighttime sentries light up along Ohio’s coast

Protecting ships and crew at locations that harbor a post

 

Ashtabula, Sandusky, Conneaut, Marblehead, and Lorain

Marking safe passage for crossing Erie’s shipping lanes

 

A misty fog blanketing the rocky shore this lonely night

Synchronizing light with sound, a lone sentinel’s might

 

Today’s ships cruise with improved navigational systems

Sparking too many lighthouses to decline and fall victim

 

Some guardians along Erie’s shore are preserved

Reminding visitors of a rich, past history to serve

 

Unique and fascinating designs still live to shine

Preventing accidents and calamities for all time

 

 

Foggy Rain

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Morning arrives filled with much rain and fog

The view outside looks more like soggy smog

The arrival of another day brings a new, fresh start

Hopefully a writer’s words will be like a work of art

Twinkling street lights appear through the wet haze

The sun’s illumination will remain hidden all this day

Sounds of rain splashing against the window’s glass

This morning mist looks to find a home at long last

Perhaps the intense rain will inspire a pen to write

Maybe words will arrive with impressions so right

The calmness evaporates as a gentle wind arrives

The steady rain matures as its intensity thrives

Rain hurls through the air in a sideways manner

The large drops sound as loud as a jackhammer

Lightning flashes across the foggy, gray sky

Rumbling thunder echoes as if a jet flies by

The worn, wooden planks of the patio deck shine

A slippery sheen generates added beauty so fine

The sky lightens up for a moment or two

Nature’s own light offers a beautiful view

Now the rain restarts with amounts far too much

Flooding may bring for some an absence of luck

The day will continue to be soggy and wet for all

At least this poem has answered a writer’s call